UL, a global safety science organization, today officially opened a new laboratory in Samut Prakan, Thailand. The new facility features cutting-edge testing equipment and will serve as UL's regional hub for testing appliances, as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (AHVAC) equipment, across diverse industries. Anthony Tan, Vice President and Managing Director of UL ASEAN, and Todd J. Denison, Vice President and General Manager for Appliances, HVAC & Lighting, UL, joined more than 40 government officials, representatives from local industry associations and customers for the grand opening ceremony.
"With ASEAN being a driver of global development today, it is only appropriate and in line with UL's growth plans to set up an AHVAC laboratory in Thailand," said Todd J. Denison, Vice President and General Manager for Appliances, HVAC & Lighting, UL. "The new facility will open doors for more of our customers to enter global markets, and this is especially crucial for businesses in ASEAN, who will continue to see rapid growth and internationalization in the coming years."
UL is expanding its presence in Thailand and ASEAN as the AHVAC industry continues to rapidly develop in the region. Bolstered by world-leading economic growth, demand for AHVAC safety and energy efficiency testing services in ASEAN has continued to surge over the years. With its strategic presence in Thailand – the second largest economy in Southeast Asia – and a highly skilled engineering team, the new laboratory will enable UL's customers to gain rapid access to global markets through safer, superior products.
"Thailand has one of the most robust appliances and HVAC manufacturing bases in ASEAN, and is increasingly establishing itself as a leader in this sector. According to a forecast by the World Bank's Thailand Economic Monitor, its economic growth is expected to exceed four percent this year – the strongest performance since 2012. With the country's commitment to sustaining long-term economic expansion, we foresee the demand for global consumer testing services to rise steadily," said Anthony Tan, Vice President and Managing Director of UL ASEAN Business Council Chairman. "UL is poised to support this growth and will ensure that our new lab serves as a center of excellence in serving Thailand and the wider ASEAN region. Companies looking at exporting to global markets from here, especially the Middle East, ASEAN and North America, will be well-positioned to achieve their business goals with the establishment of our lab."
Spanning across a 720 square meter site, the state-of-the-art laboratory provides a comprehensive suite of safety, energy efficiency and performance testing services to ensure that products and services meet global regulatory compliance and inspection standards.
With faster and more cost-efficient testing processes, key features of the facility include five and 10 ton test chambers for HVAC product swashing machine testing chambers, as well as testing capabilities for ingress protection, refrigerant leakage, locked rotor, electricals and materials. Accepted product categories include: residential and commercial air conditioners, washing machines, tumbler dryers, refrigerators, freezer and motor compressors.
UL first opened its Thailand office in 2006 and has since expanded its facilities and doubled its headcount. The AHVAC laboratory in Thailand reflects the organization's commitment to deepening its service offerings to companies in the region. With offices and facilities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, UL's continued expansion of its services will chart the course for future regional collaboration.
The new laboratory is located at 888 Moo 5, Samrong Nua, Muangsamutprakan, Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand.
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