Parkman in as Cowlard joins Haier
UK: Former Airedale md Clive Parkman has been named as md of Daikin Applied (UK) Ltd following Bob Cowlard’s move to Haier Europe.
Clive Parkman left Airedale in August after eight years at the Leeds-based air conditioning manufacturer. His reappearance at Daikin Applied (UK) follows the departure of Bob Cowlard before the New Year break to become European general manager HVAC for Haier.
Describing his appointment as a great opportunity, Clive Parkman praised the “great team” already in place adding: “We will be looking at all aspects of the business and implementing positive changes that will continue Daikin Applied’s growth and further establish its UK operations,” he said.
Bob Cowlard had been with Daikin Applied – the former McQuay chiller business – for just a year but has long experience of the air conditioning and refrigeration market at both manufacturing and distribution levels.
The Cooling Post caught up with Bob Cowlard as he prepared to fly out for meetings in China over the next week. Promising further information on his return, he revealed that he has been brought in by Chinese manufacturer Haier “to review its air conditioning strategy” in Europe.
While Haier air conditioners have had a chequered history in Europe, particularly in the UK, Bob Cowlard’s experience of the European market makes him an obvious choice for the new role. With a firm background in air conditioning distribution in the UK, he began an association with Sanyo in 2005, heading up the products’ launch in the UK, before taking roles as vice-president of Sanyo Airconditioners Europe, European business development manager and general manager.
Following Sanyo’s subsequent acquisition by Panasonic, he joined Italian controls manufacturer Carel as UK md in June 2013.
In his new role, Bob Cowlard will report to Yannick Fierling, the Paris-based CEO of Haier Europe’s white goods and ac interests.
Established in 1984, Haier claims to be the world’s No 1 major appliance brand. A truly global brand it boasts over 143,330 distributors across 100 countries, including 30 in Europe. Availability of its air conditioning products in Europe, however, are more limited. It currently has a presence in Italy and Spain and some availability in Central Europe.
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