INDIANAPOLIS — Rheem has announced the opening of a new research and development facility focused on developing integrated solutions for the company’s heating, cooling, water heating, and pool/spa heating product lines. Located just north of Indianapolis, the lab is the latest addition to Rheem’s Advanced Technology Integration (ATI) organization.

The ATI organization was created in October 2010 with a mission to facilitate and lead the development and implementation of advanced technologies and systems solutions across the company’s product divisions, noted Rheem. More specifically, the team is developing new, hybrid solutions that further integrate HVAC and water heating to help homes and businesses reduce energy consumption while increasing comfort. The ATI laboratory in Indiana is the newest addition to the existing labs in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mexico, and significantly expands the electronic controls development and testing capabilities of the organization.

“We are excited to continue our investment in advanced technologies that will allow us to expand our capabilities and improve our speed to market with innovative, energy efficient product solutions,” said Chris Peel, senior vice president and COO for Rheem. “The Advanced Technology Integration lab in Indiana will substantially increase our capabilities in the areas of electronic controls and integrated systems development, which is critical to our long term growth strategy.”

The ATI organization is led by Mike Branson, director, advanced technology integration for Rheem. “Rheem’s vision of integrated systems can be paralleled to recent developments in consumer electronics, automotive electronics, and medical devices. Indiana is a center of development for these industries and a natural location to attract cross-industry experience and talent. Additionally, the Midwest has numerous engineering and research universities which will be a further resource for ATI initiatives,” said Branson.

For more information, visit www.rheem.com.

Publication date: 10/17/2011