Industry roundup: partnerships, mergers, etc. – 2008-03-13

News from Earth Tech, Carrier Corp., Tomkins PLC, Schréder Lighting USA, Rheem Manufacturing, Barron Lighting Group, Philips Electronics North America Corp., Legrand North America, and W2 Architectural Lighting.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff March 13, 2008

Earth Tech , Long Beach, Calif., appointed Jim Weinbauer to vice president, strategic services director. In the new position, Weinbauer will be responsible for the growth and development of Earth Tech’s strategic services offering, which includes the firm’s sustainable development consulting practice. He has more than 30 years of experience in developing and implementing environmental sustainability programs.

Carrier Corp ., New York City, acquired Georgia Chiller Services , Forest Park, Ga. Georgia Chiller Services will operate under the Carrier Commercial Service brand immediately.

Tomkins PLC , London, acquired a controlling interest in Rolastar Private , Mumbai, India. Rolastar manufactures factory-made follow profiles and related accessories for ductwork and air distribution and Tomkins predicts long-term growth opportunities for the Indian HVAC industry.

Schreder Lighting USA , Chicago, appointed Cedric Van Den Haute to product and brand manager. In the new position, Van Den Haute will oversee all marketing, market research, advertising, and public relations efforts. He also will serve as a liaison to Schreder Group G.I.E.’s research and development department in Belgium and develop sales training programs, promotions, and support the firm’s sales agents and customers. Prior to joining Schreder, Van Den Haute served for 6 years as export manager Asia-Pacific with Schreder Lighting LLC’s affiliate, Comelec SA, Belgium. Schreder Lighting USA also announced the appointment of Luma Sales Assocs . Shakopee, Minn., as its representative for Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Rheem Manufacturing , Atlanta, announced the appointment of Peter Reynolds to vice president, general manager of the water heating division. In his new position, Reynolds will lead the division through the implementation of strategic product and marketing initiatives. Reynolds will oversee functions including supply chain management, product marketing, sales, information technology, and call-center operations. Reynolds has more than 15 years of experience in leadership positions for Rheem and he recently served as vice president and general manager of Raypak.

Exitronix , Phoenix, and Trace-Lite , Phoenix, divisions of Barron Manufacturing Corp. will combine under a new corporate identity, the Barron Lighting Group . As of April 1, the company will formally adopt the brand change. The companies will work from a single operating system and products ordered from all three divisions can be combined for ease of ordering, invoicing, and tracking.

Former Philips Electronics North America Corp ., Somerset, N.J., executive J ack Briody passed away on March 8 at the age of 72. Briody joined Philips Lighting in 1969 and he became president and CEO of Advance in 1993, until his retirement in 2001. Briody is survived by his wife, Andrea, and children, John and Danielle. Donations in Briody’s memory can be made to either the American Cancer Society’s Brick “Relay for Life” or the Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation.

Legrand North America , West Hartford, Conn., received an award for operational excellence from Gexpro .

W2 Architectural Lighting , Garden City, N.Y., appointed Anna Schast to regional sales manager. In the new position, Schast will work with the W2 sales agencies to create specification lighting solutions for architects, designers, engineers, and specifiers in all states east of the Mississippi River, as well as eastern Canada.