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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name        = Vimal Kapur
| name        = Vimal Kapur
| image        = Vimal Kapur (born 1965) at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025.png
| birth_date  = {{birth year and age|1965}}
| caption      = At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2025
| birth_date  = {{Birth year and age|1965}}
| birth_place  = India
| birth_place  = India
| nationality  = American, Indian
| nationality  = American
| education    = [[Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology]]
| education    = [[Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology]]
| occupation  = Business executive
| occupation  = Business executive
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}}
}}


'''Vimal Kapur''' (born 1965) is an Indian-American business executive who serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of [[Honeywell|Honeywell International]], one of the largest multinational conglomerates in the United States.<ref name="honeywell">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur – Leadership |url=https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/leadership/vimal-kapur |publisher=Honeywell |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He assumed the role of CEO in June 2023, succeeding [[Darius Adamczyk]], after more than three decades with the company.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |title=Honeywell (HON) Appoints 34-Year Veteran |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/honeywell-hon-appoints-34-veteran-150703892.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Kapur's career at Honeywell began as a sales manager in India, and he rose through the ranks by leading several of the company's major business segments, including Honeywell Process Solutions and Honeywell Building Technologies, before being elevated to the top executive position.<ref name="forbes-video">{{cite news |date=2025-12-03 |title=From Sales Manager To CEO, Honeywell's Vimal Kapur Talks Career And Historic Company Split |url=https://www.forbes.com/video/919ea638-3ccb-45db-9ac1-1167d674fe79/from-sales-manager-to-ceo-honeywells-vimal-kapur-talks-career-and-historic-company-split/ |work=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As Chairman and CEO, Kapur has overseen significant strategic initiatives including a historic restructuring of Honeywell's business portfolio, investments in quantum computing through the company's subsidiary Quantinuum, and a focus on integrating artificial intelligence across industrial applications.<ref name="time-ai">{{cite news |date=2026-01-01 |title=The Physical AI Revolution Rewiring the Global Economy |url=https://time.com/7347210/physical-ai-revolution-rewiring-global-economy/ |work=Time Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His ascent to the helm of a Fortune 500 company from a starting position as a sales manager in India has been noted as part of a broader trend of Indian-origin executives leading major American corporations.<ref name="globalindian">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Appointed CEO of Honeywell |url=https://www.globalindian.com/story/global-indian-exclusive/vimal-kapur-appointed-ceo-of-honeywell/ |publisher=Global Indian |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Vimal Kapur''' (born 1965) is an Indian-American business executive who serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of [[Honeywell|Honeywell International]], a multinational conglomerate headquartered in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. Kapur assumed the role of CEO in June 2023, succeeding [[Darius Adamczyk]], after a career spanning more than three decades within the company.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |title=Honeywell (HON) Appoints 34-Year Veteran Vimal Kapur as CEO |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/honeywell-hon-appoints-34-veteran-150703892.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Born in India, Kapur began his career at Honeywell as a sales manager and rose through a succession of increasingly senior leadership positions across the company's global operations, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of one of the world's largest industrial conglomerates.<ref name="forbes-video">{{cite news |date=2025-12-03 |title=From Sales Manager To CEO, Honeywell's Vimal Kapur Talks Career And Historic Company Split |url=https://www.forbes.com/video/919ea638-3ccb-45db-9ac1-1167d674fe79/from-sales-manager-to-ceo-honeywells-vimal-kapur-talks-career-and-historic-company-split/ |work=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As Chairman and CEO, Kapur has focused the company's strategic direction on areas including automation, aerospace, energy transition, and the integration of artificial intelligence into industrial processes.<ref name="time-ai">{{cite news |date=2026-01-01 |title=The Physical AI Revolution Rewiring the Global Economy |url=https://time.com/7347210/physical-ai-revolution-rewiring-global-economy/ |work=Time |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His appointment was noted as part of a broader trend of Indian-origin executives ascending to leadership roles at major American corporations.<ref name="globalindian">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Appointed CEO of Honeywell |url=https://www.globalindian.com/story/global-indian-exclusive/vimal-kapur-appointed-ceo-of-honeywell/ |publisher=Global Indian |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Vimal Kapur was born in 1965 in India.<ref name="globalindian" /> Details about his family background and childhood are not widely documented in public sources. He grew up in India and pursued his higher education there before beginning his professional career.<ref name="sakshi">{{cite web |title=Indian-origin Vimal Kapur New CEO of Honeywell |url=https://www.sakshipost.com/news/technology/indian-origin-vimal-kapur-new-ceo-honeywell |publisher=Sakshi Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Vimal Kapur was born in 1965 in India.<ref name="globalindian" /> Details about his family background and childhood have not been extensively documented in public sources. Kapur has spoken in interviews about his origins in India and the trajectory that brought him from the country's business environment to the executive suites of a Fortune 100 American corporation.<ref name="forbes-video" />


