Zamil Industrial Investment Company (ZIIC) of Saudi Arabia has acquired Geoclima, an air conditioning manufacturing plant based outside Venice, Italy. ZIIC, which will hold 70 per cent majority ownership, is the powerhouse of its building services companies - Zamil Air Conditioners (ZAC), Zamil Steel and Zamil Glass.

"The move promises to significantly raise ZAC's strategic growth and business acumen and enhance the company's evolution from its origins as a residential and light commercial AC manufacturer to today's provider of all-inclusive comfort solutions with a stronger hold in the last tier of the heavy commercial sector," said ZAC president Ahmed Al Zamil.

As a result of the acquisition, ZAC's air conditioning solutions now include a complete and advanced range of air-handling units and chillers with capacities of up to 600 tonnes of refrigeration.

Gleoclima's expertise lies in the production of both air- and water-cooled chillers used as components of commercial and industrial air conditioning. The company is a privately held design and manufacturing entity that produces systems of 10 to 600 tonnes of refrigeration.

Last year Zamil had acquired the Austrian air moving product manufacturer Climatech. The latest addition to the ZIIL portfolio was evidence of the company's aggressive drive forward to raise ZAC's position as a leading provider of quality air conditioning equipment in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa, Zamil said.

ZIIC is one of the leading industrial companies in the Middle East with current global operations stretching out over 55 countries worldwide. The company networks through 34 representative hubs in the Middle East, Europe, the US and South-east Asia. It is focusing on strengthening its core competencies and production in the building services areas of steel structures, air conditioning products and advanced glass panes.

"This key addition to our AC network ... complements our existing base and closes the loop of the commercial air conditioning technology we require to produce the best possible products," said ZAC senior vice president Abdulla Al Zamil at a conference in Italy. "The key addition of this new enterprise will greatly complement our existing range, adding significant synergy to our operations Our customers will have access to an even wider range of advanced compression technologies, more choices of alternative refrigerants and advanced electronic controls."