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It was an action packed opening day at ARBS 2018 with plenty of product announcements, informative presentations and an exhibition floor showcasing the latest trends and technologies impacting the HVACR industry.

With more than 300 exhibitors and thousands of attendees checking out the latest product releases on display, there was a lot of movement on the trade show floor.

Innovation is the dominant theme this year with stands presenting a far more sleek and modern appearance compared to previous years.

HVACR today is a fast moving industry, one that is experiencing “extraordinary” growth with no signs of a slow down, according to Expert Group analyst, Michael McCann.

Releasing preliminary figures from the group's latest research report, “Cold Hard Facts 3: Measures of Change”, McCann said report findings reveal an industry that is changing rapidly.

“This industry is getting bigger and getting bigger at a faster rate,” he said adding that Australia is a country where everyone owns a couple of cars and three 'splitties' referring to split system air conditioners.

“Demand is growing at a time when many people thought the market would be saturated by now but it is actually accelerating.”

McCann said split systems have grown at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.5 per cent for the past five years, and this is likely to continue.

Comparing figures from 2012 to 2016 McCann said the value of installations has grown from $5 billion to $8 billion but actual wages across the industry have stayed the same.

“The real value of HVACR is evident in the numbers yet here we are the most invisible industry in the nation, it's time for us to take our place in the economic landscape,” he said.

While today's presentation only covered preliminary figures the final report will be released later this year.More details of the report and McCann's presentation will be featured in CCN's ARBS coverage to be published in the July edition of the magazine.

The issue includes full page coverage for each of the major stands, as well as reports from the Seminar Series.

The biggest announcement of the day was DC-3, an innovative refrigeration system prototype which can be seen at the Actrol stand.The fina l DC-3 product, which is ideal for cool rooms and boasts energy savings as high as 30 per cent, will be released in a few months.

Details of the system will be covered in CCN's upcoming ARBS Feature.

Don't forget to visit CCN at stand 4056 to participate in our daily poll questions about the state of the industry. Results will be published later this week.

Highlights from day two of ARBS includes a panel discussion on the future of the refrigeration trade and a site visit to Barangaroo.

To get your stand featured in the magazine contact CCN sales executive, Michael Northcott, on 0420 403 044.