Page 12 - Climate Control News September 2021

World News
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Rheem moves into air conditioning
THE RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO ACQUIRE FRIEDRICH AIR CONDITIONING, A 138-YEAR-OLD MANUFACTURER OF PREMIUM AIR CONDITIONING PRODUCTS, FROM MONOMOY CAPITAL PARTNERS.
BITZER appoints CEO
A LONG STANDING member of the BITZ- ER executive board, Christian Wehrle, has been appointed chair and CEO.
The appointment takes effect immediate- ly. At the same time CTO Rainer Große- Kracht, was appointed vice chair of the ex- ecutive board.
The responsibilities of the company’s exec- utive board are still assigned as follows: Christian Wehrle will remain in charge of op- erations as CEO, Rainer Große-Kracht will continue to act as CTO, Martin Büchsel as chief sales and marketing officer and Frank Hartmann as CFO.
Wehrle said customer focus, values such as long-term thinking, partnership-based cooperation and loyalty to stakeholders as well as sustainability have shaped BITZER in the past and are firmly anchored in its corpo- rate culture.
In this spirit Wehrle wants to continue managing and setting the course of the company together with his three board colleagues.
Wehrle joined BITZER in 2001 as plant manager, and in 2007 he took over the man- agement of the BITZER production sites worldwide.
Since 2015 he has been in charge of the entire supply chain of the group as COO.
BITZER chair & CEO, Christian Wehrle.
FRIEDRICH IS A manufacturer of room air conditioning, dehumidification, and air purifi- cation products for residential and commercial applications.
Founded in 1883, the company is based in San Antonio with manufacturing in Monterrey, Mexico, and distribution centres in Texas and New Jersey.
Rheem president of global air, Mike Branson, said Friedrich has steadily innovated its residential and commercial offerings and grown its market share.
“They will bring a unique air conditioning product portfolio along with specialised prod- ucts to the Rheem family of brands. Friedrich’s product offerings, company history, and in- dustry expertise make this acquisition a per- fect fit for Rheem,” Branson said.
“Together, we will harness the power of our tal-
ented workforce and enhance our ability to de- liver reliable and energy-efficient products that our customers and contracting partners expect.”
Upon the close of the acquisition, which is sub- ject to additional regulatory approval, Friedrich will be a stand-alone business unit within the Rheem Global Air business.
Rheem Australia, which was Rheem’s first overseas venture in 1936, does not sell air condi- tioning products but does supply heat pumps, hot water systems and solar.
Rheem Australia manufactured its first water heater in Australia at Waterloo, an inner Sydney suburb, in 1939.
ABOVE: Rheem president of global air, Mike Branson.
Global appointment at Carrier
ABOVE: David Appel will lead commercial refrigeration.
ABOVE LEFT: Carrier chair & CEO, Dave Gitlin
CARRIER GLOBAL CORPORATION has named Timothy N. White as president of its re- frigeration segment.
White succeeded David Appel who will re- main with the company and take on a key lead- ership role within the refrigeration segment, leading the commercial refrigeration business.
Carrier chair & CEO, Dave Gitlin said White is a proven leader who brings a critical skillset to the refrigeration segment with his deep ex- pertise in leading large-scale businesses with electrification, renewable energy and sustaina- bility solutions.
White most recently served as CEO, Onshore Wind Americas for General Electric. He was pre- viously with Raytheon Technologies for 24 years where he held a number of senior leadership roles.
"I want to extend my sincere thanks to David for his decade-long leadership of the refrigera- tion business," Gitlin said.
"We will continue to lean on his expertise to lead the commercial refrigeration business where his long-standing knowledge and focus on strategic customer-centric execution will drive operational efficiencies and deliver best- in-class financial performance." ✺
12
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU