EC&M Product of the Year Competition Recognizes Ongoing Innovation
Every August, we unveil the year’s top three winners (platinum, gold, and silver) for EC&M’s longstanding Product of the Year competition. Launched in 2001 to recognize excellence in new product development in the electrical industry, this prominent awards program is still going strong, showcasing the most innovative products of the past year, recognizing the talent and commitment of those involved with all aspects of new product development, and demonstrating the evolution of electrical equipment technology advancements and capabilities.
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than 20 years since we created this special recognition program (yes, I was around back then). Obviously, so many things have changed during that time, but when you really think about it, so many others have stayed the same. For example, the creativity, innovation, and inventiveness exemplified in the new products electrical manufacturers bring to market year after year are nothing short of remarkable. The desire to ensure electrical professionals can perform their jobs more efficiently, effectively, and safely is also still the driving force behind new product introductions and updates alike.
Products eligible for the 2024 competition were those introduced to market between Jan. 1, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2023. Out of 123 product entries we received in 2024 (a total that was 12% higher than the previous year), a panel of 12 independent industry expert judges (representing the electrical engineering, electrical contractor, and plant/facility segments of our audience) narrowed down the field as part of phase one. Ranking each product based on a uniform listing of scoring criteria, the group ranked each entry, ultimately identifying 30 category winners. The top three winners were then determined by an online voting process administered on the EC&M website between May 19 and June 23. Note: Only EC&M print and digital edition subscribers can vote in this competition. To keep the voting objective and make sure winners are selected solely on technical merit, any votes from manufacturers or manufacturers’ reps are thrown out.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with representatives from all three manufacturers of the winning products for my EC&M On Air podcast. Don’t miss this episode, which will drop toward the end of August — the same time this issue hits the hands of our print subscribers.
First I talked with Tia Willett, product marketing manager for NEMA safety switches at ABB. Winning the silver award in the power distribution equipment (breakers & switches) category, ABB’s Spec Setter Safety Switch definitely answered the industry’s call. “As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, and over the course of just talking and watching and looking at electrical contractors, we saw how difficult it was to install large ampacity safety switches,” Tia said. “We thought there has to be a better way. This is when we developed a new mounted bracket.”
Next, Rebecca Lore, industrial product manager with Lex Products, joined me to discuss its PowerRACK, part of the company’s Load Master Series. Winning the gold award in the power distribution category, this product offers flexibility and convenience for companies that provide temporary power applications where a range of power loads are required and changed frequently. “There’s no rewiring, no changing breakers or gland plates to get the breaker protection that is needed,” Rebecca explained.
Finally, I spoke with Jim Cuzuppe, Eaton’s product line manager – cable tray systems for North America, to go over highlights of this year’s overall platinum winner — the KwikRail Cable Tray System, representing the conduit, raceways, and wireways category. “Our primary design goal with this product is basically to offer an advantage over standard wire basket or conduit systems, and we feel we achieved just that,” he said. “For an award of this nature. We realize the significance, and we’re humbled by it.” In a nutshell, the cable tray system helps contractors improve project speed and simplify installation. “It really offers superior cable management compared to conduit systems, as well as the ability to field modify the system itself for future expansion, and these benefits are achieved in part by Eaton’s innovative tab and lock trapeze system,” he said. “That system actually eliminates the need for hold down hardware, which results in significant time savings when positioning and clamping cable tray supports, and it also requires less hardware compared to traditional strut trapeze solutions.”
Read the article for more details on all three winners, and don’t forget to catch the Product of the Year podcast, coming soon to ecmweb.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
