Daikin to invest in European Development Center in Ostend

Daikin, the Japanese maker of airconditioners and interior climate installations, will construct a new European Development Center (EDC) in Ostend, Belgium.  The Centre will play an important role in the development of innovative, energy-efficient alternatives to the traditional heating solutions, according to a press release. "The EDC will become an important European R&D centre, headquartered in Ostend with satellite offices in the Czech Republic and Germany. The EDC will receive wide autonomy to develop its own innovative designs and solutions, specific for the European market. "

An investment of about EUR 13 million is budgeted for the first phase of construction. By 2015, the centre will provide employment to a European team of about 200 specialists. Daikin says they are currently looking for different profiles, "both young talent (bachelors and masters) and experienced researchers, engineers and related developer profiles".