Most Top 200 Electrical Distributors don’t seem too impressed with the new product launches they have seen over the past year. Approximately 69% of 77 respondents answered “No” to the question, “Have any new product launches by manufacturers impressed you during the last year?”
All of the survey results aren’t in quite yet, but these early responders are following the trend of past years in this area, where most Top 200 respondents weren’t impressed with most of the product launches they had seen.
However, EM’s editors saw some distinct trends in the answers from 31% of the respondents who did see some product launches they liked. Some distributors liked time-saving job-site solutions like new wire handling equipment. Many mentioned advances in LED lighting in general, and some mentioned specific manufacturers’ products. Stephen Byrne, COO, Facility Solutions Group, Austin, TX, said he likes what he sees in RAB Lighting’s LED line. James DeRosa, general manager, YESCO Electrical Supply Inc., Columbiana, OH, mentioned selectable color temperatures and lumen output. “This is across many manufacturers, but we find that reducing SKUS and offering a better choice for the customer is a welcome addition to any supply house,” he said.
Schneider Electric’s Wiser Energy Management System got several mentions. Said Mike Pratt, CEO, American Electric Supply, Corona, CA, “This product brings control to the individual home owner by giving the ability to monitor their energy consumption. This raises the knowledge and thus empowers the homeowner to better manage their energy. This product has the potential to take energy conservation to the next level by enabling the individual with the knowledge to conserve. This could make a major difference in our overall energy consumption.”
Other products getting specific mentions included Lithonia Lighting (Acuity) color switchable white light wafer fixtures; Signify’s Interact controls; Transformer cart by Power Assemblies; Southwire’s SIM Solutions; Hoffman’s HyShed; Easton Power Defense Breakers; Cerrowire’s Reel Rover; and Cembre terminal marking systems.
