Bitzer UK’s managing director, Kevin Glass, has been nominated to be the next president of the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR). 

He was chosen from a list of 15 potential candidates by the IOR’s nominating committee, consisting of trustees and past presidents

A statement to Institute members said: “The trustees have decided this year to make a single recommendation, as they consider the nominee would fulfil the role extremely well, has a long association with the IOR and high standing in the sector.”

IOR members may propose additional candidates at any time before noon on 1 September.

In his nomination statement, Mr Glass recalled how he began his career in the industry: “When I started grammar school, it was my dream to join the RAF and train as a fighter pilot. However, I discovered that I suffer from a colour vision deficiency, which meant this was no longer possible.

“I decided to do something with my hands, and applied for an apprenticeship with Taylor Woodrow as a construction plant technician. This led to a position in a daughter company installing split system air conditioning units and repairing Trembath dehumidifiers.”  

After a City and Guilds refrigeration course at Willesden College, and experience in sales, Mr Glass joined APV Hall Commercial as an internal sales engineer for Bitzer and Fincoil products.

When the company became a UK distributor for Bristol compressors, Mr Glass was given technical responsibility for the range, and soon after added Friga-Bohn and SWEP plate heat exchangers.

The company was purchased by Bitzer and became Bitzer UK in the early nineties. Mr Glass was promoted to engineering manager in 1997, also joining the IOR.

Over the next 10 years, the Bitzer business moved into pack building with the purchase of Jerome Engineering Vessels, and started manufacturing bespoke versions of Bitzer condensing units.

Mr Glass commented: “I gained responsibility for the design of systems along with introducing changes to the design and build methods used.”

He was appointed managing director of Bitzer UK in 2011.

Mr Glass has contributed to the work of the IOR in a number of ways, including presenting regional talks about screw compressor technology, and continues to contribute to the IOR’s Cool Talks Program with his highly-regarded (and now infamous) presentation, “Who Killed the Compressor?”

He is a member of the board of the IOR’s trustees and also sits on the membership committee. 

Mr Glass concluded: “During my career in the industry, I have seen a large number of significant changes impact our working lives. I am proud to be a part of an industry that keeps overcoming the obstacles presented to it, and continues to rise to challenges in a way that few other industries can match.”

If one or more additional candidates are nominated, there will be an election by electronic ballot opening on 1 October 2017. The new president-elect will be appointed on 2 November 2017, with the role being to support the existing president until their term of office ends in November 2018.