Few companies can claim to be as embedded in Australian life as Daikin. Since first arriving in 1969, the brand has gone beyond providing air conditioners; today, it is a trusted partner in shaping how Australians live, work, and breathe. With more than half a century of presence, three consecutive Trusted Brand awards (2023-2025), and factories that bring together people from over 30 nationalities, Daikin’s story in Australia is one of resilience, innovation, and deep local commitment.
The end of 2025 marked another milestone with the opening of Daikin’s second factory in Sydney, supported by the NSW Government. The new facility not only expands local manufacturing capacity but also reduces transport emissions and boosts renewable energy use — clear signs of a company investing for the long term.
At the helm of this vision is Hideaki Furihata, Managing Director of Daikin Australia, who sees Daikin’s role as extending far beyond temperature control. “What we’re really delivering,” he notes, “is peace of mind — healthy, efficient, and dependable environments for families and workplaces.”
In this exclusive Bridges conversation, Furihata shares Daikin’s journey of blending Japanese precision with Australian practicality, the evolving meaning of comfort, and how sustainability drives the company’s future.
Marking a Milestone
Bridges: Your second factory has recently celebrated its official opening. When you look at it, what story does it tell about Daikin’s journey in Australia?
Furihata: It tells a story of local commitment and long-term investment. Daikin has been part of the Australian landscape since 1969, and since establishing local manufacturing in the 1980s, we’ve continued to grow alongside the communities we serve. At a time when many manufacturers are moving offshore, we’re expanding—backed by investment support from the NSW Government, which has helped us create 60 new full-time jobs in manufacturing.
This second factory isn’t just a building – it’s a statement that we’re here for the long haul. It increases our capacity to make large commercial products like rooftop units and air handling systems, tailored specifically for the Australian market. It also reflects the strength and diversity of our team, with more than 30 nationalities represented on the factory floor. It’s proof that Daikin isn’t just operating in Australia, we’re growing alongside it.
“Daikin’s strength lies in blending Japanese engineering precision with a deep understanding of Australian market conditions.”
Hideaki Furihata, Managing Director of Daikin Australia
Greener by Design
Daikin is known for its commitment to sustainability. Can you share how the new facility will make everyday life a little better — for customers, communities, and the environment?
We believe sustainability is most effective when it’s built into everyday operations. One of the biggest environmental gains with our new facility comes from co-locating our raw materials warehouse on-site, which removes over 1,000 heavy vehicle trips from local roads each year and significantly cuts transport emissions.
In 2026, we’ll expand our solar PV installation to cover over 50% of the site’s electricity usage, up from about 30% today. This is part of a broader shift toward low-emission manufacturing. Many of our locally made products also carry the Australian Made certification, and we work closely with local suppliers and businesses throughout the production process. It’s a model that benefits customers, the environment, and the broader community.
A Tale of Two Countries
What’s one way that Japanese craftsmanship or innovation has shaped the way Daikin operates in Australia – and vice versa?
Daikin’s strength lies in blending Japanese engineering precision with a deep understanding of Australian market conditions. On our factory floor, that means applying rigorous quality standards, hallmarks of Japanese manufacturing, while also designing products like ducted systems, rooftop units, and air handling systems specifically for local building types, climates, and customer needs.
At the same time, the local team plays a major role in influencing product development. Our R&D and manufacturing teams work side-by-side with local suppliers, and the result is innovation grounded in practicality. Our Australian Made certified products reflect this collaborative approach: engineered with global know-how, but built to perform in real homes, schools, and workplaces across the country.
Comfort Beyond Temperature
When people think of Daikin, they think of air conditioning. But at its heart, you’re creating environments people live and work in. What does “comfort” mean to you on a personal level?
Comfort, to me, is about confidence: knowing your home or workplace is not only at the right temperature, but healthy, efficient, and dependable. We often talk about air conditioning as a product, but what we’re really delivering is peace of mind.
That might mean reduced allergens for a growing family, reliable performance during peak summer days, or simply having a system that blends into your space quietly and elegantly. Whether it’s through Australian-designed features or our broader push into air quality and energy-efficient solutions, we see comfort as a lived experience and we’re here to support that behind the scenes.
That’s also why most of our split systems, meant for residential spaces, and all of our air purifiers carry the Sensitive Choice approval from the National Asthma Council Australia, a mark of confidence for families managing allergies and asthma.
Looking Ahead
If we were sitting down for another interview five years from now, what would you love to be telling us about Daikin Australia’s impact?
I’d love to say we’ve continued to expand local manufacturing, created more secure jobs for Australians, and made meaningful progress in sustainable, electrified solutions like hot water heat pumps and integrated smart home systems.
We want to be seen not just as an air conditioning manufacturer, but as a trusted partner in creating healthier, more efficient homes and buildings. That includes deeper collaboration with our 500+ specialist dealers nationwide and supporting the local supply chain wherever we can.
We’re proud that many of our products are Australian Made certified, and that our factories bring together people from over 30 countries across multiple generations. That combination of diversity, innovation, and local investment is the future we’re building right here in Australia.
