Neemrana (Alwar): Air conditioner maker Daikin India inaugurated its first research and development (R&D) centre in the country here today to develop tailor-made products for the diverse Indian weather conditions.

Spread over 5,135 square meters, the centre at Neemrana in Alwar district employs 65 engineers and aims to have 150 employees by 2020.

“We are progressing to become the market leader and this initiative is intended to increase our manufacturing competitiveness in the country,” Kanwal Jeet Jawa, MD – Daikin Airconditioning India Pvt Ltd, told reporters after the inauguration. He said the company is working on manufacturing different products for different markets. “The products will be manufactured as per the local weather conditions. “We have progressed a lot in the last five years and are heading to become the market leader. We are very optimistic for our future growth,” he said. The company’s R&D work was done in Malaysia and Thailand and now it will be done in India too with the inauguration of this plant, he said. Toshio Nakano, Chairman, Daikin Industries inaugurated the plant. Daikin Airconditioning India Pvt Ltd (DAIPL), a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd of Japan, manufactures commercial and residential air conditioning systems. — PTI