E-mobility promotions

Schneider Electric is promoting two key senior staff in the e-mobility and connected solutions branches of the business.

Adrian Duque will be Asia Pacific business development manager for e-mobility based in Singapore, while Liam Vink is New Zealand business development manager for connected solutions and e-mobility.

Vink expects the next five years will bring the most rapid growth in the EV market.

Duque’s 16 years with Schneider Electric includes the last 11 years in Auckland-based roles with a focus on leadership in energy efficiency, power solutions and EV technology.

He is also joining the global management team for e-mobility and says the new role places him in a group of seven regional managers across the globe.

“It is business development on a much wider scale – I will look after the national business development managers in each country in the Asia Pacific region, and develop major projects and partnerships.

“Different countries have different levels of maturity in e-mobilty, and at present I am concentrating on the most mature ones in our region – currently New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore – as we bring other countries towards maturity.”

Vink joined Schneider Electric in 2016 and was appointed national business manager – connected solutions in 2019, focusing on CBUS lighting and room control, building automation, EV charging, and power management.

He previously served as a key account manager for the company, working with electrical consulting firms and architects in Auckland and Waikato.

Adding e-mobility to his role means Vink’s responsibilities now include EV hardware and solutions, home automation and commercial building automation.

“I am looking after our partners in the fleet vehicle market, along with those dedicated to selling EV solutions, payment and charging systems, scoping and installation, with Schneider providing the hardware,” he says.

“I am also increasing visibility of our business at common points of sale for mutual contractors and wholesalers.

“All the evidence we are seeing, as well as feedback from partners and clients, tells us the next five years will bring the most rapid growth in the EV market.

“We are reaching that stage where there is a great combination of activity – better uptake residentially, public projects are taking off, the government has committed to 100% renewable energy by 2030, and the low emission vehicles contestable fund continues to offer up to $6.5 million a year to projects that will accelerate the uptake of EVs and other low-emission vehicles.

“Schneider is one of the longest serving in the market for EV chargers and we are now seeing intense growth, with cut-through across the market – our clients range from vehicle dealerships to government agencies, so there is a strong critical mass of engagement with EVs at a time when the technology and services have never been better.”