City officials and representatives of a global heat and air provider gathered Friday near Interstate 35 at one of north Norman’s longest running industrial facilities as part of unveiling a major global acquisition.
Bosch, an international provider of heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions, is acquiring Johnson Controls and making the manufacturing site near Indian Hills Road part of the Bosch Home Comfort division.
The site employs about 1,300 and manufactures HVAC solutions for brands such as York, Champion, Coleman, Johnson Controls, Tempmaster, Fraser-Johnston and Luxaire. The 900,000 square-foot facility includes almost 400,000 square-feet of laboratory and manufacturing space and over 150,000 square-feet of office and meeting space.
According to a press release, the 1,300 employed at the Norman site will become a part of Bosch Home Comfort Group.
Josh Coaten, a vice president and general manager, said the move positions the site to take a leading role in the global HVAC market.
Coaten outlined his goals to deliver products that help consumers’ day-to-day lives better.
“Two days ago, it was 100 degrees (Fahrenheit),” Coaten said. “We all need air conditioning. We all need heating. It is building solutions for our livelihood.”
The global market for HVAC systems in 2024 exceeded $160 billion, according to a press release from Bosch, with air conditioning systems accounting for two-thirds of that. The company expects sales of air conditioning units worldwide to increase to more than 200 million units per year by 2030.
Alexander Wuthnow, regional president of Bosch Home Comfort North America, said acquiring the Norman site — as well as one in Wichita, Kansas — was a good fit for the company’s overall strategy. The total $8 billion purchase price is the company’s largest acquisition yet, Wuthnow said.
“We’re expanding our portfolio because we should be very small but fast-growing,” Wuthnow said.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 88% of homes nationwide have air conditioning and 66% have central systems. The U.S. leads in HVAC revenue generation with $129.6 billion expected in 2025.
Wuthnow said the Norman site has a passionate and experienced team that already delivers “market leading” units, and the company has goals to grow this further.
Scott Martin, Norman Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, told OU Daily the Norman manufacturer has had significant contributions for the community across its 53 years and looks forward to seeing continued growth with the new company.
“They are one of, if not our largest, private employers,” Martin said. “They’re extremely high quality manufacturing jobs. The products they’re producing are going all over our country so it’s very significant to have them part of our business community.”
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman, in a post on Facebook, echoed that, noting the benefits of a national-level investment in Norman’s workforce and manufacturing capabilities.
“I’m committed to supporting Bosch’s expansion, ensuring our workforce thrives, and making Norman a hub for sustainable economic growth,” Holman wrote.
Alissa Cleland, head of corporate affairs and president of the Bosch Community fund, said the company invests in the communities where its associates live and work. Because of this, Cleland announced Bosch will continue to support the United Way of Norman, which advocates for better education, financial stability and health for community members.
Daren Wilson, United Way of Norman president and CEO, said he was excited to continue a partnership and relationship with the facility.
“They understand the culture of giving in our community and the importance, and the employees, for years and years, have supported United Way, and they understand the importance of a healthy, strong community and a wonderful place to live,” Wilson said. “I have not seen another company that has employees so dedicated to their work, their mission and their community than what you have behind the doors right behind me.”
Cleland told OU Daily that Bosch looks forward to making more connections with the community. She said the company has awarded more than $53 million to schools and nonprofits in the North America region and is excited to extend that in Norman.
“We’ve been having great conversations just about the impact of those community programs and how associates here are contributing and we’re so proud to be a part of that solution,” Cleland said.
