Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning inaugurated on October 4 the opening of a new Global Development Center in Kadi, Gujarat. The center was inaugurated by Vijaybhai Rupani, Chief Minister of Gujarat and Nitinbhai Patel, Deputy Chief Minister. The result of a USD 22.5 million (approximately INR 157 Crore) investment, the new facility will drive the company’s innovation capabilities with a focus on residential air conditioners and commercial packaged air conditioners for India as well as the Southeast Asia, Middle East and European markets.

Currently staffed with over 150 engineers and with capacity to accommodate up to 300 in all, the new center is equipped with state-of-the-art research and testing
laboratories including Reliability Labs, Annual Performance Factor Labs, Electromagnetic Compatibility Labs, Electronics Labs and Semi-anechoic Labs to maximize the potential of the local engineering talent. The center also offers user experience design, industrial design, simulation, controls, design quality, project management and engineering information systems. It also features an experience zone that will give customers hands-on experience of the latest air conditioning innovations and technologies.
“This is a crucial step for Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning to further strengthen our global position. We have already seen our India-made products being well accepted in West Asia, Sri Lanka, Africa and other South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. Now this new Global Development Center will play a critical role in developing new and exciting products, particularly for Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe to enhance our ability to meet diverse market needs in these regions,” said Franz Cerwinka, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Controls- Hitachi Air Conditioning.

With a floor space of 21,042 square meters, the Global Development Center is located adjacent to the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India factory to maximize
synergy with the manufacturing teams. It is the company’s fourth Global Development Center, alongside two centers in Japan and one in China. Gurmeet Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. said, “Since we signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 to invest in Gujarat State, our manufacturing facilities at Kadi have become one of the largest air conditioner manufacturing facilities in India. It was an outcome of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor’s Summit 2009 and inaugurated by Narendra Modi who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat then. The launch of the new Global Development Center is yet another milestone for investment in Gujarat State. This engineering and innovation hub will put Gujarat on the world map for industrial research, product development and skill enhancement. With the launch of the new Global Development Center, we have created additional opportunities for the local talent to demonstrate their skills and capabilities to respond to the
dynamic global market needs.”