United Technologies Establishes Research Office in Ireland

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) today announced the opening of United Technologies Research Centre Ireland, a research and development hub that extends the global reach of its corporate research center based in East Hartford, Conn.

"Establishing a hub for European collaboration in Ireland will help accelerate technologies addressing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and integrated building systems," said Dr. David Parekh, UTC Vice President, Research, and Director, United Technologies Research Center (UTRC).  "Taking advantage of Ireland's agility, as well as Europe's commitment to 'clean' technology, we intend to demonstrate emerging technologies on a scale ranging from individual buildings to district-wide applications."

UTRC currently employs approximately 500 people in its East Hartford center, in Shanghai, China, and in Berkeley, California.  In addition to its current staff, scientists and engineers will be hired to support United Technologies Research Centre Ireland, with plans to increase staffing to 40 people within several years.

The establishment of United Technologies Research Centre Ireland exemplifies the commitments the company has made as a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability.

United Technologies Corp. also announced its role as a catalyst in creating the International Energy Research Centre (IERC), located in Cork, Ireland.  UTC is the founding member of this institute, which will bring together government, university and industry partners to focus on the system level challenges of integrating energy systems.  

"UTC is a global leader in sustainability, a position that is strengthened through founding membership in the International Energy Research Centre," said Dr. J. Michael McQuade, UTC Senior Vice President, Science and Technology.

UTC has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, and led the World Business Council on Sustainable Development's Energy Efficiency in Buildings initiative.

United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) delivers the world's most advanced technologies, innovative thinking and disciplined research to the businesses of United Technologies -- industry leaders in aerospace propulsion, building infrastructure and services, heating and air conditioning, fire and security systems and power generation. Founded in 1929, UTRC is located in East Hartford, Connecticut, and operates research and development centers in Shanghai, China, and Cork, Ireland.  For more information, visit www.utrc.utc.com.

United Technologies Corp. is a diversified company whose products include Carrier heating and air conditioning, Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems and industrial products, Otis elevators and escalators, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Sikorsky helicopters, UTC Fire & Security systems and UTC Power fuel cells.

SOURCE United Technologies Corp.