AUBURN — The Auburn-based Air-Gas Handling Division of Clyde Bergemann Power Group Americas Inc. has hired Matthew Thornton as its manager of business development.

In this newly created position, Thornton will focus on driving business growth with new customers as well as building on existing relationships. Reporting to company President Mike Sellinger, Thornton will lead the division’s sales department in strategically pursuing opportunities in key markets globally.

Thornton brings with him more than 20 years of experience in industrial product sales, business development and sales management. His expertise includes growing sales through targeted business-to-business activities in international markets.

He comes to Clyde Bergemann from Zajac LLC in Saco, an engineering and process system integrator, where he was general manager. Previously, he was managing director with Tuchenhagen North America, an equipment manufacturer serving the energy and other industries.

Thornton holds a bachelor of science degree in management from the University of Rhode Island and completed graduate level coursework in business management at the University of Southern Maine. He has also studied international economics at Richmond College in London.