Muscat – GENERAL, represented by Khimji Ramdas Infrastructure Group, has once again been named Oman’s Most Trusted Brand 2025 in the air conditioners category. In this interview, Sunil Vishnu, General Manager of Khimji Ramdas’ Air Conditioning & Appliances division, explained that sustained product reliability, strong after-sales support and a growing focus on energy-efficient technologies have been key to maintaining the brand’s leadership in Oman. He highlighted the factors behind this recognition while also discussing evolving consumer preferences, market trends and the company’s alignment with sustainability goals under Oman Vision 2040.

GENERAL has been recognised as Oman’s Most Trusted Brand in the air conditioners category for 2025. From your leadership perspective, what factors have helped the brand consistently earn consumer trust and secure the top position?

Firstly, I would like to thank our customers for their unwavering trust and support over the years, which has enabled us to win the OMTB award for the fifth consecutive year.

GENERAL AC units are specifically engineered to deliver reliable cooling in Oman’s harsh climate, earning a strong reputation for durability. We strictly align with local standards, offering high-energy-efficiency units that meet the country’s performance regulations. This trust is further reinforced by our robust after-sales infrastructure – Siyana Wa Khidmaat – which includes a fleet of 20 fully equipped mobile service vans. Our partnership of over 40 years ensures consistent quality and high standards.

Furthermore, the introduction of IoT-enabled smart technology, along with our extensive reach through more than 100 channel partners and the Souqool e-commerce platform, ensures that we remain accessible to both traditional and tech-savvy customers.

In your view, what differentiates GENERAL from other brands in the highly competitive air conditioning market?

GENERAL units are renowned for maintaining rapid cooling performance even when outdoor temperatures exceed 50°C. Our components are a key differentiator; we use higher-rated compressors and significantly more copper in our heat exchangers, resulting in a longer lifespan and fewer breakdowns.

Our models feature advanced airflow designs with large fans and high-output motors, providing consistent, corner-to-corner cooling over distances of up to 25 metres. As a product of Fujitsu General Limited, the brand benefits from Japanese precision engineering, prioritising longevity over budget pricing. These units are positioned as a ‘best-for-life’ choice for customers who refuse to compromise on cooling performance in extreme environmental conditions.

In a climate like Oman’s, air conditioning is a necessity. How do GENERAL and Khimji Ramdas ensure reliability and consistent performance under such demanding conditions?

With over four decades of partnership, our division maintains its leading position through several key technical pillars:

Extreme temperature resilience: Units are designed to function efficiently in desert temperatures reaching 55°C.

Hyper tropical compressors: These maintain over 80% cooling capacity even at 50°C.

Corrosion protection: Features such as the ‘Strong Blue Fin’ condenser coating protect against high salt corrosion in coastal areas.

Service excellence: Our Siyana Wa Khidmaat unit offers 24/7 complaint logging and rapid on-site repair via our mobile fleet.

Turnkey solutions: We provide end-to-end HVAC solutions – including design and installation – to ensure systems are precisely sized for specific heat loads.

Energy consumption is a major concern for households. How are you addressing the demand for more energy-efficient units? Are Omani consumers becoming more conscious of environmental impact?

Energy efficiency is a top priority, as AC units account for peak electricity demand in Omani households during the summer. We are witnessing a rapid market shift towards inverter compressors, which adjust speed to match demand, thereby avoiding power-intensive on-off cycling.

Omani consumers are indeed becoming more environmentally conscious. There is growing awareness of energy star ratings and a preference for eco-friendly refrigerants such as R32. Our marketing campaigns for inverter units have gained significant traction, particularly as households prioritise long-term electricity savings and environmental sustainability.

Oman Vision 2040 emphasises sustainability. How are your offerings aligned with these national priorities?

Khimji Ramdas’ Air Conditioning Division aligns closely with Oman Vision 2040 by delivering sustainable solutions across HVAC and building management. Our portfolio supports national goals through:

Comprehensive energy audits: Identifying inefficiencies and reducing energy waste for commercial clients.

Building Management Systems (BMS): Optimising lighting, ventilation and power consumption.

Eco-friendly technologies: Offering high-efficiency chillers and industrial cooling solutions that reduce carbon emissions and support a green economy.

Beyond the product, how important are after-sales support and technical expertise in sustaining consumer trust?

After-sales support and technical expertise are critical and non-negotiable components. Today, trust has evolved from purely brand heritage to the overall ‘long-term ownership experience’. Delivering high-quality service is a direct reflection of a company’s integrity.

We view the post-sale phase as an opportunity to build lifelong relationships rather than simply manage transactions. Our expert technicians ensure that every product performs optimally throughout its lifecycle, reinforcing the quality and credibility reflected in the OMTB recognition.

What will be your key strategic priorities to remain Oman’s most trusted AC brand?

Our strategy is centred on innovation, sustainability and service excellence:

Advanced technology: Accelerating the deployment of high-EER inverter systems and VRF technologies.

Sustainability: Prioritising low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and exploring solar-powered AC solutions.

Digital integration: Expanding IoT-enabled systems for mobile-based energy monitoring.

Technical reach: Investing in the expansion of our technical teams to ensure fast, reliable support across the sultanate.

How does Khimji Ramdas’ Air Conditioning Division ensure its technicians meet international standards?

We ensure excellence through certified training and strict adherence to global benchmarks. Our service engineers are factory-trained by international partners to handle both pre- and post-sales requirements.

Importantly, we comply with British Standards (BS) and ASTM International guidelines, in addition to Omani standards. Our operations are supported by ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications, ensuring that quality, environmental management and occupational health and safety remain top priorities.

How closely do you collaborate with contractors and developers on large-scale projects?

We act as a strategic partner through a turnkey, one-stop-shop approach. We manage the entire project lifecycle – from sourcing and design to installation and commissioning. By leveraging our 40-year relationships with consultants and developers, we integrate GENERAL’s premium products into major residential, commercial and government developments, ensuring these projects meet high standards of sustainability and performance.

Looking ahead, how will Khimji Ramdas Infrastructure Group strengthen its relationship of trust as Oman moves towards a future-ready economy?

We are strengthening trust by investing in digitally enabled solutions and green energy initiatives aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Through rigorous audits, expert oversight and innovative safety systems, we ensure our infrastructure projects are smarter and more efficient. As a leading air conditioning division, we will continue to leverage our legacy of integrity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s sustainable future.