ERV Product Launch Case Study

A prominent international OEM manufacturer of HVAC systems known for supplying ventilation equipment for industrial, commercial, and residential applications was seeking to expand their product line and launch Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) as an extension of their current product line.

They were currently reselling an ERV product from Europe and wanted to have better control of its design, product specifications and product features.

The company had a strong foundation in mechanical ventilation systems, however, they had limited experience with ERV design and manufacturing.

Overview

• Product: ERV
  Project timeline: 14 months
  Project Scope: Over $500k

Challenges

• Limited internal experience with ERV systems and electornic controls
• Urgency to produce a proprietary product instead of reselling an existing European product, with own product criteria and unique product features
• Requirement to meet performance and regulatory standards without inflating production costs

Results

• Successful development and launch of new proprietary ERV product
• Strengthened product portfolio and market competitiveness
• Timely delivery with reliable supply chain and engineering support

The client knew the ERV product they were reselling was inferior and did not fit with their high quality product portfolio.

The client was entering uncharted territory. Despite their extensive history in HVAC systems, designing and producing an ERV system, with its integrated sensors, control logic, and regulatory requirements, was outside their core capabilities.

Beyond the steep learning curve and time required to understand ERV controls, the company also had to ensure the new system would align with current energy efficiency standards and meet evolving customer expectations.

They also needed to navigate supply chain planning, component sourcing, and testing, all while ensuring the final product would be reliable, cost-efficient, and scalable for mass production.

The client searched for a partner who had the technical expertise and experience to help them achieve their product vision. Avnan’s engineering team designed a customized ERV control solution that would manage airflow, humidity, and temperature sensors. The system also needed to allow for integration with other HVAC components, such as thermostats and building management systems.

Several prototypes were developed and tested to ensure the solution met all functional and safety standards. Avnan provided ongoing engineering support throughout the process, helping the client evaluate design and validate system behavior. The goal was to ensure cost-effectiveness and reliability at scale, while maintaining quality control.

The successful development of the ERV product allowed the client to introduce a superior version and design from their previous ERV resell product. The new manufactured ERV product matched the level of quality of their existing product portfolio. With Avnan’s support, they overcame key technical and operational hurdles that would have been difficult to manage internally.

The final product met both performance and regulatory standards, and the client was able to launch the ERV system on schedule. The addition of this product positioned the client as a market leader and enhanced their reputation as a provider of energy-efficient ventilation solutions.

Avnan’s ability to deliver end-to-end support, spanning design, engineering, and manufacturing, played a crucial role in rolling out a successful product launch.