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June 29 - US Unitary Shipments Down 20% in April

According to Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institue (ARI), combined U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps for April totaled 542,542, down 20.1 percent compared with shipments from the same month last year. Heat pump shipments for April totaled 173,009, up 25 percent compared with the same month last year. U.S. factory shipments of unitary air-conditioners and heat pumps during April 2006: . totaled 542,542 . down 20.1% from April 2005 . year-to-date total 2,522,530 . up 8% from January - April 2005 Heat Pump shipments included in the April 2006 figures: .totaled 173,009 . up 25% from April 2005 . year-to-date total 748,279 . up 22% from January - April 2005

June 26 - JRAIA Elects Mr. Nakamura New Chairman

At the 38th Ordinary General Meeting held on June 8, the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association (JRAIA) made reelection of officers with the expiry of term of office, electing Mr. Kazuyuki Nakamura (Executive Director of Mitsubishi Electric Corp.) new chairman.
At a press conference held after the general meeting, New Chairman Nakamura expressed his intention, "Element technologies, and also technologies for global environmental preservation and energy savings in Japan's HAVC & R industry, I think, stand at the top level in the world. In order to lead the world market continuously, it is indispensable to improve technologies conducive to the solution of global environmental issues, while improving element technologies. In these circumstances, I, as chairman, would like to do my best to solve the environmental issues and develop international activities."

June 23 - Shanghai Implements Energy Efficiency Standard for Inverter ACs

The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision (SMBQTS) released the compulsory local standard "Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for inverter room air conditioners" on May 11, which officially came into force on June 1, 2006.
According to the standard, any inverter AC whose energy efficiency is less than grade 5, that is to say, the season energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is less than 3.3, cannot be produced or sold. This will lead to the use of more energy-efficient products in Shanghai and as a result, the stress caused by summer electric shortages will be eased to some extent.
Electric power consumption has been increasing rapidly from 2003 in Mainland China. According to the figures provided by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), there was a 15% increase of the electric power requirement in 2004 compared with 2003, which was the highest in 25 years. In 2003, the electric power shortage in peak time was 1.7 million kW, while in 2004 it was 4.04 million. This has restricted the high-speed economic development in Shanghai.

June 20 - Phelps Dodge to Acquire Inco and Falconbridge

Transaction Creates World's Largest Nickel Producer and Largest Publicly Traded Copper Producer
Phelps Dodge Corporation , Inco Limited and Falconbridge Limited announced on June 26, 2006 that they have agreed to combine in a US$56 billion transaction to create a North American-based mining company that is one of the world's largest. The new company will be named Phelps Dodge Inco Corporation.
Phelps Dodge Inco will be the world's leading nickel producer, the world's largest publicly traded copper producer and a leading producer of molybdenum and cobalt, and it will have a worldclass portfolio of growth projects and exciting exploration opportunities. For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the three companies had combined revenues of US$6.3 billion and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of US$1.9 billion.
The corporate office and the new company's copper division will be headquartered in Phoenix.
Inco Nickel, the new company's nickel division, will be headquartered in Toronto. Phelps Dodge Inco will have operations in more than 40 countries and will employ approximately 40,000 people globally.

June 17 - Sanyo to Invest 40 Bil Yen in Solar Cells Business

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), has announced a comprehensive business expansion strategy in answer to the expanding photovoltaic market and aims for the world's top position in the solar business.
Sanyo's next generation program consists of the following:
(1) Sanyo will invest 10 billion yen in FY 2007 and a total of 40 billion yen or more in HIT solar cells by FY 2010. In FY 2007, the company will increase solar cell production capacity by 100MW at the Osaka, Nishikinohama factory to a total of 210MW. Sanyo's overall solar cell production capacity will increase to 260MW in FY 2007, by combining the solar cell production capacity at Shimane Sanyo Industrial Co., Ltd.
(2) Along with increased production capacity, Sanyo will strengthen photovoltaic products and further increase product differentiation by raising its world's highest HIT solar cell conversion efficiency. Sanyo plans to increase solar cell conversion efficiency above 22%. The company will make thinner wafers to deal with the silicon material problem and at the same time increase solar cell conversion efficiency. In normal conditions making thinner multi-crystal silicon solar cells decreases efficiency but it plans by FY 2010, to have wafers thinner than 150 micrometers and cell conversion efficiency higher than 22%.
(3) Sanyo will add a new type HIT solar cell that uses multi-crystal silicon-based wafers to meet a wide range of customer needs. Sanyo has previously used singlecrystal silicon wafers but now will also use multi-crystal silicon wafers as well. In FY 2007, it will mainly sell photovoltaic modules which cells have 15%-16% cell conversion efficiency, but by 2008 will aim to sell photovoltaic modules with cell conversion efficiency higher than 18%, by building on its hybrid technology of amorphous and crystalline.
Sanyo will expand its solar business on two pillars of multi-crystal silicon HIT solar cells and single-crystal silicon HIT solar cells.

