A conversation with Mr. Salman Saleem, Head of CAC department Haier Pakistan
Haier Pakistan, a prominent player in the air conditioning market, has been making significant strides in both the domestic and commercial sectors. Despite challenges in the overall economic landscape, the company’s performance in 2024 has been notably resilient, driven by a combination of strong market presence, timely product availability, and innovative projects.
Salman Saleem, Head of the Commercial Air Conditioning Department at Haier Pakistan, during a recent conversation with Engineering Post highlighted that Haier Pakistan has been part of the recent project for the Punjab government, which was worth around 2 Billion rupees. This project is a testament to Haier’s growing role in large-scale infrastructure developments across Pakistan.
Currently, Haier is also working on a number of other significant projects. One of them is providing a 400-tonne VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system to Forman Christian (FC) College in Lahore. Another project is in Multan, where Haier is installing a 200-tonne VRF system. However, the most substantial project in Haier’s portfolio this year is the installation of a 1600-tonne oil-free centrifugal unit at Interloop, a world-class process industry located in Faisalabad that manufactures products for global brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma. “Interloop is a key partner for us, and the unit we are installing uses the latest R-5138 refrigerant, a significant advancement in eco-friendly cooling technology,” noted Mr. Salman Saleem.
Despite a slow commercial air conditioning market, Haier has been able to maintain a steady stream of orders due to readily available stock. “Even though the market has been slow, especially for commercial ACs, we’ve kept receiving orders because our inventory was prepared. Stocks were available when others couldn’t meet demand, and that gave us an edge,” he explained.
Haier’s growth strategy isn’t limited to local projects. The company is setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pakistan aimed at producing electronic units for international exports. Test beds are already in place, and the assembly line is improving. Haier has added over 50 new models of appliances, including ovens, washing machines, split ACs, and refrigerators, which will be manufactured in Pakistan and exported to various countries. This facility is part of a broader initiative to position Pakistan as a hub for Haier’s global supply chain. “We’re not only meeting local demand but preparing to export to countries like Yemen, Afghanistan, and African nations. This facility will be a game changer for Haier Pakistan,” said Salman Saleem. Moreover, some other brands, like Singer and Enviro, have been leveraging Haier’s manufacturing capabilities to produce their OEM products at Haier’s facility. “This collaboration allows these brands to offer high-quality products while we continue to expand our capacity,” he added.
Domestically, Haier has achieved remarkable market penetration, capturing more than 70% of the floor-standing air conditioning market. Additionally, Haier dominates the split AC market, holding over 60% market share. The company has sold 500,000 split AC units just this year, a significant milestone. “Our domestic market performance has been exceptional. We’ve completed over 95% of our sales targets for this year, and we expect to meet the remaining goals in the last quarter,” Salman Saleem mentioned.
One of Haier’s most significant innovations has been the development of a solar-powered air conditioning system. “For 2025 we’re planning to expand our product offerings to include heating options and the ability to transfer surplus energy to green meters,” concluded Mr. Salman Saleem.
