Daikin is taking steps to further integrate its commercial refrigeration operations in Europe.

Daikin Central Europe (DACE), which is responsible for 16 countries, has established a single source business units for its food retail and commercial refrigeration business by combining its Daikin and AHT operations. Meanwhile, in Italy, a team comprising components of Daikin Air Conditioning Italy SpA, Zanotti SpA and AHT Italia will be formed under the leadership of AHT Italia.

The new business units in Central Europe and Eastern Europe, which comprises Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldavia, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Poland, will combine the product and service range of both Daikin and AHT.

According to Daikin CE, this organisational change is designed to provide improved service and support to customers in the retail food industry.

“Following the final acquisition of AHT in 2019, Daikin came closer to its goal of becoming a full-service provider. The new unit will now offer and live the “one-stop-shop” concept and is combing the experience of DACE and AHT staff and partners,” the company said in a statement.

The new strategic business unit, named Project Fresh, will be led by Daniel Winch, who currently heads the commercial department at DACE and will be fully supported by an experienced AHT team. Winch joined Daikin in 2016, has 25 years of experience in the HVACR industry and previously worked for Carrier.

Improved synergy

Daikin is known to have been working on proposals to improve synergy sales of Daikin Group products in food retail and forecourt sectors since the acquisition of AHT in 2019.

The process has also been initiated in Italy, where a team comprising components of Daikin Air Conditioning Italy SpA, Zanotti SpA and AHT Italia has been formed under the leadership of AHT Italia.

AHT Italia promises better customer service, supported by an internal after-sales service department covering all Daikin’s refrigeration systems, AHT, Zanotti, Tewis and Hubbard. With the new structure, AHT Italia says it will not only be a supplier, but also a consultant and partner in the commercial refrigeration sector, able to offer feasibility studies, services and assistance.