Release Details

DALLAS, July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) announced Scott J. Boxer as president and COO of Service Experts Inc., the company's $1 billion retail sales and service division. Most recently president of Lennox Industries Inc., Boxer had also been serving as interim president of Service Experts since March 24 of this year.

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Boxer joined LII in 1998 as president, European operations and was named president of Lennox Industries Inc. in July, 2000. Prior to joining LII, he spent 26 years with York International in various leadership roles including president, Unitary Products Group Worldwide. He is an executive board member of ARI (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute) and serves on the board of directors of NATE (North American Technician Excellence).

"Scott's experience in and knowledge of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry are both broad and deep," said Bob Schjerven, chief executive officer. "His leadership style has developed one of the strongest teams ever to lead Lennox Industries, a team whose successes include company-wide process improvements, implementation of lean manufacturing practices, successful cost-out initiatives, and integrated branding of the innovative Lennox product line. His proven track record of bottom-line success, coupled with his team-building skill, makes him an outstanding fit to lead North America's largest HVAC retail sales and service organization and realize its full potential."

Two other important organizational changes follow Boxer's assumption of the Service Experts leadership role. Robert J. McDonough was named president and COO, Worldwide Heating and Cooling, encompassing LII's Lennox Industries and North American Distributed Products (NADP) divisions as well as European heating and cooling operations. McDonough most recently served LII as president, Worldwide Refrigeration.

In addition, Michael G. Schwartz was named president and COO, Worldwide Refrigeration, replacing McDonough. Schwartz most recently served the company as president, North American Distributed Products.

"While president of our refrigeration segment, Bob McDonough acquired extensive experience in driving synergies across diverse business units, resulting in increased market share and EBIT margins in the mid-teens in the domestic market as well as growth in the international market," Schjerven said. "It is this experience, combined with his proven business skills, that will help us align our heating and cooling leadership to better position us for accelerated market penetration.

"As NADP president, Mike Schwartz's success in building regional brands into national brands, plus his record of successful integration of acquired and green field businesses, will prove to be a significant advantage as he takes over leadership of our efforts in the international refrigeration markets. Our focus in the refrigeration market is growth and Mike is well- qualified to lead that effort."

Schjerven pointed out the alignment of the Lennox Industries and North American Distributed Products leadership under McDonough is a continued refinement of LII's previously stated focus on their three core business segments: Heating and Cooling, Refrigeration, and Service Experts.

"As a result of these changes we have streamlined reporting for all three of our core business segments, with skilled, experienced leaders in charge of each segment," Schjerven said. "Our deep experience, well-established distribution channels, and widely recognized and respected brand names across all three of these related industries will position us well for continued improvement and growth."

A Fortune 500 company operating in over 100 countries, Lennox International Inc. is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII". Additional information is available at: http://www.lennoxinternational.com or by contacting Karen O'Shea, vice president, communications and public relations, at 972-497-5172.

SOURCE Lennox International Inc.