GENERAL Inc.

About GENERAL Inc.

GENERAL Inc. (until 31.12.2025 Fujitsu General Ltd.) is a Japanese manufacturer of air conditioners and ventilation systems headquartered in Kawasaki. The company produces split and multi-split air conditioners, AIRSTAGE VRF systems, ventilation units with energy recovery, air-to-water heat pumps, as well as air sterilization and odor removal devices. Manufacturing takes place in its own plants in China (Shanghai, Wuxi, Jingjiang) and Thailand (Sriracha), complemented by development sites in Shanghai and Thailand. The company has been active in the air conditioning business since 1971; the first window air conditioner was presented in 1960, and mass production began in 1964. With world firsts such as the automatic filter cleaning mechanism (2003) and DUAL BLASTER (2013), GENERAL positions itself as a technology-driven provider. As of January 1, 2026, the company was renamed GENERAL Inc. on the occasion of its 90th anniversary; since August 2025, the company has been part of the Paloma Rheem Group. Sales are handled through a worldwide network of sales companies, including GENERAL HVAC Solutions Deutschland GmbH in Düsseldorf for the DACH region.

Site

213-8502 Kawasaki, Kanagawa

Processes

Maintenance and service for air conditioners, Support tools for sales and maintenance (Mobile Technician Pro, AIRSTAGE Remo Set, AIRSTAGE Service, FGLair App / AIRSTAGE Mobile App

Materials

Split air conditioners, AIRSTAGE VRF systems, Ventilation, Air-to-water heat pumps, Air Deodorizer

Certificates

ISO 9001

Founded

1936

Industries

Air conditioning technology (HVAC), Building services engineering, Household appliances (historical), ICT services

1. 01

   Product development (R&D Shanghai, R&D Thailand)

2. 02

   Manufacturing (Shanghai, Wuxi, Jingjiang, Sriracha)

3. 03

   Distribution via worldwide sales companies

4. 04

   Service and maintenance (support tools, Mobile Technician Pro)

Products & Technologies

Locations

Kawasaki (Takatsu-ku)

JP

Headquarters

Shanghai (Jiading)

CN

Manufacturing and development

Wuxi, Jiangsu

CN

Manufacturing and sales

Jingjiang, Jiangsu

CN

Manufacturing (F.G.L.S. ELECTRIC)

Sriracha, Chonburi

TH

Manufacturing (GENERAL Air Conditioning Manufacturing, FGA, TCFG Compressor) and development

Düsseldorf

DE

Sales (GENERAL HVAC Solutions Deutschland GmbH / Euro GmbH)

Vienna

AT

Sales branch (Branch Austria)

Product Groups

Inside the production

Quality

QUALITY CONTROL: The GENERAL Group operates its own manufacturing sites with internal quality control; details are documented on the Quality Control page. We ask for your understanding that detailed testing equipment is not listed here.

History

1. 1924

   Origin of the company by Keijiro Yao

2. 1936

   Founded as Yaou Shop Co., Ltd. (phonographs, records, musical instruments)

3. 1938

   Start of radio production

4. 1946

   Establishment of the General brand

5. 1960

   First window air conditioner

6. 1964

   Start of mass production of air conditioners

7. 1971

   Start of air conditioning exports (Kuwait); launch of the air business

8. 1976

   Subsidiary in the USA

9. 1977

   Subsidiaries in Australia and Germany

10. 2003

    Automatic filter cleaning mechanism (world first)

11. 2013

    DUAL BLASTER (world first)

12. 2025

    Fujitsu General becomes part of the Paloma Rheem Group (22.08.2025)

13. 2026

    Renamed GENERAL Inc. as of 01.01.2026 (90th anniversary); spin-off of the public-sector ICT business as GENERAL GRANCAST