Watlow®, a leading provider of industrial technology and thermal systems, has expanded its executive leadership team by appointing two regional presidents to oversee operations in Asia and Europe.
These newly created roles of Regional Presidents are designed to drive growth, profitability, and stronger customer connections in their respective regions.
Shiyi Zhou Joins Watlow® as Regional President for Asia
Shiyi Zhou has been named regional president of Asia, a new role critical to Watlow’s strategy in the region. Reporting directly to CEO Rob Gilmore, Zhou will focus on the structure, design, and execution of Watlow’s commercial, marketing, and customer strategies across Asia. His responsibilities also include facilitating collaboration between local engineering and supply chain teams with global resources to ensure synchronized growth for multinational accounts.
Zhou brings 28 years of professional experience in both China and the U.S., with extensive expertise in sales, marketing, and managing regional operations. Prior to joining Watlow, he held leadership roles at UTC/Carrier Corporation and Eaton Corporation, where he successfully managed full regional and country P&Ls and drove significant growth.
Zhou holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in computer science from Georgia State University, and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Commenting on his appointment, CEO Rob Gilmore said, “Shiyi’s experience, knowledge, and expertise make him very well-suited for the role. Under his leadership, we are confident in our ability to grow and connect more effectively with customers in Asia.”
Klaus Aarestrup Joins Watlow® as Regional President for Europe
In Europe, Watlow has appointed Klaus Aarestrup as its new regional president. Like Zhou, Aarestrup reports directly to CEO Rob Gilmore and will focus on designing and executing regional strategies while fostering closer relationships with customers and sales partners. His role also includes linking local and global resources to drive concurrent growth for multinational accounts and advocating for product innovations tailored to regional needs.
Aarestrup brings over 25 years of experience in leadership roles at global business-to-business companies, with a strong track record of turning around operations and achieving above-industry growth. Most recently, he served as chief sales officer at INFIGON AG, where he oversaw global sales, services, and market communication. Aarestrup holds an Honors Executive MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
CEO Rob Gilmore expressed confidence in Aarestrup’s ability to lead the region, stating, “Klaus has a stellar track record, and his leadership style and values align with Watlow’s culture. I am confident he will enable substantial growth and strengthen our customer relationships across Europe.”
A Unified Vision for Global Growth
The appointments of Shiyi Zhou and Klaus Aarestrup highlight Watlow’s commitment to strengthening its presence in key global markets. Both leaders will collaborate closely with Watlow’s executive team to ensure alignment with the company’s strategic goals and to enhance customer satisfaction through innovative, region-specific solutions.
“These roles are vital to our vision of global growth,” Gilmore concluded. “With Shiyi and Klaus at the helm in Asia and Europe, we are poised to achieve greater success and build lasting partnerships with our customers worldwide.”