Electrical companies are learning to navigate new territory with the movement toward electrification. We recently spoke with Farrah Mittel, President of Schaedler Yesco Distribution, about the effort, strategies, and steps the company is taking toward electrification.
Q&A with Farrah Mittel, President of Schaedler Yesco Distribution.
Q: How would you describe the opportunities electrification will present over the next 5 years?
Mittel: “Electrification will touch everything, impacting how we live and work. It will impact transportation, housing, manufacturing, and most importantly, data. With the expectation for power and data ‘on demand,’ our industry will have the opportunity, actually the responsibility, to provide the products, tools, and services needed to meet that expectation.”
Q: What are the ways you are using electrification for recruiting and retention?
Mittel: “Over the next ten years, the industry will face extraordinary changes. The country’s aging infrastructure and the need for electrification will require talent trained for the challenges and eager to grow with us and the industry. At Schaedler Yesco, we share our vision with our recruits and discuss what that means for them.”
Q: What do you feel are the key immediate needs to launch electrification in the United States?
Mittel: “The most urgent need as we try to meet the expectations for power and data is upgrading the power grid. New products and services can’t be introduced until the capacity and infrastructure is improved.”
Q: How are you explaining the electrification opportunity to your current co-workers?
Mittel: “Right now, we are still focused on our leadership level as we determine how best to position ourselves for America’s electrification. This October, we’ll discuss our role and launch plans for the next steps at our all-company staff meeting.”
Q: How have you shifted your focus over the past year to match electrification needs?
Mittel: “Much like we’ve done with other opportunities and market shifts, we’ve spent a great deal of time learning the specific needs for this category. As a result, we’ve invested in specialists with key skills, enhanced our services and product portfolio and have been working with the utility vertical more directly.”
Q: How are you working differently with partners to meet electrification needs?
Mittel: “We are working with our partners to understand where and how they participate in the value chain so we can meet the market needs together.”