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Danfoss completed the acquisition of German compressor manufacturer BOCK in 2023, reinforcing Danfoss’s position as a full-service provider of greener cooling and heating solutions. What was the impact of this move and how does this align with global industry trends?
In an exclusive interview, Refrigeration Industry speaks to Danfoss’s Kristian Strand (President Commercial Compressors), about the acquisition of the BOCK brand and the company’s global expansion plans.

Refrigeration Industry (RI): What are Danfoss’ primary strategic goals following the acquisition of BOCK and how do you envision the company evolving in the next decade?
Kristian Strand (KS): Over the last few years, we have been investing heavily to grow Danfoss and to be the best partner for our customers, as well as an industry contributor, to drive decarbonization.
Danfoss Climate Solutions is a leading player in compressor technology and, with the BOCK acquisition last year, our portfolio is now one of the broadest in the world, highly efficient, and catering to all types of refrigerants and HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration) applications.
Our expertise spans every stage of the entire heating and cooling process from production to installation. With this portfolio and expertise, we are a strong decarbonization partner for our customers, helping them to develop and offer the most efficient and resilient energy-efficient systems.

RI: Following the acquisition, are there any specific products and services Danfoss will prioritize for development and expansion?
KS: With BOCK we see great growth potential, and we will make significant investments in all parts of the business – development, sales, and service network as well as test- and production facilities.
We are building a new factory in Mexico for scroll and semi-hermetic compressors and sensors to meet the expected increase in demand in North America. The new factory is expected to be ready by the beginning of 2025, starting with a capacity of 150,000 compressor units, 1.6 million pressure sensors, and 1 million mildly flammable (A2L) refrigerant leak detection sensors.
To produce Turbocor oil-free centrifugal compressors, we started the construction of a new factory in Florida (US), in 2021. The new Florida factory should start production of Turbocor compressors at the beginning of this year, with an annual production capacity of about 20,000 units.
We have also set up a new Configuration and Service Center for Turbocor compressors at our headquarters in Nordborg, Denmark. The new center will handle repair and final-stage assembly, configuring Turbocor compressors based on customer requirements. We will begin to build the foundation for full production in Denmark for European customers by 2026.
We are also continuing to strengthen our portfolio through digitalization. The food retail industry is an example of a business that is transforming through digitalization – and sustainability is a key phase of this journey.
To foster the green transition, we recently announced a new partnership with the US company Enersponse to collaborate on ensuring food retailers achieve grid stability while reaping financial rewards via automated demand response. Enersponse’s software is now seamlessly integrated into our Danfoss Alsense software, allowing retail managers to easily respond to alarms, and ensure 24/7 monitoring of food conditions to ensure that the food stays fresh, all while reducing energy use during peak periods.

RI: How is the integration of BOCK impacting Danfoss’ operations, product portfolio, and market strategy?
KS: BOCK’s renowned CO2 and low-GWP semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors and condensing units expand Danfoss’ position as a full-service provider for greener cooling and heating solutions from products and solutions to components and support – all backed by a global presence. The brand’s shared commitment to innovation, expertise, and support will help fast-track decarbonized cold chain and heating systems worldwide.
With one of the world’s largest portfolios of compressors for natural refrigerants such as CO2 (R744), hydrocarbons, and other low-GWP refrigerants, BOCK has an impressive global reputation for quality, innovation and climate-friendly technology within the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. BOCK’s portfolio and commitment to energy efficiency strongly supplement Danfoss’ existing product ranges, providing customers with unique access to one trusted supplier, who can help them chart their own journey towards decarbonization through expert consultation, support, and training.

RI: How will Danfoss’s transformation after the acquisition affect its relationships with customers and the broader industry, especially in terms of support and collaboration?
KS: Offering a more complete portfolio of solutions to the market, we are proud to enter the air-conditioning bus market for the first time with BOCK’s solutions.

Source Refrigeration industry news LinkedIn Pulse

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