Daikin to intensify Minda presence
DAIKIN Airconditioning Philippines Inc. is planning to intensify its presence in Mindanao as part of its expansion plan this year.
Hans Carlo Letigio, Daikin Philippine’s manager for Visayas and Mindanao, in an interview during the press launch at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati City on Thursday, said a more aggresive expansion in Mindanao is fueled by a surge in the number of businesses opening on the island.
He said the company is looking at putting up a satellite sales office and a warehouse in Cagayan de Oro City, most likely this year, following Davao City’s branch that took off only August of last year.
“The market now is really evolving. The construction right now of the industries in VisMin is still growing. I would like to see that happening this year. There’s really demand. That’s why, we’re trying to develop the northern side of Mindanao to justify the opening of the satellite office,” he said.
Letigio added the demand for Daikin products in Mindanao rose on the back of the growing industries like manufacturing, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and real estate.
The same also holds true for Cebu market, he said, where 90 high rise constructions of condominiums were recorded with pending approvals last year.
“That’s how vibrant the construction industry in VizMin is,” he said.
Daikin has over 200 offices in several countries worldwide, with 61 manufacturing facilities around the world. The supplies in the Philippines are coming from Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, China, and even Europe.
Increasing sales
Letigio added that Daikin reopened its Philippine office only in 2009, but it noted an increasing sales for the Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) since 2010 in Visayas and Mindanao alone.
He said Daikin recorded a total of P10 million in revenues for the VRV 3 in VisMin last 2011, then it jumped to P21 million in 2012.
In 2013, the company hit a whopping revenue of almost P100 million for VRV 3 in VisMin.
“BPOs really help us a lot. Mostly, our business partners are the contractors, and our market in Cebu has adopted the VRV technology and also in Davao where most of the call centers are using the VRV,” he said.
Around 200 outdoor VRV III units were sold last year in VisMin.
“Practically, we’re young kaya we’re doing some catch up. In Asia, we’re number one already. We’re now in the big pressure to be number 1,” he said.
For his part, Jed O. Caburian, sales opration division manager of Daikin, said the firm claims 30 to 40 percent market share in Visayas and Mindanao.
New products
Daikin also launched on February 27, 2014, its new product line up, with the fourth generation VRV, also known as VRV IV, was introduced as the company’s latest flagship airconditioning unit replacing its VRV III predecessor.
Other products launched include energy-efficient and environment-friendly R32 and Urusara. These products will be rolled out in the market in the coming months.
The first VRV was introduced in Japan back in 1982. Now on its 30th year, Daikin’s VRV enjoys a number 1 spot in global market share as against other brands of the same line in the market.
VRV IV boasts of enhanced energy saving feature.
“VRV IV now features Variable Temperature (VRT) technology, which automatically adjusts refrigerant temperature to individual building and climate require- ment, thus further improving annual energy efficiency and maintaining comfort. With this excellent technology, running costs are reduced,” the brifer said.
The R32 is ozone-friendly unit, which also helps mitigate the impact of global warming.
“As part of its commitment to the environment, Daikin aims to develop systems that have a lower environmental impact,” the briefer added.
The Urusara, meanwhile, is a residential type of air conditioner utilizing R32 refrigerant. This airconditioning unit has three functions thrown into a mix; air conditioner, air purifier, and humidifier.
Daikin is eyeing to sold over a thousand units of VRV IV this year nationwide. Letigio added they are targeting to sell 500 outdoor VRV IV outdoor units in VisMin, amounting to around P500 million.
Prominent projects
Caburian said airconditioning unit served several
big ticket projects in the Philippines.
Among them included Canon Manufacturing facility in Batangas, recording over 300 outdoor units sold; SM corporate offices; food promising in Pampanga, specifically that of Pampanga’s best; and Golden ABC coporate center.
In Davao City, many of the call center facilities and corporate offices now carried VRV III technology plus the Tebow Cure Hospital.
There also Greenleaf in General Santos City. The firm is also working on another project, supplying a hotel developer with VRV IV in Clark, Pampanga. Market competition Letigio added market competition for other Daikin airconditioning units in the market is stiff, but he ensured prospect buyers of quality air conditioners.