Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

Case study

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

TWI has global and regional experience - that was critical. They had the right modules we needed to hit our growth targets,

Rami Dada

Regional Head of HR

$1.7 billion Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories started life as a basement start-up! When Ed Schweitzer launched his company in 1982 with a $2,000 investment, General Electric and Westinghouse were the big players. Now SEL leads the industry with 184 patents held personally by Ed Schweitzer. Twenty-two years ago, a share of SEL stock was worth $50. That same share today is worth more than $1,000.  Founder, Ed Schweitzer asserts, “We have people who started as assemblers who are retiring as millionaires.” With over 5000 employees, SEL, now 100% employee-owned, has made Fortune magazine’s list of 15 best workplaces in manufacturing and production for the past two years.

The challenge

With products in 150 countries, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) invents, designs, and builds systems that protect power grids around the world. This technology improves power systems reliability and safety at a reduced cost. SEL’s mission is simple: to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical.

SEL wanted to invest in a world-class programme to greatly enhance its Senior Leadership Team and prepare them for significant growth in the MENA region.

Our approach

After extensive discussions SEL decided to engage TWI who they felt had the right blend of skills and executive-level experience to achieve the required changes and prepare the senior leadership team for the next level of growth.  “TWI had global and regional experience – that was critical.  They had the right modules, customised for us over a period of 12 months. It was what we needed to hit our growth targets,” said regional head of HR, Rami Dada.

The impact has been huge. It has enhanced the overall performance of individual managers and the leadership team as a whole.

Rami Dada

Regional Head of HR

The results

“The programme gave us strength and confidence in our leadership abilities. It enabled us to deal with tough market conditions and pressured situations.  We’ve seen improvements in terms of communications and self-awareness.  We are much better at communicating openly and honestly with staff. The impact has been huge. It has enhanced the overall performance of individual managers and the leadership team as a whole.

“We really feel comfortable dealing with TWI, their dedicated team is always on-hand to help and support us – they fully understood the big idea and have helped us get where we are today!”

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