Johnson Controls (JCI) is ramping up its commitment to the Australian market with new products and technology as well as extending its chiller range. JCI national sales manager for York chillers, Barry Abboud, talks exclusively to CCN about the company's vision for the local market.
Johnson Controls is well known to the Australian market, delivering a long list of successful projects for leading Australian and international organisations, as well as government. This includes public/private partnerships using mission critical applications such as data centres. In September 2016, Johnson Controls merged with Tyco positioning the newly formed company as a leader in products, technologies and integrated solutions for buildings and energy sectors.
CCN: What does the merger mean for Australia?
Abboud: The long-term vision for Australia is to create a multi-functional business that accelerates growth and value for our customers, servicing end markets as diverse as large institutions, government and commercial buildings to retail, industrial, small business and residential.
Some of Johnson Controls' most notable HVAC projects include Australian Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, Melbourne Park, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Perth Stadium, Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of NSW, and most recently the Barangaroo District Cooling Plant and Darling Harbour where the upcoming ARBS exhibition will be held this year.
To support this growth we will be bringing new products to the Australian market, many of which will be on display at ARBS 2018.
CCN: What is behind this renewed commitment to Australia/APAC region?
Abboud: Uniting the Johnson Controls and Tyco capabilities creates a very exciting and comprehensive offering. Our smart building solutions work together under one umbrella to optimise efficiency over the life of a facility. It is also an exciting time for the business to introduce new global innovations, insights and technologies to our local market.
The Asia Pacific region, in particular Australia and New Zealand, are currently ripe for growth and are actively seeking whole of building solutions providers such as Johnson Controls. Our brands include some of the most trusted names in the industry from YORK, Sabroe, Tyco, Metasys to Simplex, Grinnell, ShopperTrak, Sensormatic and TrueVUE. These brands offer strong prospects for growth across all lines of the Johnson Controls business.
CCN: How does JCI differentiate itself from the rest of the market?
Abboud: Johnson Controls is unique in Australia. It's very hard to find another organisation that can meet the breadth and depth of our offering. Our technology portfolio integrates many aspects of a building with a wide range of products across HVACR, building automation, energy management and optimisation, security systems and fire product technologies.
For instance, Johnson Controls can install a centralised cooling plant combined with controls, air systems, security and fire products.
CCN: So what can we expect in 2018?
Abboud: Johnson Controls launched its new YORK YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller in December 2017, which features a new generation low GWP refrigerant. This chiller delivers annual energy savings of up to 35 per cent compared to fixed speed designs, and reduced maintenance due to it having 80 per cent fewer moving parts than traditional oil or refrigerant lubricated drivelines.
The YORK YZ chiller is the only magnetic levitation solution with A1 ultra low GWP refrigerant and a broad cooling capacity range that is ideal for diverse application needs. The nonflammable, non toxic R-1233zd(E) has an ultra-low GWP of one for ultimate performance, and is developed for efficiency, safety, availability, and low environmental impact and cost.
CCN: Which products will we see at ARBS?
Abboud: Our YORK YZ 1500 kWR chiller is being shipped from overseas for display at ARBS. Visitors will be able to view the new chiller up close and learn more about its new GWP refrigerant. The YORK YZ broad capacity range is exciting. It combines low GWP refrigerant with A1 (non-toxic and non-flammable) and magnetic levitation technology from 600 kWR – 3500kWR. This broad capacity range is available to our clients right now.
Also on display will be a mini chiller, a variable speed machines at 40 kWR, making it unique in the market. The YORK mini chiller (also available in heat pump mode) is an ideal solution for smaller low-rise buildings or warehouses seeking an alternative to traditional direct expansion (DX) systems. There will also be a YORK air solutions system on display, highlighting our EC range of FCUs (low profile units and high static capability units).
CCN: I understand you will also be showcasing a new underfloor air system?
Abboud: That's correct the underfloor air system provides a future building solution for flexible workplaces. Underfloor air systems are popular with property developers looking to provide solutions that offer greater flexibility for tenants who would like the option to grow into additional floor space at any time.
An underfloor air system can offer more flexibility more readily than other types of systems like overhead air systems. Our water cooled package unit range will also be on display.
CCN: So what is the timeline for these new product releases?
Abboud: In addition to the YORK YZ chiller, new product launches expected this year include our Premium Efficiency Variable Speed Screw Chillers from 400kWR to 1450kWR, which are available now.
There is the YORK mini chiller (also available in heat pump mode) ranges from 40kWR to 250kWR, utilisiing one variable speed Hitatchi compressor (a JCI JV partner) combined with fixed speed scroll compressors.
In our DX product range, we have both horizontal and vertical package units ranging from 3kWR to 12kWR. This is being well received by the market. For details, visit johnsoncontrols.com or phone 02 9805 8300.
The JCI story in Australia
Johnson Controls has had a presence in Australia since the 1960’s through a network of local distributors and was one of the pioneers of air conditioning in Australia. The YORK brand was incorporated in 1937 as YORK Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Asia) Pty Ltd and acquired by Johnson Controls in 2005. Johnson Controls has 23 branches throughout Australia, and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. There are 930 staff in Australia and more than 120,000 employees globally, allowing the company to draw on specialist expertise from across the globe.
Profile: Barry Abboud
Barry Abboud has actively participated in the HVAC industry for more than 20 years, and has worked on many projects across Australia and New Zealand. Notable projects include Barangaroo; the largest series counter flow project in Australia with direct sea water heat rejection, and Sydney Opera House, a complex plant utilising series counter flow and series parallel arrangements combined with heat recovery and indirect sea water heat rejection.
Abboud also worked on the Darling Harbour Live development, delivering an optimised combination of a low load series counter flow pair combined with two main load pairs, with variable flow chilled water and condenser water pumping arrangements. Abboud is an AIRAH Member, LEED Accredited Professional (AP), and holds an EMBA from AGSM, and BE (Hons) from the UNSW.