As a leading Honeywell building control technologies contractor, Engineered Controls offers control solutions for commercial HVAC and security systems – including video surveillance and access control, parking systems, lighting control systems, and building indoor air quality.

Engineered Controls has branch offices in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, and Des Moines, IA.  Our experience in building control technologies extends across a wide spectrum of facility types including government, health care, military, commercial, educational, and public buildings.

How long have you been in the  area? – Engineered Controls was started in Lincoln in 1994 to fill a void for an independent control contractor for the NE market.  In 1997 we opened an office in the Omaha area and the same year we started a relationship with Honeywell that continues today.

Who are the owners/important executives? – Pat Killeen is the President and Chris Estudillo is the Vice President both located in Omaha, NE.  Also located in Omaha is Beth Salistean is our Company Administrator.  Todd Schmidt is our Lincoln, NE Location Manager and Scott Hanson is our Des Moines, IA Location Manger.

What do you think makes you different from other companies similar to yours? – First, our size and experience enable us to do some very complicated system integration where we connect multiple systems of different types into one network.  Second, Engineered Controls is embarking on an Energy and Environmental Optimization Program (E2O) to maximize the efficiency and function in commercial buildings.  We will be offering scalable solutions direct to owner clients.  And lastly, in some cases customers may elect not to use Engineered Controls for work beyond what we were originally hired to do; they can purchase products and services from Control Depot, our distribution business, and purchase products and installed it themselves.  Customers are all different some have well trained technical staffs where others might not.

What changes have you seen in the industry and your company in the past few years? – Building control technologies have changed dramatically over the past 20 years.  Pneumatic controls, once the standard, are almost unheard of today; electric controls have evolved into the microprocessor based digital control systems we install today.  It is very common today for a medium to small building to utilize the same control technology that was only reserved for the larger building of the past.

In recent years, buildings utilize complex building control technology that continually monitors temperature, humidity, pressure, carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide.  Furthermore, control technologies can now control mechanical and electrical systems to optimize the right amount of everything (air, water, electricity, and natural gas) to create a comfortable building environment, and at the same time optimize cost.  System integration with other intelligent building networks is where the technology is going …monitor and control all aspects of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, security, card access, video systems, and even control parking access to a facility.

Today, building owners want their building to be more “green”, whereby everything is integrated, optimized and environmentally friendly too.

What do you see happening with the business in the next five years? – Staying in touch with changing technologies (ie.. wireless technology, web interface, smart technologies between building infrastructures…etc).

Provide customers the energy optimization they request… lighting control systems, parking systems.  (example – someone arrives at work we control the parking, the access the building we control the building access, the network is now notified of a person an employs arrival, the lighting in their office is now turned on, it turns on their HVAC system to the desired temperature and humidity, CO2 levels in order to maintained to provide optimum environment….etc.   I think you get the picture.

Building owners want maximum comfort with minimum energy usage.  Green building technologies (LEED) will become more the norm in facilities.

What has been your most important achievement as a business? – Engineered Controls has consistently ranked in the top three of Honeywell’s Authorized Control Integrator contractors for over the past 14 years, and was ranked the number one ACI “Contractor of the Year” in 2004 and again in 2009.

What was the biggest turning point in your business? – Probably opening an office in Omaha in 1997; within a short period of time we doubled our business revenues.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about your business that most people don’t know? – We are in the parking business.  Engineered Controls is affiliated with Amano McGann, Inc. as an authorized parking dealer.  Amano is a leading manufacturer of secure parking systems and time and attendance solutions in the US.  Amano’s parking security systems, control access and revenue in parking lots, garages and ramps using pay stations, card readers, ticket dispensers, exit gates, and other automated parking solutions.

For example, when you travel to Eppley Airfield in Omaha to leave on business or take a vacation and you arrive at the parking garage to park your car that is Amano equipment we provided.  We provide all the equipment including automated gates, ticket dispensers and automated teller machines.  Surprising to many people, but parking represents one of the largest sales revenue for the airport authority.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? – On my Facebook account I have a quote I once heard, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”  I believe in it and you should too!  To be successful in business (and life) you need to have a passion for the work you do.  If not, you need to find something else to do.

What is the best way to reach Engineered Controls? – In Lincoln call 402.434.2110, email us at ecilincoln@engineeredcontrols.com or visit us on the web at http://engineeredcontrols.com