Brochure
HISTORY
of Air Conditioning Group
1958-2011
1961
1965
1968
1972
1983
1985
1992
1993
1992
2003
2008
1958
Started production and sales of Home Coolers
The Electrical Appliance Business Group (Kadoma)
started cooler production in March 1958. Started sales
in May under the “Home Cooler” name.
1990
Launched world’s first Compact Scroll Compressor-equipped
Air Conditioner
Developed industry’s smallest outdoor air conditioning
unit:“Chi-size”
Established Matsushita-Wanbao (Guangzhou) Air Conditioner (MWAC)
Established Matsushita-Wanbao (Guangzhou)Compressor (MWCC)
Established Matsushita Air Conditioner Engineering (Matsushita ACE)
2003
2005
2006
2008
2009
Launched EcoCute on the back of better
energy-saving technology
Launched accumulator-less, high-efficiency,
CO
2
scroll compressor for EcoCute
Began production of Multi-split packaged
air conditioner (mini-VRF)
Launched air conditioner
automatic filter cleaning
function (AC robot)
Product became extremely successful in the Japanese
market. Since then, Panasonic launched a series of innovative
products
such as airstream robots and motion sensors which significantly
improves Panasonic’s air conditioner market share.
Aggregated global production of
Panasonic compressors reached 200 million units
2011
Integration of Sanyo HVAC USA into
Panasonic Corporation of North America.
In 2008 Energy Conservation Grand Prizes,
EcoCute won its first Director General Prize of Agency
of Natural Resources and Energy,
while Panasonic air conditioner won
the Chairman Prize of the Energy
Conservation Center of Japan Started Air
to Water heat pump business in Europe
Established air conditioner dedicated sales company
in Europe (PHAAE)
Panasonic HA Air-Conditioning Europe (PHAAE)
strengthened the commercial air conditioning business.
Started exports of Home Coolers (to South Vietnam)
Launched Room Coolers
Began development of Rotary Compressors
Later, their high efficiency and high quality attracted
domestic and overseas
air conditioner manufactures. Began external sales.
Established overseas business base in Malaysia
MAICO was established in Malaysia as the Aircon
Group’s first overseas base.
From this time, MAICO started to export to Japan,
Indonesia, Australia, and other markets. Panasonic
started operating a twin base system with a
presence in Japan and Malaysia.
Started shipments of Air Conditioners to Panasonic America
Launched inverter Air Conditioner
Started sales of Panasonic’s first inverter air conditioners
and has since gained increasing popularity. Inverter
became the future technology of air conditioner market.
Began development of Scroll Compressors
Began development of scroll compressors, offering high
efficiency, low noise, and low vibration in comparison to
rotary compressors.
Pursuit of smallest outdoor size in the industry
Focus entirely on the user
Compact outdoor unit: “Chi-size” (small size)
With the change in the air conditioner market from “one unit per household” to
“one unit per room,” Panasonic responded with its “Chi-size” outdoor unit, which met demands
for greater compactness and outdoor installation.
This “Chi-size” outdoor unit was about 75% the size of existing outdoor units,
weighted seven kilograms lighter and required only around 66% of the installation area.
At the stage of fine-tuning, the structure and layout of the main components of outdoor units,
Panasonic succeeded in changing the compressor from a vertical to a horizontal type.
Because the”Chi-size” was efficient and quiet, many were in use over a long period of time.
New growth for the next generation
Europe: Started Air to Water heat pump business
With environmental awareness growing around the world,
hot water heating attracts considerable attention,
particularly in Europe, as an alternative to conventional
fuel-type heating systems. This market is expected to
continue to grow in the future.
Making the ‘environment’ the central of product innovations
CO
2
heat pump hot water heater (EcoCute)
Accumulator-less, high-efficiency, CO
2
scroll compressor for EcoCute
Using a non-toxic, non-combustible natural refrigerant (CO
2
) as
replacement for Freon helps reduce global warming.
Introduced mini-VRF
Using inverter control, Panasonic developed new energy saving
mini-VRF series for residences.
. CO2 scroll compressor requires
smaller installation area
. Quiet, compact, lightweight
How air to water works
Heat of atmosphere
Hot water
tank
Heat absorption External unit
Heat exchange unit
Floor
heating
Refrigerant Hot water
Heat of atmosphere
Panel
Irradiation
system
The Global Trusted Air Conditioning Brand
53 years since its establishment, Panasonic Air Conditioning Group has grown into
a global company.
Through continuous quest for product innovations, the Group has evolved from
manufacturing Compressor to providing Comprehensive Air Conditioning solutions.
This has earned Panasonic, the reputation as the trusted brand for
superior quality and reliable products in the industry.
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