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Johnson Controls Expands Its European Operations in Denmark

In a significant move to strengthen its foothold in Europe, Johnson Controls has recently inaugurated enhanced engineering, production, and customer service facilities in Holme, Denmark. This expansion not only doubles the production capacity but also improves the testing capabilities for industrial-grade heat pumps, enabling the company to meet the rising demand across the continent.

With a total added area of 2,300 square meters for production and 1,800 square meters for a cutting-edge testing and customer experience center, Johnson Controls has positioned itself to comply with the latest standards, set by the European Heat Pump Association (EN 14511). This development underscores the company's commitment to delivering top-notch heat pumps tailored for urban heating, public infrastructure, and critical industrial applications, including research campuses and food processing facilities.

The European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, alongside the Mayor of Aarhus, Anders Winnerskjold, and other dignitaries, participated in a ceremonial opening, highlighting the importance of this facility in the realm of energy efficiency and decarbonization.

Richard Lek, President of EMEA at Johnson Controls remarked, “With decades of manufacturing experience in Europe and a strong market leadership in commercial-scale heat pumps, this expansion reinforces our long-term commitment to developing critical technologies right here, in Europe.” By enhancing production and conducting real-world tests on large-scale heat pumps, Johnson Controls enables municipalities and high-energy industries to electrify heating processes, thereby reducing costs and emissions through solutions that are designed and manufactured locally.

According to the European Heat Pump Association, heating accounts for more than 60% of energy consumption in European industries, inflating costs and draining resources that could be directed towards innovation and bolstering competitiveness. The advancement in heat pump technology has the potential to reverse this trend, allowing cities and industries to utilize natural and waste heat from sources like wastewater, seawater, geothermal energy, and industrial processes. This represents a conversion of energy that would otherwise be wasted into affordable, low-carbon heating.

In 2025, solutions provided by Johnson Controls helped clients realize heating cost reductions of up to 32% and emissions reductions of as much as 55%, highlighting the urgent need to scale proven technologies effectively.

The Holme plant will manufacture custom heat pumps and chillers under the Sabroe brand, alongside offering refurbished and aftermarket parts, including for marine applications. Utilizing refrigerants with low or zero global warming potential (GWP), these technologies are designed to meet upcoming EU regulations set to take effect in 2027 and 2030.

Benthe Klokkerholm, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations for HVAC/R in EMEA, stated, “These facilities have set a benchmark in heating and cooling innovation since Thomas Sabroe founded the company here in 1897. With this expansion, Aarhus further solidifies its position as a center of excellence in urban heating technology, bringing value to customers across Europe and beyond.”

Johnson Controls has been a supplier of large-scale heat pumps to numerous clients throughout Europe, including Vattenfall in Berlin, Energie Baden-Württemberg in Germany, and the New University Hospital of Aalborg in Denmark. Upcoming projects slated for operation later this year include installations in Hamburg, Neustadt in Holstein, and in 2027, in Zurich.

This new facility in Holme complements Johnson Controls' broader manufacturing presence in Europe, which includes operations in Nantes (France), Milan (Italy), Cork (Ireland), and Budapest (Hungary), catering to clients across the region.

For more information about Johnson Controls, visit johnsoncontrols.com and follow @Johnsoncontrols on social media channels.