UTC Building & Industrial Systems Announces Plans for World-Class Intelligent Building Showcase and Customer Experience Center
The world's largest provider of building technologies is planning a first-of-its-kind, intelligent and sustainable customer center to showcase innovative United Technologies (UTC) products and integrated systems from brands such as Otis, Carrier, Chubb, Kidde and Automated Logic. Upon completion, the new UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings will offer a world-class customer experience in the heart of the high-technology center of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. UTC Building & Industrial Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
"We envision the UTC Center for Intelligent Buildings as a destination for the global building community," said Geraud Darnis, president and CEO, UTC Building & Industrial Systems. "As a leader in advanced building products, we have a unique opportunity to offer our customers truly integrated, whole-building solutions. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a living showcase, providing our customers around the world with the ability to interact with current and emerging technologies in a way that has never been done before."
In addition to the innovative technologies to be showcased, the facility itself will feature advanced, environmentally responsible building systems and materials. Developed to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® standard, it will be both intelligent and sustainable.
"We are committed to protecting our natural resources and look forward to developing this sustainable building in a way that is in keeping with Florida's environmental focus," said Bob McDonough, chief operating officer, Americas, UTC Building & Industrial Systems.
Located on the I-95 corridor and within close proximity to three major international airports, the preferred Palm Beach Gardens location will be easily accessible for visiting global customers. "This location makes sense for a number of reasons, including its optimal climate for year-round product demonstration, which is ideal for technologies such as Carrier energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, as well as a proximity to customers and operations in the Sun Belt and Latin America," added McDonough.
Additionally, the facility will be located near an existing United Technologies footprint for collaboration opportunities, and the company will receive incentives from the State of Florida, Palm Beach County and the city of Palm Beach Gardens. The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Enterprise Florida Inc. and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity have all played a key role in the project. A purchase agreement has been signed to acquire 30 acres of land at the intersection of Interstate 95 and Donald Ross Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
"UTC Building & Industrial Systems was founded on a legacy of innovation, from Elisha Otis' creation of the elevator safety brake to Willis Carrier's invention of modern air conditioning and the fire safety advances of Walter Kidde," said Darnis. "We are excited to continue to build on that legacy with the development of this first-class facility, which will showcase our high-technology products and bring a valuable, interactive experience to our global customers."
For more information about UTC Building & Industrial Systems and its industry-leading brands, visit www.BIS.UTC.com or follow the company on Twitter: @UTCBIS or on YouTube: YouTube.com/utcbis.
About UTC Building & Industrial Systems
UTC Building & Industrial Systems is the world's largest provider of building technologies. Its elevator, escalator, fire-safety, security, building automation, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems and services promote integrated, high-performance buildings that are safer, smarter and sustainable. UTC Building & Industrial Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.BIS.UTC.com or follow @UTCBIS on Twitter.