Daikin plans service expansion

JAPAN: Daikin’s purchase of Airmaster for AUS$100m (JPY8m) through its subsidiary Daikin Australia Pty heralds an expansion of the Japanese manufacturer’s service network.

Following yesterdays announcement on the Cooling Post, Daikin has confirmed the purchase and says it plans to combine Airmaster’s service network and its valuable know-how with its own expertise on HVAC technologies. The Japanese manufacturer says it also intends to use this acquisition as a business model that can be expanded to Asia and Oceania region in future. Expansion of the air conditioning business in Asia and Oceania region has been established as one of strategic priorities in Daikin’s Fusion 20 business plan.

“Even as Daikin strives to expand sales of large-scale air conditioning equipment to large buildings, the company is also planning a comprehensive expansion of its service and solutions businesses for small- to medium-sized buildings where many of Daikin air conditioners are installed,” Daikin said.

Daikin says the company employs approximately 400 service engineers at 12 branch offices in the main cities of Australia and has developed business in the installation, after sales service, maintenance, and controls of air conditioners. “The company is particularly adept in providing services and maintenance for large buildings,” it adds.

Daikin entered the Australian air conditioning market in 1969 as Clark Daikin and has been steadily expanding its presence there with a focus on residential-use air conditioners and commercial-use products for small- to medium-sized buildings.

The air conditioning market in Australia totals approximately JPY270bn (US$2.4bn) in equipment sales and sales for services and solutions. Daikin estimates that services and solutions are estimated to account for roughly half of the total.

Although the greater part of demand for services in Australia is currently for large-sized buildings, Daikin sees stricter environmental regulations driving expansion of services for small- to medium-sized buildings.

Related stories: