If anyone understands the business potential of natural refrigerants in Europe, it’s Frank Jansing.
Jansing was CEO at Viessmann Refrigeration Germany in 2023 when it announced a joint venture with Italian commercial refrigeration manufacturer Epta. According to William Pagani, then CMO of the Epta Group, the goal of what would become Epta Central North Europe was to deliver “a complete natural offer that covers the entire product lifecycle.”
Jansing led the integration of the new joint venture and was Managing Director of Epta Refrigeration West until recently when he was named the CEO of bluu unit, a German alliance of HVAC&R contractors that promotes the use of natural refrigerants. In an interview with NaturalRefrigerants.com, Jansing laid out his vision for bluu unit, which was launched this past January.
“The alliance should gain even more strength, pursue innovative paths and grow continuously,” Jansing told NaturalRefrigerants.com. “‘Think globally, act locally’ is our central guideline for future-oriented development. We will make a significant contribution to fulfill the need for decarbonization and ESG.”
Jansing’s ambitious outlook is informed not just by his experience working in natural refrigerants but also by bluu unit’s backer, the European private equity firm Triton Partners.
“Triton has invested in service companies across Europe for more than 25 years,” Jansing said. “It has contributed not only capital but also a broad network of experts to support innovation, regional expansion and bluu unit’s sustainability strategy.”
Bluu unit’s ultimate success will be based on the HVAC&R contractors under its umbrella, and NaturalRefrigerants.com spoke with Jansing about how the organization supports its member companies.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Why did Triton Partners decide to build an alliance of natural refrigerant contractors in Germany?
Frank Jansing: Triton Partners established an alliance of refrigeration system manufacturers in Germany because it has a strong focus on medium-sized companies in German-speaking countries and on ESG-driven business models. The aim of this alliance is to create a national market leader for sustainable and natural refrigeration and air-conditioning technology.
Germany is an ideal location for promoting innovative technologies like natural refrigerants due to its economic strength and strict environmental and sustainability regulations. Triton invests in traditional industries and develops them further around the topic of ESG. The firm is convinced that this creates significant value and a much greater impact. Refrigeration technology is one area Triton identified and subsequently invested in bluu unit to further expand its expertise in sustainable refrigeration technology.
How large is bluu unit, and what are its growth plans for 2025?
FJ: Bluu unit employs around 400 people and comprises a total of 12 companies, which are present in 13 locations in Germany. The alliance has a presence in the following states: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.
The overriding aim of bluu unit is to establish a nationwide presence and act as a leading provider of sustainable cooling and heating technologies throughout Germany. As an employer, it creates attractive local and global opportunities in the growing refrigeration and air-conditioning sector. It is conceivable that the portfolio could be expanded to include sector links relating to holistic and sustainable energy management.
How does bluu unit help alliance members grow their businesses?
FJ: Our members have an economically strong partner at their side who offers targeted support, be it through expertise or investment aid. As an alliance, we pool our extensive expertise, and this continuous transfer of knowledge and experience strengthens the competitiveness of individual companies.
Alliance members remain independent companies that retain their local responsibilities, allowing them to react flexibly to local conditions and specific requirements. We are also a strong partner when it comes to company succession, and together we plan a sustainable growth strategy based on partnership-based corporate development while local entrepreneurs remain the decision-makers.
While our members remain independent, we take over administrative tasks such as accounting, finance, strategic purchasing, IT management, marketing and human resources. This allows companies to focus on their core competencies and day-to-day operations.
In addition, the requirements in the market are constantly increasing, particularly due to stricter regulations such as the recent amendment of the EU’s F-gas Regulation. Together with its members, bluu unit develops a future-proof strategy and identifies new business areas to support the continuous growth and further development of member companies.
“Together with its members, bluu unit develops a future-proof strategy and identifies new business areas to support the continuous growth and further development of member companies.”
Frank Jansing, CEO of bluu unit
One common concern in the HVAC&R industry is a shortage of technicians in general and technicians trained to work with natural refrigerants more specifically. How does bluu unit help its members with recruiting and training?
FJ: Bluu unit offers alliance members a wide range of opportunities to further develop their employees’ expertise and add new talent.
A central element is the intensive exchange of knowledge within the alliance. The collaboration between members and specialized experts enables them to provide their customers with tailored solutions. The bluu unit Academy gives employees access to training in the field of natural and sustainable refrigerants. Some members already have extensive expertise in this area and contribute their experience to alliance-wide consulting.
Bluu unit counters the shortage of skilled labor with experienced recruiters and HR experts. They not only support members in the targeted recruitment of employees but also draw on a large network in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry. Bluu unit attaches great importance to offering opportunity and development possibilities to new talent while at the same time providing extensive, ongoing training for existing specialists.
Does bluu unit see an opportunity to expand to other European countries?
FJ: Bluu unit is carefully evaluating other European opportunities that share similar operations and values and want to join our growth paths in the near future. We are not restricted in terms of where. Rather it’s the “who” and “what” that define our investment criteria.