Mitsubishi Electric will invest about $143.5 million to convert its auto-parts plant in Maysville, Kentucky, which has run since 1995, into a factory for heat-pump compressors, the core part of the systems. The compressors will support heat-pump sales by Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, its joint venture with Trane Technologies. The project adds 122 jobs and was also picked for up to $50 million in US Energy Department funding. Why make it in the US More than 90% of compressors for ductless heat pumps are made in China and other Asian countries, so this will be the first US production of the type. Local supply should shorten lead times and let Mitsubishi Electric react faster to demand. The company said Energy Department and Kentucky support were key to choosing the site. The plant The Maysville factory belongs to Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America and has made car electrical parts. The $50 million federal award goes to its HVAC unit over three years to pay for the conversion.
