Page 1 - Ei Christmas Magazine 2025

Christmas 2025
Edition 53
A brief review of 2025 and a look forward to 2026
The big news of the year was Mick Guinee stepping down
as CEO on 31st March after 42 years to be succeeded by
Leo Clancy.
Mick Guinee
While stepping down as CEO, my involvement with the
Company continues.
As Chairman of the Board, I was delighted to appoint Leo as
CEO. Attracting someone of Leo’s calibre to Ei is illustrative
of the status of Ei Electronics as a major successful Irish
multinational company.
Joining Ei from Enterprise Ireland, where he was CEO for the
last 4 years, Leo had a distinguished track record in Leadership
and Technology. His experience in fostering innovation and
driving international growth of Irish companies will align
seamlessly with Ei Electronics strategic objectives.
Leo’s expertise, experience and empathic leadership style made
him the ideal choice to lead Ei Electronics into its next chapter.
My new role---in Ei Electronics
As Chairman, I sit on the Board of Directors and am involved
with Leo and the Board in devising the future strategy of Ei.
There has been an Ei Company on this site in Shannon since 1963
and Ei Electronics goes back to 1988. My objective, now, is to
ensure that Ei will continue in business for at least another 60+
years! And I am busy putting in place a business structure that will
achieve this goal. This will ensure for example that Ei will remain
a private company, never being sold, and Shannon will remain the
manufacturing hub of the company. In an era where companies
change hands frequently this gives everyone associated with Ei
the stability of employment to plan their futures.
The ambition is there to grow the company, and I will be
ensuring that Leo and his team have the resources financial and
human, to achieve this ambition.
The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation
In September 2024 I set up the Michael Guinee Charitable
Foundation, with Derek Barrett as CEO. The objective is to
support causes that provide public benefit by addressing social,
educational, cultural and health-related issues. It will do this by
giving grant to non-profit organizations engaged in these areas.
Its focus is local, national and international. An example locally
has been the awarding of 3rd level scholarships to 4 students of
the local secondary schools.
I am enjoying being involved in the Foundation.
Highlights of 2025
Leo Clancy
I have been delighted to get to know my new colleagues at Ei since my appointment in April
and would like to thank you all for your kindness to me.
I am honoured to follow a leader of Mick’s calibre and look forward to working closely with
him in shaping a strategy for the future success of this wonderful company.
Sales/Markets overview
2025 is going to be a record sales year, 2% up on 2024.
Yet again, the UK is the top market, despite lots of competition.
- 600,000 + connected devices now in place.
- Awaab’s Law driving demand for damp and mould detection.
Germany has been hit by the loss of a key meter-reader company and will miss target by €5m.
France will have a record year, as the replacement cycle carried through from ’24.
Australia will hit target. New strategy on panels launched.
Ireland and Netherlands will be up on 2024.
With new legislation in Poland, we re-opened our office in Warsaw.
New upgraded Corporate website launched.
A very successful Group Sales Conference was held in Berchtesgaden in Bavaria.
R&D
Released a new 4G compatible Gateway in Q1.
Project Reset on target for the launch of the new 4000 series in Q2.
RadioLink-2 development has encountered significant problems but expect to be resolved in Q1 2026.
Universal Input and Temperature Clamp are on market trial and will soon add to the Gateway
connected ecosystem.
Our Technology Enabled Care (TEC) range with pendants plus 3000 series alarms and
environmental sensors is currently on market trial in sheltered living accommodation in UK.
Development of a Radon sensor is making good progress.
Work commencing on new modules for LoRa and Mather/Thread - for smart home interconnect.
Manufacturing
The first fully automated cell to manufacture the new 4000 series is now in place and the
manufacturing process is being validated.
In preparation for the launch of the 4000 series.
- a new Engel 2-shot moulding machine was installed.
- 2 additional Yamaha multi-function head machines were installed.
Construction of the new warehouse / logistics hub commenced for completion by July 2026.
Supply chain of some semiconductor components has been hit by a dispute in China and
Engineering, Quality and NPI are working to approve alternatives.
Strategy Workshops
With a view to planning the future growth of the company, I held a series of workshops on
Strategy in Q3/4.
2026 sees the much-anticipated launch of the 4000 series Multi-Sensor Alarms.
- many installer-friendly features.
- major carbon -footprint reduction with 50% less power and 15% less plastics.
Ramping up production of the 4000 series will be a major focus.
Single figure growth in sales is forecast.
Implementation of Group growth strategy begins with addition of key personnel.
- geographical expansion will be a focus, with USA a prime new market target.
To ignite the next wave of sensor innovation, a new Research Centre will be opened in
Shannon---the Sensor and Prototyping Advanced Research Centre or SPARC for short.
Outlook & Challenges for 2026
May I thank everyone for 2025 and we look forward with confidence to the challenges
ahead in 2026.
Happy Christmas and New Year !