Daikin’s Crombez elected EHPA president
17th April 2024
BELGIUM: Patrick Crombez, Daikin Europe’s general manager heating and renewables, has been elected as president of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA).
Crombez, who will preside over the EHPA for the next two years, takes over from Nibe’s Martin Forsén.
Speaking following his election at yesterday’s EHPA general assembly, Crombez emphasised the importance of heat pumps as “the number one heating and cooling choice” for residential and professional use and a central part of a renewable, sustainable and smart energy system.
“If Europe’s industrialisation is a priority for this and the next EU commission, stability and consistency in regulations are basic requirements,” he said. “Decarbonisation of heating is and can remain based in Europe. All industry associations agree on that point. Together, we’re repeating our call for an EU Heat Pump Action plan without delay.”
Yesterday’s event also marked the last general assembly for Thomas Nowak as secretary general. Nowak, who is set to join Sweden’s Qvantum Industries as VP public affairs and government relations, will retain a role within the EHPA as a member of its board. A new secretary general is expected to be announced soon.
EHPA member also voted on a new board of directors. The new executive board comprises Patrick Crombez (Daikin Europe NV president), Andrea Voigt (Danfoss Climate Solutions, vice-president), Rowena Rodrigues (Glen Dimplex, vice-president) and Dina Koepke (Copeland Europe, treasurer).
The other board members are:
Johannes Brugmann, Bosch Home Comfort
Thomas Fleckl, Austrian Institute of Technology
Hauke Hagen, Stiebel Eltron GmbH
Valérie Laplagne, AFPAC (French heat pump association)
Laure Meljac, Nibe
Marek Miara, Franhofer Institute for Solar Energy System ISE
Thomas Nowak, Qvantum Industries
Barbara Priesching, Vaillant Group
Marta San Roman, AFEC (Spanish association of HVAC equipment)
Malgorzata Smuczynska, Polish Organisation of Heat Pump Technology Development
Enrique Vilamitjana, Panasonic Appliance Air Conditioning Europe.
