Daikin to become leading supplier of air filters with acquisition of Nippon Muki
Daikin Industries is to acquire Japan’s leading air filter supplier Nippon Muki for JPY5bn (£33.4m; US$54m) and in the process become global leader in the air filter business. Nippon Muki, a subsidiary of Nippon Sheet Glass Co, based in Tokyo, is already market leader in sales of air filters and cleanroom products in Japan. It has annual sales of JPY8.8bn (£59m; US$95m) and employs 223 people.
Daikin acquired American Air Filter (AAF) of Louisville, Kentucky in the US in 2007 through the takeover of its parent OYL. AAF has the second-largest share of the global air filter market. It has more than 20 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, China, and South-East Asia and an extensive sales network and employs around 2,600 people. Both companies provide air filter and cleanroom products for a range of applications to a variety of industries.
Daikin says it will combine the strengths of AAF and Nippon Muki in product development, manufacturing and sales. ‘This will enhance the development of filter products with high performance and functionality for applications related to the healthcare, food, and electronics and power generation industries,’ the company adds.
Growth is expected to come from the need for improved performance and functionality of air filters and equipment resulting from increased environmental concerns about air quality, saving energy and stricter environmental regulations worldwide.
The combined sales in the filter business of the Daikin Group and Nippon Muki will exceed JPY70bn (£468m; US$758m). Daikin manufactures PTFE filters as a fluoro-chemical product of its chemicals division. They are sold worldwide through AAF and the Japan Air Conditioning sales division. www.daikin.com www.nipponmuki.co.jp/e/