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December 27 - Honeywell to Build Refrigerant Manufacturing Plant in China

Honeywell, USA, announced recently plans to build a manufacturing plant for non-ozone depleting refrigerant products in Qingpu, Shanghai, China. The new facility, expected to be operational in November 2004, was announced during a groundbreaking ceremony in Qingpu attended by Honeywell officials, key customers and Chinese dignitaries.
The plant will serve as the production and service center in Asia for HFC refrigerants such as R410A, R407C and R404A, which are environmentally- friendlier alternatives to hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants being phased out globally as part of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This expansion follows Honeywell's recent increase in HFC chemical manufacturing capacity in the United States, which included more than $200 million in new capital investment.
The U.S. and Chinese facilities together will expand Honeywell's globally integrated supply system for refrigerants, with facilities in the United States providing some of the source materials for the Chinese facility. The new facility will blend and package reliable, high quality finished products tailored to meet the rapidly expanding and unique needs of the airconditioning and refrigeration industries in Asia.
The investment also reinforces Honeywell's commitment to the global air conditioning and refrigeration industry.
The company recently signed a supply agreement with China's Haier Group, one of the world's leading appliance manufacturers, for a variety of products including refrigerant R410A.
The refrigerant R410A was invented by Honeywell, and has since become the globally accepted standard for use in new residential and light-commercial air conditioning systems in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

December 24 - Kyocera Opens For Solar Product Plant in Mexico

In December 2004, Kyocera Solar, Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially inaugurate its new solar product assembly operations at the existing Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. maquiladora plant in the Tijuana Industrial Park, located at Blvd. Buena Vista Otay No. 2055, Mesa de Otay, Tijuana, B.C. Mexico.
The Kyocera facility manufactures solar photovoltaic ("PV") modules - rectangular, roof-mountable panels that convert sunlight into a clean, silent source of renewable electricity. According to industry research firm Solarbuzz, Kyocera was the world's No. 2 producer of PV modules in 2003. The new Tijuana assembly line is part of a global expansion Kyocera announced in September 2004 that will double its PV module manufacturing capacity, to 240 megawatts per year, during 2005.
Production of PV modules commenced at the Tijuana plant in November, targeting California's fast-growing market for commercial and residential solar PV systems. During 2005, the facility is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 36 megawatts of PV modules -- enough to provide a 3.5-kilowatt PV system for more than 10,000 homes each year.

December 19 - Sanyo Expands Its 'Energy & Ecology' Business in Europe

Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. is set to expand its 'Energy & Ecology' business in the environmentally conscious European market. An investment of \20 billion by 2006 in "Energy & Ecology,' Sanyo aims to create a society in harmony with the environment. Sanyo targets sales in Europe of its 'Energy & Ecology' business of \200 billion in 2006 and \500 billion in 2010.
Sanyo's operations are placed under two main strategic business domains 'Energy & Ecology' and 'Digital & Device.' Harmony is at the foundation of 'Energy & Ecology,' Sanyo has advanced proprietary technology and pro posed solutions to lessen the burden on the environment.
Sanyo's 'Energy & Ecology' business categories energy generation field includes solar energy systems and fuel cells.
o Energy storage field: Rechargeable batteries, HEV rechargeable batteries. o Heat & cold field: Heat pump water heater with CO2 refrigerant, air conditioning equipment, and super showcase.
Commercial Air Conditioners
To answer the expanding commercial air conditioner market in Europe, Sanyo will establish a commercial air conditioning (packaged air conditioners) manufacturing factory in Hungary. Full-scale production at the new factory is to start in Oct. 2005, plan production of 2,500 units in the last half of fiscal year 2005 and will expand to 120,000 units in fiscal year 2007. In 2004 the size of the commercial air conditioning market in Europe is projected at 500,000 units, forecasts show an annual increase of 5%

December 17 - Blue Star to Build 4th Manufacturing Facility

All three Blue Star Ltd. factories are presently located in western India with the oldest one in Thane, just outside Mumbai and the other two in the neighhboring state of Gujarat. Over the past three years, the company's manufacturing activities have grown by 75% with additions to the product range and exports playing a major role, leading to expansion at all three factories.
With Himachal Pradesh, a state in northern India, at the foothills of the Himalayan range, famous for its apple orchards and home to the Dalai Lama, offering attractive tax incentives to new industries, Blue Star has decided to set up its 4th plant in this state. Besides the tax incentives (income tax 100% exempt for first five years and 30% exempt for next five years, nil excise duty on final product and only 1% central sales tax up to March 2009) the new factory location is only 250 kms from New Delhi, the capital city and an hour's drive from Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana states. The large markets of north India for air conditioning products can therefore be more effectively handled from this new location.

