Danfoss, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency electronic and mechanical components and controls for air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration, industrial, and water systems, has appointed Santiago Martin as head of Danfoss Drives — Americas. In this role, he will be responsible for leading Danfoss’ drives business in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, ensuring its profitable growth and driving innovation. He also will serve as part of the company’s management team in North America.

Previously, Martin was vice president at Danfoss Drives in Latin America, where he was responsible for sales, marketing, and service. He joined Danfoss as part of the company’s merger with Vacon, where he spent seven years — first as managing director in Spain and Portugal, and later as vice president of Vacon Latin America.

“We’re pleased to welcome Santiago to this new position within Danfoss,” commented John Galyen, president, Danfoss North America. “Variable speed drives continue to play an increasingly important role in the control of motor, fan, pump, and gear applications across a variety of industry sectors; this technology is becoming more integrated as part of an overall pursuit of reliability, performance optimization, and energy efficiency. Santiago brings tremendous leadership and expertise that we believe will strengthen our ability to help customers tackle these challenges, meet industry demands, and look toward future high-performance innovations.”

“I’m excited to lead this dedicated team,” said Martin who will be based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “As the second largest AC drives manufacturer globally, Danfoss has a broad portfolio and deep application expertise to help our customers and channel partners achieve best-in-class performance and reliability in a variety of energy-intensive and high-performance industries.”

Martin holds an International MBA from Instituto de Empresa business school in Madrid, Spain, and completed Hanken & SSE Executive Education’s LEAP global leadership program in Stockholm, Sweden. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical industrial engineering from the University of Seville (Spain).

Danfoss Drives is the world’s second largest manufacturer of variable speed drives, with a product and service portfolio that meets the needs of a variety of energy-intensive and high-performance industries dependent on efficient and reliable motor control — including HVAC, refrigeration, food and beverage, water and wastewater, chemical, marine, oil and gas, pulp and paper, and mining applications. Danfoss Drives has eight locations in the region, including three manufacturing facilities and three R&D centers.