Bob Cowlard becomes Daikin Applied (UK) md

UK: Bob Cowlard, md of Carel UK, the UK subsidiary of the Italian controls manufacturer, has been appointed md of Daikin Applied (UK).

The position of md is a new role within chiller manufacturer Daikin Applied’s organisation and follows its change of name from McQuay (UK) at the end of March.

Jim Henley, formerly general manager of McQuay (UK), will continue to head up chiller sales.

Bob Cowlard already had a broad experience in air conditioning distribution in the UK, when he was appointed by Sanyo in 2005 to spearhead the launch of its ac products into the UK and Ireland.

He was subsequently appointed vice-president of Sanyo Airconditioners Europe. In 2006 he left to spend two years on his own air conditioning business, Oceanair Distribution, before returning to Sanyo as European business development manager, later being appointed general manager.

Following Sanyo’s acquisition by Panasonic, he joined Carel UK as md in June 2013.

Commenting on the new role, Bob Cowlard said: “I feel very fortunate to have this chance as it is one of those rare opportunities where the new md gets to join an already successful business with an existing senior management team in place, as no one is leaving to make space for me. This allows me the chance to review the business and then focus upon the improvements that I can bring.

“Having Jim Henley leading the sales I know that these will go from strength to strength, so whilst not wanting to pre-empt anything at this stage, I do know that I will be focusing a good amount of my time at the manufacturing facility at Cramlington and also upon the marketing and brand positioning of the product range, both the current and the future development that we will put in place,” he added.

McQuay came into the Daikin organisation in 2006 when the Japanese manufacturer acquired McQuay’s Malaysian owner OYL, along with its sister companies J&E Hall and AAF/McQuay.

McQuay changed its name to Daikin Applied in the US in 2013 and repeated the name change in Europe last year.

“No one needs to be reminded what the Daikin name represents in the air conditioning market and it is now clear that the same market-leading approach needs to be brought to the Applied (AHU and chiller) side of the business,” said Bob Cowlard. “To some people it is not clear what the difference between the two businesses are in the UK. In short, it is all about the sales channel and customer experience but I’m hoping that in the next few months that will become much clearer as the Daikin Applied offering is strengthened.’’