Electrical Business Review: Specials Magazine

Renown Electric Motors & Repairs Inc.

Redefining Reliability in Motor Solutions

In the world of motor and generator repair, reliability isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about preventing future failures and ensuring long-term performance. That’s the philosophy that drives Renown Electric Motors & Repairs Inc. The company doesn’t just repair motors; it works to uncover the root causes of failures, reduce downtime, and provide lasting solutions that keep businesses running efficiently. “At Renown, service isn’t just something we provide—it’s part of who we are,” says Jeff Collins, Partner. “We don’t just want to fix a problem today; we want to help our customers minimize future breakdowns. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to repairs, maintenance, and reliability.” Renown Electric serves industries where uptime is critical, including hydroelectric, manufacturing, mining, elevators, infrastructure, oil and gas, water treatment, and wind power. A significant portion of its work involves hydroelectric generators, with projects spanning from major power companies to independent operators. It also works on a mix of primary and backup power systems, covering everything from industrial-scale LNG operations to smaller, specialized generators. With in-house coil manufacturing, advanced diagnostics, and expertise in both AC and DC motors, Renown Electric is more than just a repair shop—it’s a reliability partner for industries that can’t afford downtime.

Dummy

REV

Driving Innovation and Reliability in High Voltage Solutions

Jason Molstad, Principal

As the world shifts toward a more sustainable energy future, two converging factors have accelerated the demand for electricity: the global energy transition and the exponential growth of data centers. This, however, presents a complex challenge. On one hand, we must scale up electricity generation to meet increasing demand from electrified industries and burgeoning data centers. On the other hand, this expansion must occur within the constraints of sustainable energy goals, meaning we cannot simply rely on traditional, carbon-intensive power sources. That’s where REV steps up to deliver cutting-edge high-voltage (HV) solutions that are reliable, adaptable, and designed to meet the most complex demands. Under the leadership of Jason Molstad, principal, the company has emerged as a leader in the HV space, delivering innovative products and also being a key player providing quality products and services across core industries such as oil and gas, mining, commercial, and utilities. We achieve this by understanding what is important to the client,” Molstad says. “Many firms get carried away with their own perspective, but we spend time getting to know our clients, understanding their needs, and investing in long-term relationships.

Electrical Wholesale Supplier

Gescan

Powering Efficiency in Electrical and Industrial Product Distribution

Javi Richmond, President

Gescan, a Sonepar Company, is transforming the distribution of electrical supplies and equipment into a smarter, more connected service model guided by a philosophy of making contractors’ lives easier. As an electrical wholesale distributor, it delivers end-to-end, technology-driven solutions. These include expert product selection, quick-ship programs, user-friendly digital platforms, and hands-on support that turn even the most complex project into a streamlined, hassle-free experience. As part of Sonepar, a leader in B2B distribution of electrical products, solutions and services, Gescan helps contractors across Western Canada procure the most suitable products, considering both technical and pricing perspectives. By managing inventory directly on behalf of its customers, staging complete projects in advance and ensuring every order arrives on time and in full, it helps contractors stay on schedule while maintaining quality and budget. Its digital procurement platform seamlessly integrates with clients’ ERP systems to simplify ordering and job site management. It creates an omnichannel experience across digital and in-person touchpoints, enhancing billing efficiency and streamlining the entire purchasing workflow “We continuously seek out new ways to enhance the customer experience and deliver innovative solutions to customer challenges,” says Javi Richmond, president. That promise matters in an environment where tariffs and ongoing supply chain disruptions continue to impact project timelines. Backed by strategic alliances and deep technical knowledge, Gescan supports clients in residential, commercial and industrial automation markets. Its responsive sales team ensures that every customer receives the guidance and support needed at each project stage, delivering a smooth, value-rich experience from planning to payment. Guaranteed Inventory and Rapid Turnaround One of its most strategic advantages is the guaranteed inventory program. This nationwide initiative ensures that over 200 essential products are consistently stocked across all 28 branch locations. Supported by a multi-million-dollar investment, the program helps eliminate downtime and ensures contractors can access the materials when and where they need them. To further minimize job site delays, Gescan offers robust vendor-managed inventory solutions that streamline material handling and improve overall productivity.

