Rheem, Fujitsu General Limited Form Strategic Collaboration

ATLANTA, Ga. – Fujitsu General Limited and Rheem have formed a strategic collaboration that will expand the heating and cooling product portfolios for both companies.

Ducted central air conditioning systems account for approximately 90 percent of the U.S. residential HVAC market (source: AHRI). However, in recent years, the demand for ductless cooling systems—pioneered by Japanese manufacturers—has grown in the United States due to consumers’ interests in systems that provide comfort and energy savings, and meet special add-on installation requirements, such as sites where ductwork is not feasible.

As part of this agreement, Rheem will begin offering ductless mini-split systems manufactured by Fujitsu General to its U.S. customers under the Rheem and Ruud brands. The relationship will expand to other product categories in the future and will further include joint development of products, as well as collaborative operational opportunities. Additionally, Fujitsu General will introduce a portfolio of ducted HVAC products, manufactured by Rheem, in its channel.

The companies expect to begin introducing new products in early 2017. Rheem and Fujitsu plan to showcase some of these products at the 2017 AHR Expo, which takes place Jan. 30-Feb.