Invertek Drives, part of the Sumitomo Heavy Industries Group, has today announced a new strategic partnership with Siemens at Chillventa 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany. The agreement follows nearly five years of technical collaboration between the two companies.
Over that time, Siemens and Invertek Drives have worked together on heating, cooling and refrigeration applications, combining Siemens’ Climatix control technology with Invertek Drives’ Optidrive Coolvert expertise.
The partnership now formalises that relationship and provides a clearer framework for the two companies to develop further opportunities together, initially in Europe.
For SHI, the partnership also shows the value of combining specialist technology from within the Group with the expertise and market reach of other established technology companies.
A partnership built through technical collaboration
The partnership brings original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) a tried and tested control solution for brushless DC (BLDC) compressors. It combines Siemens’ Climatix application controllers for precise compressor envelope management with Invertek Drives’ Optidrive Coolvert, a high efficiency variable frequency drive.
Proven compressor control for HVAC-R manufacturers
Bruno Baumann, EVP Equipment Automation for HVAC-R at Siemens, said: “Our relationship with Invertek Drives in the field of Brushless DC motor control for compressors goes back several years and has been marked by several successful customer collaborations.
“Invertek’s Optidrive Coolvert portfolio complements our offering, enabling us to provide a complete mechatronic solution for modern refrigerant-based cooling and heating equipment. Through this partnership, we can offer our customers fully tested and validated solutions that reduce development effort, accelerate time to market, and deliver state-of-the-art compressor control seamlessly integrated into the Siemens Climatix ecosystem.”
Mike Carman, Executive Business Development Manager, HVAC-R at Invertek Drives, said: “This partnership builds on nearly five years of collaboration between Invertek Drives and Siemens. Optidrive Coolvert is recognised for its proven performance in controlling a wide range of BLDC rotary and scroll compressors and has been selected by manufacturers across the HVAC-R sector.”
He added: “Siemens’ decision to formalise our relationship reflects its confidence in our VFD expertise and in the benefits Optidrive Coolvert brings to BLDC compressor control. Together, we can give OEMs a proven, integrated solution that reduces development work and supports faster deployment.”
Optidrive Coolvert uses patented control algorithms to optimise the efficiency and performance of BLDC motors. This helps compressors operate more effectively, reduces operating costs and supports compliance with Ecodesign requirements.
To comply with the European F-Gas Regulation, OEMs are required to redesign their systems to use low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants such as A2L and A3. The Coolvert range is fully certified to operate in these environments.
Siemens’ Climatix application controllers integrate seamlessly with Optidrive Coolvert drives via Modbus communication, enabling straightforward configuration and reliable operation.
Expanding opportunities across Europe
The partnership will initially focus on Europe, giving both companies a clearer framework for pursuing opportunities together and extending the collaboration already established through their work on HVAC-R technologies. The initial focus will be on growth sectors including heat pumps, light commercial and industrial applications, chillers, rooftop units, data centres, condensing units and process cooling.
By combining established technologies, Siemens and Invertek Drives aim to help HVAC-R OEMs shorten development times, simplify integration and respond to opportunities in existing and emerging markets.