We choose VDH when things get complicated

Dithmarscher Kältetechnik has been around for more than seventy years. The family business was founded in 1952 and is based in Marne. Its name is taken from the Landkreis of Dithmarschen, an administrative level between municipality and federal state.

Dithmarscher Kältetechnik works in refrigeration technology and climate control. The company sets itself apart through its approach: it focuses not only on the technical side, but also promises transparent processes. A single point of contact guides the customer from the first conversation through to the commissioning of a cooling installation. Thies Oelrichs is one of those contacts: he is a Kälteanlagenbauermeister (master refrigeration system builder) at Dithmarscher Kältetechnik.

Responsible from start to finish

“I am responsible for the planning and project management of cooling installations. When a customer is interested in a cooling installation, they are referred to me. I then work out a rough concept together with the customer, develop the idea and draw up the quotation. Once the customer places the order, I design the installation, develop the control panel in collaboration with VDH and take responsibility for the handover to the customer. So I guide the entire project. I am responsible from start to finish.”

For growers, suppliers and buyers

“Our customers are mainly agricultural businesses. This often involves the storage of fruit and vegetables, but we also build cooling installations for tree nurseries. This year we are installing one in Poland, our first project this far from home.

We also work for suppliers, buyers and transport companies that store and ship fruit and vegetables. Those are our classic customers. In addition, we work for abattoirs, bakeries, industry and hospitals.”

In the family since the very beginning

“I have been employed here as a certified master in refrigeration technology since 2014. But really, I have been a refrigeration technician for as long as I can remember, because this company has been in the family since the very beginning. I used to work here during the summer holidays. I did not do my training here, because from 2009 to 2014 I worked at other companies to gain more knowledge.

I first got to know VDH’s controllers at my first employer, Johannes Ernst Simon. They grew with them in the Alte Land, the fruit-growing region along the Elbe.”

A reliable controller manufacturer

“In 2014 I returned to the family business. I then said to my boss, Kai Fieles: ‘I know a reliable controller manufacturer, I’ll go and gather some information.’ After that, Jacco came by and discussed all kinds of things with me. Then I said: ‘Jacco, I’d like to come and visit you with my boss, and I’d like a presentation from you: just show us what you can do.’ The rest is history: VDH has been our regular partner ever since.”

Intuitive and simple

“The MC2 and MC3 controllers are easy for our customers to use. The interface is intuitive and simple, exactly what the customer needs: technology pared back to its essence.

Sometimes a customer has requirements that the controller cannot handle as standard, but in such cases VDH almost always finds a solution. It may not be precisely what I wanted myself or what I had in mind, but the problem gets solved. And that is what matters.”

Optimal results

“What I like as a technician is that you can also operate VDH’s controllers via remote maintenance. This means the installations are accessible to us remotely as well. We can adjust settings together with the customer, even when the installation is already up and running. That is convenient, because we build cooling installations not only in Dithmarschen, but throughout Germany, and even in Poland. That is how we get the optimal storage result for the customer. Anywhere, anytime.”