Schneider Electric acquires Energy Conservation Systems and strengthens its position in Energy Performance Contracting and Energy Efficiency Solutions.
07/04/2011

Sydney (Australia), 7th April 2011 – Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management, announced today that it has signed a business sale agreement to acquire Energy Conservation Systems Pty Ltd (ECS), a leader in bringing energy efficiency to the market, through products and projects, including Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) over the past 18 years.

ECS’ revenues come from the sale and distribution of Broad Absorption chillers and Ex-Or lighting controls, as well as energy efficient projects and EPC solutions. Schneider Electric Buildings Business will continue operations in both of these areas and will look to leverage its product offerings to enhance and support the business.

“The addition of the ECS team allows us to strengthen our focus in Energy Performance Contracting and Energy & Sustainability for our customers,” said Jay Nardone, Schneider Electric Vice President for Buildings Business in Australia and New Zealand.

He added the ECS team has successfully delivered a high level of service to their customers while saving energy and positively impacting the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

“ECS enables Schneider Electric to fast track its move into the EPC market and provides an extensive history of successfully completing energy efficient projects, as well as providing the highly sought after local experience and capability.” said Darren Butler, National Energy Solutions Manager, Schneider Electric Buildings Business in Australia and New Zealand.

“Over the next several weeks and months we will be transitioning the ECS name over to Schneider Electric and working with customers to convert existing contracts over to Schneider Electric without impacting their operations,”.

“We will also be working to transition the business locations to existing Schneider Electric sites over the next few months.”

Founded in 1983 by the late Peter Szental, ECS is among Australia’s top EPC contractors. ECS is based in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Launceston.

ECS representatives visit China to conduct meetings with BROAD Air Conditioning and to visit the Shanghai World Expo where BROAD is the exclusive air conditioning supplier.
July 2010

Stuart Macfarlane, Chris Flanagan and Tony Dorotic recently visited China to conduct meetings with BROAD Air Conditioning and to visit the Shanghai World Expo where BROAD is the exclusive air conditioning supplier. 

The World Expo is an amazing stage for countries around the world to show off their unique attributes, it is held over a huge area spanning the Huangpu River and runs from 1st May until 31st October 2010. BROAD has 53 mega size chillers in 22 of the Expo’s energy centre’s which are located throughout the site, BROAD operates these energy centre’s under an energy management contract (EMC) for the Shanghai authorities. The energy centre’s are as impressive as the many fascinating pavilions in the Expo and are open to the public for viewing. The photograph below shows a chiller in one of the remarkable energy centre’s.

The photo below is Stuart, Tony and Chris with guests from Australia and the Chairman of BROAD Mr Zhang Yue in the BROAD Pavillion at the Expo. BROAD has done an excellent job at the Expo and continues to demonstrate why it is the world leader in absorption cooling. 

Energy Conservation Systems was deeply saddened on Wednesday 14th July 2010 at the passing of Peter Szental, the founder and owner of the Szencorp Group.
July 2010

Recently, Peter had battled cancer. Over the last couple of months, his condition worsened. He passed away on the morning of Wednesday 14 July, staff at Energy Conservations Systems feel a huge loss for the man who was a mentor and inspiration to many.

Peter had been at the forefront of Australian efforts to improve water and energy performance in buildings by using innovative technologies, measuring and reporting systems, and energy performance contracting. Peter held numerous industry roles. He was greatly respected throughout the industry and was the Founding President and Director of the Energy Efficiency Council. He was also Treasurer of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council and a Director of the Australian Alliance to Save Energy. He was past President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and also served as Deputy Chair of the Clean Energy Council.

CEO of Energy Conservations Systems, Stuart Macfarlane who has known Peter for over 20 years as a boss and close friend remembers Peter as a man who was larger than life with boundless energy and drive. Peter was a one off character who enthusiasm and passion for energy efficiency was infectious, he created the path in this field, it was privilege to know him, he said.

Macfarlane said, as CEO of this company I know that I speak on behalf of all of our staff when we express our most heartfelt condolences to his loving wife Lorraine and two children Jae and Max. He will be warmly remembered and forever respected by all.

ECS & Ex-Or release new LightSopt Application Guide
April-May 2010

ECS is the exclusive distibutor for Ex-Or lighting products. Ex-Or has released their latest LighSpot Application Guide.

Download the brochure_1.8 mb

ECS & BROAD attendance at the annual Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services (ARBS) trade exhibition
12-14 April 2010

ECS and representatives of BROAD exhibited at the annual Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Building Services (ARBS) trade exhibition at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Center at Darling Harbour.

ARBS provided an exciting marketplace atmosphere in which to showcase our BROAD absorption chillers. This event was used to showcase the BROAD absorption chiller products, technologies and services.

