Rheem Opens Advanced Technology Integration Lab.
2011-09-20
Rheem’s Vision for Innovation Leverages HVAC and Water Heating Expertise to Create New, Integrated Solutions
INDIANAPOLIS (SEPTEMBER 20, 2011)—This month, Rheem will open a new research and development facility focused on developing integrated solutions for the company’s heating, cooling, water heating and pool/spa heating product lines. Located just north of Indianapolis, the lab will be the newest addition to Rheem’s Advanced Technology Integration (ATI) organization.
The ATI organization was created in October 2010 with a mission to facilitate and lead the development and implementation of advanced technologies and systems solutions across the company’s product divisions. More specifically, the team is developing new, hybrid solutions that further integrate HVAC and water heating that can help homes and businesses reduce energy consumption while increasing comfort. The ATI laboratory in Indiana is the newest addition to the existing labs in Alabama, Arkansas and Mexico, and significantly expands the electronic controls development and testing capabilities of the organization.
“We are excited to continue our investment in advanced technologies that will allow us to expand our capabilities and improve our speed to market with innovative, energy efficient product solutions,” said Chris Peel, senior vice president and COO for Rheem. “The Advanced Technology Integration lab in Indiana will substantially increase our capabilities in the areas of electronic controls and integrated systems development, which is critical to our long term growth strategy.”
The ATI organization is led by Mike Branson, director, advanced technology integration for Rheem. “Rheem’s vision of integrated systems can be paralleled to recent developments in consumer electronics, automotive electronics and medical devices. Indiana is a center of development for these industries and a natural location to attract cross-industry experience and talent. Additionally, the Midwest has numerous engineering and research universities which will be a further resource for ATI initiatives,” said Branson.
Rheem will host an open house event for the ATI lab on Wednesday, Sept. 21 in conjunction with HVAC Comfortech 2011, which is being held in Indianapolis Sept. 21-23. The event will include Rheem leadership; members of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; representatives from building, architecture, and design firms involved in the construction of the ATI Lab; and key contractors in the Indianapolis area. The open house event will feature opening remarks from Peel and Branson. Attendees will also have the option to tour the ATI lab during the event.
About Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com)
Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI), and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series® car and KHI’s No. 33 NASCAR Nationwide Series® car. Harvick was named Nationwide Series “Driver of the Decade” in 2010.
