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Smardt Chiller Group in global growth push

MONTREAL, 19 August 2020: Smardt Chiller Group, manufacturer of oil-free centrifugal chillers, on August 18 announced a major expansion of its worldwide leadership team.

Vince Canino, COO since 2014, has become President and CEO, effective immediately, the company said. Canino’s career in the HVACR and power industries includes senior VP roles with Trane, the chief executive role at the DG Energy cogeneration group and many years with GE Power Systems, the company said.

Ashraf Abdalla, formerly VP & General Manager, Global HVAC Applied Commercial Business, Johnson Controls, has joined Smardt as COO, initially focused on North American opportunities, the company said.

Roger Richmond-Smith, the founder of Smardt and, prior to that, the founder of Turbocor founder, has retired as CEO but remains Chairman of the Board of Directors, with project responsibilities for Europe, new product development and strategic marketing, the company said.

Richmond-Smith said: “I am delighted to pass the baton today to this new team of global industry veterans. Vince and Ash are both major talents, and together with CFO, Lucie Roy, they make a formidable team. This is vital if Smardt is to exploit post-pandemic opportunities for its lifetime oil-free efficiencies in the planet’s fight against climate change. And to all the key contributors to this disruptive little global group since its audacious formation in 2005, a very big thank you from me.”

China-headquartered TICA, in 2018, took a major stake in Smardt. Its Chairman, Jiang Li, added: “The TICA-Smardt group faces very major opportunities across the globe. Smardt’s global leadership in oil-free centrifugals combines well with TICA’s China leadership in high-end air handling, with an array of new products to follow. Key to TICA-Smardt’s success is the recruitment of major global talent. Today’s announcement is a strong start to some exciting post-pandemic growth.”