Ziehl-Abegg, Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Manufacturing has long been considered a male-dominated industry. At Ziehl-Abegg, that perception is changing. Five women at the company’s North American headquarters are not only thriving in their careers, but also reshaping what leadership, expertise, and growth look like in modern manufacturing. “We’re committed to building an inclusive environment where women thrive in manufacturing roles,” said Carmen Deese, Vice President of Human Resources, adding “These women represent the future of our industry — resilient, innovative, and dedicated to excellence.” For some, like Kristyn Belcher, a decade-long career began unexpectedly. With no prior exposure to manufacturing, she discovered her passion for quality through service and repair. Presently, she leads quality systems and supplier audits, and has contributed to all critical component localization projects in North America. Her advice for others: “Don’t let your fears become your setbacks.” Impact over decades Others have built their impact over decades. Mary Jane Beavers was among Ziehl-Abegg’s first U.S. employees. Now, with more than 15 years of service, she manages millions in global financial operations each week.  “Be humble, work hard, and always smile,” she says, reflecting on the lessons that carried her from a start-up-sized company of eight employees to one that now exceeds 400. Amanda Periman, Quality Manager, has driven growth and transformation in Ziehl-Abegg’s quality systems. She has grown her team, introduced new inspection processes, and helped the company achieve ISO 3834 certification. She thrives on continuous improvement and ensuring that customers receive the highest quality products. Her encouragement for women in the field: “Be confident — don’t let others convince you that you are not capable.” Shift to manufacturing Some found manufacturing after starting in entirely different industries. Eden Gauss, once a licensed pharmacy operations manager, made the leap in 2022. Within two years, she was promoted to Senior Service Administrator, a role she sees as proof of what’s possible when companies value diverse experiences. “Don’t disqualify yourself — if you’re willing to learn, take the leap,” she advises. Meanwhile, Cheryl Heppner Francis shows how quickly growth can happen. In just three years she advanced from an entry-level role to leading her line team in assembly. For her, manufacturing is about proving ability: “Recognition should always be based on merit, not gender.” Together, these women demonstrate the breadth of opportunity within manufacturing — from finance and service to quality and production leadership. Diversity of the world “Manufacturing is at its best when it reflects the diversity of the world around us,” said Joachim Ley, CEO of Ziehl-Abegg Group, adding “These women not only contribute technical expertise and leadership but also inspire the next generation to see a place for themselves in our industry.” Ziehl-Abegg hopes their stories will encourage more women to explore careers in manufacturing — an industry filled with challenges, creativity, and the chance to shape the future.

This National Manufacturing Day, Ziehl-Abegg, Inc. proudly celebrates the skilled, passionate individuals who bring innovation to life every day on the factory floor. From machinists and engineers to production leads and apprentices, the Winston-Salem team has played a pivotal role in making 2025 the company’s strongest year yet, hiring 178 manufacturing jobs, earning multiple global sales awards, and achieving record-breaking growth month after month. Ziehl-Abegg’s North American headquarters That future is taking shape inside Ziehl-Abegg’s North American headquarters in Winston-Salem “Our manufacturing team’s precision and dedication are what set Ziehl-Abegg apart,” said Joachim Ley, CEO, adding “They’re not just building fans, they’re building the future of our industry.” That future is taking shape inside Ziehl-Abegg’s North American headquarters in Winston-Salem, which opened in 2024 and was recognized as NAIOP NC’s 2024 Industrial Project of the Year. More than just a facility, the 522,000-square-foot site exemplifies what’s possible when advanced production capabilities, local talent, and a dedicated R&D department unite under one roof. But it’s the people inside who make it truly exceptional. Ziehl-Abegg’s investment in North Carolina “We’re proud to support skilled trades and create meaningful career paths in manufacturing,” said Jimmy Mitchell, Managing Director, adding “Whether someone is just starting out or leading a team, we emphasize training, mentorship, and long-term growth.” Ziehl-Abegg’s investment in North Carolina goes far beyond bricks and mortar. With 178 new manufacturing hires in 2025 alone, the company is strengthening the state’s economy by creating stable, high-quality careers that offer more than just a paycheck. These roles include benefits, advancement opportunities, and access to technical training that helps employees build lifelong careers, not just jobs. Strong partnerships with local community colleges This approach helps ensure that innovation, opportunity, and economic growth remain rooted in the local community Through strong partnerships with local community colleges and apprenticeship programs like GAP, LEAP, and FAME, Ziehl-Abegg is building a pipeline of skilled talent right here in North Carolina. This approach helps ensure that innovation, opportunity, and economic growth remain rooted in the local community. “We’re not just building products here,” said Jimmy Mitchell, adding “We’re building futures, for our team members and for our community.” National Manufacturing Day National Manufacturing Day is a time to recognize these efforts and the hands behind every fan that leaves Ziehl-Abegg’s Winston-Salem facility. “It’s our people who make innovation possible,” stated Joachim Ley, adding “And today, we celebrate them.”

