Invensys Controls Europe (ICE), a leading hvac manufacturer has appointed Bernard Biolchini as its EMEA managing director.
ICE provides systems for controlling, measuring and monitoring heating, ventilation and ac worldwide. With ten manufacturing plants across Europe, it employs more than 30,000 people.

Biolchini joined the group as vice-president for the EMEA sales division in 2004. The Franco-Italian began his career in the IT sector in 1989 and worked for Hewlett Packard for most of his working life.

Based at the group's head office in Archamps, France near Geneva, the firm said Biolchini's experience will benefit the Invensys group's production and distribution activities in Europe and will help him introduce product innovations and improvements to the industry's logistics and procurement chain.

'Bernard Biolchini's main task will be to develop Invensys Controls in a fast-changing and highly competitive sector and to consolidate the group's position on the European markets, especially the fast-growing markets in the countries of Eastern Europe', said a company spokesman.

ICE products include smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, thermostats, valves, zone controls, timers, electronic components, commercial control systems, marketed under leading brands such as FireX, Robertshaw, Ranco, Paragon and Invensys. These are distributed in more than 40 countries.

Biolchini will report directly to Ulf Henriksson, the CEO of Invensys plc.