In the competitive world of industrial air conditioning, few companies manage to combine technical expertise, vision of the future and a human approach as Climas S.A. does.
By Laura Restrepo C.
From the north of Mexico, this company has built a solid trajectory, marked by innovation, closeness to its customers and the ability to evolve with the market.
Since its beginnings as a distributor of U.S. equipment, Climas S.A. has traveled a path of more than six decades positioning itself as a leading Mexican company in industrial air conditioning solutions. Its evolution has been marked by the strategic vision of its founders, its ability to adapt to market changes and a human approach that today is an essential part of its organizational culture.
Located in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, Climas S.A. was founded in 1958 by Mr. Óscar Cortázar Miranda, who established the company as a representative of the American brand Fog Engineering. At that time, the company operated as a distributor of imported equipment, mainly for domestic and commercial installations.
However, the political and economic reality of the country changed rapidly, and with it, the dynamics of international trade. Faced with the closure of borders and other restrictions, Climas S.A. became a national company that began to directly offer installation services, specializing in hot water boilers for hospitals, hotels and sports centers. That transition marked the beginning of a path that would lead the company to consolidate itself as a benchmark in the HVAC-R sector in Mexico.
The turn towards industry: a decisive moment
One of the most important moments in the history of Climas occurred when Mr. Óscar Cortázar Miranda sold his stake in the company to Óscar Cortázar Bickley, with whom Leopoldo Carbajal —current partner and representative voice of the company— would begin a new stage of expansion.
In the words of Carbajal:
"At that time came the maquiladora boom in Mexico. The entire north of the country began to fill up with industrial warehouses, maquilas, production plants. It was a radical change: we decided to focus on that market and develop the capabilities to serve it."
This shift was key to expanding the company's reach. Climas stopped focusing exclusively on small facilities to become a relevant player within the Mexican industrial infrastructure. Thanks to this decision, he was able to attend large projects throughout the country and collaborate with global companies from various sectors.
Specialists in industrial air conditioning
Over the years, Climas has developed a very robust technical specialization in the installation of HVAC systems for industrial buildings, which has allowed it to work with companies of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, German, Italian, Canadian and American origin. This diversity of customers has been a constant school and has raised the company's quality standard to international levels.
"We have the experience and preparation to install a plant for a German customer in the automotive sector, or an American company in the aerospace sector. We understand the technical requirements, the processes and, above all, the quality they expect," says Carbajal with confidence.
This ability to adapt and execute at a high level has been key to consolidating its prestige in northern Mexico and in other industrial regions of the country. In addition, the company has strengthened its national presence with flexible logistics that allows it to operate in multiple states.
Adapting to change: the key to permanence
The HVAC-R industry, like many others, is in the midst of transformation. Topics such as energy efficiency, automation, sustainability and the digitalisation of processes require an open and constantly updated mindset. In this sense, Climas S.A. has proven to be a company that is not afraid of change.
"We have constantly evolved, always attentive to where the world is moving. Our own international customers push us to do new things, to stay up to date on technology, regulations and processes. That has been a great advantage: learning by doing, in real projects with high demands," explains Carbajal.
This process has involved incorporating new knowledge, training the team, and maintaining a proactive attitude towards innovation. From new solutions in industrial ventilation, to automated controls and energy-efficient solutions, Climas remains at the forefront.
People-based leadership
Beyond technical and operational growth, one of Climas' distinctive values is its culture of human leadership. Leopoldo Carbajal, an engineer by training, recognizes that his career led him to understand that leading is not only a matter of technical knowledge, but of human connection.
"When you're an engineer, you tend to focus on the numbers, on the technical. But I realized that another path just as important is the humanistic one. I have always tried to create synergy with people, build relationships, foster a good work environment," he says.
This leadership style has been recognized inside and outside the company. According to recent comments from his own team, Leopoldo is perceived as a close, respected and loved leader, capable of inspiring and at the same time accompanying the professional growth of his collaborators.
Solid present, expanding future
Currently, Climas S.A. is in a stage of consolidation and renovation. With an agile operating structure, a qualified technical team and a clear strategic vision, the company is projected into the future with the same commitment that saw it born: to do things well, with quality, professionalism and human warmth.
The combination of experience, innovation, adaptability and leadership make Climas a company that has stood the test of time and has been able to transform and remain current in an increasingly competitive market.
From Chihuahua to all of Mexico, Climas S.A. is today an example of how a Mexican company can compete with global standards without losing its essence.
