Rinnai to start production of gas tankless water heaters in US

Rinnai America Corporation, which is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, has decided to begin manufacturing gas tankless water heaters in the United States, starting April 2018.

The U.S. water heater market is estimated to be around nine million units per year, but the market has traditionally centered on storage-type (tank-based) water heaters.

Rinnai America started selling gas tankless water heaters in 1999, and has since worked to expand the market, taking the initiative to increase awareness of gas tankless water heaters, which provide an endless supply of hot water and are more energy efficient than storage-type heaters.

Rinnai America plans to lease an existing facility (hereinafter, "leased factory") in Griffin, Georgia (around 60km south of Atlanta) and start production of tankless water heaters there in April 2018.

At the same time, it will construct a new factory on a separate piece of property acquired in Griffin (hereinafter, "Griffin Factory"). The Griffin Factory is scheduled to start operation in January 2021, upon which production at the leased factory will cease.

Overview of New Factories

• Leased Factory (provisional name)

. Location: Griffin, Georgia

. Site area: 61,500m2

. Building area: 20,000m2

. Production item: Gas tankless water heaters

. Number of employees: Approx. 50 (all new recruits)

. Investment amount: Approx. US$8 million (Approx. ¥861 million)

. Operation start: April 2018 (planned)

• Griffin Factory (provisional name)

. Location: Griffin, Georgia

. Site area: 237,550m2

. Building area: 27,000m2

. Production item: Gas tankless water heaters

. Number of employees: Approx. 140

. Investment amount: Approx. US$71 million (Approx. ¥7.8 billion)

. Construction work start: Beginning of 2019

. Operation start: January 2021 (planned)

Since its foundation, the Rinnai spirit has embodied a "commitment to heat and lifestyles," "quality is our destiny," and "contribution to local communities." We will ensure the succession of the Rinnai spirit to advance our overseas business according to local needs.