Kapur's early years in India shaped the trajectory of a career that would eventually place him at the helm of one of America's most prominent industrial conglomerates. His journey from India to the leadership of Honeywell International has been highlighted in media coverage as an example of the significant contributions of Indian-origin professionals in the global business landscape.<ref name="darpan">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Becomes CEO of US-Based Honeywell as Indian-Origin Glory Continues |url=https://www.darpanmagazine.com/people/globalindians/vimal-kapur-becomes-ceo-of-usbased-honeywell-as-indianorigin-glory-continues/ |publisher=Darpan Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Kapur's early career began in India, where he worked as a sales manager before joining Honeywell.<ref name="forbes-video" /> His rise from an entry-level sales position in India to the CEO office of a major multinational has been cited as an example of upward mobility within large corporate organizations. In a December 2025 interview with Forbes, Kapur discussed his career journey from sales manager in India to the top of one of America's largest industrial companies, reflecting on the experiences and lessons that shaped his leadership approach over more than three decades at Honeywell.<ref name="forbes-video" />
 
His Indian heritage and the path he followed to become the leader of a storied American conglomerate were highlighted by several publications upon his appointment as CEO. The appointment was covered by outlets including Global Indian, Sakshi Post, and Darpan Magazine, which noted Kapur's ascent as part of a continuing pattern of Indian-origin professionals reaching the highest levels of corporate leadership in the United States.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="sakshi">{{cite web |title=Indian-origin Vimal Kapur New CEO of Honeywell |url=https://www.sakshipost.com/news/technology/indian-origin-vimal-kapur-new-ceo-honeywell |publisher=Sakshi Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="darpan">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Becomes CEO of US-Based Honeywell as Indian-Origin Glory Continues |url=https://www.darpanmagazine.com/people/globalindians/vimal-kapur-becomes-ceo-of-usbased-honeywell-as-indianorigin-glory-continues/ |publisher=Darpan Magazine |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Education ==
== Education ==


Kapur attended the [[Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology]] (formerly Thapar University) in Patiala, Punjab, India, where he studied engineering.<ref name="thapar">{{cite web |title=Alumni Achievement |url=https://www.thapar.edu/aboutus/newspage/alumni-achievement |publisher=Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The institution has recognized Kapur as a notable alumnus, listing him among its distinguished graduates who have achieved prominence in their respective fields.<ref name="thapar" /> His engineering background provided the technical foundation for his career in industrial technology and automation, areas central to Honeywell's business operations.
Kapur received his education at the [[Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology]], an engineering institution located in [[Patiala]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India.<ref name="thapar">{{cite web |title=Alumni Achievement |url=https://www.thapar.edu/aboutus/newspage/alumni-achievement |publisher=Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The institute recognized Kapur as a notable alumnus following his rise to the top of Honeywell, listing him among its distinguished graduates.<ref name="thapar" /> Thapar Institute, established in 1956, is a private engineering university that has produced graduates across multiple sectors of industry and technology. Kapur's engineering background provided the technical foundation for his career in the industrial and technology sectors at Honeywell, where he would go on to hold positions spanning process solutions, automation, and connected enterprise technologies.<ref name="honeywell-bio">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur — Leadership |url=https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/leadership/vimal-kapur |publisher=Honeywell |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Career at Honeywell ===
=== Early Career at Honeywell ===


Kapur joined Honeywell in the late 1980s, beginning his career as a sales manager in India.<ref name="forbes-video" /><ref name="yahoo" /> Over the course of more than three decades, he held a succession of leadership positions within the company, progressively taking on greater responsibility across multiple business units and geographies. His long tenure with a single organization is notable in an era when corporate executives frequently move between companies; Kapur built his entire executive career within Honeywell's ecosystem of industrial technologies and automation businesses.<ref name="yahoo" />
Kapur joined Honeywell in the late 1980s, beginning a tenure that would span more than three decades before his elevation to CEO.<ref name="yahoo" /> He started as a sales manager in India, a role that exposed him to the operational and commercial fundamentals of the company's business.<ref name="forbes-video" /> Over the following years, Kapur advanced through multiple roles within the organization, gaining experience across different business segments and geographies. His career progression encompassed positions of increasing responsibility within Honeywell's diverse portfolio of industrial and technology businesses.<ref name="honeywell-bio" />
 
=== Leadership in Honeywell Process Solutions ===
 
In 2014, Honeywell named Kapur as president of Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS), a business unit within the company's Performance Materials and Technologies segment.<ref name="automation">{{cite news |title=Honeywell Names Vimal Kapur President of Honeywell Process Solutions |url=https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/2014-1/honeywell-names-vimal-kapur-president-of-honeywell |work=Automation.com |date=2014 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Honeywell Process Solutions provides automation and control technologies, instrumentation, and related services to the oil and gas, refining, chemical, and other process industries. In this role, Kapur was responsible for overseeing the business unit's global operations, product development, and customer relationships across the process industries sector.<ref name="automation" />


=== President of Honeywell Process Solutions ===
The HPS presidency was a significant role within Honeywell's organizational structure, giving Kapur oversight of a business unit that served as a core part of the company's industrial technology portfolio. The position also placed him in a visible leadership role within the broader automation and industrial technology industry.<ref name="automation" />


In 2014, Honeywell named Kapur as president of Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS), a major division of the company that provides automation and control technologies, instrumentation, and services for the oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, industrial power generation, chemicals and petrochemicals, biofuels, life sciences, and metals, minerals, and mining industries.<ref name="automation">{{cite news |title=Honeywell Names Vimal Kapur President of Honeywell Process Solutions |url=https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/2014-1/honeywell-names-vimal-kapur-president-of-honeywell |work=Automation.com |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> This appointment placed Kapur in charge of one of Honeywell's core business segments and gave him operational oversight of a global technology enterprise serving critical industries. His leadership of HPS was a significant stepping stone in his path toward the company's top executive role.<ref name="automation" />
=== President and COO of Honeywell ===


