United Tech executive's exit not critical: analysts

BOSTON (Reuters) - The departure of a top United Technologies Corp (UTX.N) executive is a negative for the world's largest maker of elevators and air conditioners, but existing management will carry on in his absence, analysts said.

The said late on Monday that Ari Bousbib, president of United Tech's commercial companies -- Otis elevators, Carrier air conditioners and fire and security products -- would leave on September 1 to become chief executive of privately held healthcare consulting company IMS Health.

"Clearly losing a senior executive as talented and well-regarded as Bousbib is a clear negative," Deutsche Bank analyst Nigel Coe wrote in a note to clients.

Bousbib, 48, was named to the president role in 2008, during the transition in power from George David to current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Louis Chenevert.

The three divisional presidents who had reported to Bousbib will now report directly to the CEO, a spokesman for the Hartford, Connecticut-based company said. That is the structure that was in place prior to the creation of Bousbib's position, which will be left vacant.

"We believe strong continuity in UTC's senior management is well in place," Sterne Agee analyst Nick Heymann wrote in a note to clients.

Both Deutsche Bank and Sterne Agee held their "buy" ratings on the stock.

Bousbib will act as a consultant to United Tech through September 2011. During his time as president, the company acquired General Electric Co's (GE.N) security business in a $1.82 billion deal reached in November.

United Tech shares were up 0.6 percent at $70.75 in premarket trading. At Monday's close, they had risen 23 percent this year, outpacing the 9.6 percent rise of the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI.

A group including TPG Capital TPG.UL took IMS Health private in February.

(Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)