Dive Brief:
- HVAC manufacturer Modine has acquired the Jetson product portfolio as part of its purchase of Napps Technology, based in Longview, Texas, according to a press release.
- The Jetson line intends to help school leaders equip their facilities with high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, and will also target healthcare, light commercial, secondary education and hospitality facilities.
- The portfolio will enable Modine to further its growth strategy of expanding into K-12 institutions and meeting demand for high-efficiency HVAC systems.
Dive Insight:
Modine is a Wisconsin-based firm that provides HVAC solutions to commercial facilities across North America, mainly focusing on the almost $2 billion market for chillers targeting data centers.
The HVAC tech firm acquired Napps Technology earlier in July to advance its technology portfolio and sharpen its focus on K-12 institutions.
Modine expects to generate $6 million to $8 million in additional revenue this year from its deal with Napps. At the time of purchase, the company also forecast that its revenue will double within two years.
Over the next few months, Modine aims to introduce Jetson into its Airedale distribution network, which it bought in 2005 amid its foray into serving organizations in the education sector. The Jetson brand, which has represented Napps Technology’s commercial product portfolio, includes modular and packaged heat pumps, air-cooled chillers, modular water-cooled chillers, water-cooled condensing units, air-cooled condensing units and split-system air-cooled chillers.
Many school buildings that are old and located near busy, congested roads have been grappling with poor air quality due to pollutants and particulates. “Monitoring indoor air quality and looking at the costs of upgrading existing systems are challenging for a lot of facilities managers, especially in schools and hospitals, which have limited budgets,” Tom Kennedy, president of TSI Incorporated, which sets measurement standards related to aerosol science, air flow and indoor air quality, told Facilities Dive.
“[What] needs to be done is understanding how ventilation exchange rates can be controlled,” he explained. “And then, you can look at the results and determine what your budget allows for changes both in terms of capital investment and ongoing operating expenses. It’s a multistep process that begins with measurements.”
Given the budget constraints many schools have been contending with, the U.S. Department of Energy selected 24 local education agencies across 22 states to avail $178 million in funding infrastructure upgrades. The funds, which will be disbursed as part of a Renew America’s Schools program, are aimed at reducing energy costs and emissions while improving building safety in schools.
Modine will continue to manufacture in Longview, Texas, and Napps Technology’s president Sam Neale will join Modine as part of the integration.