=== Leadership of Honeywell Building Technologies and Performance Materials ===
Kapur continued to rise within Honeywell's leadership ranks in the years that followed, taking on roles of increasing scope and strategic significance. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as the company's President and Chief Operating Officer, a position that placed him in direct line of succession for the top leadership role.<ref name="honeywell-bio" /> In this capacity, Kapur had broad operational oversight of Honeywell's business segments and was involved in shaping the company's strategic direction across its portfolio, which includes aerospace technologies, building technologies, performance materials, and safety and productivity solutions.<ref name="honeywell-bio" />


Following his tenure at Honeywell Process Solutions, Kapur took on leadership roles in other major divisions of the company. He served in senior positions overseeing Honeywell Building Technologies, which provides products, software, and technologies for buildings and facilities, as well as Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies.<ref name="honeywell" /> These roles broadened his portfolio of experience across the diversified conglomerate's operations, giving him exposure to sectors ranging from building management and safety systems to advanced materials and specialty chemicals.
His tenure as President and COO was viewed by industry observers as preparation for the CEO role, and his eventual appointment was described by Yahoo Finance as the elevation of a "34-year veteran" of the company.<ref name="yahoo" />


=== Appointment as CEO ===
=== CEO of Honeywell (2023–present) ===


In 2023, Honeywell's board of directors appointed Kapur as the company's Chief Executive Officer, effective June 2023.<ref name="yahoo" /> He succeeded Darius Adamczyk, who had led the company since 2017.<ref name="yahoo" /> The appointment of Kapur, a 34-year veteran of the company, signaled the board's preference for continuity and deep institutional knowledge at the helm of the industrial conglomerate.<ref name="yahoo" /> His elevation to CEO was covered by business media outlets and noted in the context of the growing number of Indian-origin executives leading major American corporations, a group that includes the CEOs of companies such as Microsoft, Alphabet, and Adobe.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="darpan" /><ref name="sakshi" />
Vimal Kapur became CEO of Honeywell International in June 2023, succeeding Darius Adamczyk, who had served as CEO since 2017.<ref name="yahoo" /><ref name="globalindian" /> Kapur subsequently also assumed the role of Chairman of the Board, holding the combined title of Chairman and CEO.<ref name="honeywell-conf">{{cite web |title=Honeywell Announces Participation at Upcoming Investor Conferences |url=https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/press/2026/02/honeywell-announces-participation-at-upcoming-investor-conferences |publisher=Honeywell |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Chairman and CEO ===
==== Strategic Direction and Portfolio Realignment ====


Kapur subsequently assumed the additional title of Chairman of the Board at Honeywell, becoming Chairman and CEO of the company.<ref name="honeywell-ir">{{cite web |title=Honeywell Announces Participation at Upcoming Investor Conferences |url=https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/press/2026/02/honeywell-announces-participation-at-upcoming-investor-conferences |publisher=Honeywell |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this dual capacity, he has led several major strategic initiatives for the conglomerate.
Under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell has pursued a significant strategic realignment of its portfolio. In a December 2025 interview with Forbes, Kapur discussed what the publication described as a "historic company split," indicating a major restructuring of Honeywell's business portfolio.<ref name="forbes-video" /> This represented one of the most consequential corporate actions in Honeywell's modern history, as the company evaluated the composition of its business segments and the optimal structure for delivering value.


==== Historic Company Restructuring ====
Kapur has articulated a strategic vision centered on several megatrends that he sees as driving long-term demand for Honeywell's products and services. These include automation, the future of aviation, energy transition, and digital transformation of industrial processes.<ref name="honeywell-bio" />


One of the most significant moves under Kapur's leadership has been a historic restructuring of Honeywell's business portfolio. In a December 2025 interview with Forbes, Kapur discussed the company's planned split, describing it as a major strategic realignment of the conglomerate's operations.<ref name="forbes-video" /> The planned separation represents one of the most substantial organizational changes in Honeywell's history, as the company moves to create more focused, independent businesses from its diversified portfolio of industrial operations. The restructuring has been framed as an effort to unlock shareholder value and allow individual business segments to operate with greater strategic focus and agility.
==== Focus on Artificial Intelligence ====


==== Artificial Intelligence and Physical AI Strategy ====
A defining theme of Kapur's tenure as CEO has been the integration of artificial intelligence into Honeywell's product offerings and operations. In a January 2026 article published in Time magazine, Kapur argued that "physical AI" — the application of artificial intelligence to the physical and industrial world — "has the potential to create a more efficient, safer, and smarter world."<ref name="time-ai" /> The article outlined Kapur's perspective on how AI could transform manufacturing, building operations, energy systems, and other domains in which Honeywell operates.


