The growth in imports of Split/Minisplit systems in Mexico is overwhelming. In 2009 they increased by more than 40% compared to 2008, with China being its main trading partner for its supply.
By: Santiago Jaramillo H.
The figures speak for themselves, and ultimately the growth in Mexico has been more than noticeable in terms of import of Split/Minisplit systems. But this increase could well have occurred, as explained by Miguel Ángel Hernández, of the Johnson Controls company, due to the ease and flexibility of installation of this type of equipment, since not requiring a duct system makes its application very flexible and contributes to its massification, both for new constructions, compromising a minimum space for its assembly and service; as for existing buildings that in many cases have not been provided with the necessary facilities for their conditioning.
Another influential element that Hernández highlights is the cost of installation, since due to their large volume of consumption globally they are the products with the lowest cost per life cycle for residential applications. Likewise, the issue of energy savings is another key factor in the increase in imports of these systems, since there are versions that provide the highest energy efficiencies available with the ability to provide zoned comfort.
According to the information and statistics system The Datamyne, imports of Split/Minisplit systems in Mexico had an increase in 2009 of FOB* US$84,722,447 compared to 2008, representing an increase of 40.57%.
Total purchases from the Aztec country in 2009 amounted to FOB US$208,845,590. In 2008 they totaled FOB US$124,123,143.
Regarding the number of units entered the country, Mexico had a noticeable increase that reached 32.96% more than the records of 2008. During the year 2009, 1,040,808 Split/Minisplit systems entered this country, while the immediately previous year 697,758 units were acquired.
China, for the second consecutive year, continues to lead as the main trading partner of this country in terms of the sale of this type of these systems. In 2009 alone, the Asian country sold 994,282 units to Mexico , representing 95.53% of total purchases, which amounted to FOB US$185,829,621 (88.98% of total imports of these products).
To a lesser extent, the Republic of Korea, with 29,159 units sold, representing 2.8% of imports, Thailand with 8,896 devices (0.85%), the United States with 7,661 devices (0.74%) and Japan with 386 (0.04%) %) were the main suppliers of Split/Minisplit from Mexico in 2009, which is one of the most important countries for this segment of the industry in the Latin American context.
The overwhelming growth of this market, according to Engineer Javier Paez, Sales Manager Canal Distributors of the company Climate Solutions, could be due, in large part, to the efficiency achieved by ducted split systems. "This can reach levels of 20 SEER or more (twice the efficiency of standard equipment). These systems contribute to energy savings while providing exceptional levels of comfort. Minisplits, on the other hand, have gained popularity because they are a cheaper and more accessible option than a central system, being their main advantage that they are installed for a specific area, for example: a minisplit for a bedroom, another for the living room and another for the dining room; so they are used only in the area where they are required. In addition, there are currently high-efficiency minisplits on the market with which we reach levels similar to split systems."
Regarding the behavior of exports and imports of Split/Minisplit systems in Mexico, our guest from Climate Solutions noted that "it is currently the most important market in Latin America. Because these systems are not manufactured in the country, imports are increasing year after year, as the minisplit is increasingly accessible in price and its demand increases. In addition, as long as the market continues to grow, this phenomenon will be repeated and we believe that the market will continue to exist for several years," he points out.
As for the increase in sales, Paez maintains that these have increased mainly in minisplits with significant and almost exponential growth percentages. While in divided and central teams sales have been maintained or even increased by smaller percentages.
Fall in exports
As a behavior almost consistent with the increase in domestic consumption, Mexico, which in 2008 had exports in the category of Split/Minisplit systems worth FOB US$70,147,663, during 2009 only managed to sell FOB US$46,081,091, according to The Datamyne.
This decrease, which reached 34.31% in 2009, originated in the reduction of purchasing demand from the United States, which supported purchases of more than 95% of total Mexican exports of these products.
Given this situation, local marketers who do not serve Mexican domestic consumption and who are looking for sales alternatives abroad, were forced to diversify their markets and target countries other than the United States, such as Panama, Ecuador and Puerto Rico, to name just a few. However, business with them failed to meet the once large American demand.
Last year, Mexico exported a total of 124,012 units of Split/Minisplit systems, while in 2008 they reached 243,097 devices, which corresponds to a decrease of 48.99% in volume.
Only with regard to the item of exports to the United States, the decrease in sales was 48.56%, going from selling 236,842 units in 2008 to 121,835 in 2009.
Innovative alternatives
Without fear of equivocation, the segment of split / minisplit type air conditioning systems has been incorporating new advances that are very striking for the final consumer, as acknowledged by the representative of Johnson Controls when indicating that "there are very clear trends that the consumer is looking for in air conditioning products".
Among these trends is also energy efficiency, which for obvious reasons is the greatest concern of the consumer in the global arena, given the conditions of growth in energy costs.
The other market trend has to do with zone control, i.e. the ability to provide on-demand conditioning through multi-zone systems and cooling systems with variable refrigerant flow, mainly.
Another aspect in which the industry works is in the integration, because the consumer now seeks to have a network that allows the manipulation of the different systems of the building: security, air conditioning, ambient music, link between the different appliances. This to achieve the implementation of control strategies and more effective energy saving.
Meanwhile, Javier Paez, representative of Climate Solutions, points out that the novelties are diverse and allow high levels of utility and efficiency: "Our ultra-high efficiency split systems have a communication interface with which one can control the system from their cell phone. Also the team is able to send an email alert to the dealer who did the installation of the system when there is a failure. In the future, Trane's air conditioning systems and Schlage door locks (another company in the Ingersoll Rand group) can be controlled from the same platform via a cell phone," he warns.
In conclusion, it can be highlighted that the prospects of the sector are very encouraging and allow to elucidate a promising future for this segment in Mexico, however, quality, good maintenance service, and unrestricted support and guarantee will always be a differentiating plus to reach and satisfy the end user, who in all eyes is the one who has the last word.
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