Let’s start with a highly anticipated milestone. Could you introduce the upcoming new product line, which is scheduled for release this autumn?
As the head of the Quality and R&D departments, I have been deeply involved in the project since its very inception. It is an entirely new product series for us, and it represents an incredibly exciting challenge. Right now, our team is working hard to fine-tune every single detail ahead of the official launch. We have very high expectations for its market reception because the industrial design and overall aesthetics of this new line are truly exceptional.
When it comes to market adoption, installation efficiency is key. What is the main competitive advantage of the new line from a technical perspective?
The core strategy behind this project was to directly implement crucial feedback from the market. Our customers and installers are genuinely happy with our existing mechanism architecture because it is remarkably easy and efficient to install. Therefore, we decided to retain these proven, trusted mechanisms and adapt a completely fresh, modern design over them. In essence, we are delivering the best of both worlds—cutting-edge aesthetic design combined with a seamless, rapid installation process. Naturally, the products are fully safe and accredited by the leading European certification bodies, including VDE for Germany, NF for the French market, and AENOR for Spain.
Word on the street is that the launch will be accompanied by a major promotional tour across Spain…
Yes, I know that our marketing team is organizing dedicated launch events across four major Spanish cities, including Barcelona and Malaga, to introduce the line to our partners and key clients. While marketing fully manages the specific tour logistics, the entire technical team is incredibly excited about the rollout.
When we met last year around this time, you were just entering this new era. Looking back, how would you describe the past year? Was it tough, or would “adventurous” be a better word?
It was immensely challenging, but “adventurous” describes it perfectly. With ELKO EP joining our company, we began introducing sophisticated hardware and smart products that we simply didn’t have in our portfolio before. We had to go through a steep learning phase. Today, I can confidently say that we are highly comfortable with the situation. The products supplied by ELKO EP that we are introducing to the market are excellent, and we strongly believe in their commercial success. However, it was an incredibly busy period because the development of the new product line and the integration of these new smart technologies ran entirely in parallel.
How does the engineering and development collaboration operate between the teams at BJC and ELKO EP?
The cooperation has been absolutely fantastic and highly technical, especially during the software engineering and RF (radiofrequency) integration phases. The development team at ELKO EP did a spectacular job tailoring their solutions to our ecosystem. We held weekly technical synchronization meetings to share our testing findings; they reacted immediately, resolving any technical bugs we put on the table. We enjoyed a very productive workflow with Alexey, Oleg, and Daniel on the software side, as well as with Martin on the PCB development. It has been an excellent exercise in building deep institutional relationships between both companies, which looks incredibly promising for our future smart home pipeline.
Speaking of smart homes and intelligent automation, what are the next immediate steps for BJC?
As early as June, we will release our next wave of products to the market. Our near-term strategy focuses on taking existing, successful smart components from ELKO EP’s portfolio and adapting them to BJC standards and requirements. These will roll out over the summer months. As for the autumn launch, we are launching the initial line with standard mechanisms, but we are already working on introducing the smart home variants tailored for the new product line ecosystem almost from the very beginning.
Looking at it from the outside, BJC represents design pedigree and market stability, whereas ELKO EP brings agile tech innovation. Is that an accurate summary?
That is exactly right. Historically, BJC did not possess extensive internal R&D experience in developing complex electronic products; in the past, we relied on external partners to manufacture electronic components without being involved in the initial design. On the other hand, our absolute core expertise lies in industrial design, mold manufacturing, and rigorous product compliance testing. We have a highly experienced team and a top-tier laboratory setup to test any product according to the varying demands of different European markets. Our team is now successfully adapting those stringent quality processes to electronic components. Collaborating closely with ELKO EP’s laboratory has been highly encouraging, helping us grow significantly as professionals.
If you had to choose just three words to define BJC today, what would they be?
That’s a great question. First, I would say Experience. Second, Future. And the third one, which is non-negotiable for me as a quality director, is Quality.
Does the Spanish customer stand out compared to the rest of Europe? Is there a distinct preference for domestic brands and design?
Generally, yes. We enjoy an excellent market share in Spain because BJC is a deeply trusted household name here. Installers and consumers naturally lean toward established local manufacturers. However, I believe this is also the perfect time for us to expand significantly into the rest of Europe. Historically, our focus was almost entirely restricted to Spain or internal manufacturing for Siemens. Now, with the technical synergy and support of ELKO EP, we have a massive opportunity to scale our business on a truly European level.
To wrap up on a personal note – our readers always enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes. What are your personal hobbies outside the office?
My primary escapes are sports and music. I am a very active runner, specifically focusing on trail running in the mountains. I usually do distances between 10, 15, and 20 kilometers. Escaping into the mountains to run is the absolute best way for me to clear my mind and recharge.
