Danfoss has appointed Joseph Rich as senior director of sales and marketing for North America.

In this role, Rich will focus on growing the company’s VLT® Drives business in the North American market, providing leadership and directing strategy for both sales and marketing. He will also work to continue strengthening customer relationships and developing programs that aim to continue building loyalty for Danfoss products and services.

Danfoss VLT® Drives are used to optimize processes and reduce energy use in HVAC, refrigeration, water and wastewater, food and beverage, mining, lift and crane, chemical, and marine applications. In North America, Danfoss manufactures and tests small/medium variable frequency drives (<90kW) for the U.S. market and high-powered VFDs (>90kW) for the global market at its facilities in Loves Park, IL, and Milwaukee, WI.

Rich comes to Danfoss with an extensive background in variable frequency drives and motion control technologies. Most recently, Rich was district manager for the Northwestern United States at Rockwell Automation, where he also held several sales director positions. He also has held sales positions at the B.W. Rogers Company and Parker Hannifin.

He holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron (Akron, OH). Rich will be based out of Danfoss’ office in Milwaukee.