13 September 2016

Ribbon Cutting at Clean AIR Centre

Toru Inazuka, Senior Associate Officer for Daikin; Nathaniel Nance, Director of Global Research and Development, AAF International; Phil Whitaker, CEO, AAF International; Michael Moore, Mayor of Jeffersonville; Wendy Dant Chesser, President and CEO, One Southern Indiana; Trevor Lane, Business Development Director, Southeast Region, Indiana Economic Development Corporation 


On 12 September, AAF International announced the opening of a new 33,000-square-foot Clean Air Innovation & Research Centre (Clean AIR Centre) at 200 Patrol Road, Suite 100 in Jeffersonville. The $5.4 million Clean AIR Centre represents a significant advancement in research and development efforts for both AAF International and the global air filtration industry.

The centre will create 25 new high-tech R&D jobs in Jeffersonville by 2018. The positions are expected to pay more than 2.5 times higher than Clark County's average wage. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered AAF up to $375,000 in tax credits based on these job creation plans. The new facility can accommodate a total of 40 employees, primarily in R&D. 

Nathaniel Nance, Director of Clean AIR Centre
Nathaniel Nance, Director of Global Research & Development

“Here in Indiana, we are committed to providing companies around the world with a skilled workforce and a favourable business environment,” said Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. “Across the nation, we continue to be recognised as a top destination for business because of our low costs, low taxes and limited regulations. As we enter into our third century, we will build on this economic momentum to ensure companies like American Air Filter have the resources they need to succeed in a state that works.”

Grand Opening of Clean AIR Centre

The first floor of the Clean AIR Centre features 25,000 square feet of lab, testing and storage space, including a media materials development lab and a fully functional machine shop. Advanced testing capabilities include TCO Diagnostic, a new proprietary software technology recently developed by AAF that provides locally optimised air-handling analysis based on filter environments, as well as a dedicated UL filter testing room.

Clean AIR Center

The centre’s first-floor training room is equipped with the latest audiovisual technology and can accommodate up to 30 people. It will be used for both AAF team and customer training. The second floor includes 12 private, modern offices, 18 open workstations and additional conference space. 

A public grand opening event on 12 September featured presentations from AAF CEO Phil Whitaker and Director of Global Research and Development Nathaniel Nance, Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, Wendy Dant Chesser, President and CEO of One Southern Indiana, and Toru Inazuka, Senior Associate Officer for Daikin, AAF International’s parent company. Also in attendance were other high-ranking leaders from AAF and international guests from AAF and Daikin operations in Europe and Asia.

Phil Whitaker
Phil Whitaker, CEO

At the event, Whitaker noted that while AAF International has a nearly 100-year history in the Louisville area, the company’s investment in research and development demonstrates that “the best is still yet to come. This investment will help foster the innovation and success that will ensure our leadership position in air filtration for the next 100 years.”

“When representatives from One Southern Indiana and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. met with American Air Filter Co. Inc., we knew this type of research and development centre would nicely complement the growing diversity of businesses within the River Ridge Commerce Centre,” said Dant Chesser. “Not only are we excited American Air Filter will be creating 25 new high-wage jobs, but we are also looking forward to holding up this innovation centre as one of the many successful industries that can find a home in Southern Indiana.”

Mike Moore, Mayor of Jeffersonville

Michael Moore, Mayor of Jeffersonville

Mayor Moore agreed. “Jeff(ersonville) has become the talk of the country — if you are a new or growing business, you can find a friendly partner here. This company is very special. This is making our world a better place to live. It’s an honour to have (AAF International) here, and we’re looking forward to a great partnership.

For more information about AAF International Clean AIR Centre or to schedule a tour, contact Nathaniel Nance on (502) 637-0455.