Under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell has placed significant emphasis on the integration of artificial intelligence into its industrial operations and product offerings. In a January 2026 essay published in Time magazine, Kapur argued that "physical AI" — the application of artificial intelligence to physical systems and industrial processes — "has the potential to create a more efficient, safer, and smarter world."<ref name="time-ai" /> This concept of physical AI encompasses the use of machine learning, computer vision, and other AI technologies to optimize manufacturing processes, building operations, energy management, and other industrial applications.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2026, Kapur participated in discussions about the implementation of AI in corporate settings. As reported by Axios, he was among executives who emphasized that specificity in defining AI goals within an organization can be the determining factor between success and failure of AI initiatives.<ref name="axios">{{cite news |date=2026-01-22 |title=Axios House: Specificity is key to successful AI use, executives say |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/axios-house-specificity-is-key-to-successful-ai-use-executives-say |work=Axios |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In a November 2025 op-ed published in Fortune, Kapur addressed the broader societal implications of AI and automation on the workforce, arguing that CEOs must rethink how companies prepare future workers for an AI-driven economy.<ref name="fortune-ai">{{cite news |last=Kapur |first=Vimal |date=2025-11-12 |title=AI is reimagining work. CEOs must rethink how we prepare future workers |url=https://fortune.com/2025/11/12/ai-reimagining-work-ceos-must-rethink-honeywell-vimal-kapur/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He emphasized the need for organizations to proactively address the disruption that AI and automation bring to employment patterns and skill requirements.<ref name="fortune-ai" />
In a November 2025 opinion piece published in Fortune, Kapur wrote about the implications of AI and automation for the future of work, arguing that CEOs must rethink how future workers are prepared for an economy increasingly shaped by these technologies.<ref name="fortune-ai">{{cite news |date=2025-11-12 |title=AI is reimagining work. CEOs must rethink how we prepare future workers |url=https://fortune.com/2025/11/12/ai-reimagining-work-ceos-must-rethink-honeywell-vimal-kapur/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The piece reflected Kapur's public position that the disruption caused by AI and automation requires proactive leadership and planning to ensure positive outcomes for workers and society.


At the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2026, Kapur participated in discussions about AI implementation in business. At an Axios-hosted event, he and other executives discussed the importance of specificity in defining AI goals within organizations, arguing that clearly stating the objectives of AI initiatives can be the difference between success and failure in AI adoption.<ref name="axios-davos">{{cite news |date=2026-01-22 |title=Axios House: Specificity is key to successful AI use, executives say |url=https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/axios-house-specificity-is-key-to-successful-ai-use-executives-say |work=Axios |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
==== Quantum Computing Investments ====


==== Quantum Computing Through Quantinuum ====
Under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell has continued to invest in quantum computing through its majority-owned subsidiary Quantinuum. In February 2026, Kapur noted that Quantinuum's new Helios quantum computer was "seeing strong interest" from businesses and that the company was reaching an "inflection point" as organizations began preparing for practical applications of quantum computing.<ref name="quantinuum">{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Quantinuum Helios seeing strong interest, says Honeywell CEO |url=https://www.constellationr.com/insights/news/quantinuum-helios-seeing-strong-interest-says-honeywell-ceo |work=Constellation Research |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Honeywell's quantum computing business has been a distinctive element of its portfolio, positioning the conglomerate at the intersection of industrial technology and next-generation computing.


Honeywell's investment in quantum computing through its majority-owned subsidiary Quantinuum has been another area of strategic focus under Kapur's tenure. In February 2026, Kapur noted that Quantinuum's new Helios quantum computer was seeing strong interest from businesses, describing the company as hitting an "inflection point" as enterprises prepare for practical quantum computing applications.<ref name="quantinuum">{{cite news |title=Quantinuum Helios seeing strong interest, says Honeywell CEO |url=https://www.constellationr.com/insights/news/quantinuum-helios-seeing-strong-interest-says-honeywell-ceo |work=Constellation Research |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Quantinuum, formed from the combination of Honeywell Quantum Solutions and Cambridge Quantum Computing, represents Honeywell's bet on the future of quantum computing technology and its potential applications in materials science, pharmaceuticals, finance, and other industries.
==== Aerospace and Buildings Performance ====


==== Investment in Education and Workforce Development ====
In February 2026, Kapur reported that Honeywell had not seen a "significant change" in U.S. demand trends, with particular strength in the company's aerospace and buildings technology segments.<ref name="marketbeat">{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Honeywell International CEO Sees Steady 2026 U.S. Demand as Aerospace, Buildings Stay Strong |url=https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/honeywell-international-ceo-sees-steady-2026-us-demand-as-aerospace-buildings-stay-strong-2026-02-17/ |work=MarketBeat |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> This assessment, delivered in the context of investor communications, reflected Kapur's public messaging about the stability of Honeywell's core markets heading into 2026.


In September 2025, Honeywell under Kapur's leadership announced a $10 million investment in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to transform a campus science building into the "Honeywell Innovation Hub."<ref name="unc-charlotte">{{cite news |date=2025-09-23 |title=Honeywell invests $10M in UNC Charlotte efforts |url=https://businessnc.com/honeywell-invests-10m-in-unc-charlotte-efforts/ |work=Business North Carolina |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The investment was designed to support the development of future talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, aligning with Kapur's publicly stated views on the need to prepare workers for an increasingly technology-driven economy.<ref name="unc-charlotte" /><ref name="fortune-ai" />
Kapur has represented Honeywell at multiple investor conferences during his tenure as Chairman and CEO, maintaining an active engagement with the financial community. In February 2026, Honeywell announced his participation in upcoming investor conferences, underscoring his role as the company's primary spokesperson to the investment community.<ref name="honeywell-conf" />


