HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Daikin North America LLC, part of Daikin Industries, Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of heating, cooling, and refrigerant products, announced today the appointment of Doug Widenmann as Senior Vice President and President of Daikin North America LLC. It was previously announced that Executive Vice President and President of Daikin Business Unit, Takayuki “Taka” Inoue, will assume a new role as Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Goodman/Daikin North America, leading the operational efforts for all company brands, Daikin, Goodman®, Amana® and Quietflex®.

Taka Inoue said, “I am delighted to have Doug as my successor and continue to work with him in this capacity. Doug has excelled at strategic leadership and execution and is well positioned to lead Daikin North America in its next stage of growth. He has a strong track record of customer development and engagement. I can’t see anyone better than him to continue fostering our relationships in North America.”

DIL has transformed the North American HVAC industry over the past several years making significant inroads, including the purchase of Goodman Global Group, Inc. in 2012 for $3.7 billion. In 2015, DIL began construction of Daikin Texas Technology Park (“DTTP”), a state-of-the-art business campus near Houston, TX that includes research and development, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, marketing, distribution, and sales operations all under one roof. DTTP was completed in 2017, costing over $450 million, which is the largest, single manufacturing investment in the 96-year history of DIL. DTTP sits on over 500 acres, employs over 7,000 people and at over 4 million square feet is one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the world – the size of 74 football fields.

Widenmann has amassed 34 years of experience in the industry in various sales and marketing leadership roles with three major HVAC product manufacturers. As Daikin continues its growth in North America towards its goals for Fusion 25, Doug will be instrumental in leading the Daikin premium strategy, supported by Daikin’s core values of absolute credibility, enterprising management, and harmonious personal relations.

“It is my pleasure to lead this great team that we’ve already established at Daikin North America to an industry leadership position where we, and our entire supply chain, will secure the distinction as North America’s number one indoor comfort solutions provider,” said Doug Widenmann. “I firmly believe that the organization as a whole, inclusive of Daikin, Goodman, Amana, and Quietflex, can leverage our powerful brand portfolio into the marketplace, through the largest, and I believe, the best sales and distribution network in the industry, to achieve our vision and goals,” he continued.

About Daikin

Daikin Industries, Ltd. (DIL) is a Fortune 1,000 company with more than 76,000 employees worldwide and is the world’s number 1 air conditioning company. Daikin North America LLC (DNA) is a subsidiary of DIL. DNA and its affiliates manufacture heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial and industrial use and are sold via independent HVAC contractors. Daikin engineering and manufacturing is located at Daikin Texas Technology Park near Houston, TX. For additional information, visit www.northamerica-daikin.com.