LG Electronics, the global No. 1 brand in air conditioner for nine straight years, has inaugurated its key infrastructure to further boost its business and empower stakeholders in the Philippines’ heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market.

“Investing for the Air Conditioning (AC) Academy in the Philippines is a clear indication of our drive to expand and cement our position as leader in the Philippine market. We want to sustain our position as a key sector player and to raise the standard for customer service,” said Charlie Borbe, Business Solutions Head of LG Electronics Philippines.

LG is committed to ensure that clients get the best after-sales service. “And a trained work force is essential to this high level of service,” Borbe added. 

Focus on local needs
A first of its kind in the Philippines, the AC Academy serves as a key center to continuously communicate with and strengthen capabilities of HVAC partners by developing and providing new training programs and solutions that accurately reflect local conditions and customers’ needs.

“As a B2B sector, HVAC’s three elements i.e., sales, installation, and service must come together to create good results,” said Borbe.

“This makes it essential for infrastructure to be in place to improve stakeholders’ knowledge and skills, which is what the AC Academy is for.”

The Academy
At 570 square meters, the state-of-the-art facility focuses on generating and fostering experts in residential and commercial AC products. It has the capability to train hundreds of engineers, contractors and technicians each month.

Moreover, the Academy can be essential for generating skilled human resources and uplifting similar technical academic programs in the country.

Training at the AC Academy can be divided into three categories i.e., sales, installation, and service. The sales program provides knowledge about the HVAC business in general, product orientation, Spec-in, proposal, and design based on “Go To Market Material.”

Meanwhile, the installation program focuses more on fostering professionals through training and hands-on practice courses for brazing, product assembly/disassembly, product installation, and trial operation.

In service training program, the system, maintenance, diagnostics, and troubleshooting of air conditioning malfunctions are taught.     

Globally, LG plans to establish 100 academy locations by 2012. Now, there are about 60 academies operating in Korea, Dubai, Russia, Italy that produce around 23,000 trained HVAC professionals yearly.

“And we want to bring this similar success into our country,” Borbe enthused.

In 2008, LG achieved accumulated sales of 100 million units and became number one manufacturer of air conditioners in 50 countries. LG provides a wide range of residential and specialized commercial AC products suited to homes and buildings of all types and sizes. Its extensive portfolio also caters to the Philippine market needs of outstanding energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.