Page 12 - IEC Insights Nov-Dec19

FEATURE

WORK SMARTER,

NOT HARDER

Eaton targets improved

productivity during
2019 IEC Convention

ANSWERS PROVIDED BY:
Mark Rumpel, product line manager –
panelboards and switchboards at Eaton
Shane Semple, manager of PRE-formance
commercial products at Eaton

rom design to build and Why is Eaton addressing also shows that contractors are hurt
install, it can be a challenge productivity during this year’s by this productivity gap through lost
to keep your project moving IEC Conference? Is there work, lower profits, longer installation
while managing man-hours, time and increased project risk.
FBOMs and of course, customer a significant opportunity
expectations. Electrical systems are often here for contractors? Eaton focuses on closing the productivity
a particularly critical barrier for electrical gap through education, intelligent
contractors. For example, many power MARK RUMPEL: I think there’s a systems and prefabricated solutions at
distribution assemblies can be so big that tremendous opportunity for electrical IEC. And I think electrical contractors
the walls of the building are built around contractors to boost productivity. McKinsey can stand to realize powerful benefits
them, or they need to be installed and Global Institute estimates that construction from working with manufacturers
energized in order to power a building spending accounts for 13 percent of the to address productivity today.
before setting up other building systems. world’s GDP. Yet, the sector’s annual
productivity growth has only increased one
Eaton’s Shane Semple, product manager, percent per year over the past 20 years. From what you’ve seen, what
and Mark Rumpel, product line manager, Two decades ago, people were worrying pressures are driving the
were selected to host educational sessions about Y2K, the first iPhone was seven years importance of productivity
on the topic during this year’s conference. out, and “Industry 4.0” wasn’t a thing. for electrical contractors?
We recently sat down with both of
the electrical experts to discuss how Clearly, there have been dramatic SHANE SEMPLE: Experienced
contractors can maximize the productivity advancements of technology over the professionals are critical to building and
of electrical system construction to last two decades and the construction maintaining our electrical infrastructure.
enhance profitability across a wide range market has an opportunity to take But the industry is dealing with a
of commercial construction applications. advantage. Unsurprisingly, research shortage of qualified professionals.

10 Insights Magazine | November/December 2019 | www.ieci.org