Emerson announced key executive changes at Appleton Group, an Automation Solutions business, that support its growing sales leadership in the global industrial markets Appleton Group’s unique portfolio of products serve.

Effective immediately, 25-year electrical industry veteran Andy Schwegel has been promoted to vice president of international & industrial/commercial sales for Appleton Group. In his new role, he will be responsible for global sales growth and operations outside the United States, along with management of international industrial/commercial business and relationship management of Emerson channel partners. In his 16-year tenure with Emerson Mr. Schwegel has held increasingly responsible positions, primarily in marketing, business development and sales management. Before joining Emerson, Mr. Schwegel gained industry experience working for Eaton Corporation, WW Grainger, and as a management consultant serving clients in the electrical industry.   To fill Mr. Schwegel’s former position of vice president/general manager of Sola and Heating Cable Systems, Harish Shinde has been promoted from vice president of strategy and customer care at Appleton Group. In this new role, Mr. Shinde will lead strategies for expansion into new markets as well as spearhead the launch of new products for control power and heating cable applications. He has also held the position of vice president of Appleton Canada with responsibility for sales, marketing and operations. Prior to joining Emerson in 2011 as director of planning for commercial industrial solutions, Mr. Shinde was manager in the strategy and operations practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP based out of the firm’s Chicago office.    Emerson also announced that Joe Ugarte has been promoted to vice president of hazardous at Appleton Group with direction for the sales of electrical products targeting the North American hazardous location petrochemical and chemical processing markets, among others. He was previously vice president of global sales for TESCOM/Anderson Greenwood Instrumentation, another business unit of Emerson Automation Solutions.   In announcing the promotions, Russ Kerstetter, president of electrical apparatus & lighting at Emerson Automation Solutions, said he recognizes Schwegel, Shinde and Ugarte’s many years of significant contributions and leadership to Emerson. “Andy, Harish and Joe have all done an outstanding job over many years with Emerson, driving new levels of sales growth, innovation and service for our customers in diverse markets. I am confident that their talents will bring continuing success and new opportunities to our world-leading brands.”    Mr. Kerstetter continued: “Appointing professionals of this high caliber sends a strong message about the commitment of Emerson to serving the customers’ needs with our unique portfolio of brands.”   Additionally, Mr. Kerstetter expressed his appreciation to John Peterson who is retiring from his position as executive vice president of global sales after sixteen years with Emerson. “I want to thank John for his leadership and unwavering dedication over the years to delivering the best to our customers. He has played a vital role in helping the Appleton brand become the global powerhouse it is today. Speaking for everyone at Emerson, I wish him well in his retirement.”