Corporate news_Leading HVAC-R partners shape the future together at the Daikin Kings Inspiration Journey 2026
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Corporate news / Tirana, Albania, 14–17 September 2026 – Daikin Central Europe welcomed top-performing HVAC-R professionals, installers, distributors and service partners from 16 countries to the Daikin Kings Inspiration Journey 2026 in Tirana, Albania. The four-day event combined partner recognition, business discussions and knowledge exchange focused on the future of heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration across Central and Eastern Europe.
Image: Daikin Kings 2026 at the Inspiration Journey in Tirana, Albania, Copyright Daikin Central Europe
Partnership creates climate
Under the theme "Partnership creates climate", the event reflected a shared belief that long-term success is built through collaboration, trust and a clear understanding of partners’ business needs.
The HVAC-R market continues to evolve through regulatory developments, digitalization, changing customer expectations and new technologies. For installers, service companies and distribution partners, managing this complexity while continuing to grow is a key challenge. The Daikin Kings Inspiration Journey provided an opportunity to openly discuss industry trends, exchange practical experiences and identify ways to support partners in their day-to-day business operations.
Recognizing partner excellence in six categories
Now in its eighth edition, the Daikin Kings Inspiration Journey recognized leading independent HVAC-R partners in six categories: highest overall turnover, highest turnover in heating, highest customer satisfaction, newcomer of the year, most impressive reference project and a special award.
“The Daikin Kings award winners represent some of the most dedicated professionals in our partner network. Their expertise, commitment to customers and continuous efforts to develop their businesses contribute to the HVAC-R industry across Central Europe. This event is not only about recognizing achievements. It is also about listening, learning from one another and strengthening the partnerships that help us grow together.”
Hiroyasu Ishikawa, Managing Director Daikin Central Europe
Fusion 30 business focus on supporting partner success
Alongside celebrating achievements, the event provided insight into Daikin’s Fusion 30 strategic management plan for the HVAC-R business and initiatives designed to support partners in an increasingly complex market environment. Sessions covered topics including artificial intelligence, smart home energy management, the EU F-Gas Regulation and future product developments. Discussions focused on how tools, services and business processes can help support partner companies and strengthen their competitiveness.
“Daikin is a leading global HVAC-R company1) with a strong R&D presence and 12 manufacturing sites in Europe. Collaboration with installers, distributors and service companies play a decisive role in our market development and in strengthening our position in a highly competitive business. The Daikin Kings Inspiration Journey offered a valuable opportunity to exchange local and regional HVAC-R industry perspectives on our Fusion 30 strategic management plan.”
Geert Vos, Daikin Europe Vice President Sales & Sales Affiliate Network
Building the future together
“Our partners face increasing complexity every day, from regulatory changes to evolving customer expectations. Our role is not only to manufacture and market products such as heat pumps and air conditioners, but also to contribute to our partners' business development. Events such as the Daikin Kings Inspiration Journey allow us to better understand their needs and work together on solutions that help drive long-term success”.
Hiroyasu Ishikawa, Managing Director Daikin Central Europe
Feedback gathered during the event will contribute to future Daikin initiatives designed to address shared challenges and opportunities across the region with the goal of delivering value to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Discovering Albania
Alongside the business programme, Daikin partners experienced some of Albania's most distinctive highlights: the dynamic urban atmosphere of Tirana – including the Pyramid of Tirana and Bunk'Art 2, both Daikin HVAC-R reference projects –, the scenic coastline, and the country's remarkable mountain landscapes.
Since 2012, Daikin has been represented by its sales agent ALMAKOS Klima d.o.o.e.l. in Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo.
“We were delighted to welcome the Daikin Kings to Tirana. Bringing people together in this way helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our business challenges.”
Berat Nuridini, Managing Director of ALMAKOS Klima d.o.o.e.l.
Reference:
1. Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd. "Global Home Appliance Market 2026” (Ranking of Equipment Sales for Global AC Manufacturers FY 2024 Results)
Disclaimer: Daikin partners are trained to handle our equipment with care. We work with a network of independent partners to ensure reliable service. These partners operate independently and are responsible for their services. Partners or similar terms refer to a commercial collaboration, not to a legal affiliation.
About
100+ years Daikin
The story of Daikin has always been shaped by groundbreaking ideas, technological innovations, and dedicated people. It began in 1924 when the young Japanese engineer Akira Yamada founded an enterprise in Osaka to manufacture aircraft radiators with a 15-member team. More than 100 years later, the Daikin Industries group brings future-proof solutions for heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) to global markets.
Read more on 100 Years Daikin
Daikin Industries Ltd.
Daikin Industries is a global leader in heat pump, air conditioning and air filtration technology, employing more than 104,000 people. Founded in Osaka in 1924, it is the only manufacturer in the world that develops and manufactures HVAC-R equipment, compressors and refrigerants in-house. Daikin has been recognized as one of the world’s top 100 innovative companies by Clarivate (UK) and LexisNexis (USA) for its leadership in technology research and intellectual property patents. For its fiscal year 2025 (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026) Daikin reported a sales result of 28,66 billion euro sales.
Read more on www.daikin.com
Daikin Europe N.V.
The Daikin Europe group is a leading provider of heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification and refrigeration technology across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Daikin Europe caters to a diverse customer base within the region by designing, manufacturing, and marketing an extensive range of products, maintenance services, and turnkey solutions tailored for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The group employs over 14,200 people across more than 57 subsidiaries and operates 15 manufacturing sites in Europe (12), Turkey (1) and the Middle East (2). Refrigeration products include the brands Daikin, Tewis, Zanotti, Hubbard, and AHT. Headquartered in Ostend, Belgium, for over 50 years, the Daikin Europe group is a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd.
Read more on www.daikin.eu
Daikin Airconditioning Central Europe
Daikin Airconditioning Central Europe, founded in 1999 with its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, operates as a subsidiary of Daikin Europe. Its portfolio includes products and total solutions for heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification, and refrigeration in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. With over 700 employees and 3,400 partners, the company manages sales and service activities across 16 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
With 'Your Daikin World' at the Vienna headquarters and the 'Daikin Inspiration Park' in Warsaw, the HVAC-R industry and the construction sector have access to two state-of-the-art B2B-experience centers for co-creating customized solutions for hotels, retail, offices, and large commercial applications. Daikin runs ten out of 146 B2B-training centers across the EMEA region in the CE-region. Consumers and homeowners receive consultation at the B2C-Experience center (flagship store) in Vienna.
Read more on www.daikin-ce.com
Media contact
Doris Passler
Manager Corporate Communications Central Europe
Daikin Airconditioning Central Europe HandelsgmbH
Lemböckgasse 59/1/1, 1230 Vienna, Austria
T: +43 (0) 664 24 56 444
M: passler.d@daikin.at
