Johnson Controls and Hitachi form global HVAC JV

On the side-lines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Johnson Controls, Hitachi Ltd and Hitachi Appliances Inc have entered into a definitive agreement on January 21, 2015, to form a joint venture for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration technologies.
 
Through the agreement, Johnson Controls will obtain a 60 percent ownership stake in Hitachi Appliances’ more than Yen 300 billion sales (approximately $ 2.6 billion) global air conditioning business, excluding sales and service operations in Japan. The Johnson Controls-Hitachi joint venture will bring customers a full range of air conditioning products, including world-class variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology, leading-edge inverter technology based room air conditioners and absorption chillers – on top of existing Johnson Controls products that meet global customer demands.
 
With approximately 13,800 employees and 24 manufacturing plants, the joint venture will build on both organisations' technology, research and development leadership, as well as their expanding marketing channels. The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary conditions.
 
Alex Molinaroli, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls, said, “The joint venture will propel us forward with superior products, enabling Johnson Controls to deliver the most diverse technology portfolio in the industry to meet customer demands across the changing global marketplace."
 
The Johnson Controls-Hitachi joint venture management team will be led by Franz Cerwinka, CEO. He has been with Johnson Controls for almost 20 years, having spent four years in Japan as vice president of finance for the Johnson Controls automotive business, including experience with more than 10 joint ventures.
 
Johnson Controls is a global multi-industrial company with 130 years of history in supplying heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, building controls, refrigeration and security systems for buildings.
 
"The worldwide HVAC market is continuing to grow steadily, and the demand for energy efficient air conditioning systems with state-of-the-art technologies is expanding. As air conditioning systems are a key building block for building solutions, we believe this partnership will allow Hitachi and Johnson Controls to deliver the best solutions for our customers. Furthermore, in addition to air conditioning systems, we will be able to provide other building solutions that will enhance efficiencies throughout buildings, as well as surrounding areas," said Hiroaki Nakanishi, chairman & CEO, Hitachi, Ltd.