Ei Electronics Christmas Magazine 2024

Christmas 2024
Edition 52
A brief review of 2024 and a look forward to 2025
Highlights of 2024
Overview
2024 saw sales reach a new high, albeit a low single digit increase on 2023.
UK sales held up well in tough economic conditions.
Germany sales fell short of the record sales of 2023.
No Legislative ‘driver’ in any of main markets.
Political & Economic backdrop
2024 was yet again a year defined by wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine
- Impacting Trade and Energy across Europe.
It was also a year of general elections in UK, USA, EU, France, Ireland.
- UK elects a Labour Government.
- Donald Trump is re-elected President in USA.
- Ireland re-elected a centre left coalition.
Inflation and Interest rates fell rapidly as economic growth slowed.
Zero growth in key European countries, UK and Germany.
Sales & Marketing
UK was yet again the star performer, achieving a 3% growth in sales.
- Gateway and Environmental Sensors continue to grow.
- Now in excess of 450,000 connected devices across 75,000 systems.
- Awaab’s Law and Government Guidelines increasing pressure on RSL’s.
- Impactful ‘Component to Ceiling’ docu-series launched in Sept.
- Valued Customer events held at the factory in Shannon.
- Patent infringing competitive action by Hispec is now in legal process.
In Germany, the depressed economy impacted the replacement demand.
- Sales fell from the high of 2023 but still the 2nd highest year in our history.
- Overtaken Hekatron as leading brand in Electrical Wholesale.
- Retail sales up 10%, explained by a rise in DIY in a slow economy.
A record sales year in France, as 10-year replacement demand was activated.
- Sales up over 80% on 2023 and exceeding the previous high of 2015.
Ireland, Australia and Netherlands all showed good growth.
USA sales down 30% as Resideo business phased down.
We engaged Maverick International to chart our future Branding strategy.
Product Development
A disappointing year in respect of new products launched.
Gateway 2 launch was delayed until late Q4.
RadioLink 2 also delayed.
Monthly ‘Roadmap’ meetings between R&D and Markets working well.
Research programmes initiated with Tyndall and University of Limerick.
Patent Reward and Recognition Scheme launched.
Progress in hiring talent in embedded software and product design.
Manufacturing
Supply Chain challenges return with route disruption in Middle East.
Very significant raw material price reductions achieved of 4%+.
Major capacity underutilization in E6500, due to demand fall-off in Germany.
Factory re-purposing /upgrading continues.
Project ‘Reset’ development progressed to stage of Ei4000 submission to BS.
Acquisition of the AES Key Portal from Sontex.
Ei in the Community
Significant spend across a good spread of causes in Education, Sport, Arts
Ei committed to be the lead sponsor of the proposed Brendan O’Regan
Interpretive Centre to open in Bunratty Folk Park in 2025.
Sustainability
Ei Germany KG has implemented the recycling of end-of-life Smoke Alarms.
A ‘Sustainability Idea of the Month’ award has been introduced in the factory.
Ei was the main sponsors of Shannon Chambers Sustainability Week in Sept.
Goodbody Clearstream appointed to assist in our reporting responsibilities.
Outlook & Challenges for 2025
Overview
We will struggle for growth, and low single digit growth is forecast.
Organisation changes can be expected as we position the Group for the future.
Innovation and Delivery will be Product Development priorities.
Political & Economic backdrop
Modest growth expected in UK.
Depressed economy in Germany to continue into 2025.
Political instability in France and Germany.
Wars to continue in Ukraine and Middle East.
Sales and Marketing
UK will remain the dominant market.
- Gateway and Environmental Sensors will continue to grow.
- HomeLink’s Case Management, introduced in late 2024 will impact,
providing RSL’s with analysis tools to better manage damp & mould.
- The connected eco-system will be further expanded.
- Universal Input and Temperature Clamping products will be added.
- Our first Technology Enabled Care (TEC) range will be introduced.
- New HomeLink TEC solution platform to be introduced.
- City & Guilds Training sessions will increase as Training remains a top focus.
In Germany delayed 10-year replacement from 2024 should impact favourably.
- Competition will intensify in the Remote Inspection market.
- Market share at Electrical Wholesale and Retail should increase.
In France, after the replacement surge of 2024, sales will drop back in 2025.
JCI Contract sales will benefit USA and ROW sales in 2025.
Steady growth is forecast in Ireland, Australia and Netherlands.
Indications that Poland will enact Smoke / CO Regulations effective 2026-2030.
Product Development
Organization changes are aimed at increasing the productivity of R&D.
RadioLINK2 RF protocol will be introduced into a series of products and modules.
- Facilitating Bluetooth installation of accessory products.
Continued Research of new sensors for future product innovations.
Manufacturing
Project ‘Reset’ moves into Year 4.
- BS approval for 4000 series expected Q3/4.
- First Assembly Cell will be introduced in Q3.
Development of the new Warehouse & Offices is the priority facilities project.
- Completion for mid-2026.
Ei in the Community
Construction of the Shannon Clare Care facility to commence---Ei is the lead
sponsor.
Brendan O’Regan Centre to open in Bunratty in Q2---Ei is again the main sponsor.
In the Arts, Ei is to sponsor The Summer Proms festival at University Concert
Hall in June.
Our usual spread of Education, Sports and Cultural sponsorships will continue.
Sustainability
We will explore how the German Recycling’ initiative can be rolled out
elsewhere.
We will proceed to achieve certification under Science Based Targets (SBTi).
Preparation for the obligatory CSRD Reporting in 2026, based on 2025 results.
In summary, 2025 will be a very challenging year, as global growth slows,
political instability in Europe and the continued wars in Middle East and
Ukraine will impact.
But with our dominant market share in most markets, we are well positioned.
May I thank everyone for 2024 and we look forward with confidence to
the challenges ahead in 2025.
Happy Christmas and New Year !