Can Spring Be Far Behind? A Review of 2011 Global AC Market

摘要

The year 2011 is likely to be long remembered both in the air conditioning industry and the history books. In Japan, an earthquake and tsunami of unprecedented scale struck on March 11, the repercussions of which were felt around the world. The disaster crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and nuclear power plants throughout Japan subsequently suspended their operations, leading to a serious electricity shortage. The disaster in Japan also caused a temporary disruption in the supply of semiconductors and other components. Other natural disasters include the massive flooding in Thailand, which disrupted a significant slice of the global manufacturing industry. Amid global recession, the European debt crisis erupted and political uprisings swept across large swaths of Northern Africa and the Middle East. How have air conditioning industry players managed to overcome this year of challenge? At the start of this New Year, JARN wraps up 2011 with a special report compiled from year-end interviews conducted with a number of sources at global air conditioner manufacturers.