Interview of the week: MK comment on double win at The Electrical Industry Awards 2023
Posted by: electime 3rd May 2024
Steve Kenny, vice president and general manager of Honeywell Building Management Systems, talks to Lisa Peake about his role at Honeywell and discusses MK’s recent success at the Electrical Industry Awards 2023
Tell me more about your role at MK Electric…
“My role at MK Electric, and within Honeywell Building Management Systems, is to define and lead on our vision for the future of the global building control industry. The electrical industry is a key part of that. My role is ultimately to champion the innovation and expertise of the MK team, and highlight the pivotal part it plays in the future built environment.”
What do you enjoy most about your role?
“I enjoy being at the forefront of change in the electrical and building control industries. The built environment is moving towards an increasingly electrified and connected future, and every day I have the opportunity to contribute to shaping what that future looks like for businesses. It’s incredibly fulfilling to work on projects and solutions, like Connected Power, that are pushing the boundaries of connected technology, ultimately having a positive impact on many businesses.
How has the industry changed since you entered?
“There have been significant changes since I entered the industry, not least of all in priority. An increased focus on electrification has led to energy efficiency becoming a priority. Installers and contractors will have experienced this first-hand, with customers now expecting them to deliver traditional services as well as integrate energy-efficient solutions and optimise building performance.”
How is MK Electric keeping up with these changes?
“We work closely with our partners and customers, and that close relationship is helping MK Electric to actively drive these changes forward in the industry. Seeing first-hand how the industry is evolving allows us to proactively bring solutions to the market rather than waiting for our customers to come to us with a challenge. For example, the Connected Power solution enables businesses to gain visibility into their buildings’ energy usage, remotely power down unused sockets, and automate functions such as scheduling, grouping, and alarms. This was born of us seeing the industry’s move towards ever-greater efficiency, and developing a way to overcome the emerging issue of monitoring plug-in power.
“By offering this solution, MK Electric is not only meeting the evolving demands of building owners and operators but also presenting an opportunity for electrical contractors to offer the latest solutions to customers, differentiating themselves as experts of the electrical landscape.
MK Electric’s Connected Power recently won two awards at Electrical Industry Award 2023 – Commercial Product of the Year and Industrial Product of the Year. Why do you think Connected Power had so much success?
“The energy-monitoring plug sockets launched at a time when many businesses were looking for ways to reduce their electricity usage amid the rising cost of energy. The ability to gain insights into how much energy is consumed by plug-in devices has been overlooked, but Connected Power overcomes this challenge, giving businesses the tools they need to fully manage their plug-in power usage. It’s a growing focus for customers, and has struck a chord within the electrical industry.
“At its core, MK has always sought to drive innovation within the electrical industry. Connected Power represents the future of plug-in energy management and this is, in my opinion, why the solution has seen so much success.”
How did it feel to win these awards?
“Winning these awards is an incredible feeling. It’s not just a recognition of the technology’s value, but a true testament to the entire team’s dedication and hard work. It’s immensely satisfying to see that experts in the electrical field recognise how meaningful our Connected Power solution is. Most importantly, it’s a moment to celebrate the achievements of our team who worked tirelessly to make it all happen.
What would your advice be for others thinking of entering the awards?
“Firstly, I think it’s important to believe in the value of your work, have confidence in your innovations, and to not underestimate the impact of your contributions to your field. Secondly, be diligent in your application and ensure that you thoroughly showcase the unique aspects of your product or solution. Lastly, don’t forget to acknowledge and celebrate the collaborative efforts of your team.
What’s next for MK?
“After successfully launching Connected Power, we want to establish the offering as a leading solution in the industry. It’s still relatively new technology for many electrical installers, so we’re focusing on collaborating with installers to bring this technology and its benefits to more businesses worldwide. Of course, alongside that we’re also looking at how we can expand this product range to bring Connected Power to more installs.
“The path ahead is one of continuous innovation and collaboration, with a focus on making Connected Power an indispensable solution for optimising energy usage and sustainability across a wide spectrum of building environments.”
