Latest news with #AHRI
Trade Arabia
6 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Johnson Controls opens largest York chiller production line in Jeddah
Johnson Controls Arabia, a global leader in smart building controls, and energy efficiency solutions, has inaugurated the first-ever 600-tonne air-cooled chiller production line at the York manufacturing complex in King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. The largest of its kind ever manufactured in Saudi Arabia, the chiller represents the latest evolution in the globally renowned YVAA series, now designed and manufactured in the kingdom with full compliance to the 'Saudi Made' certification programme, said a statement from Johnson Controls Arabia. Built for premium energy efficiency and optimal performance, this chiller meets the strictest standards in electrical safety, environmental sustainability, and trade requirements - both locally and internationally, it stated. This milestone is accompanied by the launch of Saudi Arabia's first AHRI-certified performance testing lab dedicated for up to 600-tonne air-cooled chillers, reinforcing the kingdom's emergence as a regional hub for HVAC innovation and industrial excellence. This breakthrough highlights the company's leadership in localizing HVAC technologies and its long-standing track record to high-performance manufacturing. It also holds AHRI Certification, confirming its verified performance and reliability. As part of Johnson Controls' global technology transfer initiative, this chiller benefits from the same design and manufacturing protocols the company used across the world, enabling cost-effective, high-quality local production, it stated. Johnson Controls Arabia CEO Dr. Mohanad AlShaikh said: "This milestone marks a proud moment for us as we continue to set new benchmarks in local manufacturing excellence and innovation from the heart of Saudi Arabia." "The launch of the 600-ton air-cooled chiller production line, the largest of its kind in the region, and the first AHRI-certified testing lab for this capacity of equipment in the Kingdom, underscores our dedication to supporting Saudi industrial leadership in line with Vision 2030," stated AlShaikh. The newly inaugurated AHRI-certified performance testing lab - the first in Saudi Arabia built specifically to test and certify up to 600-tonne air-cooled chillers - is a state-of-the-art facility located within the York Manufacturing Complex. It enables localised Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), certification renewals, and prototype testing, significantly reducing lead times and boosting customer confidence. Accredited by IAS and equipped with advanced precision technologies, the lab enhances the company's research, development, and quality assurance capabilities, said the top official. The York Manufacturing Complex plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainability through local manufacturing. It exports 30% of its production to 26 countries - including high-demand markets such as the US and China - while 80% of total sales come from products manufactured in-house. The factory emphasizes high-quality, eco-friendly production that strengthens the 'Saudi-Made' brand.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Johnson Controls Arabia inaugurates the Kingdom's largest YORK air-cooled chiller production line
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Johnson Controls Arabia, a global leader in Smart Building Controls, and energy efficiency solutions, has inaugurated the first-ever 600-ton air-cooled chiller production line at the YORK Manufacturing Complex in King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. This milestone is accompanied by the launch of Saudi Arabia's first AHRI-certified performance testing lab dedicated for up to 600-ton air-cooled chillers, reinforcing the Kingdom's emergence as a regional hub for HVAC innovation and industrial excellence. Johnson Controls Arabia proudly unveils its new production line and performance testing facility for the 600-ton air-cooled chiller, the largest of its kind ever manufactured in Saudi Arabia. This breakthrough highlights the company's leadership in localizing HVAC technologies and its long-standing track record to high-performance manufacturing. The 600-ton air-cooled chiller represents the latest evolution in the globally renowned YVAA series, now designed and manufactured in the Kingdom with full compliance to the 'Saudi Made' certification program. Built for premium energy efficiency and optimal performance, this chiller meets the strictest standards in electrical safety, environmental sustainability, and trade requirements—both locally and internationally. It also holds AHRI Certification®, confirming its verified performance and reliability. As part of Johnson Controls' global technology transfer initiative, this chiller benefits from the same design and manufacturing protocols the company used across the world, enabling cost-effective, high-quality local production. 'This milestone marks a proud moment for Johnson Controls Arabia, as we continue to set new benchmarks in local manufacturing excellence and innovation from the heart of Saudi Arabia,' said Dr. Mohanad AlShaikh, CEO of Johnson Controls Arabia. 'The launch of the 600-ton air-cooled chiller production line, the largest of its kind in the region, and the first AHRI-certified testing lab for this capacity of equipment in the Kingdom, underscores our dedication to supporting Saudi industrial leadership in line with Vision 2030.' The newly inaugurated AHRI-certified performance testing lab—the first in Saudi Arabia built specifically to test and certify up to 600-ton air-cooled chillers—is a state-of-the-art facility located within the YORK Manufacturing Complex. It enables localized Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), certification renewals, and prototype testing, significantly reducing lead times and boosting customer confidence. Accredited by IAS and equipped with advanced precision technologies, the lab enhances the company's research, development, and quality assurance capabilities. The YORK Manufacturing Complex plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainability through local manufacturing. It exports 30% of its production to 26 countries—including high-demand markets such as the U.S. and China—while 80% of total sales come from products manufactured in-house. The factory emphasizes high-quality, eco-friendly production that strengthens the 'Saudi-Made' brand. The event marked the official visit of Johnson Controls International's newly appointed CEO, Mr. Joakim Weidemanis, on his first global tour, underscoring the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia within the company's international operations.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Right to disconnect laws lifts staff engagement, productivity: Australian HR Institute report