December 15 - York Stops Offering Centrifugal Chiller Using HCFC-123

Citing the globally mandated transition away from ozone-depleting refrigerants, York International Corp. announced it will stop offering new chillers using HCFC-123 refrigerant beginning November 15, 2004.
York Americas President Iain Campbell noted that HCFC-123, an ozone-depleting chemical, is designated by the Montreal Protocol and the U.S. Clean Air Act as a transitional refrigerant. It is to be used for only a limited time, to enable manufacturers to develop centrifugal chillers utilizing refrigerants with zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP). "The legislated phase-out of HCFC refrigerants began in 2004," said Campbell, "and the demand for HCFC-123 chillers is falling globally. York believes the time has come to complete the transition by ceasing to offer new HCFC-123 chillers. Today, we have a full line of zero-ODP chillers utilizing HFC refrigerants, which have no phase-out schedule."
"Our HCFC-123 chiller is an excellent product. However, given that centrifugal chillers have a lifespan of 25 years or more, York no longer considers it prudent to recommend customers purchase a new centrifugal chiller using a refrigerant that is subject to a globally mandated phase-out schedule - not if there are better alternatives, and we have better alternatives."
During the transition period, Mr. Campbell noted, York pursued aggressive product-development programs for zero-ODP chillers. "As a result, today York has a full portfolio of HFC centrifugal chillers, which are economically priced and which meet or exceed energy-code requirements, both present and for the foreseeable future. An additional benefit is that they can contribute one point toward certification in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program. For these reasons, York recommends that its customers continue transitioning to zero-ODP, high-efficiency, HFC centrifugal chillers," Mr. Campbell stated.

December 13 - McQuay's VRF Systems Sold to Anhui

McQuay recently won the bid for the project of the new camp of Anhui Institute of Architecture Industry with its digital scroll VRF systems for buildings. The project includes two sections as a computerized teaching building and the multifunctional building, the total air conditioned area reaches 12,000 m2 with a total cooling capacity of 1,870kW, the project will use above 100 sets of McQuay's Digital Scroll? (MDS) VRF systems for buildings. It is by far one of the biggest projects using digital scroll VRF systems for buildings in East China.
The MDS-VRF system for buildings adopts the world advanced digital scroll technology, which can realize variable displacement control, its unique dynamic forecast and uninterrupted tracking technology for AC load assure accurate control of indoor temperature and energy conservation, its integrated EER even reaches as high as 3.2; it can save energy by 30% compared to the conventional central AC system. In the aspect of control, it adopts a powerful centralized control technology, thus greatly saving the operation management cost. Since McQuay introduced its MDS-VRF system for buildings, it has been much favored by the market for its reliable performance and excellent energy-saving characteristics. It has a lot of engineering applications in China and has received favorable comments It is expected that the MDS-VRF system for buildings will become the mainstream choice in the market in the near future.

December 11 - Haier's Oxygen ACs Gain a Large Order

Recently, Haier AC signed a strategic cooperative agreement with the household appliance chainstore- Yongle for the year 2005 and received a large order of 1.5 billion RMB on ACs at one stroke. This is the earliest and the biggest order of ACs signed by Yongle for the 2005 refrigeration year, among which the healthy and high-efficiency high value-added products account for above 70%. Yongle explained: "Last year, we placed a valuable order with Haier on ACs with oxygen bar and degerming photocatalyst, and it speeded up the sales rate of our member stores and substantially enhanced their strength. The sales volume of Haier ACs last year exceeded our annual budgetary target by 30%.
We think the high-efficiency oxygen bar AC series will prevail on the market, and the demand on such ACs will be larger, therefore, our member stores hope to achieve the intent of purchase with Haier as soon as possible." Yongle has always maintained a fast and healthy development since its foundation two years ago. Especially in the 2004 refrigeration year, the number of its members increased rapidly and the number of shops is increasing, the annual sales value of each member unit increased and the integrated strength enhanced. Yongle thinks that placing the orders and selling the products which satisfy the need of consumers is the key for its development. In 2004, Haier's healthy and energy- saving ACs such as the oxygen bar degerming photocatalyst, degerming smart wind, etc. became the bestsellers in the market. The reason for this lies in that complete functions and high added value met consumers' demand for both health and energy conservation.
The technology of Haier's new product in 2005 - high-efficiency oxygen bar AC leads ahead of the sector. Haier's high-efficiency oxygen bar Inverter King adopts the advanced digital DC inverter technology and two health technologies - oxygen bar and degerming photocatalyst at the same time.

