Fujitsu closes Wave Air Conditioning

UK: Japanese air conditioning manufacturer Fujitsu General is to close Wave Air Conditioning, the UK distributor it bought in 2009.

The purchase of Wave was always a controversial one amongst the established UK distributors. Although continuing to work within, and compete with, FG Eurofred’s existing independent distribution network, it was perceived as a direct selling operation.

In the official statement from FG Eurofred, sales and marketing director, Ian Carroll, said “This decision clearly underlines the importance of our close relationship with our distribution partners. “It also removes the confusion to our customers about route to market and we fully understand why they were sceptical about having a distributor fully owned by the manufacturer.”

“We will retain a direct sales operation to grow our market share in the VRF and end-user market, but its primary function will be to increase the awareness of Fujitsu Air Conditioning products in the UK which, of course, will benefit all our distributors,” Ian Carroll added.

“Wave’s customers will be encouraged to move their business to other Fujitsu distributors. We are dedicated to arranging this transition as smoothly as possible so as not to interrupt the daily business of Fujitsu customers and letters have been sent to each of them informing them of the shutdown process.

“FG Eurofred would like to thank the staff of Wave for their years of service selling Fujitsu equipment and we wish them and their families well in the future.”