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DALLAS — The 2009 Momentum Conference by Honeywell attracted more than 300 controls contractors and Honeywell distributors from around the world. The company showcased many new products, loyalty program enhancements, and two new, dedicated resource Websites during the meeting, which was held in Dallas.

Several general sessions focused on current economic issues, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and some more light-hearted but poignant entertainment from John Sweeney and the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre.

“Momentum exemplifies our focus on the success of our top contractors and distributors,” said JoAnna Sohovich, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Commercial Control Systems. “We continue to introduce innovative products backed with training and support that keep our contractors competitive.”

One of the sessions featured Tony Sugalski, Environmental and Combustion Controls (ECC) Americas vice president and general manager. Sugalski, talking about the economy, said, “The recession is synchronized across business sectors and it is synchronized globally, which is somewhat interesting.”

He explained by telling the audience that it is not often that recessionary activity is so closely aligned across both business sectors and the globe, unfortunately, making for a very consistent downward trend.

Yet, even with a slowing economy, Honeywell leadership also noted that the company is still investing in improved delivery and quality, such as with its Honeywell Operating System deployment for enhanced customer service.

“We are doing things to conserve, but we are committed to investing in new technologies,” said Joe Puishys, ECC president.

Sugalski told the audience to be on their toes in the coming years because business as usual may not be the same as in the past. “The rate of growth is going to be slow; maybe 2 percent rather than the 3.5 percent we have grown accustomed to. Changing your behavior today needs to remain a part of how you do business.”

NEW PRODUCTS AT MOMENTUM

New products introduced included:

• Enhancements to Honeywell’s WEB-AX™ Security, which offers integrated security with simple, Web-based management. New are video/digital video recording (DVR), enterprise control, and integration of security and heating, ventilation and air conditioning control capabilities.

• WEB-700 controller, which is a Niagara based controller for large facilities, multi-building facilities, and large-scale control system integrations. The new controller provides complete, reliable building automation control with fewer components to maintain than bulkier, more complex controllers.

• WEBs-AX™ Touch Screen, which is expected to make monitoring and controlling facilities easier and more efficient.

• Key expansions to the Spyder® family of unitary controllers: the new availability of the BACnet® protocol; and Spyder Micro, which offers powerful functionality sized and priced for unit-vent and fan-coil applications.

• WebVision™, a new controller that brings ease-of-use to managing small to large building systems through a Web browser.

• TR20™ wireless temperature sensors, which can help contractors reduce labor and material costs over installing hardwired sensors, particularly in retrofit applications.

• Zelix™ spring return low-torque direct-coupled actuator (DCA), feature-rich, competitively sized DCA that packs in 25 percent more torque than comparably sized competitive models.

EDUCATION

A controls contractor at the conference takes a gambler’s chance at one of the booths that was displaying direct-coupled actuators.

Two technical tracks and one business management/sales track encompassed a variety of 20 education sessions during the four-day conference. The session about the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ gathered a fairly large crowd. Attendees learned about the U.S. Green Buildings Council, and how control companies have been successful in adding product content jobs as a result of the LEED certification process.

A fast-paced, two-hour session, Leadership Without Excuses, introduced contractors to the fundamentals of managing performance. Discussed were the distinction between management and leadership, and when to use which approach to get better results with people.

AWARDS