Right after Epta’s EuroShop 2026 press conference - where the Group presented the “Good never stops” vision and the Hauser deal - Sergei Mukminov, Editor-in-Chief of RefIndustry.com, joined an exclusive booth tour led by Aurélien Tissot, Marketing Senior Director of Epta Group.
The tour moved through the key zones of Epta's stand — from the Zenith flagship cabinet launch through CO2 refrigeration systems and the EptaTechnica engineering area, to concept retail design, flexible counters, and the MyEpta digital services platform. Along the way, Aurélien was joined by colleagues from system engineering and digital services — each walking through their part of the portfolio in detail.
Aurélien, where are we starting the tour, and what is Epta presenting here?
Aurélien Tissot: We’re starting with our flagship new product, Zenith, which you can see here. The key point is the mix between energy efficiency and merchandising / transparency. Everything starts from sustainability: every product we develop starts from the need for sustainability. For instance, all Zenith cabinets benefit from extra insulation, bringing negative-model standards into positive units by increasing foamed structure thickness from 30 mm to 60 mm. Moreover, we’ve done a lot of simulations, including CFD analysis, to optimise the air circuit and the design through targeted technical improvements.
What would you say is the first impression when you see Zenith in person?
Aurélien Tissot: The first impression of Zenith is its clean, uncluttered design, which immediately conveys simplicity, order and modern elegance. You can perceive quality and a lot of attention to details. We’ve been expanding our expertise in design - bringing that level of detail into our world of steel and metal.
Is Zenith already launched, or is this a preview?
Aurélien Tissot: It’s officially launched here at EuroShop. We started taking orders a little bit before EuroShop, but this is the official launch.
When do first deliveries or in-store installations start?
Aurélien Tissot: Installations start from March, and you’ll see openings in stores through spring.
Aurélien, where are we now, and what does Epta want to show in this zone?
Aurélien Tissot: Now we’re entering the more engineering side. This area is EptaTechnica - the Epta brand for packs and refrigeration systems. I’d like to introduce Stefano Trabucchi, Epta System Engineering Group Manager He’ll give a quick overview of what we show here and the direction we’re taking.
Stefano Trabucchi, Epta: What you see here is the EptaTechnica area, referring to refrigeration packs and systems. Here you see two products - two ends of the spectrum in CO2 transcritical booster technologies.
One is a smaller, more standardised product: ECO2Compacta, with capacities ranging from 15 to 45 kW for Medium Temperature and 0 to 9 kW for Low Temperature, is suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation. The other is our biggest platform ECO2GIANT, shown here as a pack designed for an Australian market customer, integrating refrigeration with AC. It features our ETE (Extreme Temperature Efficiency) system, which maximises efficiency and reduces energy costs at any latitude, even in extreme climates with temperatures exceeding 40°C. . In this configuration, the refrigeration pack can be coupled with a second pack dedicated to AC.
In one sentence, what is the key message for retailers or integrators here?
Stefano Trabucchi: That we support different system sizes and configurations, including integrated solutions for challenging climates and specific customer needs.
How does the Hauser deal relate to this systems portfolio?
Aurélien Tissot: The operation with Hauser adds significant value here. Epta goes up to around 250 kW today, and with Hauser we expand up to around 700 kW of power. It’s a big jump. They complement us well since Epta is very strong from convenience formats up to hypermarkets and Hauser extends capabilities further, including light industrial applications.
Aurélien, what are we looking at on this screen, what is Epta demonstrating?
Aurélien Tissot: Here we’re showing an interactive selection metrics tool. The idea is to support customers in selecting the right platform and technology based on required capacity, region and local conditions. With this tool we show that we have a full portfolio of platforms and technological solutions and that the technology choice should be tailored to the application.
So the point is not one “universal” solution, but a portfolio approach?
Aurélien Tissot: Exactly, different technologies and platforms for different needs and environments.
Aurélien, where are we now, and what is the purpose of this concept zone?
Aurélien Tissot: This is the EptaConcept area. The message we want to share is that when we approach concept activity, we work with the retailer to understand the story they want to tell to consumers, with a focus on layout, look & feel, time-of-day traffic, consumer type, and the specific needs of each store. By defining the overall design and experience first, the choice of cabinets becomes a more considered and strategic step. The equipment must deliver, it must work, and it must be energy efficient.
Why do you see this becoming more important now?
Aurélien Tissot: Because the fresh area is a true marker of differentiation. To compete against online sales, retailers need to invest in their fresh area with the installation of counters evolving during the day, switching between serve-over and self-service modes.
Flexible counters and merchandising: changing use through the day
Aurélien, who can explain how these counters evolve through the day?
Aurélien Tissot: Let me introduce Bruno Scuto, Sales Regional Manager. He can share key points about flexibility and how retail is changing.
Bruno Scuto: Retail is changing and operator costs are increasing, so we need technology that supports the experience and remains flexible. At different times of the day, stores need different functions: grab-and-go, cook & serve, self-service. Flexibility also helps reduce waste.
What practical features help make “technology disappear” and keep the focus on products?
Bruno Scuto: For example, lighting is configurable in approximately 30 cm segments, enabling adjustments to match or highlight product colors without making the technology noticeable. And with certain glass configurations you can quickly switch from serve-over to self-service, enabling different merchandising strategy depending on availability of operators and customer times and request during the day.
Aurélien, where are we going next?
Aurélien Tissot: Now we’re moving into after-sales and digital services. I’d like to briefly cover our collaborative platform. Let me introduce Gernot Lasser, Digital Services Operations Manager.
What is MyEpta, in simple terms?
Gernot Lasser: MyEpta is a collaborative platform that offers customers and technicians a single access point to information about Epta products. A technician or store owner can scan an NFC tag on-site, and it opens the product page: what we call an asset ID.
What does the “asset ID” level include?
Gernot Lasser: The Asset ID level provides instant access to all information related to a single piece of equipment. By scanning the NFC tag on the cabinet, technicians and store owners can open the product’s digital page and view technical documentation, asset details, service history and available digital services, directly on site and in real time.
Is there also a store-level view?
Gernot Lasser: Yes, MyEpta also includes a store-level view, called the Store ID.
It provides a centralised overview of the entire installed base in a store, bringing together equipment lists, documents, service tools, KPIs and key data in one place—giving retailers full visibility and control at store level.
You mentioned alarm monitoring - what is Epta doing at scale here?
Gernot Lasser: Epta has an alarm monitoring system called Global Alarm Management, with thousands of connected stores. The rollout depends on country tools and systems, but the goal is to scale further.
And how does AI fit into this?
Gernot Lasser: Our IT team has developed predictive alarms. The goal is to predict issues early enough to prevent damage, as for example gas leakage. We’re working on finding the right balance between accuracy expectations and useful predictions that service organisations can use effectively.
Aurélien, where are we finishing the tour and what is Epta showing here?
Aurélien Tissot: We’re ending with a “Store Evolution” direction, bringing additional value from technology beyond refrigeration. One element is e-commerce thanks to the EPTABricks - modular refrigerated units, like Lego, adapted to multiple formats, including last-mile and hybrid models.
Another element is retail media. Doors help efficiency, but they are also advertising space. We show a prototype concept here, named GLASSVIEW, to demonstrate dynamic content and audience measurement, connecting ad exposure with actions like opening a door and buying.
So the idea is: fresh area becomes not only a cost center, but a platform?
Aurélien Tissot: Exactly. Extracting additional value from the fresh area, supporting new revenue streams and helping retailers better understand shopper behavior, always in partnership with customers and technology partners.
Thank you so much, Aurélien, for the valuable insights!