Samsung Electronics has announced a significant move to bolster its position in the global air conditioning (HVAC) market through the acquisition of Europe’s leading HVAC specialist, FläktGroup. The company revealed that on May 14, it signed an agreement to acquire 100% ownership of Fläkt from UK-based private equity firm Triton for approximately €1.5 billion.
This strategic acquisition marks Samsung’s official entry into the high-growth data center cooling segment, a key sector within the broader centralized HVAC industry. The move aligns with Samsung’s broader vision to diversify beyond its core smartphone, TV, and consumer electronics businesses by establishing a dedicated and competitive presence in the HVAC industry as a future growth engine.
Founded over a century ago, FläktGroup is Europe’s largest HVAC solutions provider, supplying high-performance cooling systems to a range of facilities including museums, hospitals, airports, large commercial buildings, and data centers worldwide. The company is renowned for its energy-efficient cooling technology and advanced solutions like the ‘Coolant Distribution Unit’ (CDU), which offers cutting-edge cooling performance.
As global demand for eco-friendly, high-efficiency HVAC systems rises, Samsung is keenly focused on the market’s growth potential. The rapid expansion of data centers driven by AI, autonomous vehicles, and cloud computing has heightened the need for reliable cooling solutions, making this sector particularly strategic for Samsung.
The global central HVAC market is projected to grow from approximately $61 billion in 2024 to nearly $99 billion by 2030, with the data center segment expected to Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 18%.
Through this acquisition, Samsung plans to integrate FläktGroup’s advanced control solutions, including the ‘FläktEdge’, with its ‘SmartThings’ platform and IoT offerings, enabling the development of comprehensive, intelligent building climate control systems.
Noh Tae-moon, Acting Head of Samsung’s DX Division, remarked, “Acquiring Fläkt signifies a strategic move to develop HVAC as a core future business,” adding, “We aim to lead the global market in data centers, healthcare, and industrial facilities.”
Trevor Young, CEO of FläktGroup, expressed optimism, saying, “With Samsung’s global capabilities and investment power, we can further expand Fläkt’s technology and market reach,” indicating confidence in future growth.
This acquisition continues Samsung’s broader strategy of expanding into core industrial sectors through targeted M&A, following recent investments in robotics (Rainbow Robotics), AI (Oxford Semantic Technologies), healthcare (Sonio), and automotive/electronics (Rune, Masimo).
The deal marks a significant step into physical, real-world industries, supporting Samsung’s portfolio diversification and sustainable growth ambitions, categorizing it as a pivotal milestone for the company’s future expansion plans.
