Smardt has appointed Sandeep Nair as Chief Executive Officer as the company expands its oil-free chiller business into a broader portfolio of thermal management solutions and targets AI-driven data centers. Nair succeeds Albert Yam, who has transitioned to Executive Director on Smardt’s Board.
Nair has more than two decades of president-level leadership experience at Emerson Electric across the HVAC, data center, telecom and industrial sectors. He has managed businesses with annual revenue ranging from $100 million to more than $1 billion and operations across North America, Europe and Asia.
He previously served as President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa at Copeland, formerly Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions. His experience includes lean methodologies, manufacturing consolidation, product platform development, acquisitions and divestitures.
Smardt has an installed base of more than 12,000 oil-free chillers worldwide and manufacturing operations in five countries. The company has also expanded into heat pumps and air-side systems through its Smardt AIR division.
As CEO, Nair will focus on Smardt’s position in critical infrastructure for AI-driven data centers and its presence in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, new energy, green building projects and infrastructure. He will also work with the Board to strengthen management infrastructure, advance digital transformation and reinforce corporate governance.
“I am honored to lead Smardt at such a pivotal stage in its journey,” said Sandeep Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Smardt. “Smardt’s leadership in oil-free technology and the strength of its global teams provide an exceptional foundation, and I look forward to working with our talented teams worldwide to accelerate growth, build on the strong legacy of innovation and deliver greater value across our business, for our customers, employees, and partners alike.”