Sami Piirainen, currently heading the Marine, Energy, and Infrastructure division, will move to lead Foodservice, the company’s largest business unit, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of Halton’s revenue in 2024. With more than 20 years at Halton, Piirainen brings extensive technical and managerial experience. He succeeds Georges Gaspar, who passed away in June 2025 after leading Halton Foodservice globally since 2008.
“With a strategy fresh from the oven, Foodservice is aiming for 75 percent growth in net sales by 2030 and to strengthen its position as global leader in professional kitchen ventilation. We will, for example, scale up our maintenance service business, establish new factories, and double sales in the Middle East and Asia. I’m honoured to lead this unique journey,” says Sami Piirainen.
Foodservice is the largest of Halton’s four business units, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the group’s revenue in 2024.
Shuresh Maran, who has served as Global Sales Director of Marine, Energy, and Infrastructure, will now lead this strategic business area. He has overseen Halton’s expansion into heavy industry applications and emphasized the division’s role in supporting critical built environments.
“We serve the most critical built environments where lives and billions in assets depend on our ventilation solutions. Doubling our revenue by 2030, we are not just riding the green transition wave – we are helping to create it,” says Shuresh Maran.
Halton CEO Kai Konola highlighted the importance of the appointments in executing the company’s strategy, introduced in September 2025: “Sami and Shuresh are exceptional leaders driven by passion for technology and sustainability. These appointments reflect our commitment to ambitious growth and innovation in our two largest business units.”
During the transition, Konola will oversee Foodservice until Piirainen assumes the role in January. Both Piirainen and Maran will join the Halton Group Executive Team and report directly to the CEO.
The appointments are expected to strengthen Halton’s capacity to expand globally, with a focus on sustainability and technological innovation across its operations.
Tags: Kai Konola, Halton Group, Sami Piirainen, Shuresh Maran
