Innovative product launches and a positive outlook on the future of the HVAC industry set the futuristic tone for the Daikin UK D1 Partner Event.
Attended by more than 600 guests, the event offered a unique mix of networking and the chance to learn the latest plans from Daikin UK, with the aim of helping installers grow their business opportunities.
During the event Daikin also announced major product developments, including the Sky Air A-series with R32 Bluevolution technology, the unique Auto-Cleaning Duct accessory, the latest watercooled VRV, the new inverter TZ and VZ screw chillers and extended range of modular heat recovery ventilation AHU’s.
The Partner Event took place on 25th May at the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster and began with a welcome address from managing director, Martin Krutz. He said: “2016 was a record breaking year for sales within Daikin UK history and we could not have done it without your hard work. So please remember that our offices are your offices, our people are your people and your success is our success. As we move forward together, the future is in our hands to lead the way and create an environmentally friendly, energy efficient HVAC sector.”
Joining the exclusive event from Daikin Europe NV and Daikin Industries were president of Daikin Europe and vice president Daikin Industries, Mr Masatsugu Minaka; chairman and board member of Daikin Europe, Mr Frans Hoorelbeke; and Bernard Dehertogh, senior manager of VRV sales for Daikin Europe.
Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, provided a ‘cautiously positive’ outlook on the sector’s future. Predicting the air conditioning sector will expand by up to 3% by 2019, Michael said the sector is set to experience continued and steady growth, as the commercial planning pipeline remains healthy.
Martin Passingham, product manager for DX and Graham Wright, legislation specialist, introduced the audience to the latest in the Bluevolution range of the R32-based units - the brand new Sky Air A-series of commercial air conditioners - making Daikin the only HVAC company in the UK to have a full range of Splits available in R32 refrigerant up to 14 KW.
Expanding the R32 Bluevolution range that was launched in 2016, the new A-series features three new models, Sky Air Alpha, Advance and Active, which offer increased design flexibility, quicker and easier installation, lower environmental impact and running costs, and improved comfort and control for end-users.
Throughout the event the futuristic theme was brought to life by the Sky Air A-series robots. The life-sized humanoids kept audiences entertained using voice recognition and mechanical facial and hand expressions to deliver key product messages.
Continuing its pioneering approach to R32, Daikin UK announced new dates for its ‘R32 System Installations - Are you ready?’ course, which has trained more than 800 installers from 500 companies to date.
The second product innovation session was co-presented by Daikin UK’s VRV specialist Richard Green, applied business manager Clifford Jones and heating product manager Richard Paine.
Richard Green introduced the new Auto-Cleaning Duct accessory, which has been developed with input from leading hotel chains. This ‘industry first’ Daikin technology will keep internal filters clean within ducted air conditioning units in hotel, office and residential spaces. It works by automatically removing dust from the duct into a dust box, which can then simply be vacuumed, thus reducing manual cleaning costs and increasing the system lifespan.
Also showcased was the Daikin VRV IV W+. With a unique patented system resulting in zero heat emission from the outdoor units, the system offers superior energy efficiency ideal for data centres, hotels, shopping centres, residential apartments and offices where available space is at a premium.
Cliff Jones highlighted Daikin’s investment in applied manufacturing facilities in Europe and the breadth of Daikin’s air cooled and water cooled chiller portfolio, including the new inverter TZ and VZ screw ranges. He also introduced the extended range of modular heat recovery ventilation AHU’s now featuring Modular P and Modular R units offering an airflow range up to 6.9m3/s with heat recovery.
Also presenting at the event were Shire Leasing’s Guy Lewcock, who introduced the finance packages available to Daikin partners, and Giulia Kapp, Daikin UK marketing manager, who highlighted the marketing resources available to partners on the My Daikin business portal (my.daikin.co.uk) and the exclusive D1 portal (d1.daikin.co.uk), which offer access to a vast range of technical manuals, marketing materials, special offers, support options and software tools.
The evening’s events began with the D1 Award presentations, congratulating and acknowledging outstanding Daikin UK customer contributions. D1+ partner winners included Accent Services Air Conditioning, Aerocool, Airway Air Conditioning, Cross Refrigeration NI and EOC Services.
Following the awards ceremony, attendees enjoyed stand-up comedy from Alun Cochrane and an audience hosted by presenter and journalist, Emma Spencer, with the world-class jockey Sir Anthony McCoy OBE and England’s most capped scrum half, Matt Dawson MBE, followed by live music from Urban Blue.