December 9 - Hitachi Plans for Group Pavilion at 2005 World Expo

Hitachi, Ltd. recently announced that the Hitachi Group has completed details of its planned pavilion at The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, to be called "Nature Contact- Hitachi Group Pavilion's Ubiquitous Entertainment Ride" ("Hitachi Group Pavilion"). The EXPO will be held from March 25 through September 25, 2005 at Nagoya Eastern Hills (Nagakute Town, Toyota City and Seto City).
A source of ideas for the coexistence of people and all other living things, Hitachi Group Pavilion will be based on two themes. One is the EXPO's theme, "Nature's Wisdom," which is made up of the two sub-themes called "Nature's Matrix" and "The Art of Life." The other is the concept of "realizing a ubiquitous information society through the use of sophisticated IT," which is the goal of the Hitachi Group.
The Attraction at Hitachi Group Pavilion will be based on the theme "Nature Contact - Interacting with endangered animals brought back to life by Hitachi IT" and have three acts: the pre-show, main show and post-show. The attraction will provide a "ubiquitous experience zone" where visitors can interact with endangered animals.
The main show is called the "Ubiquitous Entertainment Ride." It uses Mixed Reality*1) technology to recreate realistic images and dioramas of animals on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of threatened species on a global scale. This enables visitors to enjoy a "futuristic ubiquitous experience" in which they can interact with animals almost as if the animals were actually there. The ride will take visitors through five zones. Each realistically reproduces a diorama showing the environment where the endangered animals live and employs computer graphics to compose the dioramas with animals in real time. This Mixed Reality technology enables visitors to enjoy unprecedented excitement and thrills with a sense of mystery.

December 7 - Sutton Congratulates IKK on 25th Anniversary

Mr. William G. Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) congratulated IKK on its 25th anniversary as one of the leading international trade fairs on refrigeration and air conditioning, in a speech on October 13, 2004, during the opening ceremonies celebration.
Mr. W.G. Sutton, ARI President, delivering a congratulatory address "This trade show is truly an international event," said Mr. Sutton. "With exhibitors from 42 countries, and visitors exceeding 20,000, the success of this exposition is an enormous accomplishment.
Each of you involved in the production of this show can be proud of your achievements over the past 25 years." He noted that IKK's 25th anniversary celebration also marked the U.S industry's 25-year partnership with the European industry. "Through the years there has been strong representation at IKK from the U.S. industry. I am also very pleased to say that ARI is a longtime exhibitor at IKK. ARI members welcome the opportunity to explore partnership possibilities with their counterparts not only from Germany, but from the many nations represented at this show."
Mr. Sutton also highlighted the industry's need for responsible, reuseable refrigerants. He said that our responsibility as a global industry is to continue to develop, manufacture and distribute equipment that is reliable, energy efficient, and environmentally responsible. "And we should work together to insure that international agreements in the future will preserve the use of HFCs as one of the alternative refrigerants that will allow us to continue to serve people.

December 3 - 2005 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners Selected

The winning companies of the third annual AHR Expo Innovation Awards will be honored at a special ceremony during the 2005 AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. The award presentation will take place on Tuesday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. in the New Product Technology Theater on the Show floor.
The most innovative product submissions from among the thousands on display at the AHR Expo have been selected as winners in eight specific categories:

• Building Automation
• Cooling
• Heating
• Indoor Air Quality
• Refrigeration
• Software
• Tools
• and Ventilation.

December 1 - Fedders Announces Changes of Management Team

Fedders Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of air treatment products and thermal technology products, has announced changes to the structure of its management team. As part of its continuing transformation from a company solely focused on the North American room air conditioner market to a diverse, multinational organization focused on the broader air treatment industry, the Company is implementing the following changes.
Michael Giordano, formerly Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, is elected President of Fedders Corporation with operating responsibility for Fedders International, Fedders Engineered Products and Global Design Engineering. Giordano joined Fedders in 1990 and has held numerous domestic and international positions that make him extremely well suited for his important new role.
Robert L. Laurent, Jr., formerly Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Alliances, and previously Chief Financial Officer for ten years, is elected Executive Vice President, Finance and Acquisitions and Chief Financial Officer. He has managed the acquisition and alliances effort over the past six years that has transformed the company into a leading global player.
Michael B. Etter is elected President of a new strategic business unit, Fedders Global Sourcing Solutions, which will leverage Fedders' expertise in global sourcing and Asian manufacturing to assist other manufacturers in developing Asian suppliers, conducting reverse internet auctions and producing their products in Fedders' extensive China manufacturing facilities. Fedders Global Sourcing Solutions will also help clients to set up call centers at Fedders' locations in China, India and the Philippines and will provide consulting services to companies wanting to develop in-house capabilities in any of the above areas.

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