Bell & Gossett’s Mark Handzel explains the growing need for energy efficient systems
Earlier this year, Xylem’s Bell & Gossett brand introduced the Series e-1510 single stage end suction pump and ecocirc XL large wet rotor circulator—both of which focus on high-efficiency offerings. Mark Handzel is vice president of product regulatory affairs and director of the Americas, HVAC/commercial buildings market segment for AWS. His responsibilities include strategy, business development, marketing, product management and engineering in the Americas. He spoke with Modern Pumping Today to discuss the market forces driving high-efficiency products.
Modern Pumping Today: What were you seeing in the market that affirmed a need for high-efficiency equipment?
Mark Handzel: There has always been some interest in pump efficiency, but with energy costs increasing, the need for efficiency systems has encouraged consulting engineers to design systems that use less energy. To help reduce the need for more power plants, the interest in better efficiency pumps will continue to grow. Energy efficient systems will expand building systems capabilities and help drive down energy usage and operational costs.
MPT: Your appearance at the 2014 AHR Expo in New York City highlighted Bell & Gossett’s new high-efficiency products. How would you describe the reaction?
Mark Handzel: AHR Expo offered the perfect opportunity to announce our latest products. Efficiency was the buzzword of the event and having new, highly efficient products was key to our success at the show. The team hosted dozens of trade media representatives, filmed videos for the virtual trade show and interacted with hundreds of show attendees.
MPT: Christopher Johnston’s three-part series on “Efficiency Islands” recently concluded in our magazine. How would you best summarize the operating benefits from the “Power of e” to engineers and users alike?
Mark Handzel: Bell & Gossett’s Efficiency Island white paper helped demonstrate the value of Efficiency Islands and drew a lot of interest from media and customers. Pump designs of old typically had a Best Efficiency Point where the pump efficiency was maximized. This point typically covered a very limited flow range of the pump. Modern hydraulic design techniques allow us to design pumps today that offer a broad flow range where the Best Efficiency is maximized.
The Efficiency Island refers to these Best Efficiency Ranges. They are highly desirable because a pump never operates at just one point on the curve. The operating point is constantly changes depending on the control type and system design.
MPT: Your appearance at the AHR Expo emphasized benefits for HVAC and plumbing attendees, but what other industries and applications are prime for high-efficiency offerings?
Mark Handzel: There are many applications where pumps are moved to transport clean-water like a HVAC or plumbing system. These applications could be in industrial, municipal or general applications and they could all benefit from high efficiency products like the e-1510 and ecocirc XL.
MPT: As you introduce new options for your customers, what value do you place on relationships with distributors and trade associations?
Mark Handzel: Distributors and trade associations are vital to our efforts. Distributors have local relationships with consulting engineers, mechanical contractors and wholesalers and carry insight and expertise about new products and Efficiency Islands to the people it matters to most.
With regulatory efforts consistently changing, trade associations help us stay up-to-date. By knowing what is happening within the industry, we can set and achieve reasonable goals for our products and our customers’ needs.
MPT: How can you achieve the best position to strongly promote these lines across all business markets?
Mark Handzel: Premier brand recognition, strong distribution partners and innovative products are all key to attaining the best position for products like the e-1510 and ecocirc XL. Bell & Gossett benefits from all three and has a strong pipeline of other new products coming up to help meet the needs of energy efficiency within the industry.