Cape Cool: ePower generator axle in use – How South Africa drives the Sustainable Cold Chain Revolution

Woolworths, affectionately known as "Woolies", enjoys success in Africa, Australia and New Zealand thanks to its premium quality offering, ranging from food to fashion and cosmetics. A case in pont is its “Ripe&Ready” label, which offers highly perishable fruits such as figs, papayas or avocados, at the perfect moment of ripeness. Often sourced from small contract farms in remote areas, this is a logistical tour de force in a country the size of Germany, France and Italy combined. South Africa's burgeoning middle class has rewarded the high quality and sustainability goals with a 9.1 percent increase in food sales.

Since early 2024, Woolworths has become the first international retail chain to use ThermoKing and BPW's electric freight refrigeration solution, AxlePower. The logistics partner is DP World, a multinational logistics company headquartered in Dubai.

DP World and Woolworths sent the refrigerated trailer equipped with AxlePower straight into regular operation on the route between Johannesburg and Cape Town – 1,400 kilometres across the Karoo Desert, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in summer and dropping below freezing in winter. The notorious potholes in the greater Johannesburg area and the unpaved washboard roads off the motorways also demand maximum resilience. Susan Pretorius, Managing Director of BPW Axles in South Africa, notes: “Our generator axle ePower has proven itself as the heart of the overall AxlePower system, even under the most challenging driving conditions. If ePower can withstand Africa, then the rest of the world is a walk in the park.”

The electric transport refrigeration not only saves 27 tonnes of CO₂ per vehicle annually but also reduces noise and exhaust fumes. Pretorius: “A blessing for residents near supermarkets and restaurants, as well as for the drivers.” Another reason for its adoption is the protection against fuel theft – a problem which is becoming more acute in Europe too.

Susan Pretorius: "In South Africa, logistics specialists and trailer manufacturers are open to innovation as long as they are cost-effective, robust and reliable. ThermoKing and BPW's excellent reputation has created the necessary trust in the new technology – and the solution has now become a real success." 

ePower can be experienced at transport logistic in Munich from June 2 to 5 at the BPW stand (Hall A6, Stand 310).

In 1962, South Africa became BPW's first foreign venture outside of Germany. The brand has been present here since 1990 with its own development and production facilities and a service network covering the countries across the whole of southern Africa. However, the company's roots go back to 1945. Nowhere else is the range of solutions so diverse: BPW supplies axles for the gigantic tipper trailers used in the African mining industry but also provides high-tech innovations such as ePower for emission-free refrigeration logistics. All solutions are famous for their sturdiness and easy servicing.