ACR Journal

Ingersoll-Rand has announced its intention to acquire Thermocold Costruzioni, a privately-held Italian company that manufactures and distributes heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings in Europe. 

​​Dave Regnery, president, Commercial HVAC North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “This announcement is the next step in strengthening our portfolios to take advantage of the large market opportunity in Europe, and expanding distribution of Thermocold technologies to other parts of the world where demand is growing rapidly.” 

One of Thermocold’s signature solutions includes the innovative multi-pipe HVAC system for high efficiency, simultaneous heating and cooling. This system recovers energy by shifting use from a separate boiler and chiller to one single, simplified multi-pipe unit that simultaneously delivers hot and chilled water. The system repurposes rejected energy, or uses renewable energy, for heating the facility delivering a more sustainable solution that reduces the amount of investment costs, use of floor space and total operating expenses. The multi-pipe system further contributes to lower the environmental footprint due to significant lower energy use.

Hans Güntner GmbH, which was the original name of the company, was founded in 1931 as a one-man business in a backyard in Munich. Today, the Güntner Group, which includes the sister companies Güntner GmbH & Co. KG, JAEGGI Hybridtechnologie AG and thermowave GmbH, boasts 9 production facilities on 4 continents and nearly 3,000 employees.

All aspects of the company's development have always been and continue to be shaped by internal driving forces: When Hans Güntner was unable to find any components for a facility that he was planning, he decided to build them himself.

SIG Air Handling makes and markets its own heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with its air handling products sold under its Cairox brand. The company has been buying HVAC companies in the Netherlands, the UK, Austria and Germany to grow its distribution network across Europe. SIG Air Handling now has over 100 locations across the continent. 

​The company says it is focusing on three main areas in the industry, namely 'air improvement, air movement and air diffusion' using its own brands.

The Daikin Group announced that it has donated €30,000 (about £25K) in aid to help fund relief and restoration as a result of the recent earthquake in Central Italy.

Daikin is also contributing a number of its mini-split air conditioning units to help people who cannot return to their damaged houses and who now live in temporary accommodation. 

The company stated that it “continue in the future to cooperate in relief activities for the stricken areas and contribute in a variety of ways as needed toward restoration.”

Daikin also expressed its sympathy and sincere hope to the people of Italy who have been affected by the earthquake on 24th August. 

Chemicals giant, Chemours, a spin-off from DuPont, issued a statement last week denying a damning research which alleged it is 'a bankruptcy waiting to happen'.

Citron Research, a Wall Street analysis firm, published a report on 2 June 2016 stating that it believes Chemours was 'designed for bankruptcy'. The research firm alleges that the chemical company's legal liabilities and debts are the big problems, which its former owners wanted to shed.

​Meacham Heating, Cooling & Energy Solutions recently had a makeover and joined with three different brands to help its customers better with its services.

The company changed its name to One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and joined forces with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky for electrical solutions. 

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is owned and was founded by Mark and Sue Meacham over 30 years ago by helping their friends and neighbours through hot summers and cold winters. ​

Daikin has bought the Italian commercial refrigeration and freezer manufacturer, Zanotti, for €98 million (circa £76.5 million), the company announced this week. 

The deal will be completed in June 2016. Daikin plans to use the purchase to grow its market share of the commercial refrigeration and freezer market in Europe while enhancing its existing air conditioning and refrigeration business. 

Zanotti products are used in the food chain from production to transportation and in retail applications. The company has factories in Italy, the UK and Spain.

​By buying Zanotti, Daikin moves its business from providing solutions to part of the refrigeration and air conditioning sector to a wider market. Daikin plans to grow its business in Asia, the USA and China where the markets are expected to rapidly grow.

​The energy labelling laws mean that customers demand the most efficient air conditioning systems. Inverter models have been popular products. The Thai air conditioning market is around 1.2 million air conditioning units a year, according to the 2014 figures from the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association. Thailand is the second biggest market in the south east Asian region.

Fujitsu released its well-mounted air conditioning system into the market in April, which the company expects to be its best selling model.