July 17, 2017 — Emerson today announced plans for a major renovation and expansion of the labs and offices at its existing one-million-square-foot facility in Sidney, Ohio. The project is expected to require $100 million in investments over the next four years.
Emerson will break ground in July on the first phase of construction, which will include building a two-story office addition onto the current facility and converting existing space to new and expanded engineering laboratories. With a focus on creating an environment to attract tomorrow’s engineers, scientists and industry leaders, the renovated facility will facilitate cross-functional collaboration and provide an efficient, modern workplace. A highlight of the project will be an upgraded, cutting-edge lab space to conduct advanced performance and refrigerant testing with its compressors and related products.
“Emerson is committed to growing our global leadership position in the heating and cooling industry. To do that we need best-in-class facilities that provide our current employees a cutting-edge space to continue their critical work—and that help us attract the next generation of engineers and scientists,” said Bob Sharp, executive president for Emerson’s Commercial and Residential Solutions business. “These facility improvements will enable us to develop next-level technology and solutions to meet our customers’ future needs.”
The new construction projects in Sidney come just a year after Emerson opened its Helix Innovation Center on the University of Dayton campus. The Helix Innovation Center is an industry-first effort funded by Emerson to spur research, collaboration and education across the heating and cooling manufacturing industries (also known as the HVACR industry).
Since 1937, Sidney has been the home of Emerson’s world-renowned Copeland™ compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration, and the Sidney location today serves as the company’s headquarters in the Americas for compressor technology and manufacturing. The renovated facility will enable engineers to conduct research, development and testing to develop future technologies for compressors, in addition to manufacturing Copeland Scroll™ compressors, which are found inside air conditioning systems for homes and commercial buildings, and in refrigeration systems at retailers, restaurants and other institutions worldwide. Globally, Emerson has produced 150 million Copeland Scroll compressors and invested $1.5 billion to date in development of the technology.
“Through our Copeland brand, we have a history in this area that stretches back eight decades, as well as 1,700 employees at the Sidney location who call Ohio’s Miami Valley region home,” said Brent Schroeder, group president of heating and air conditioning for Emerson’s Commercial and Residential Solutions business. “We are grateful for the local, regional and state agencies and officials who have provided support for this major renovation project. We are excited to get the project underway and continue to build for a bright future.”
Construction of the new Emerson facilities in Sidney is being financed by a capital lease agreement with the Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority. The project has also received support from JobsOhio, Shelby County and the City of Sidney. Construction is slated to be completed by 2021.