Trane to Invest in Plant Renovation Sep 30, 2004

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The parent company of HVAC equipment maker Trane Inc. says it will spend U.S. $30 million to upgrade the company's air-conditioning and heating plant in Fort Smith, AR, U.S.

American Standard Inc. of Piscataway, NJ, U.S., will make the investment in new equipment and a 50,000-sq-ft expansion to its facility, spokeswoman Lisa Glover said.

The upgrade will enable Trane to begin making a redesigned Impack heating and air-conditioning unit that complies with a new, higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) that goes into effect in 2006, as mandated the U.S. Federal Government.

Trane makes other products that already meet the government standards, but not in the Impack line, Ms. Glover said. The Fort Smith plant currently produces the unit for light commercial use and for use in homes. Ms. Glover said the redesigned units are so different that the company likens it to a new product. The new units should be in production by 2006.

Ms. Glover would not say whether the plant would add employees. The Trane plant now has 683 workers. (AP)

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