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Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin has centrally been a chemical corporation, where its focus has been on air conditioning systems. It has since diversified its manufacturing division to take advantage of experience in fluorine chemistry. According to Salvatore Re, Daikin's business development manager in Europe, "Fluorochem has a lot to offer this [the fiber-optics] industry. Long term, we aim to develop other materials, such as optical polymers for fibers and components." Today, Daikin has eight separate industrial and management divisions focusing on the corresponding fields of: *Air Conditioning *Chemicals *Transportation & Refrigeration Systems *Semiconductors *Hydraulic fluids *Electronics *Defence *After Sales Service In November 2006 Daikin purchased the OYL Group, which includes McQuay International making Daikin the second largest HVAC Manufacturer in the world. Daikin also codeveloped 410a refrigerant with Carrier and is an innovator in the Split System Air Conditioning Market and is the founder of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning systems (These systems are called Variable Refrigerant Volume or VRV by Daikin). It is currently the Number Two largest air conditioning manufacturer after Carrier. |