==== Business Performance ====
==== Educational Investments ====


In February 2026, speaking at investor conferences, Kapur reported that Honeywell had not seen a "significant change" in U.S. demand trends, with the company's aerospace and buildings segments remaining strong.<ref name="marketbeat">{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Honeywell International CEO Sees Steady 2026 U.S. Demand as Aerospace, Buildings Stay Strong |url=https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/honeywell-international-ceo-sees-steady-2026-us-demand-as-aerospace-buildings-stay-strong-2026-02-17/ |work=MarketBeat |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> As Chairman and CEO, Kapur has regularly represented the company at investor conferences and in financial media to communicate Honeywell's strategic direction and operational performance to shareholders and the investment community.<ref name="honeywell-ir" /><ref name="marketbeat" />
In September 2025, under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell announced a $10 million investment in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to transform a campus science building into the "Honeywell Innovation Hub."<ref name="unc-charlotte">{{cite news |date=2025-09-23 |title=Honeywell invests $10M in UNC Charlotte efforts |url=https://businessnc.com/honeywell-invests-10m-in-unc-charlotte-efforts/ |work=Business North Carolina |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The initiative was part of the company's broader engagement with educational institutions in Charlotte, where Honeywell relocated its global headquarters. The investment reflected Kapur's stated concern about workforce development and the need to prepare future workers for careers in technology and engineering fields.<ref name="unc-charlotte" /><ref name="fortune-ai" />


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Kapur is of Indian origin and holds American citizenship.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="darpan" /> He has maintained a relatively private personal life, with limited public information available about his family. His career trajectory from India to the leadership of a Fortune 500 company has been noted in Indian and Indian-American media as a point of community pride.<ref name="sakshi" /><ref name="darpan" />
Vimal Kapur was born in India in 1965 and later became an American citizen.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/7493557 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He is part of a cohort of Indian-born executives who have risen to lead major American corporations, a trend that has drawn attention in both Indian and American media.<ref name="sakshi" /><ref name="darpan" /> Beyond these publicly documented details, Kapur has maintained a relatively private personal life, with his public appearances and statements focused primarily on his corporate responsibilities at Honeywell.


Kapur has participated in public forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he has engaged in discussions about technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of industry.<ref name="axios-davos" /> He has also contributed opinion pieces to major publications including Fortune and Time, addressing topics such as AI's impact on the workforce and the potential of physical AI to transform industrial processes.<ref name="fortune-ai" /><ref name="time-ai" />
Kapur appeared at the [[World Economic Forum]] Annual Meeting in 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, where he participated in discussions on topics including the industrial applications of artificial intelligence and corporate strategy.<ref name="axios" /> His participation at Davos reflected his standing among global business leaders and his engagement with international policy and business forums.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Kapur's alma mater, the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, has recognized him as a notable alumnus, highlighting his achievements in the corporate world.<ref name="thapar" /> His appointment as CEO of Honeywell was covered by multiple media outlets, including Fox Business, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, and various Indian and international publications.<ref name="yahoo" /><ref name="fox">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Interview |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6327235355112 |publisher=Fox Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur Profile |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/honeywell-hon-appoints-34-veteran-150703892.html |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Kapur's appointment as CEO of Honeywell was recognized by several publications and organizations as a notable achievement. The [[Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology]] recognized him as a distinguished alumnus, highlighting his career trajectory from the institute to the leadership of a global conglomerate.<ref name="thapar" />
 
His career journey from a sales manager in India to the CEO and Chairman of Honeywell has been profiled by multiple media outlets. Forbes featured Kapur in a December 2025 video interview focused on his career path and leadership decisions, including the historic restructuring of Honeywell's business portfolio.<ref name="forbes-video" /> Time magazine published his perspective on the future of AI in the physical world, placing him among a select group of CEO voices shaping the discourse on industrial technology and its societal implications.<ref name="time-ai" /> Fortune published his views on workforce preparation in the age of AI, further establishing him as a commentator on the intersection of technology and labor market policy.<ref name="fortune-ai" />


His participation as a speaker and panelist at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in 2025 placed him among global business and political leaders discussing pressing economic and technological issues.<ref name="axios-davos" /> His opinion pieces in Time and Fortune have positioned him as a voice in ongoing discussions about AI, automation, and workforce development in American industry.<ref name="time-ai" /><ref name="fortune-ai" />
Global Indian, Sakshi Post, and Darpan Magazine all covered Kapur's appointment as part of a broader narrative about the success of Indian-origin professionals in American corporate leadership, placing him alongside other Indian-origin executives who have led Fortune 500 companies.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="sakshi" /><ref name="darpan" />


Indian-American and Indian media outlets, including Global Indian, Darpan Magazine, and Sakshi Post, have highlighted Kapur's ascent to the CEO position as part of a broader phenomenon of Indian-origin executives achieving top leadership roles at major global corporations.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="darpan" /><ref name="sakshi" />
Kapur has also been active in investor relations, representing Honeywell at industry and investor conferences, and has engaged with media outlets including Fox Business to discuss the company's performance and strategic direction.<ref name="foxbusiness">{{cite web |title=Vimal Kapur on Fox Business |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6327235355112 |publisher=Fox Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Vimal Kapur's career at Honeywell, spanning more than three decades from a sales manager position in India to the Chairman and CEO role, represents one of the most comprehensive internal ascents in the company's history.<ref name="forbes-video" /><ref name="yahoo" /> His appointment continued and reinforced the trend of Indian-origin professionals leading some of the world's largest technology and industrial companies, a development that has been widely documented in business media.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="darpan" />
As of early 2026, Kapur's tenure as CEO of Honeywell remains in its early stages, and a full assessment of his legacy is premature. However, several elements of his leadership have begun to define his impact on the company and the broader industrial technology sector.
 
