The name change and new organization structure become effective April 1, 2022.
“We are uniting under a single name – Daikin Comfort Technologies – capturing a culture and identity that reflects one vision that will create an even stronger and more unified Daikin,” explains Satoru Akama, Chief Executive Officer for Daikin. “By fusing Daikin’s strengths, core technologies and environmental solutions with Goodman’s robust, extensive sales and distribution network we will enrich our customer experience, improve organizational efficiency and transform the North American HVAC market by promoting environmental solutions that impact people where they live, work, and play,” follows Takayuki “Taka” Inoue, Chief Sales and
Marketing Officer for Daikin.
“Daikin, Goodman, Amana and Quietflex® will remain and play an important role in our brands for products in the future,” Inoue says. “Aligning our structure into a single business unit allows for collaboration, innovation, and agility internally, and very importantly, meets the needs of our customers.”
Environmental Commitment
Within Daikin Comfort Technologies there is a newly formed group, the Environmental Promotion Office, led by Nathan Walker, senior vice president, reporting to CEO Satoru Akama. The team will intensify Daikin’s focus on becoming the industry leader as an advanced environmental company. “It’s both an ambitious and attainable objective,” Akama says.
Organizational Realignment
“Our operation in North America has more than doubled in revenue since the acquisition of Goodman and is now the largest of any Daikin entity in the world, making North America one of Daikin’s top priorities to invest in and grow,” explains Inoue. “It also comes with a tremendous sense of responsibility to execute as one company and one culture.”
A more unified sales strategy can ensure that Daikin, Amana, or Goodman brand equipment can each be a compelling offering for major contractors to serve both premium and value customers.
The Daikin realignment also seeks to create an even stronger customer
experience across its business, including transformation through digital solutions and tools, differentiating logistics and inventory deployment capabilities, and more advanced service and support.
Current Daikin and Goodman sales and marketing functions will be consolidated into a single business unit, led by Chief Sales and Marketing Officer (CSMO) Taka Inoue.
Senior Vice President Ardee Toppe will manage all company sales of all brands. Toppe will report to CSMO Inoue and lead four U.S. sales divisions in the U.S. and one in Canada. Ardee will also be responsible for company owned distribution now called Daikin Comfort Technologies Distribution, Inc., formerly known as
Senior Vice President Doug Widenmann will lead all areas of marketing, including channel strategy and development; traditional and digital marketing; product marketing; data and analytics; and warranty and pricing. Doug will also report to CSMO Inoue.
“By drawing upon the strength and skills of our incredible people, we can become ‘One Daikin’ under a single, focused vision featuring a core of powerful brands,” says Inoue. “We look forward to further sharing our mission to become the most environmentally advanced HVAC company in North America.”