Toshiba-Carrier Brand Launched in North America

INDIANAPOLIS, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carrier Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced the launch of the Toshiba-Carrier brand in North America. Under the Toshiba-Carrier brand, Carrier will offer high-efficiency duct-free split heat pumps with efficiency ratings up to 23 SEER, including a robust line of ENERGY STAR®-compliant and tax credit-eligible units.

The Toshiba-Carrier brand will feature two high-efficiency duct-free inverter heat pump product families: (1) Residential tax-credit eligible and ENERGY STAR-compliant inverter high-wall systems, ranging from 0.75 ton to 2 tons with efficiency ratings up to 23 SEER and 10 HSPF; and (2) Super Digital Inverter light commercial underceiling, cassette and high-wall systems, ranging from 1.5 to 3 tons with efficiency ratings up to 21 SEER and 11.9 HSPF, many of which are both tax credit-eligible and ENERGY STAR-compliant.

"With the addition of the Toshiba-Carrier duct-free inverter heat pumps to Carrier's current inverter and fixed-speed duct-free line, we now have the broadest capacity range of duct-free split products in North America. We offer products up to 23 SEER and with HSPF ratings up to 11.9 in a variety of fan coil types and compressor technologies, which allows our customers the flexibility to pick the right product for the right application," said Bob McDonough, president of Carrier Residential and Light Commercial Systems. "We now have the broadest capacity range of tax credit eligible duct-free product."

Toshiba Corp. and Carrier Corp. formed a joint venture in 1999 to capitalize on Toshiba's strength in innovation and Carrier's strength in global distribution. Products manufactured by Toshiba Carrier Corp. have been sold in Japan and the rest of the world for more than 10 years, but this is the first time a Toshiba-Carrier branded line will be sold in North America. Toshiba Carrier products have been recognized annually with the prestigious Energy Conservation Grand Prize in Japan.

"With our unmatched duct-free product offering, we expect Toshiba-Carrier products to receive a warm welcome in North America," said Akira Inoue, executive vice president of Toshiba Carrier Corp. "The North American launch is an important part of our growth plan."

Toshiba-Carrier products will be managed through Carrier's Residential and Light Commercial Systems division and distributed through Carrier's exclusive channel. Toshiba-Carrier duct-free inverter heat pumps are manufactured in Japan and Thailand.  

About Toshiba Carrier Corp.

Toshiba Carrier Corp., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan is a joint venture company established in 1999 between Toshiba Corp. and Carrier Corp. to deliver premium, energy efficient and environmentally sound air conditioning, heating and refrigeration solutions for residential and commercial applications worldwide. Visit http://www.toshiba-aircon.jp/ for more information.

About Carrier Corp.

Carrier Corp., headquartered in Farmington, Conn., is the world's largest provider of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, with operations in more than 170 countries. Carrier is part of United Technologies Corp., a Hartford, Connecticut-based provider of products and services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.

About Toshiba Corp. 

The Tokyo-based Toshiba Corp. is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products, spanning information and communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and materials, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and household appliances. The company is the world's 9th largest integrated manufacturer of electric and electronic equipment, with about 199,500 employees worldwide and consolidated annual sales of over US$67 billion in 2008.

SOURCE Carrier Corp.