Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Ribbon Cutting at Clean AIR Center

Toru Inazuka, Senior Associate Officer for Daikin; Nathaniel Nance, Director of Global Research and Development, AAF Flanders; Phil Whitaker, CEO, AAF Flanders; 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 September 12, AAF Flanders announced the opening of a new 33,000-square-foot Clean Air Innovation & Research Center (Clean AIR Center) at 200 Patrol Road, Suite 100 in Jeffersonville. The $5.4 million Clean AIR Center represents a significant advancement in research and development efforts for both AAF Flanders and the global air filtration industry.

The center 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 Center
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 favorable business environment,” said Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. “Across the nation, we continue to be recognized 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 Center

The first floor of the Clean AIR Center 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 optimized air-handling analysis based on filter environments, as well as a dedicated UL filter testing room.

Clean AIR Center

The center’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 Sept. 12 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 Flanders’ 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 Flanders 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 center would nicely complement the growing diversity of businesses within the River Ridge Commerce Center,” 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 center 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 honor to have (AAF Flanders) here, and we’re looking forward to a great partnership.

For more information about AAF Flanders Clean AIR Center or to schedule a tour, contact Nathaniel Nance at (502) 637-0455.