News

Posted On: 09/19/2008

Schneider talks about power

PlantServices.com

More than 1,400 Schneider Electric North American Operating Division customers and distributors packed the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from Aug. 13-15 to attend Initi@tive 2008, a multi-industry trade exposition designed to draw attention to Schneider Electric’s technologies, applications and solutions that help businesses do more with less energy and prepare for future energy usage trends.

Sessions included more than 100 professional development seminars and product demonstrations, and 110,000 sq. ft. of displays introduced attendees to offerings the company brings to market through its core brands, affiliate companies and collaborative partners.

“In spending time on the exhibit hall floor, in seminars and participating in the editor-to-editor panel discussion, I confirmed that our customers take their energy usage very seriously, and are constantly seeking new ways to make their energy safer, more reliable, more productive and more efficient,” says Chris Curtis, president and CEO of Schneider Electric’s North American Operating Division. “Schneider Electric believes that a solutions-based approach, comprising products, services and consultation, is the best way to achieve energy-efficiency goals. We believe Initi@tive will be the impetus for more comprehensive dialogue and action for attendees.”

Saying the company is building its position as a global specialist in energy management, Curtis identified six trends driving Schneider Electric: the world’s energy outlook; emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India and China; connectivity via networking and the Internet; globalization; simplification; and security both for people and information.

For example, the company is working to simplify networking connectivity through standardization to ease tasks such as controlling lighting and monitoring power.

Schneider Electric appears particularly well positioned to leverage its product lines and expertise in power distribution, drives, lighting and controls to help companies analyze their energy usage and improve efficiencies. Senior Vice President of Operations Mary Frances Cox, who oversees 46 North American facilities, described the company’s progress toward reducing its 2004 per-employee kWh consumption 10% by 2008. She says the goal is almost met, and the company is ready to use what it has learned to help others with audit and consulting services.

“North America is facing unprecedented energy challenges, which is why Initi@tive 2008 was the ideal venue to provide customers with ideas and direction on how to make the most of their energy, improve business performance and reduce environmental impact,” Curtis says. “In addition, Initi@tive 2008 provided an opportunity for Schneider Electric to showcase our solutions-based business model, which allows us to focus on customers’ business needs and then partner with them to provide quality, customized solutions that increase safety, security, reliability, productivity, environmental responsibility, aesthetics and comfort.”

Initi@tive 2008 marked the second time the event took place in the United States. Previously, Schneider Electric hosted successful Initi@tive events in Australia, China, India, Poland, Spain, Turkey and Orlando, Fla., in 2006. Initi@tive 2008 united brands and partners of the Schneider Electric North American Operating Division, including Square D, APC, Juno and TAC, all by Schneider Electric, along with 20 collaborative automation partners.

The more than 100 interactive seminars were packed with business leaders and decision-makers from customers in a variety of industries, such as residential, commercial and industrial buildings, retail businesses, data centers and water/wastewater plants, and provided information on solutions to help manage, monitor, protect, distribute, automate and control electricity. A series of customer testimonials provided background on practical applications of Schneider Electric products and services, along with the results and benefits gained. Members of the trade media in attendance participated in an editor-to-editor panel discussion that focused on increased energy efficiency and more effective energy usage beyond 2010, and was designed to provide fresh ideas so editors can better serve readers.

Schneider Electric also showcased its range of solutions via displays in the exhibit hall that focused on automation, control panel builders and system integrators, critical power, data centers and networks, electrical distribution, energy efficiency, health care, HVAC, material handling, oil and gas, and many others. Attendees were able to pose questions to Schneider Electric personnel manning the displays about their specific applications.