The portfolio restructuring announced during his tenure, described by Forbes as a "historic company split," represents a potentially transformational moment in Honeywell's corporate history.<ref name="forbes-video" /> If executed as planned, this restructuring would reshape a conglomerate with roots stretching back more than a century, marking one of the most significant corporate reorganizations in the American industrial sector.
 
Kapur's emphasis on artificial intelligence as a core driver of Honeywell's future has positioned the company within one of the most consequential technological shifts of the early 21st century. His articulation of "physical AI" the application of AI to the physical and industrial world — has contributed to a broader public conversation about how industrial companies can leverage AI technologies beyond the digital realm.<ref name="time-ai" />


As the leader of Honeywell during a period of significant technological change, Kapur has positioned the company at the intersection of several transformative trends, including the industrial application of artificial intelligence, the development of quantum computing, and the push toward sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes.<ref name="time-ai" /><ref name="quantinuum" /> The historic restructuring of Honeywell announced under his leadership represents a defining strategic decision that will shape the company's direction for years to come.<ref name="forbes-video" />
His investment in educational initiatives, such as the $10 million Honeywell Innovation Hub at UNC Charlotte, reflects an approach to corporate leadership that extends beyond immediate shareholder returns to address longer-term challenges of workforce development and community engagement.<ref name="unc-charlotte" />


Kapur's emphasis on workforce development and education, as exemplified by the $10 million investment in UNC Charlotte and his public commentary on preparing workers for AI-driven economies, reflects an approach to corporate leadership that extends beyond immediate financial performance to address longer-term societal challenges posed by technological disruption.<ref name="unc-charlotte" /><ref name="fortune-ai" />
As an Indian-born executive leading one of America's largest and most established corporations, Kapur's career trajectory has been cited as part of the broader story of Indian-origin professionals in American corporate leadership. His path from a sales position in India to the chairmanship and CEO role at a Fortune 100 company has been documented as an example of the international character of modern American corporate leadership.<ref name="globalindian" /><ref name="darpan" />


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 04:53, 24 February 2026


Vimal Kapur
BornTemplate:Birth year and age
BirthplaceIndia
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive
TitleChairman and CEO of Honeywell International
Known forLeading Honeywell International as Chairman and CEO
EducationThapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
Website[https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/leadership/vimal-kapur Official site]

Vimal Kapur (born 1965) is an Indian-American business executive who serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell International, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kapur assumed the role of CEO in June 2023, succeeding Darius Adamczyk, after a career spanning more than three decades within the company.[1] Born in India, Kapur began his career at Honeywell as a sales manager and rose through a succession of increasingly senior leadership positions across the company's global operations, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of one of the world's largest industrial conglomerates.[2] As Chairman and CEO, Kapur has focused the company's strategic direction on areas including automation, aerospace, energy transition, and the integration of artificial intelligence into industrial processes.[3] His appointment was noted as part of a broader trend of Indian-origin executives ascending to leadership roles at major American corporations.[4]

Early Life

Vimal Kapur was born in 1965 in India.[4] Details about his family background and childhood have not been extensively documented in public sources. Kapur has spoken in interviews about his origins in India and the trajectory that brought him from the country's business environment to the executive suites of a Fortune 100 American corporation.[2]

Kapur's early career began in India, where he worked as a sales manager before joining Honeywell.[2] His rise from an entry-level sales position in India to the CEO office of a major multinational has been cited as an example of upward mobility within large corporate organizations. In a December 2025 interview with Forbes, Kapur discussed his career journey from sales manager in India to the top of one of America's largest industrial companies, reflecting on the experiences and lessons that shaped his leadership approach over more than three decades at Honeywell.[2]

His Indian heritage and the path he followed to become the leader of a storied American conglomerate were highlighted by several publications upon his appointment as CEO. The appointment was covered by outlets including Global Indian, Sakshi Post, and Darpan Magazine, which noted Kapur's ascent as part of a continuing pattern of Indian-origin professionals reaching the highest levels of corporate leadership in the United States.[4][5][6]

Education

Kapur received his education at the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, an engineering institution located in Patiala, Punjab, India.[7] The institute recognized Kapur as a notable alumnus following his rise to the top of Honeywell, listing him among its distinguished graduates.[7] Thapar Institute, established in 1956, is a private engineering university that has produced graduates across multiple sectors of industry and technology. Kapur's engineering background provided the technical foundation for his career in the industrial and technology sectors at Honeywell, where he would go on to hold positions spanning process solutions, automation, and connected enterprise technologies.[8]

Career

Early Career at Honeywell

Kapur joined Honeywell in the late 1980s, beginning a tenure that would span more than three decades before his elevation to CEO.[1] He started as a sales manager in India, a role that exposed him to the operational and commercial fundamentals of the company's business.[2] Over the following years, Kapur advanced through multiple roles within the organization, gaining experience across different business segments and geographies. His career progression encompassed positions of increasing responsibility within Honeywell's diverse portfolio of industrial and technology businesses.[8]

