Product of the Year Entries Demonstrate Industry Innovation at Its Finest

More than 20 years after unveiling the first EC&M Product of the Year winner (in 2001), I am still amazed at the diversity and quality of new product innovation and development on display in our annual competition. Like several of my coworkers, I was on staff more than two decades ago when we started this program. Since that time, it has grown into an EC&M institution. I can say from personal experience that it never gets old to have a front-row seat to the products that are driving the electrical industry forward, helping our readers perform their jobs more safely, efficiently, and effectively. It’s always exciting to see what types of new features, updates, and technological advancements manufacturers incorporate into these new product launches.

Required to be introduced to market in 2021, this year’s Product of the Year garnered 103 entries, representing a multitude of product specialties. Although the submission, review, and judging process is quite lengthy (beginning in January and ending with the winners’ announcement in August), the final outcome is well worth the wait. After the entries are received, a panel of industry experts scores each submission based on a predetermined set of criteria, ultimately selecting category winners for the first phase of the competition. These category winners, which are featured in a special print supplement that accompanies our April issue as well as online, are then narrowed down to three finalists — from which our entire reader base votes via an online poll. From these votes, which exclude manufacturers or manufacturers’ reps, the platinum, gold, and silver winners are determined.

I cannot emphasize enough the variety of submissions we receive, and this year was no exception. When all of the votes were in, the On-Demand Safety Labeling Solution from Brother Mobile Solutions took the coveted top spot as the 2022 platinum award winner. Streamlining the process of creating and implementing safety signage labels, this product ensures compliance and enables end-users to adhere to changing regulations. Thanks to its LabelSuite safety label design software (included free with the purchase of the printer), users can design compliant signs on demand in the facility or in the field. Read the full article to see what features led our readers to name it as their favorite product along with descriptions of the first and second runner ups. Securing the gold award, ABB’s ReliaGear LV Motor Control Center is designed for up to 3,200A bus, across-the-line starters through size 6, and variable-speed drives up to 500 hp. An optional Bluetooth control panel also provides remote monitoring and control outside the arc flash boundaries. Capturing the silver award, Milwaukee Tools’ M18 Utility Remote Control Search Light Kit with Portable Base also impressed readers. This IP56-rated searchlight can be used to illuminate inaccessible areas while mounted to a bucket truck or attached to the M18 portable base.

Speaking of innovation, here’s a throwback to the very first winner of our inaugural competition back in 2001: Encore Wire’s color-coded residential wire and cable. The back story on this product launch involved the company looking for a solution to simplify the arduous and tedious task of pulling (and identifying) hundreds of feet of cable for dozens of circuits on extremely large projects, which was previously done with phase tape or other identification products. This novel idea — each conductor in a different color — enabled electrical contractors to streamline installation and inspection, simplify inventory management, and provide a safer, more efficient work environment. To geek out on more Product of the Year nostalgia, peruse all of our past winners from the last 20-plus years.