Goodman expansion capitalizes on ductless growth in North America

Daikin Industries, Ltd. plans to expand its Goodman operations in the U.S. with the construction of a business campus that consolidates its manufacturing and logistics footprints. Located outside of Houston, TX, the new $417-million campus is expected to be operational mid-2016. The project represents the largest single investment since the founding of the Goodman organization over 30 years ago.
The facility will enable Daikin to manufacture its full range of ducted residential and light commercial products, as well as various ductless products that are currently imported from other inter-company business units located outside North America. Ductless systems have gained rapid acceptance in the North American marketplace and have become one of the fastest growing HVAC market segments, according to Daikin.
Texas and Tennessee operations that will be relocated to the new business campus include a research and development centre, logistics, procurement, manufacturing, and marketing. Manufacturing operations at this new campus will consist of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems marketed primarily under the Daikin, Goodman and Amana brand names.
“The new business campus will provide many outstanding benefits to our customers,” stated Takeshi Ebisu, president and CEO. “The operational efficiencies we achieve will be reflected in the superb quality of our high-efficiency, energy-saving heating and cooling systems. We are excited about the outstanding value that this move will bring to our current and future customers. As the leading global HVAC manufacturer, Daikin expressed a strong, long-term commitment to its customers in North America by constructing this new business campus.”
“Our successful growth has fueled the need for additional manufacturing capacity. The new campus will allow us to dramatically increase our production efficiencies and enable us to continue to serve our customers better than ever before from the leading market position that we hold today,” said Sam Bikman, SVP global supply chain. “The integration of our engineering, procurement, logistics, manufacturing and marketing functions at the same location will facilitate and expedite our ability to respond proactively to customer needs.”
Employment at the new campus will increase as a result of expanded product manufacturing and the consolidation of facilities located in Texas and Tennessee. “Total employment in the Houston area will increase to approximately 4000 employees,” said Kari Durham, senior vice president human resources.
Goodman Sales and Distribution operations, Quietflex Manufacturing Company, L.P. (a manufacturer of flexible duct and fiberglass products), and other Daikin operations are not impacted by the consolidation.