More than half of employers say new laws cracking down on workplace communications after business hours have led to an increase in productivity and lower employee stress, according to a new report. Under contentious right to disconnect laws, which came into effect for most workers last August, employers are allowed to reasonably refuse to respond during out-of-work hours. This includes not having to take calls or answer to emails. Many employer groups hit out against the laws, flagging concerns about vexatious claims going to the Fair Work Commission. But in its new outlook report for the upcoming June quarter, the Australian HR Institute found nearly 60 per cent of employers said the right to disconnect had improved staff engagement and productivity, while 37 per cent observed a reduction in employee stress. The survey of over 600 senior business decision-makers — including HR officers — found 39 per cent reported improved work-life balance among staff since legislation came into effect, with just 3 per cent observing a negative change. AHRI chief executive Sarah McCann-Bartlett said overall, employers saw positive outcomes from recent workplace legislation. 'It's not necessarily surprising that actually if they've been implemented well in the organisation through their HR teams and their managers, that employees have actually seen a positive outcome for themselves and then that has positively led to higher employee engagement,' she said. 'What we were slightly surprised about was the extent of how positive employers have seen these changes.' Other key findings from the report show 64 per cent of employers plan to hire staff in the June quarter, with recruitment intentions higher in the public sector at 77 per cent compared with the 61 per cent in the private sector. Employers also expect wages to grow 3.3 per cent over the next 12 months, up from 3 per cent in the March quarter. 'Although conditions in the Australian labour market have eased slightly compared with a year ago, the market remains tight,' Ms McCann-Bartlett said. 'Many organisations continue to contend with rising wage pressures and persistent challenges in both attracting new employees and retaining existing ones.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major WFH update for Aussie workers: 'Isn't going anywhere'
Work from home is still alive and kicking, with Australian employers now reaching a "stabilisation" of hybrid working arrangements for staff. Amazon, Tabcorp, Woolworths and Coles are some of the major employers that have ordered workers back into the office, but it appears demands for these mandates are dropping. The number of employers who require employees to come into the office between three and five days a week dropped from 48 per cent in 2023 to 44 per cent in 2025, new research by the Australian HR Institute found. Meanwhile, the number of companies without office mandates increased from 25 to 28 per cent. More than 80 per cent of the nearly 1,000 employers surveyed expected hybrid working would either increase or stay the same at their organisation over the next two years. The most popular work arrangement was three days in the office at 32 per cent. RELATED Gen Z worker happy to cop 'diabolical' four-hour commute as Australia's WFH debate rages on Accountant's ATO warning as $5,000 expenses you can claim on tax without receipts revealed All the superannuation and tax money changes coming soon for Aussies This was followed by there being no minimum requirement, but with encouragement for staff to attend the office at 28 per cent. Only 6 per cent said they had ordered a full-time return to the office. AHRI CEO Sarah McCann-Bartlett said hybrid working arrangements in Aussie workplaces had entered a "stabilisation phase'. 'Australian employers have made it clear – hybrid work isn't going anywhere, despite recent reports that it's being scaled back," she research is in contrast to Robert Half's survey of 500 employers that found there had been a 'domino effect' in the return to office landscape, with 84 per cent of employers saying other businesses' mandates influenced their own arrangements. Its research found 39 per cent of employers planned to mandate five days a week in the office for employees in 2025, up from 36 per cent in 2024. It comes as work from home becomes a hot political debate, with the Coalition announcing plans to force public servants back to the office full-time before backflipping on the controversial move. Labor analysis found workers would be about $4,976 worse off per year if they were forced back to the office between three to five days a week. About 45 per cent of those surveyed by the AHRI said hybrid working had a positive impact on productivity, compared to 11 per cent who said it had a negative impact. David Portway, head of culture at NDE Solutions, is one leader who is a fan of hybrid work arrangements. He said the company's 150 employees 'love' the fact that they are allowed to work from home with the company imposing no minimum requirement for staff to attend the office. 'Previously one of my reports worked from home one day a week. He has quite a commute [around 160 kilometres round trip],' he said. 'One day, he very sheepishly asked me, hey, can I work at home two days a week? And I just said, yeah, sure. He was quite taken aback by that … 'He's a very productive guy and he has a great skill set, fantastic skills. And if I can make his life easier for him, I'm going to get more productivity out of him as an individual.' Other benefits of hybrid work identified by employers included better work-life balance, higher retention rates, a greater ability to attract candidates, and enhanced health and wellbeing for employers. The big drawbacks were a feeling of disconnection between colleagues, staff collaboration and monitoring of in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Surprising WFH revelation for millions of Aussies: 'Don't want to'
