In 2016, Japanese air conditioning king Daikin cranked up the heat and invested EUR 25.5 million in Flanders. EUR 6.6 million went to its European Development Center in Ostend, where the company is adding 2 state-of-the-art testing rooms and hiring 35 engineers. The investment earned Daikin a nomination for Foreign Investment of the Year at the Foreign Investment Trophy 2017.
Since its opening in 1972, Daikin’s base in Ostend has become one of the multinational’s most crucial sites as well as one of Daikin’s four unique regional development centers worldwide. Originally an assembly and distribution center, the site is now home to an international headquarters for development, production, administration, sales and marketing.
Development in ideal conditions
“Daikin is the market leader in air conditioning,” says Frans Hoorelbeke, Chairman of Daikin Ostend. “Recently, we have also embarked on a shift from air conditioning unit manufacturer toward total comfort provider.” Daikin’s Ostend-based European Development Center plays a crucial part in that journey.
“Apart from investing in and hiring new development engineers, we’re also expanding our test facilities in Ostend, building two state-of-the-art testing chambers,” Frans Hoorelbeke adds. “There, we can simulate virtually any climate conditions to put our products and solutions to the test, and safeguard our leader position along the way.”
Facts and figures
- Parent company: Daikin Industries
- HQ: Osaka, Japan
- Annual turnover Daikin Europe: EUR 2.1 billion
- Established in Flanders since: 1972
- Number of employees in Flanders: 1,750
6 February 2017
