Johnson Controls-Hitachi Signs MoU to Launch Manufacturing Startup Incubator

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to establish an incubator to support Manufacturing-focused startups in Gujarat. This marks a significant milestone in Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India’s commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting the manufacturing ecosystem in the country. This Startup Incubator aims to provide a robust platform for startups focused on selected manufacturing sectors, fostering technological advancements, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The MoU was formalized under the leadership of Shri. Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Shri. Sanjay Sudhakaran, Managing Director, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited., India & South Asia Region. The signing took place in the presence of Shri. Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT.

Shri. Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of "design in India, design for the world" is ushering India towards a Viksit Bharat. He added that the Government of India is committed to boosting the manufacturing sector with several initiatives such as Make in India and Production Linked Incentive scheme. He emphasized that a key element in boosting India’s manufacturing sector is to create a pipeline of innovation and an ecosystem of startups that drive this innovation. He expressed confidence that the partnership with Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. will provide the much needed nurturing and guidance to the young innovators and entrepreneurs of the country.

The incubator at Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited will provide mentorship and guidance to the manufacturing startups on various critical aspects such as concept-to-prototype development, project viability assessment, and go-to-market strategies. The company will also support them in managing potential funding needs along with other necessary services such as legal and IP filing to enable commercialization of innovative products.

Shri. Sanjay Sudhakaran, Managing Director of Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited in the India & South Asia Region, congratulated the Government of India and DPIIT for conceptualizing this initiative and for providing this unique platform that connects innovators with the industry. He noted that India has proven its innovative and entrepreneurial prowess in the IT sector with countless unicorns and it is now time for similar success in the manufacturing sector. He also said that Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited backed by Japanese innovation, technology and industry-leading expertise, has invested heavily in India to establish world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities. He emphasized that the manufacturing facility at Kadi, Gujarat, which is one of the largest air conditioner manufacturing facilities in India and Global Development Center are committed to bringing innovative, premium and feature-rich air conditioning solutions to Indian customers.

Shri. Sanjay Sudhakaran also said that the company was delighted to partner with DPIIT to set up a state-of-the-art incubator at the company’s premises in Kadi, Gujarat.  This strategic collaboration with DPIIT highlights Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd.’s role in fostering innovation in the manufacturing sector, aligning with the Indian Government’s vision to support technological advancement and industrial growth. Through this incubator, manufacturing-focused startups would get the much-needed guidance and nurturing required to bring their innovations to life.

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India headquarters in Kadi, Gujarat, is home to world-class Global Design Center, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, and now, Startup Incubator. This incubator will not only provide startups an exposure to world-class R&D, prototyping, and testing processes, but also aims to support them in developing prototypes and commercializing the product.  The company’s manufacturing facility at Kadi, one of India’s largest air conditioner manufacturing facilities, produces a diverse range of products, from room air conditioners, packaged light commercial and Commercial Air Conditioners as well as custom air conditioning solutions for specialized applications.