Leadership in Honeywell Process Solutions

In 2014, Honeywell named Kapur as president of Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS), a business unit within the company's Performance Materials and Technologies segment.[9] Honeywell Process Solutions provides automation and control technologies, instrumentation, and related services to the oil and gas, refining, chemical, and other process industries. In this role, Kapur was responsible for overseeing the business unit's global operations, product development, and customer relationships across the process industries sector.[9]

The HPS presidency was a significant role within Honeywell's organizational structure, giving Kapur oversight of a business unit that served as a core part of the company's industrial technology portfolio. The position also placed him in a visible leadership role within the broader automation and industrial technology industry.[9]

President and COO of Honeywell

Kapur continued to rise within Honeywell's leadership ranks in the years that followed, taking on roles of increasing scope and strategic significance. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as the company's President and Chief Operating Officer, a position that placed him in direct line of succession for the top leadership role.[8] In this capacity, Kapur had broad operational oversight of Honeywell's business segments and was involved in shaping the company's strategic direction across its portfolio, which includes aerospace technologies, building technologies, performance materials, and safety and productivity solutions.[8]

His tenure as President and COO was viewed by industry observers as preparation for the CEO role, and his eventual appointment was described by Yahoo Finance as the elevation of a "34-year veteran" of the company.[1]

CEO of Honeywell (2023–present)

Vimal Kapur became CEO of Honeywell International in June 2023, succeeding Darius Adamczyk, who had served as CEO since 2017.[1][4] Kapur subsequently also assumed the role of Chairman of the Board, holding the combined title of Chairman and CEO.[10]

Strategic Direction and Portfolio Realignment

Under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell has pursued a significant strategic realignment of its portfolio. In a December 2025 interview with Forbes, Kapur discussed what the publication described as a "historic company split," indicating a major restructuring of Honeywell's business portfolio.[2] This represented one of the most consequential corporate actions in Honeywell's modern history, as the company evaluated the composition of its business segments and the optimal structure for delivering value.

Kapur has articulated a strategic vision centered on several megatrends that he sees as driving long-term demand for Honeywell's products and services. These include automation, the future of aviation, energy transition, and digital transformation of industrial processes.[8]

Focus on Artificial Intelligence

A defining theme of Kapur's tenure as CEO has been the integration of artificial intelligence into Honeywell's product offerings and operations. In a January 2026 article published in Time magazine, Kapur argued that "physical AI" — the application of artificial intelligence to the physical and industrial world — "has the potential to create a more efficient, safer, and smarter world."[3] The article outlined Kapur's perspective on how AI could transform manufacturing, building operations, energy systems, and other domains in which Honeywell operates.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2026, Kapur participated in discussions about the implementation of AI in corporate settings. As reported by Axios, he was among executives who emphasized that specificity in defining AI goals within an organization can be the determining factor between success and failure of AI initiatives.[11]

In a November 2025 opinion piece published in Fortune, Kapur wrote about the implications of AI and automation for the future of work, arguing that CEOs must rethink how future workers are prepared for an economy increasingly shaped by these technologies.[12] The piece reflected Kapur's public position that the disruption caused by AI and automation requires proactive leadership and planning to ensure positive outcomes for workers and society.

Quantum Computing Investments

Under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell has continued to invest in quantum computing through its majority-owned subsidiary Quantinuum. In February 2026, Kapur noted that Quantinuum's new Helios quantum computer was "seeing strong interest" from businesses and that the company was reaching an "inflection point" as organizations began preparing for practical applications of quantum computing.[13] Honeywell's quantum computing business has been a distinctive element of its portfolio, positioning the conglomerate at the intersection of industrial technology and next-generation computing.

Aerospace and Buildings Performance

In February 2026, Kapur reported that Honeywell had not seen a "significant change" in U.S. demand trends, with particular strength in the company's aerospace and buildings technology segments.[14] This assessment, delivered in the context of investor communications, reflected Kapur's public messaging about the stability of Honeywell's core markets heading into 2026.

Kapur has represented Honeywell at multiple investor conferences during his tenure as Chairman and CEO, maintaining an active engagement with the financial community. In February 2026, Honeywell announced his participation in upcoming investor conferences, underscoring his role as the company's primary spokesperson to the investment community.[10]

Educational Investments

In September 2025, under Kapur's leadership, Honeywell announced a $10 million investment in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to transform a campus science building into the "Honeywell Innovation Hub."[15] The initiative was part of the company's broader engagement with educational institutions in Charlotte, where Honeywell relocated its global headquarters. The investment reflected Kapur's stated concern about workforce development and the need to prepare future workers for careers in technology and engineering fields.[15][12]

Personal Life

Vimal Kapur was born in India in 1965 and later became an American citizen.[4][16] He is part of a cohort of Indian-born executives who have risen to lead major American corporations, a trend that has drawn attention in both Indian and American media.[5][6] Beyond these publicly documented details, Kapur has maintained a relatively private personal life, with his public appearances and statements focused primarily on his corporate responsibilities at Honeywell.

Kapur appeared at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, where he participated in discussions on topics including the industrial applications of artificial intelligence and corporate strategy.[11] His participation at Davos reflected his standing among global business leaders and his engagement with international policy and business forums.