June 15 - ASHRAE, Chinese Association of Refrigeration Sign MOU

In recognition of shared technical interests, ASHRAE and the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR)have agreed to work together to promote the interests of HVAC&R professionals.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two associations. "The best way to solve the problems facing the building industry today is by working together," ASHRAE President Lee Burgett said. "Carrying out these objectives will allow ASHRAE and CAR to find solutions to those problems, such as energy conservation, improving the quality of life for people around the world."
"In signing this agreement, ASHRAE and CAR will make all efforts to develop the refrigeration of our two countries and the world and create a bright future," Jin Jiawei, vice-president and Secretary General of CAR, said. "I believe we will have a successful cooperation."
The agreement can be viewed under the "about ASHRAE" section of ASHRAE.org. Objectives in the plan include:

• Maintain effective and timely communication to optimize cooperative efforts mutually benficial to each organization's respective members;
• Support cooperative standards development to benefit the global refrigeration industry;
• Encourage continuing dialogue between ASHRAE and CAR at all organizational levels;
• Promote the continued advancement of the science and technology of refrigeration by supporting each organization's respective research and technology programs.

June 11 - Carrier Announces Comm'l HVAC Price Increases in Asia Pacific

Singapore, June, 2006 - Carrier Corporation, a unit of United Technologies Corporation has announced 8-12% price increases across its commercial HVAC product lines in Asia-Pacific region, effective June 2006.
2006 has seen unprecedented increases in commodity costs led by copper, which is up 80% since the beginning of the year in addition to the 40% increase in 2005. Copper prices have crossed $8,000 a metric ton from the $4,500 a metric ton level in the beginning of the year.
Although Carrier has been successful in offsetting some of the increased copper costs through productivity, this year's steep copper run-up to record high levels presents Carrier with no other option than to adjust prices of our commercial HVAC products.

June 7 - York Announces Price Increase on Commercial Products

York, a Johnson Controls company, has announced a five to seven percent (5-7%) price increase on York commercial HVAC products. The increase, which reflects an increase in the price of copper, covers air-handling units, air- and water-cooled chillers, and applied rooftop units.
Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise.

June 3 - IKK 2006 Nuremberg; Oct 18-20

IKK2006 takes place in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from October 18 to 20, 2006. The IKK promoter and the organizer expect over 800 national and international exhibitors.
The German market for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is still the leading market in Europe. One of the reasons for this is that consumers regard the comfort of an air conditioning or ventilation system as increasingly important. This means good prospects for economic activity in the industry this year. "We can therefore only advise all companies in the industry to use this success climate at IKK2006 in Nuremberg," says Rudolf Putz, General Manager of IKK Messe Wirtschafts- und Informationsdienste GmbH. "IKK 2006 Nurnberg is the ideal forum for presenting your products and services at the heart of Europe and on the world market at the same time."
It is not without reason that some 90% of the exhibitors at IKK rate this world-leading exhibition for refrigeration and key European-wide exhibition for air conditioning and ventilation as one of the most important instruments in their marketing mix: At IKK they can win new customers, compete with the other companies, traditionally meet the decision-makers from the industry and get up to date on the latest developments.
IKK Forum 2006
The 5th IKK Forum 2006 again presents the latest system solutions for refrigeration and air conditioning technology under the basic theme of "Innovative Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems, Components and Practical Examples". Presentations supplement and expand on the systems exhibited at the special show. The forum with the presentations and integrated special show is intended for planners, architects, investors, facility managers, plant operators and plant assemblers. The success story of the IKK Forum with around 1,600 visitors at the last event (IKK 2005 Hannover) will continue at IKK2006 in Nuremberg," says Sascha F. Wenzler, General Manager of VDKF e.V.

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