Predictions that work-from-home (WFH) rights will be stripped from millions of Australians have been met with surprising new data. It actually looks like office attendance is actually going down, not up, in some places. The Australian HR Institute (AHRI) found that 45 per cent of employers now have a minimum requirement for staff to be in the office between three to five days a week. But that's down from 48 per cent in 2023. Angela Anasis, Executive General Manager of Randstad Australia, told Yahoo Finance the WFH "genie is out of the bottle" and employers need to weigh up their options appropriately. RELATED Brutal work-from-home warning for Aussie staff hoping for pay rise or promotion: 'Out of sight, out of mind' Aussie 'dream' falls apart four months after young expat's arrival with $20,000: 'In Canada everything's free' Single dad on Centrelink exposes intergenerational struggle after wife's death 'Given people are prepared to walk away from a job if they're forced back into the office, employers should carefully consider how to incentivise attendance, focusing on the carrot rather than the stick," she said. A poll of more than 4,300 Yahoo Finance readers found 59 per cent would quit their jobs if they were forced back into the office.A Woolworths Group worker recently told Yahoo Finance that he took a $50,000 pay cut and resigned after the supermarket ordered office workers back in a staggered approach. The AHRI research found 98 per cent of Aussie organisations now offer some form of flexible working arrangement, which is up from 95 per cent in 2022. Similarly, the number of workplaces that have no requirements to be in the office has grown from 25 per cent in 2023 to 28 per cent now. An interesting aspect of the data arose in the types of workplaces these shifts were taking place. The private sector saw no movement in office attendance or changing WFH policies. The non-profit sector has shifted towards having staff in the office more, with two to three days a week the most common. That rate has jumped from 3 per cent in 2023 to 9 per cent this year. However, it was the public sector that had seen the biggest switch-ups. Even though the NSW government and Peter Dutton have pledged to bring public servants back to the office, it looks like, on the whole, it's not a national trend. "While a requirement to attend the workplace for two or three days a week remains common [in the public sector], the proportion of organisations mandating this has fallen from 58 per cent in 2023 to 47 per cent in 2025," AHRI said. "In contrast, the share of employers who do not impose a minimum attendance requirement but encourage employees to come into the workplace has risen from 29 per cent in 2023 to 37 per cent in 2025." AHRI found that "internal stakeholders" were the biggest driver in pushing staff back to the office. Senior management was the biggest cab off the rank at 82 per cent, followed by the board at 29 per cent, HR at 9 per cent, and staff at 7 per cent. The top three reasons behind the return-to-office (RTO) mandates are: To fix a feeling of disconnection between colleagues (57 per cent) To improve staff collaboration (38 per cent) Monitor performance (35 per cent). But interestingly, it seems like this is easier said than done. The data found that 60 per cent of employers that ordered staff back to the office found it hard or very hard to do. Larger companies like Woolworths had to divide into subsidiaries to make determinations, while the NSW government pushed the rollout back on to managers to work out. Additionally, 31 per cent of organisations that have tightened WFH days over the past two years said their ability to recruit or retain has been "negatively impacted". "The survey data suggests that the tighter mandates have had a net negative impact on employee engagement and the ability to recruit and retain staff," AHRI said. "Among those organisations that have tightened attendance requirements in the physical workplace over the past couple of years, a third (33 per cent) of organisations say that this has resulted in a decrease in employee engagement among their workforce. "By comparison, 22 per cent say that the revised requirements have had a positive impact on employee engagement." If the Coalition wins the May 3 election, tens of thousands of public sector workers will be ordered back to the office. Alternatively, Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed his support for WFH policies. UNSW Professor Manju Ahuja believed a hybrid model of a few days in the office per week will likely be the long-term model for many Aussies - particularly as bosses bend the knee to the youngest workers. 'We're seeing this even more with Gen Z; they just do not want to go back to the office," she said. "They've grown up with this lifestyle, and it's what they want to stay with. "If we want to leverage their talents, we're going to have to provide at least some remote work.' But if you want to keep those WFH rights, you might suffer in other ways in the future. Recruitment agency Robert Half found three in four Aussie employers believe office attendance "significantly" impacts an employee's likelihood of a promotion. Around 45 per cent of workers surveyed said they would be willing to spend more time in the office if attendance were required for a promotion. 'As employers increasingly value staff being physically present in the office, employees seeking continued remote work may face career progression challenges,' Robert Half director Andrew Brushfield said. 'The 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind' effect is real. In-office presence increases visibility, fosters collaboration, and signals dedication and commitment, all factors employers consider for promotions."
