Ingersoll Rand names Zafari president of Industrial Technologies Sector

Ingersoll-Rand plc on June 15 announced the appointment of Robert Zafari, a 10-year company veteran, as president of its Industrial Technologies Sector (ITS), effective July 1.

Since 2009, Zafari, 52, has been president of Ingersoll Rand’s Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) region of its Climate Solutions Sector headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. He will report to Michael W. Lamach, chairman, president and chief executive officer, and be based in Davidson, NC. Zafari also will be recommended to the Board of Directors for election as an officer. He will be a member of the company's Enterprise Leadership Team.

"Our ITS business is emerging from the economic downturn strongly positioned for success, making this an ideal time for a growth-driven leader like Robert Zafari,” said Lamach. “Robert is an outstanding, results-oriented leader with an impressive track record of accomplishments in diverse businesses on multiple continents. His extensive international experience, strong operational skills, aggressive growth orientation, and proven leadership have prepared him well for this new challenge, and I am confident that he is the right leader as the business rapidly recovers and continues to grow globally.”

In his new role, Robert Zafari succeeds James Bolch, who has been named chief executive officer of Exide Technologies.

“We are grateful for Jim’s many contributions to Ingersoll Rand and the success of our Industrial Technologies business. We wish him the best in his new endeavor,” said Lamach.

The Industrial Technologies Sector, with 2009 revenues of $2.2 billion, provides products, services and solutions that enhance customers' energy efficiency, productivity and operations, ranging from Ingersoll Rand complete compressed air systems, tools and pumps to material and fluid handling systems, to ClubCar, the global leader in golf and utility vehicles for businesses and individuals.

Prior to being named ITS president, and since joining the company in 2000, Zafari has held a number of key global leadership positions. Most recently, he assumed regional responsibility for Trane Commercial Systems (TCS) after Ingersoll Rand’s acquisition of the Trane business in 2008 and subsequently took on the additional responsibility in 2009 of integrating TCS and Climate Control to form the Climate Solutions business in his region. From 2006 to 2008, he led the regional Security Technologies business. In this role, Robert delivered an outstanding track record of dramatic growth in both revenue and income, built a strong leadership team and has taken a key role in enterprise initiatives. Previously, he was president for European Served Areas (ESA) for Compact Vehicle Technologies, which then included Club Car in Europe. He also led Productivity Solutions, another business of the sector he will now lead.

Before he joined Ingersoll Rand in 2000, Robert was Global Key Account Director and General Manager in the Low Voltage Business Areas of ABB. Prior to that, he served as Key Account Director at Texas Instruments semiconductor division. Robert’s first working experience was in sales with Legrand S.A. in France.

A native of France, Zafari holds a master’s of business administration degree from the University of San Diego and a bachelor’s of business administration from SIU in London.

Ingersoll Rand is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Its people and brands – including Club Car, Hussmann , Ingersoll Rand, Schlage, Thermo King and Trane – work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. The company is a $13 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices.