Danfoss Drives - Experts & Thought Leaders

Danfoss Drives’ Hannes Leichtfried has been elected to serve on the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s (NEMA) Board of Governors. NEMA announced the election of three new board members and three new officers on November 13, following its 2024 Annual Meeting. Hannes Leichtfried  Hannes Leichtfried, an industry veteran and current Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Danfoss Drives in North America, brings nearly 30 years of experience in electrification to the position.  He will serve a three-year term alongside executives from companies, such as Cisco Systems, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Rockwell Automation. advancing electrical manufacturing “I am honored to join the NEMA Board of Governors and look forward to working with my colleagues to help advance electrical manufacturing,” said Hannes Leichtfried, adding “As industries move closer to electrification to achieve our climate goals, it is vital that Danfoss and other manufacturers work together to advocate for a safe and efficient transition.” (NEMA) represents over 300 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, which collectively contribute 1% of U.S. GDP and directly provide nearly 460,000 American jobs, contributing more than $250 billion to the U.S. economy.

Customers seeking a compact drive that will enhance their HVAC system’s reliability and efficiency have an option with Danfoss’ new iC2 Micro family of drives. With all the functionalities of a full-featured unit, the drive is perfectly crafted to be easy and durable allowing users to seamlessly integrate with existing drives and building automation systems. compact and intelligent drive This compact and intelligent drive is tailored to optimize a wide range of applications, like pumps and fans and is even capable of controlling permanent magnet motors. With the help of the drive’s 120 degrees Fahrenheit working temperature, coated printed circuit board, natural cooling, and a removable fan, improving cooling efficiency and lowering energy consumption in harsh environments is no problem. iC2-Micro iC2-Micro includes an LED display, status indicators, clear navigation buttons, and a built-in frequency setting iC2-Micro includes an LED display, status indicators, clear navigation buttons, and a built-in frequency setting potentiometer, providing remote monitoring, real-time data insights, and predictive maintenance capabilities. "The iC2-Micro is the perfect match for a wide range of HVAC applications, and compatible with all typical motor technologies," said Felipe Andres Suarez Jaraba, OEM Sales Manager, Danfoss Drives. Reliable and durable drive Felipe Andres Suarez Jaraba adds, "Since iC2-Micro is the successor of the VLT FC 51, it was designed to facilitate retrofitting in every detail. More compact, intelligent, and powerful." He continues, "This reliable and durable drive is even easier to use and install. Its compact design, side-by-side mounting, and intuitive control panel simplifies installation and commissioning, reducing system and operation costs."

Danfoss Drives is pleased to announce that Hannes Leichtfried has been appointed Head of Sales and Marketing for the Drives business segment in North America. With nearly 30 years of experience at Danfoss in Austria and Germany, Leichtfried, an Austrian native, is excited to continue to build the North America Drives business. Danfoss Drives' New appointment “I am thrilled about my new role in a vital market for our Drives business,” said Hannes Leichtfried, adding “There are significant opportunities to capture market share and enhance the Danfoss brand, both in our core business and in emerging segments like Electrification." Hannes Leichtfried continues, "With our skilled team in North America, we aim to create a compelling value proposition for our customers, offering application leadership and support to facilitate their decarbonization efforts.” Growth for Danfoss Drives Hannes Leichtfried began his career at Danfoss in 1994 as a Technical Support Engineer, then moved into sales Hannes Leichtfried began his career at Danfoss in 1994 as a Technical Support Engineer, then moved into sales and marketing roles. He was most recently the Head of Sales and Marketing for Danfoss Drives in the Central European region. In his new role, he will be based at the Danfoss Drives’ Loves Park, Ill., office. “Our region has a strong trend of growth for Danfoss Drives,” said Rick Sporrer, President of Danfoss North America, adding “With high-quality products, and our experienced and competent team on the ground, we have the foundation to take a pioneering position in the North America region." Additional training in sales management Rick Sporrer added: "Hannes brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record, and I look forward to working with him to increase our market share in North America.” Leichtfried has an undergraduate engineering degree from the Federal Higher Technical Institute (Austria), as well as additional training in sales, marketing, and strategic management.

Some of the technologies in the HVAC market are mature, although the newest innovation is always just around the corner. Newer systems seek to be more sustainable and energy-efficient, and digital control technologies play a role in maximizing their performance. Trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart systems are the basis for the newest connectivity and control approaches. These innovations tie into the broader environment of smart buildings. Systems are also providing remote access to enable technicians to analyze system operation and troubleshoot any problems. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What's new in connectivity and control systems for HVAC?