Led Lighting Manufacturer

WAC Group

Lighting the Path to Healthier, Smarter Living

Becky Li, President

For centuries, light was simply a tool to extend our day, helping us work and navigate the night. Today, it has become an integral part of how we live, work, and relax. Human-centric design lighting now shapes the way people feel, work, relax, and connect with their surroundings. Coupled with the capabilities of smart connectivity, lighting can be made a seamless part of modern living rather than just a utility. At the forefront of this evolution is WAC Group, a top LED lighting resource for Canada. The company brings more than four decades of expertise in designing and manufacturing advanced solutions for residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces. “Lighting is no longer just about illumination. It plays a role in how we feel, how we design, and how we care for the environment,” says Becky Li, President. “Our focus is on creating solutions that genuinely improve the way people experience their spaces.” Legacy Products and Milestones WAC is recognized for its high-performance functional lighting, including downlights, track lighting, wall sconces, flush mounts, and a comprehensive landscape range. The landscape portfolio features fully adjustable accent lights and the award-winning Colorscaping system, which delivers vibrant outdoor customization and has received multiple design honors. These solutions are widely used across residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces, with installations at McDonald’s, W Hotels, and Disney properties. In addition to functional lighting, WAC offers decorative lines through its Modern Forms brand, one of the first to merge LED technology with design-focused fixtures for both indoor and outdoor use. The DweLED Collection complements this with contemporary styles at a different price point. WAC also brings smart technology into the home with Modern Forms Smart Fans, developed entirely in-house by its IoT team in Austin, Texas. This innovative solution strengthens its reputation as a leader in connected home systems. The company further extends into luxury with Schonbek, the iconic handcrafted crystal lighting brand known for illuminating landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the White House. Building on this heritage, WAC offers the Beyond line, showcasing crystal brilliance in modern designs, and the Forever collection, which is described as “jewelry for the home” that caters to top designers seeking precision-crafted luxury. Schonbek remains especially strong in Canada, where its timeless designs are embraced by showrooms and interior designers alike.

IN MY OPINION

Electric Testing

Handheld Applications in Power Grid Construction

Stephen King, Director of Information Technology, Irby Construction Company

LAST WORD

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety Beyond Compliance

Jeff Jackson, CSP, Safety Director, Union Concrete and Construction Corp

IN FOCUS

Sustainable Growth through LED Lighting Manufacturing in Canada

Canadian LED lighting manufacturers enhance energy efficiency, support sustainability, and drive local production while addressing diverse market needs and innovations.

Learn more

EDITORIAL

Balancing Power Delivery with Smarter Energy Use

Electrical systems are carrying heavier demands while expectations around energy use continue to tighten. Facilities need dependable power for expanding equipment loads, yet higher consumption cannot simply be accepted as the cost of growth. The challenge now spans the full electrical path, from moving power safely across a site to controlling how much is used once it reaches individual spaces.

High-voltage solutions form the backbone of dependable power distribution. Equipment must handle demanding loads while supporting safe switching and manageable maintenance. System design also needs to account for changing capacity requirements without creating unnecessary complexity. Careful coordination between equipment and controls can help facilities respond more effectively when demand shifts or expansion changes the load profile.

LED lighting manufacturers address energy use closer to the point of consumption. Modern lighting systems can lower electricity demand while giving users better control over when and where light is required. Longer service life can also reduce maintenance pressure in facilities where replacing fixtures is disruptive or costly. The benefit comes from matching lighting output more closely with actual use.

Electrical performance depends on what happens at both ends of the system. High-voltage equipment determines how reliably power reaches a facility, while efficient lighting influences how much electricity is required after delivery. Treating supply and consumption as connected decisions can help planners understand where capacity is needed and where demand can be reduced before larger upgrades become necessary.

Changing electrical loads make coordinated planning more important. Facilities are adding equipment while building owners remain attentive to energy costs and available capacity. An upgrade made upstream can affect choices inside the building, just as reduced demand at the point of use can ease pressure elsewhere. Electrical planning increasingly requires a wider view of how individual improvements influence the whole system.

Power management now extends beyond reliable distribution alone. High-voltage systems support the movement of electricity where larger loads must be handled safely, while LED lighting can reduce avoidable demand at the user level. The relationship between the two reflects a broader shift in electrical design, where stronger supply and more disciplined consumption need to work in step.