Recognition

Kapur's appointment as CEO of Honeywell was recognized by several publications and organizations as a notable achievement. The Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology recognized him as a distinguished alumnus, highlighting his career trajectory from the institute to the leadership of a global conglomerate.[7]

His career journey from a sales manager in India to the CEO and Chairman of Honeywell has been profiled by multiple media outlets. Forbes featured Kapur in a December 2025 video interview focused on his career path and leadership decisions, including the historic restructuring of Honeywell's business portfolio.[2] Time magazine published his perspective on the future of AI in the physical world, placing him among a select group of CEO voices shaping the discourse on industrial technology and its societal implications.[3] Fortune published his views on workforce preparation in the age of AI, further establishing him as a commentator on the intersection of technology and labor market policy.[12]

Global Indian, Sakshi Post, and Darpan Magazine all covered Kapur's appointment as part of a broader narrative about the success of Indian-origin professionals in American corporate leadership, placing him alongside other Indian-origin executives who have led Fortune 500 companies.[4][5][6]

Kapur has also been active in investor relations, representing Honeywell at industry and investor conferences, and has engaged with media outlets including Fox Business to discuss the company's performance and strategic direction.[17]

Legacy

As of early 2026, Kapur's tenure as CEO of Honeywell remains in its early stages, and a full assessment of his legacy is premature. However, several elements of his leadership have begun to define his impact on the company and the broader industrial technology sector.

The portfolio restructuring announced during his tenure, described by Forbes as a "historic company split," represents a potentially transformational moment in Honeywell's corporate history.[2] If executed as planned, this restructuring would reshape a conglomerate with roots stretching back more than a century, marking one of the most significant corporate reorganizations in the American industrial sector.

Kapur's emphasis on artificial intelligence as a core driver of Honeywell's future has positioned the company within one of the most consequential technological shifts of the early 21st century. His articulation of "physical AI" — the application of AI to the physical and industrial world — has contributed to a broader public conversation about how industrial companies can leverage AI technologies beyond the digital realm.[3]

His investment in educational initiatives, such as the $10 million Honeywell Innovation Hub at UNC Charlotte, reflects an approach to corporate leadership that extends beyond immediate shareholder returns to address longer-term challenges of workforce development and community engagement.[15]

As an Indian-born executive leading one of America's largest and most established corporations, Kapur's career trajectory has been cited as part of the broader story of Indian-origin professionals in American corporate leadership. His path from a sales position in India to the chairmanship and CEO role at a Fortune 100 company has been documented as an example of the international character of modern American corporate leadership.[4][6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Honeywell (HON) Appoints 34-Year Veteran Vimal Kapur as CEO".Yahoo Finance.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/honeywell-hon-appoints-34-veteran-150703892.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "From Sales Manager To CEO, Honeywell's Vimal Kapur Talks Career And Historic Company Split".Forbes.2025-12-03.https://www.forbes.com/video/919ea638-3ccb-45db-9ac1-1167d674fe79/from-sales-manager-to-ceo-honeywells-vimal-kapur-talks-career-and-historic-company-split/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "The Physical AI Revolution Rewiring the Global Economy".Time.2026-01-01.https://time.com/7347210/physical-ai-revolution-rewiring-global-economy/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Vimal Kapur Appointed CEO of Honeywell".Global Indian.https://www.globalindian.com/story/global-indian-exclusive/vimal-kapur-appointed-ceo-of-honeywell/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Indian-origin Vimal Kapur New CEO of Honeywell".Sakshi Post.https://www.sakshipost.com/news/technology/indian-origin-vimal-kapur-new-ceo-honeywell.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Vimal Kapur Becomes CEO of US-Based Honeywell as Indian-Origin Glory Continues".Darpan Magazine.https://www.darpanmagazine.com/people/globalindians/vimal-kapur-becomes-ceo-of-usbased-honeywell-as-indianorigin-glory-continues/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Alumni Achievement".Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology.https://www.thapar.edu/aboutus/newspage/alumni-achievement.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Vimal Kapur — Leadership".Honeywell.https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/leadership/vimal-kapur.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Honeywell Names Vimal Kapur President of Honeywell Process Solutions".Automation.com.2014.https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/2014-1/honeywell-names-vimal-kapur-president-of-honeywell.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Honeywell Announces Participation at Upcoming Investor Conferences".Honeywell.2026-02.https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/press/2026/02/honeywell-announces-participation-at-upcoming-investor-conferences.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Axios House: Specificity is key to successful AI use, executives say".Axios.2026-01-22.https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/axios-house-specificity-is-key-to-successful-ai-use-executives-say.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 "AI is reimagining work. CEOs must rethink how we prepare future workers".Fortune.2025-11-12.https://fortune.com/2025/11/12/ai-reimagining-work-ceos-must-rethink-honeywell-vimal-kapur/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. "Quantinuum Helios seeing strong interest, says Honeywell CEO".Constellation Research.2026-02.https://www.constellationr.com/insights/news/quantinuum-helios-seeing-strong-interest-says-honeywell-ceo.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. "Honeywell International CEO Sees Steady 2026 U.S. Demand as Aerospace, Buildings Stay Strong".MarketBeat.2026-02-17.https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/honeywell-international-ceo-sees-steady-2026-us-demand-as-aerospace-buildings-stay-strong-2026-02-17/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Honeywell invests $10M in UNC Charlotte efforts".Business North Carolina.2025-09-23.https://businessnc.com/honeywell-invests-10m-in-unc-charlotte-efforts/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. "Vimal Kapur Profile".Bloomberg.https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/7493557.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. "Vimal Kapur on Fox Business".Fox Business.https://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6327235355112.Retrieved 2026-02-23.