Tuna Gulenc, Regional Vice President of Daikin Middle East and Africa, took center stage at Daikin's 100th-anniversary celebration held at the Museum of the Future. Daikin, a leading global brand in heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration, is set to expand its footprint in the region due to the growing demand for its energy-efficient products, according to a senior executive.
Gulenc, who serves as the Regional Vice President for Daikin MEA, highlighted the company's strong presence in the UAE, which he described as a gateway to the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Western markets. "As we continue to grow in the UAE and the broader region, we are expanding our operations, increasing our workforce, and strengthening our sales and distribution networks. We are also introducing new services to meet the evolving market demands," Gulenc stated during an interview.
Daikin, founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada as a manufacturer of aircraft parts, has established itself as a global leader in HVAC-R solutions. This year, the company celebrates a century of innovation and reaffirms its commitment to further innovation and expansion into new consumer-focused segments. "At Daikin, innovation is in our DNA, which is why we have thrived for 100 years. Our core values of trust, partnerships, and innovation, combined with our focus on HVAC-R, enable us to continuously innovate and bring new technologies to market that enhance health and comfort," Gulenc explained.
With the rising demand for air conditioning units due to increased construction, managing energy consumption has become crucial. Daikin is addressing this challenge by introducing more energy-efficient products to reduce energy requirements. Another priority for Daikin is minimizing the environmental impact of refrigerants used in air conditioning systems. The company is actively developing eco-friendly refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) to ensure a more sustainable approach.
Daikin's milestones reflect its journey from a small Japanese company to a global leader in HVAC-R. Founded during a period of profound change in Japan between World War I and World War II, Daikin integrated expertise in electronics, mechanics, and chemical technology, symbolized by the triangle in its logo. As global cities rose, Daikin invested heavily in air conditioning, starting in Japan and later expanding globally. By the 1970s, Daikin had established a strong presence in Europe and later expanded to China and North America through strategic acquisitions.
In the Middle East, Daikin began its operations through independent distributors, focusing on localization. In 2006, Daikin established its first office in Dubai, UAE, and has since expanded its operations across the region, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and Africa. Gulenc emphasized the strategic importance of the UAE as a regional hub due to its access to a skilled workforce and business-friendly environment.
Daikin's commitment to sustainability is evident in its efforts to develop energy-efficient and environmentally responsible solutions. The company is working towards achieving Net Zero by 2050 and has introduced innovative technologies like R-32 refrigerants and IoT-enabled HVAC-R systems to optimize energy consumption and reduce environmental impact.
Daikin's growth in the Middle East and Africa has been significant, with a 20% year-on-year increase over the past five years. The company continues to invest in R&D and partnerships to drive innovation in air quality, energy efficiency, and environmental solutions. Daikin's expansion strategy includes localizing its operations and investing in local communities through training centers and skill development programs.
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