Norm Gilsdorf
Partner
Norman (“Norm”) L. Gilsdorf, Partner at EMIR, is a distinguished leader in sustainability, digital transformation, operational efficiency, and productivity. With a wealth of experience, Mr. Gilsdorf provides strategic guidance to businesses navigating the dynamic intersection of sustainability and technology, enhancing operational efficiency and productivity while minimising environmental impact.
Norm currently serves as the CEO of Plant.Digital, a joint venture between Honeywell and Aramco, focused on delivering, integrating, and supporting software solutions for industrial enterprises. This groundbreaking venture, announced in early 2023, commences operations in August 2023, headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Prior to his current role, Norm held the prestigious position of President and CEO for Honeywell Middle East, Russia, Turkey, ASEAN, Central Asia, and Customs Union. Earlier in his career, he served as the global President for Honeywell Process Solutions, a pioneer in automation control, software solutions, instrumentation, and services for industrial process manufacturers. Preceding these roles, Norm was the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Process Licensing with Honeywell UOP, the leading international supplier and technology licensor for petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical production, and manufacturing industries.
Norm embarked on his career journey in 1977 as a pilot plant engineer with UOP, now wholly owned by Honeywell, where he progressed through various roles to attain several senior executive positions. Notably, he spent eight years expanding the business in Russia, contributing significantly to the company’s growth.
Throughout his extensive tenure with Honeywell, Norm played a pivotal role in seizing new opportunities in emerging markets. He rapidly established Honeywell as an innovative leader with technologies and solutions that empower industries to overcome challenges and succeed. Regarded as a thought leader, Norm is a highly respected commentator and sought-after speaker. His expertise encompasses innovation strategies supporting industrial growth in a post-COVID environment, including those facilitating digitalisation (IoT 4.0), remote operations, creating new revenue streams, promoting healthy buildings, and ensuring employees’ and customers’ health, safety, and well-being. Norm frequently engages as a speaker and thought leader in leveraging AI, machine learning, and IoT 4.0 to drive safety, productivity, and efficiency improvements in industrial enterprises.
He earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, USA, and received recognition in 2010 as a Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient from both the Purdue School of Engineering and the School of Chemical Engineering. Norm holds patents in the field of oil refining, accredited by the US Patents and Trademarks Office. In 2011, he was inducted into the Purdue Co-Op Hall of Fame. Additionally, he holds an MBA with the highest honours in International Business and Finance from Northwestern University, USA. In 2019, Norm received the esteemed “Innovator of the Year” accolade at the Middle East Energy Awards. Forbes consistently recognises him as one of the most influential executives in the Middle East region.