Johnson Controls India starts Pune plant

Johnson Controls India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based Johnson Controls Inc, has commenced manufacturing of cooling and refrigeration equipment at a greenfield plant at Chakan.

Pramoda Karkal, vice-president and managing director,  Johnson Controls India, said the plant has an initial capacity to make 1,000 chillers in two shifts. The plant, which will be completed in four phases, will be the manufacturing base for the range of Johnson Control's solutions including central air-conditioning, refrigeration and intelligent systems including security solutions and fire alarms.

Karkal said the company sees increasing scope for its products and services in the expanding infrastructure sector.

"We will work with the promoters of the projects who will directly buy the equipment and with turnkey contractors who will integrate equipment for the projects," Karkal said.

Karkal said the estimated market for the air-conditioning industry is about Rs 4,000 crore ($1 billion), and it is growing at over 35% per year.  He said the company is expected to reach sales of $15 million in the first year of operations.