Why the Future of Data Center Cooling Is Hybrid
July 21, 2026WOODRUFF, S.C. — July 23, 2026 — Airsys, a global leader in mission-critical cooling and infrastructure solutions headquartered in Woodruff, South Carolina, has announced that SCBIZ has named Founder and CEO Yunshui Chen an ICON Honors Award recipient.
The ICON Honors program recognizes executive leaders across South Carolina who are age 60 and older for their notable success, strong leadership and long-standing contributions within their fields and throughout the broader community. Selected by the SCBIZ leadership team, honorees are celebrated for driving economic growth, creating local jobs, mentoring future leaders and demonstrating a sustained commitment to community stewardship.
“The 2026 Icon Honors recipients are an impressive group of leaders. They have worked tirelessly to excel in their careers, but they work just as hard to spark innovation and progress, meeting a variety of challenges in South Carolina and beyond,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/SCBIZ. “These visionaries are actively engaged in the community, and they mentor other leaders as well. We at SCBIZ are pleased to honor them.”
Since founding Airsys in 1995, Chen has spearheaded the company’s evolution from a regional engineering firm into an American-headquartered global cooling enterprise with operations extending across North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Bringing over 30 years of industry expertise, he has pioneered advancements in liquid cooling innovation, high-density AI data center infrastructure and sustainable thermal management systems designed to balance efficiency with environmental responsibility.
Under his guidance, Airsys has significantly expanded its global manufacturing footprint. In May, Airsys cut the ribbon on the $60 million first phase of its 60-acre global headquarters campus in Woodruff.
“It’s a privilege to be recognized alongside so many distinguished leaders across South Carolina,” Chen said. “This honor reflects the dedication of our entire global team at Airsys. As we continue to expand our footprint in the Upstate, we remain deeply committed to fostering local innovation, investing in our workforce, and building a sustainable future for both our state and the mission-critical cooling industry.”
Chen and the 2026 ICON Honors recipients will be celebrated on Sept. 22, 2026, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
ABOUT AIRSYS
Airsys is a global leader in mission-critical cooling and thermal management solutions supporting data centers, telecommunications networks, AI infrastructure, and other critical digital systems worldwide. Headquartered in Woodruff, South Carolina, Airsys recently opened its new global headquarters campus in the Upstate, reflecting the company’s continued investment in the region. Through a focus on innovation, reliability, sustainability, and performance, Airsys helps organizations build infrastructure for a rapidly evolving digital world. Learn more at airsysnorthamerica.com.
