Johnson Controls-Hitachi mulls exports to Middle East, Africa out of India

Global air conditioner maker Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning is looking at exports of the product to Middle East, Africa and other markets out of India, said a top company official on Wednesday.

Queried about possibility of sourcing air conditioners and components for its global markets from India, CEO Franz Cerwinka said: "We are looking at exports of air conditioners to Middle East, Africa and other markets."

He said the global company has not looked at the possibility of sourcing components from India.

Cerwinka was here to inaugurate the company's Engineering Excellence Centre to train service personnel on installation and on other aspects of Hitachi air conditioners.

Meanwhile Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd is targeting around 20 per cent growth this fiscal over last year's revenue of Rs 1,977.32 crore, said Managing Director Gurmeet Singh.

He said the company is targeting to be the top air conditioner company in India by 2020-21 from the current number three slot.

Agreeing that the company's presence in south India is weak, Singh said several steps are being taken to correct the situation like increasing the distribution network.

He also noted that prices of air conditioners may go up by three per cent due to GST regime.

The Indian company will be setting Engineering Excellence Centres in Mumbai and Kolkata there by taking the total to four after New Delhi and Chennai.

Singh said each centre involves an outlay of Rs 3.5 crore.

--IANS

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