DAIKIN has started operations at its first manufacturing plant in India.
Daikin Airconditioning India Pvt.Ltd's (DAIPL) plant at Neemrana in Rajasthan, was opened on April 8.

The factory has the capacity to make 20,000 VRV units and 1,800 chillers, initially for Indian market. The Daikin subsidiary's activities may extend to future exports from the plant to other parts of Asia and Europe.

The 160,000 sq metre site also has a training centre which promises to deliver 12,000 man days of training. The training centre will train Daikin India's sales and service staff and its dealer partners from across India in product quality, installation, commissioning and after sales service.

India is one of the fastest growing markets globally for Daikin. DAIPL, which has been operating in India for 10 years, has had an average growth of 38% every year for the last five years. The country head of sales & marketing Sanjay Goyal is aiming for 40% growth per year from 2010 onwards.

Sanjay Goyal said:'By setting up a facility in India, we aim at becoming more competitive in meeting market needs in terms of product availability and specifications. This will strengthen our competitiveness and leadership in the Indian ac market.'