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Who Is New Johnson Controls CEO Joakim Weidemanis? 8 Things for Smart Building Channel Partners to Know

February 5, 2025 by Joe Panettieri

Johnson Controls, a provider of smart building technology and software, has hired Joakim Weidemanis to succeed George Oliver as CEO, effective March 12, 2025. But who is Weidemanis, and what does the Johnson Controls CEO transition mean for sustainable IT service providers and smart building channel partners?

Joakim-Weidemanis
Joakim Weidemanis is set to become Johnson Controls CEO in March 2025

Here are eight things to know about the CEO transition, and the associated business focus for channel partners:

1. CEO Search: Johnson Controls launched a CEO search in July 2024, stating that George Oliver planned to retire from his CEO post once a successor arrived.

2. Business Focus: In recent years, Oliver has sharpened the company's focus on smart commercial buildings, data centers, and associated sustainability strategies. By emphasizing "smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet," the company asserts.

3. Key Technologies: Johnson Controls develops OpenBlue, a platform that brings both IT and OT (operational technology) data together from across a building's ecosystem. Armed with that data, users can track and reduce their carbon footprints, improve energy efficiency and more, the company asserts. The strategy spans all types of buildings -- including corporate buildings, stadiums, hospitals, schools and more.

Mark-Vergnano
Mark-Vergnano will become Johnson Controls chairman in July 2025

4. Financial Performance: For fiscal Q1 of 2025:

  • Sales were $5.4 billion, up 4% from $5.2 billion in fiscal Q1 of 2024.
  • Net income was $419 million, up from $374 million in fiscal Q1 of 2024.

5. The New CEO: Weidemanis most recently was executive VP, diagnostics and China at Danaher, a global life sciences company. While there, he led a $15 billion group that spanned eight global technology businesses, Johnson Controls said. Earlier, he held key posts at Mettler Toledo and ABB.

6. The Executive Transition Plan: Weidemanis will become CEO on March 12, 2025. Oliver will remain non-executive chairman of the board until July 31, 2025. At that time, he will be succeeded as chairman by Mark P. Vergnano, who has served on the board since 2016. Oliver will remain as an advisor to the Company until Dec. 31, 2025, to "provide ongoing support and ensure a smooth leadership transition."

Johnson-Controls-CEO-George-Oliver
George Oliver remains non-executive chairman until July 31, 2025

7. Recent Business Moves: Over the past year or so, the company has taken several steps to reinforce its focus on smart commercial buildings and sustainability. Example moves include:

8. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, Jürgen Tinggren, lead independent director of the Johnson Controls board, said: "The Board identified Joakim as uniquely suited to lead Johnson Controls during its next chapter of growth as a pure-play provider of comprehensive solutions for commercial buildings. Joakim's approach to leading service-oriented businesses aligns well with both the Johnson Controls approach and our end-to-end operating model. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated remarkable ability as an operator of large global businesses, scaling both organically and inorganically, and is adept in shaping product portfolios and leveraging technology to deliver best-in-class financial performance."

Jürgen Tinggren, lead independent director, Johnson Controls board

Tinggren continued, "As we have made substantial progress in our transformation, George has set the stage for Johnson Controls to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. On behalf of the Johnson Controls Board, we thank him for his remarkable leadership over the last eight years."

Added Weidemanis: "As I come to know Johnson Controls, I am energized by its mission-driven culture and strong 140-year legacy of developing market-leading technology and solutions that enable customers to manage their facilities in a smarter, more sustainable and more productive way. I am deeply passionate about leading global technology-driven businesses that help customers advance their goals and make a meaningful, positive impact on society. I look forward to leveraging my experience and the foundation George and the team have built to deliver on the company's full potential for customers, employees and shareholders."

Concluded Oliver: "Joakim is the ideal person to lead Johnson Controls as CEO. The efforts we have made over the past eight years have transformed Johnson Controls into a simpler, more profitable and faster growing Company better able to deliver on our financial and operational objectives. As we build on the momentum from fiscal 2024, I look forward to working with Joakim and the team to ensure a smooth leadership transition and a promising future for Johnson Controls."

Johnson Controls: Next Smart Building, Sustainability Business Moves

So where is Johnson Controls heading next? The company is set to participate in these events over the next few months. Stay tuned for updates.

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