Houston-based Pentair Ltd. appointed Alok Maskara president of its Thermal Management business unit. Pentair’s Thermal Management business designs and integrates optimized heat-management systems in heat tracing, floor heating, snow melting and de-icing, temperature measurement, specialty wiring and leak detection systems.

At Conair Group, Cranberry Township, Pa., Raymond Kelly was named vice president, engineering, and Michael Wagner was named vice president, aftermarket sales and service. Kelly will be responsible for providing unified direction for Conair’s core engineering groups in Cranberry Township and Franklin, Pa., and its downstream extrusion operations in Pinconning, Mich. Wagner will fill a newly created role that brings together aftermarket sales and service functions.and integrates optimized heat-management systems in heat tracing, floor heating, snow melting and de-icing, temperature measurement, specialty wiring and leak detection systems.

Vulcan Electric Co., Porter, Maine, hired b as vice president of sales, where he will be responsible for sales channel development, business growth and sales team leadership.

Valin Corp., San Jose, Calif., named Precision Sensors, a unit of United Electricbased in Milford, Conn., recipient of its inaugural supplier award. Valin’s Supplier of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding performance of product manufacturers for automation, fluid management, precision measurement, filtration and process heating. Other special recognitions were awarded to Bosch Rexroth for its marketing leadership; Pittsburgh-based Chromalox for its training leadership; Omron for its engineering support leadership and Intelligent Actuator (IAI) for its outstanding partner support. Awards were given out at Valin’s award ceremony on March 7.

In conjunction with its global website, Tranter North America has added a regional site to provide a more tailored experience for its North American customers. According to the Wichita Falls, Texas-based heat exchanger maker, the information on its current and future regional sites will be tailored to the specific region, including any geographically driven products or services. Learn more at www.tranter.com.

A bill in the Ohio General Assembly proposes to revise the licensed operator requirement for gaseous fuel and fuel-oil-fired boilers, reports Cleveland-based CEC Combustion Safety. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/WRBDGJ.

Cincinnati-based CECO Environmental Corp. received orders totaling $11.4 million for its air pollution control technology. The company will deliver the systems to the refinery, automotive, utility and large industry sectors in United States, China, France, Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.

• In other company news, CECO acquired Aarding Thermal Acoustics B.V., headquartered in The Netherlands, a manufacturer of gas turbine engineered exhaust systems and silencing products focused on the natural gas, power and petrochemical industries. Aarding’s principals, Martin Pranger and Norbert Pieterse, will continue in their roles as president and vice president, respectively.

A brochure from Spirax Sarco, Blythewood, S.C., describes its line of steam safety valves, which are designed to protect against excess pressure in industrial processes. Its valves, which are suited for use with steam, gases, air and liquids, are approved by National Board ASME Section I and VIII standards. To download a PDF copy of the brochure, visit http://bit.ly/15xy2gS.

Cober Inc., a manufacturer of industrial microwave heating systems, relocated to a new facility at 30 Moffitt St. in Stratford, Conn. The new location includes a machine and sheet metal shop, production area and dedicated microwave testing and quality laboratory.

Endress+Hauser Inc., Greenwood, Ind., signed Houston-based Vector Controls and Automation Group as its sales representative servicing Texas, Oklahoma and portions of New Mexico and Arkansas.

Houston-based Shell awarded a five-year enterprise framework agreement to John Crane, Morton Grove, Ill., to supply products and services for Shell’s upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas operations worldwide. Under the global agreement, John Crane will be a key supplier of mechanical seals and seal support systems used for new projects and associated aftermarket services in existing facilities. Additional products that may come under the agreement include couplings, bearings and specialty filters.

A manufacturer of compressors, liquid ring pumps and blowers,Gardner Denver Inc., Wayne, Pa., has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., New York, whereby KKR will acquire all outstanding shares of Gardner Denver common stock in a transaction valued at approximately $3.9 billion, including the assumption of debt. The merger is subject to approval from Gardner Denver’s shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Curtiss-Wright Corp., Parsippany, N.J. has completed its acquisition of Phonix Holding GmbH, Volkmarsen, Germany, for approximately $108 million in cash. Phonix, which manufactures severe-service valves, valve systems and related services to the global chemical, petrochemical and power markets, will operate within Curtiss-Wright’s Flow Control segment.

Sasol North America Inc. selected the Unipol PE Process from Houston-based Univation Technologies LLC for its petrochemical project at Sasol’s Lake Charles, La.-based site. The 450 kta LL/HD swing polyethylene plant will be capable of producing a broad product portfolio. This will be the second Unipol PE Process plant for Sasol and its affiliates. The first one has been in operation in Sasolburg, South Africa, since 1983.

Scott Sutter joined Transcat Inc., Rochester, N.Y., as vice president of strategic business development.

Herding LLC, Waterford, Mich., a manufacturer of filtration technology and products, expanded its engineering staff by four to work with its North American clients.

 Wall Colmonoy’s European headquarters in Pontardawe, Wales, reached a distributor partnership agreement with Metaglobal Ld^a to sell surfacing and brazing products and castings to the Iberian region. Metaglobal Ld^a has two facilities in Portugal located in Lisboa and Leiria. The agreement will strengthen Wall Colmonoy’s presence, market coverage and support to customers in the Iberian region.