#United Kingdom #Glasgow #Manufacturer of the Year #Star Refrigeration #Ethos System

Star Refrigeration Celebrated as Manufacturer of the Year

Star Refrigeration, a leading name in the refrigeration industry, has received the prestigious title of Manufacturer of the Year (£25m+) at the Made in Scotland Awards 2025. This notable event, organized by Insider Media, took place on September 25th and recognized the company’s commitment to innovation, growth, and sustainability within the Scottish manufacturing landscape.

The award highlights Star Refrigeration's significant contributions to refrigeration and heating technologies, catering to various industries both in the UK and globally. The company has been a pioneer in the development of natural refrigeration systems and has played a crucial role in landmark projects, such as the Queens Quay and Bristol heat pump initiatives, which were recognized internationally as the European Heat Pump City of the Year.

In recent times, Star has pushed boundaries with groundbreaking technologies, including barge-mounted heat pumps and a novel steam-generating model, alongside its advanced energy management system known as Ethos. This innovative system combines engineering prowess with artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, and sophisticated algorithms, catering to businesses looking to enhance energy efficiency.

Star Refrigeration’s systems have proven to be remarkably efficient, often using less than 60% of the energy compared to competitor systems, particularly when maintained under the company’s detail-oriented StarCare regime. Accepting the award on behalf of the company, Professor Dave Pearson, Group Sustainable Development Director, expressed pride in the achievement, attributing it to the hard work and dedication of Star’s engineers, technicians, and innovators. He stated, "Winning this award is a tribute to the people of Star Refrigeration. Our engineers, technicians, and innovators are driving the sustainable transformation of industries that rely on cooling and heating."

Professor Pearson further emphasized the company’s longstanding commitment to leading with innovation and responsibility. He conveyed optimism about the future, remarking that the recognition serves to affirm their collective efforts in shaping a cleaner, smarter future for generations ahead.

In a light-hearted moment during the awards ceremony, Pearson shared information about the company’s new term-time internship scheme, aimed at attracting talent to the engineering sector. Unlike traditional summer placements, this initiative allows students to gain hands-on experience during the academic year, offering them a competitive national living wage along with a £2,000 bursary, which can total around £10,000 annually.

Additionally, John Clark, Director of Star Data Analytics, received a Highly Commended recognition in the Outstanding Contribution to Manufacturing category for his role in developing the Ethos system. This AI-driven energy management solution now operates across over 100 sites and supports more than 20 clients, processing upwards of 40 billion data points each year. Ethos is instrumental in identifying inefficiencies in industrial refrigeration and heating systems, delivering substantial carbon savings for vital sectors including cold chain logistics, petrochemicals, data centres, and district heating.

As regional winners at the Made in Scotland Awards, Star Refrigeration will now proceed to compete at the national Made in the UK Awards, positioning Scottish innovation on a broader stage. With its long-standing commitment to sustainability and technological advancements, Star Refrigeration continues to set benchmarks within the refrigeration sector and beyond.

For more details about Star Refrigeration and its innovative solutions, visit star-ref.co.uk. Founded in 1970, Star Refrigeration stands as the UK's largest independent industrial refrigeration and heating engineering firm, recognized for its dedication to innovation and sustainability with expertise spanning across various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, data centres, and logistics.