From right to left:
Jerry Nie, Daniel Yang, Tony Dorotic, Chris Flanagan,
Martin Brandstrom and Abhi Sawant

"Szencorp leaves little rubbish in its wake"
- 'The Age' comments on the head office building of ECS
2 September 2009

"...STAFF at South Melbourne's Szencorp Building are among the best recyclers in the country, with each occupant producing almost 100 kilograms less waste than the average Australian office worker.

The Szencorp building has been awarded the highest waste-management rating under the National Australia Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), which rates the performance of existing buildings.

Its four-star waste rating, out of five, adds to its five-star NABERS ratings for energy and water. The building's 2009 waste audit revealed that each occupant produced 79 kilograms of landfill and recycling waste a year, compared to the Australian average of 173 kilograms.

Szencorp Building owner and developer, Peter Szental, said the aim was to reach five stars for waste.

"Our recycling rate is 76.3 per cent and each occupant only produces 303 grams of waste per day, but we need to do better,'' Mr Szental said. ''By our calculations, we need to halve the amount of overall waste produced per person and increase the recycling rate by a further 10 per ent to achieve a five-star waste rating.''

Further improvements will include supplying staff with reusable containers and mugs and donating magazines to schools. ..."

ECS Releases New Product
- Hotrun Instantaneous Hot Water Service
19 July 2009

After being sold successfully in European Markets for more than 20 years, ECS and ELWA are proud to introduce a range of HOTRUN Multipoint Electric Instantaneous Water Heaters into Australia.

MAINTENANCE
Due to its advanced design, the HOTRUN is maintenance free and contains no user serviceable components. The HOTRUN is provided with two independently operating safety cut-out switches. The reliability of the HOTRUN is due to its internal double copper pipe system.

HOTRUN ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS
• Minimal water usage
• Most energy efficient way to make hot water
• Provides unlimited amounts of hot water, instantly, at any time of day
• Easy replacement for old storage water heaters
• Mount at point of use: no water or heat loss caused by long pipe runs
• No pilot flames, no flue needed
• No carbon monoxide danger
• Can be fitted almost anywhere in any position due to compact size

ECS has become the latest Australian distributor for this innovative product range.

Download the brochure_1.5 mb

or contact us

ECS Supports Indigenous Football Players
17 July 2009

Energy Conservation Systems (a Szencorp group company) was proud to sponsor the Melbourne Football Club’s latest Women of Melbourne event held last night at the MCG – ‘The Long Journey’.

The Long Journey recognised the Club’s links to indigenous players and the part they play in the game and the Club. The event also launched an exciting initiative: the Inaugural Indigenous Scholarship.

The scholarship’s introduction will help the Club to bring an indigenous player – who has missed out in the National Draft, but who still has potential to make progress in the game – to Melbourne to gain experience with the Club’s VFL affiliate, the Casey Scorpions. It is an initiative particularly inspired by Melbourne’s own Aaron Davey, whose story of success from perseverance, and passion for this project, has helped to see it come to fruition.

Founder and owner of Energy Conservation Systems and Szencorp, as well as Melbourne Football Club director, Peter Szental, said he was delighted to be involved in The Long Journey.

“We are extremely proud to join forces with the Women of Melbourne to make The Long Journey an integral part of the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.

The special guest and compere for The Long Journey was Ernie Dingo, who is the host of ‘The Great Outdoors’, as well as being made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1990 for his services to the performing arts. He was also a selector for the AFL’s Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005.

Energy Conservation Systems (ECS) has been an Australian leader for more than 26 years in energy and water management for commercial buildings and non-residential property. ECS provides a range of tailored, engineered solutions that help companies reduce their carbon footprint and become energy and water efficient.

Download the media release_24 kb

or contact us

Company Restructures to Meet Green Economy Growth
3 July 2009

As commercial buildings increasingly focus on reducing their carbon footprint, Australia’s longest serving provider of energy efficiency products and services has undergone a radical company restructure to cope with this growth and prepare for greater business opportunities.

Established 26 years ago by prominent Melbourne entrepreneur Peter Szental, ‘Energy Conservation Systems’ (ECS) has restructured from a geographical to a functional structure.

Mr Szental said the restructure would better enable his company to help commercial office buildings prepare for Mandatory Disclosure, which would require them to disclose their energy efficiency rating at the point of sale or lease.

For more information click here
or contact us

ECS Signs Up for the CitySwitch Green Office Program
17 Nov 2008

ECS has committed to the further push to go green by becoming a signatory of the CitySwitch Green Office Program. CitySwitch Green Office is a national tenant energy management program run in partnership between the cities of Sydney, North Sydney, Parramatta, Wiloughby, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane and state government agencies. By becoming a signatory, ECS is required to achieve and maintain an accredited 4 star or higher NABERS Energy Tenancy Rating. The program aims to encourage tenants to improve the environmental performance and sustainability of the workplace.