As summer heat intensifies and HVAC systems operate under maximum load, Ziehl-Abegg Inc. is spotlighting its line of advanced retrofit solutions—engineered to improve performance, reduce energy consumption, and extend the life of existing systems without the cost, disruption, or downtime of a full replacement. With utility rates rising and building systems aging, Ziehl-Abegg’s retrofit approach offers a smarter, more strategic path to summer efficiency. Ziehl-Abegg retrofit fans Ziehl-Abegg retrofit fans are ideal for high-demand applications such as data centers, healthcare facilities Ziehl-Abegg retrofit fans are ideal for high-demand applications such as data centers, healthcare facilities, educational buildings, office spaces, shopping centers, and industrial factories, where uninterrupted airflow and temperature control are mission-critical. These installations benefit significantly from Ziehl-Abegg’s ability to tailor each retrofit solution to match the system’s operating conditions, performance goals, and infrastructure limitations. Retrofit solutions “Our retrofit solutions deliver measurable value—energy savings, lower operating costs, and system stability—all without replacing an entire unit,” said Florian Braun, Managing Director of Ziehl-Abegg Inc. “Customers are looking for smarter, faster ways to meet performance and sustainability demands. We provide exactly that—efficient solutions that integrate seamlessly into what they already have.” Ziehl-Abegg’s retrofit program Ziehl-Abegg can design retrofit configurations that ensure systems remain fully operational What makes Ziehl-Abegg’s retrofit program unique is the level of customization offered. Each project begins with a system assessment by one of their experts, who evaluate airflow requirements, system redundancy needs, control compatibility, and existing fan layouts. From there, Ziehl-Abegg engineers select or configure fans to meet those exact demands. For customers requiring N-1 redundancy—a critical design standard in mission-critical systems—Ziehl-Abegg can design retrofit configurations that ensure systems remain fully operational even if one component fails. N-1 redundancy and tailoring solution “Retrofit isn’t just about energy efficiency—it’s about resilience,” said Jimmy Mitchell, Managing Director of Ziehl-Abegg Inc. “By building in N-1 redundancy and tailoring every solution, we’re giving customers peace of mind during peak seasons. Our team works to make sure these upgrades aren’t just technically sound, but also practical, fast to install, and fully supported.” Energy standards and regulatory goals Ziehl-Abegg fans are designed for drop-in compatibility, reducing installation complexity and enabling upgrades without shutting down entire systems. These fans are equipped with high-efficiency EC motors, operate at low noise levels, and offer smart control integration, making them a future-proof choice for customers who want to align with energy standards and regulatory goals. Maximum ROI and long-term value Beyond equipment, Ziehl-Abegg offers comprehensive support throughout the retrofit process Beyond equipment, Ziehl-Abegg offers comprehensive support throughout the retrofit process. This includes airflow analysis, product selection, delivery coordination, and post-installation support—ensuring each project delivers maximum ROI and long-term value. Customers across North America benefit from the company’s new Winston-Salem headquarters, which includes in-house testing capabilities and dedicated customer service to support every retrofit installation. How a retrofit solution can improve cooling capacity Retrofit also supports broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. By optimizing instead of replacing systems, customers reduce waste, minimize carbon impact, and get more from their existing assets—an ideal solution for sustainability-focused operations with budget or space limitations. This summer, Ziehl-Abegg invites facility managers, HVAC contractors, and building engineers to explore how a retrofit solution can improve cooling capacity, reduce energy strain, and extend system reliability.

As energy costs rise and environmental concerns grow, government incentives make energy-efficient HVAC systems (especially heat pumps) more affordable for homeowners and businesses. Government grants and rebates are acting as a powerful catalyst by making advanced technologies more accessible and affordable for a wide range of consumers. While federal tax credits for HVAC are expiring at the end of 2025, some federal rebate programs and various state/local incentives may continue. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How are government grants and/or rebates impacting the HVAC market?

As the skilled workforce retires, college costs rise, and demand grows for hands-on careers, there has never been a better time for apprenticeships in industries like HVAC. As more people seek alternatives to traditional four-year degrees, vocational training offers a faster, more affordable path to meaningful work, and apprenticeships can play an important role. Apprenticeships come in many different forms, but all programs strive to build knowledge and skillsets for employees. Apprenticeships provide a long-term solution to labor shortages by developing a workforce that is trained, engaged, and aligned with industry needs. Ziehl-Abegg apprenticeship program The success of the Ziehl-Abegg training program suggests options to embrace a similar approach In the HVAC market, fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg offers an apprenticeship program that is a structured, rotational experience designed to prepare individuals for long-term careers in ventilation and advanced manufacturing. The success of the Ziehl-Abegg apprenticeship program suggests opportunities to embrace a similar approach throughout the HVAC industry. At Ziehl-Abegg, apprentices receive hands-on training across core business functions, including engineering, operations, sales, logistics, and assembly. The immersive approach ensures they not only develop technical skills but also understand how departments work together. Benefit from apprenticeships “The program strengthens retention, builds internal expertise, and aligns with our long-term growth goals,” says Layel Burton, Ziehl-Abegg’s Apprenticeship Coordinator. “By training apprentices in-house, we cultivate a workforce deeply familiar with our products, systems, and culture — creating highly capable employees who can grow with us as we expand our North American operations.” Businesses benefit from apprenticeships by gaining talent trained to meet specific needs, while communities gain a more resilient workforce. At Ziehl-Abegg, apprenticeships have helped to bridge labor gaps and to scale with confidence. With proper investment, apprenticeships can reduce unemployment, drive innovation, and help rebalance the economy by elevating careers that are essential but often underrecognized. Front lines of HVAC performance Contractors should understand how a fan or system was designed and tested at the manufacturing level Installers and contractors are on the front lines of HVAC performance, and well-structured apprenticeships can give them the technical depth and context needed to excel. When contractors understand how a fan or system was designed and tested at the manufacturing level, they are better equipped to install and troubleshoot it correctly, Burton contends.  “Our apprenticeship program teaches the ‘why’ behind the ‘how,’ which is something the entire HVAC chain can benefit from,” says Burton. “Manufacturers, service companies, and distributors alike should invest in mentoring programs to create field professionals who are not only capable but confident and connected to the bigger picture.” Skilled roles in ventilation and advanced manufacturing The Ziehl-Abegg program exposes apprentices to every major department — from engineering and logistics to quality and production. This cross-functional experience prepares them to step into skilled roles in both ventilation and advanced manufacturing. “Apprentices graduate not only with technical skills but also a deep understanding of our business, making them agile, dependable team members who are ready to support growth in the HVAC sector,” says Burton. Apprentice programs offer a range of benefits at any level of the HVAC supply chain. Structured partnerships Structured alliances among schools, firms, and rules ensure even training and smooth workforce entry Ziehl-Abegg is a German company, and in Europe, apprenticeships are deeply embedded in the education system and viewed as a respected career path—not an alternative to college, but a parallel track. Structured partnerships among schools, businesses, and government ensure consistent training and smooth workforce entry. In the U.S., apprenticeships are gaining momentum, but still lack the widespread infrastructure and cultural normalization seen in Europe. “At Ziehl-Abegg, with roots in Germany, we have adapted that model to our North American operations,” says Burton. “The U.S. can learn from Europe’s commitment to workforce alignment by promoting apprenticeships early, building stronger industry-education pipelines, and removing the stigma from vocational training.” Proficiency, thinking, and collaboration skills How can a company find great apprentice candidates? “A good apprentice brings curiosity, reliability, and a willingness to learn,” says Burton. “At Ziehl-Abegg, we look for individuals who show interest in hands-on work, ask questions, communicate well, and have a strong work ethic.” While technical knowledge is helpful, attitude and drive matter more, he notes. “Our program helps build confidence and competence by exposing apprentices to real responsibilities and rotating them through engineering, production, and logistics.” This experience develops technical proficiency, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. Apprentices leave the program not only prepared to take on a skilled role—but also with the mindset to grow into future pioneers. Aptitude and ambition to learn Baxley was a good match for the program because he had the aptitude and ambition to learn and work Joshua Baxley, Ziehl-Abegg Technical Sales Rep, Global Key Accounts, was an apprentice before joining the team full time. “I was drawn to apprenticeships because I was uncertain of what I wanted to do with my career,” says Baxley. “The apprenticeship program with Ziehl-Abegg provided an excellent opportunity to discover what type of career and profession I wanted to pursue by providing me the opportunity to work in all the departments at the company while paying for my education.” Baxley was a good match for the program because he had the aptitude and ambition to learn and work hard each day. These attributes helped him become knowledgeable of the company and the products as well as building strong relationships with colleagues. Four years of on-the-job experience The program allowed Baxley to get his foot in the door and gave him the opportunity to gain four years of on-the-job experience by the time he graduated. “All of this gave me the confidence each day to interact with customers and become well-versed in the world of engineering and sales,” he says. “The unexpected benefit I received from the program are the relationships and connections I was able to build throughout the company and the industry.”  “The apprenticeship at Ziehl-Abegg provided me with like-minded people my age that I created close friendships with while also building relationships with the people in each department I worked in,” says Baxley. “I highly suggest anyone to join apprenticeships if they have any uncertainty on their career path or if they can find an apprenticeship that matches their career choice and interest.”