The program has recently been endorsed by the Brisbane City Council following the overwhelming acceptance and success of the program in the City of Sydney with over 70 firms in the last two years committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in their workplace. The wide scale endorsement of the program is indicative of a major shift towards the green office and environmental sustainability in the commercial sector.

For more information about the program click here
or contact us

ECS Celebrates 25 Years
1 October 2008

ECS celebrates its 25 year anniversary in 2008. We have come a long way since being independently established in 1983 to market and distribute U.K energy conservation products in conjunction with other control systems. The organisation has grown substantially over the last 25 years and is now represented in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory with an agent in Western Australia. ECS is always looking for new opportunities to grow and in its corporate history has exstablished strong international partnerships with Malaysia and Thailand and more recently in New Zealand.

We would like to thank our customers for all their support over the years and look forward to many more successes in the future. Watch this space…

SB08 - World Sustainable Building Conference
26 September 2008

ECS recently showcased its products and services in partnership with Szencorp at the Sustainable Building Conference 2008. The conference was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in September and attracted over 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries.

Taking place every three years, the conference is seen as the peak international gathering of the building industry and attracted many high profile speakers including the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett and Victorian Environment Minister Gavin Jennings. Australia’s first plug in hybrid electrical vehichle (PHEV), a Toyota Pruis was also on display.

For more information about the program click here
or contact us

Launch of the Sustainable Buildings Website
19 August 2008

The Sustainable Buildings website is finally live! The website is a great source of information for environmentally sustainable design in Victoria and represents the award winning 40 Albert Road, the Szencorp Building. The website will be updated over time.

For further information about the Sustainable Buildings website please visit the website www.sustainablebuildingsvic.com.au

If you would like more information about the Szencorp Building please contact us or visit www.ourgreenoffice.com

ECS SA Has Moved!
18 July 2008

The ECS South Australian Office has moved! Due to the recent growth in the last few years, ECS SA has relocated from its former home in Prospect to a large premise in North Adelaide. The move is a great opportunity for ECS to continue to grow and to deliver our products and services in a more effective manner.

Dave Low (State Manager) in the new office.


Lisa Williams, David Gomez and Chris Flanagan

Please update your current lists to include our new contact details for our office:
Suite 7
191 Melbourne Street
North Adelaide SA 5006

Do not hesitate to call into our office to say hi or to discuss any future opportunities with your business. We all look forward to working with you in the future.

'You can't manage what you can't measure'
8 June 2007

Christopher Seeley of ECS was an invited speaker at the recent event titled 'You can't manage what you can't measure'. This was an event organized by Grow Me the Money - a program run by VECCI and EPA Victoria which focuses on assisting Victorian businesses interested in reducing resource consumption and improving environmental sustainability.

This was an information session for Victorian businesses to find out how better to measure and manage their resource use. ‘You can’t manage what you can’t measure’ included an expert discussion and product display on resource measurement and efficiency tools by industry professionals.

For more information about the program click here
or contact us

Climate Change and your Business – A Practical Perspective
31 May 2007

What does climate change have to do with your business? Issues around the environment cannot be escaped. Your customers, your staff and your community expect Australian businesses to show awareness, minimize impact and demonstrate their good corporate citizenship.

Christopher Seeley, Business Develpment of Sustainability Solutions of ECS was invited to be part of the expert panel for this event alongside honored guest Dr Graeme Pearman - noted scientist, multiple award winner, science advisor to Al Gore and committed environmentalist.

They fielded questions on key issues in sustainability from the audience. The 150+ audience was made up of business managers and executives who asked questions on how to tackle reducing their organizations’ impact and how to improve their business practices around the areas of sustainability and the environment.

For more information about the program click here
or contact us

The Savings Annouced - Port Fairy Energise BUSINESS
20 March 2007

The Australian-first project piloted in Port Fairy in line with Moyne Shire Council's established commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
Energise BUSINESS is an initiative by the Victorian Government's Greenhouse strategy and delivered by ICLEI-A/NZ with the help from ECS.

Port Fairy Energise Business Casestudies more> (1Mb)

For more information about the program click here , or visit www.iclei.org

First performance report on Australia’s greenest building
November 2006

The release of the first detailed environmental performance results for Australia’s highest-rated green office building The Szencorp Building, confirms the building’s environmental credentials but also reveals the critical importance of transparent monitoring, verification and reporting.

For the November 2006 Summary report click here (4Mb)

For Energy Conservation Systems Performance Verification
___ Report (Detailed Report, 160 pages) click here (4mb)

ECS Introduces BROAD into Australia at ARBS 2006
October 2006

Energy Conservation Systems officially launched BROAD Air Conditioning in Australia on Monday 14th August 2006 at the ARBS exhibition. Peter Szental the Managing Director of ECS and Mr Zhang Yue Managing Director of BROAD- China introduced this pioneering era of environmentally friendly air-conditioning in Australia.

China's Breath of Fresh Air
Article in FM October/November 2006 __more>