Susan Uthayakumar, President of Schneider Electric Canada: Driving Success

Susan Uthayakumar

October 18, 2018

BY Owen Hurst

First and foremost, I must note that sitting down with Susan Uthayakumar feels more like sitting down and conversing with a friend than conducting an interview with the company President of one of the largest electrical manufacturers in the world. Of course, she exudes the confidence and knowledge her position demands, but equally identifiable is an open and caring nature.

In a recent sit-down Panel Builder & Systems Integrator was able to learn a little about Susan’s history and what drives her to succeed.

To begin Susan was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Canada at a young age. She went to high school in Canada and attended the University of Waterloo where she obtained Undergraduate and Graduate degrees.

Upon completing university Susan began her working career with Deloitte, which she notes was a great forum to begin her career as she was surrounded by highly driven and intelligent individuals. She enjoys that the position was demanding and really helped nurture a strong and driven work ethic. Further her work with Deloitte instilled in her a great interest in acquisitions which would serve her well as her career unfolded.

After working at Deloitte Susan began a position with McCain Foods Canada in corporate development, which had a large focus on acquisitions and new manufacturing development. Through this she gained insight into the logistics of manufacturing operations and all the various intricacies that required attention such as operational efficiency and safety protocols. She also learned about the need for global partnerships and the benefits that they can bring to the table.

Susan notes that working for McCain on global projects, and through her earlier work at Deloitte, she became cognizant of the need to spend some time working in the US, as it is one of the largest markets. And so, in 2003 Susan emigrated to the US. She notes at this point that she had met her husband while working at McCain and with a little bemusement points out that she thought it would be better to start fresh in the US rather than transfer within McCain in order to keep work and personal life separate. She began her career in the US with Crowe Capitol, through which she had her first contact with Schneider Electric.

Initially she worked with Schneider on various acquisitions throughout the US and Canada and admits that looking back she is very proud of the work she did, and in particular her efforts in Schneider’s acquisition of Power Measurement in Canada.

It is at this point that Susan really dug deep into her past, reminiscing about exactly what drew her to pursue a permanent position with Schneider Electric. She loved that Schneider was about energy efficiency, and about the greater good of something. And she recalls that coming from a developing country she had a great respect, not just for electricity, but for just how much it truly has allowed us to accomplish.

Deciding to stay with Schneider she wanted to expand her role and knowledge beyond that of acquisitions and took a leadership role in finance to gain insight into the business drivers of the company. She focused her efforts in this position on the finance side of sales, distribution and marketing with a goal to truly understand the business as a whole. And as her understanding grew it served to fuel her fascination with the company and all it had to offer.

With the knowledge she gained she made the decision to move outside the US and work in a smaller market to really get her hands dirty and help grow Schneider in a smaller market. Now Susan notes that Canada is by no means a small market, but in comparison to the US, it offered different opportunities for growth. And thus in 2010 Susan returned to Canada as the new CFO of Schneider Electric Canada. Although still in finance she discusses how she took the opportunity to continue learning the operational side the business, with a particular interest in distribution.

At this point she recalled an interesting story from her early days as the CFO. She remembers attending a meeting with Gary Abrams, the former President of Schneider Electric Canada, whom she greatly admires. The meeting was a joint affair with several top officials from a distribution partner, who noted that they had never had anyone from finance join the meetings previously. To which Gary replied, “Ah she maybe the finance leader today, but who knows where she will be tomorrow.” Susan couldn’t help but smile as she recalled the instance, noting that it was at least 8 years ago, well before there were any considerations or aspirations by her to obtain her current position.

Continuing her rise Susan took a leadership position with Schneider’s Power Business Unit. In her time with the Power BU she remembers not just her growth but the growth that the company was undertaking. Schneider was evolving as it recognized the changing world around it, at that time we were starting to see the convergence of OT and IT. From this and all the advancements that were coming Schneider evolved from a product-based company to a solution provider, and now is in essence a truly a digital company.

She admits that as she advanced within the company the knowledge she acquired tied her to the industry, a fact that her younger self would not have predicted but is now one of her true passions. And through her drive and love of the industry she continues to grow alongside the company and driving it forward jut as she has done for herself throughout her career.

Susan has now been in her position as President of Schneider Electric Canada since the beginning of 2018 and we asked her about any challenges the new role has brought that she may not have anticipated.

She responds that there were a number of challenges to this role, but true to her nature she has risen to meet each of those challenges head on.

First and foremost, Susan recalls how essential it was that she worked in various positions at Schneider, learning the various functions and operations of each department as well ensuring that she was aware and interacting with the major players in each area.

It was also essential to integrate herself into the broader electrical community. To fully integrate herself she joined associations such as becoming a board member of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC). She also feels it is important to make herself available to Schneider’s clients and to attend events.

In her new role it was essential to undertake these endeavours to ensure she had a deep knowledge base and also to be sure to surround herself with knowledgeable individuals. She also notes that a leadership role means you need to be in a place where you can knowledgeably answer questions, not knowing is really not an option. And I can certainly attest after a short time with Susan that her knowledge truly runs deep, and her confidence surrounds every response she provides.

One very important point that she made when discussing the company and how the wider economy can affect business is that cyclicality is something you need to learn. Susan recognizes that times of crisis can teach us how to succeed and she learned a lot through the currency shifts of the Canadian dollar, and the energy crisis in 2008-2009. Looking back at these events she states how crucial it is in her role to stay ahead of changes and to have contingency plans. Another critical challenge she identified was the need to set yourself apart from your competitors, particularly in an industry in which it is not always easy to do. However, learning was the biggest challenge, but it was the excitement of learning that has kept driving her forward.

She also feels it is important to point out, particularly as she is raising her own daughter, that she feels there is yet a greater role for women to play in the electrical industry. She is truly grateful for the diverse culture at Schneider and feels that although much progress has been made, and she is a testament to that, that more diversity will benefit the industry as a whole.

All in all, Susan Uthayakumar is an extremely impressive woman, mother, company president and a industry leader for today and tomorrow and we look forward to watching her guide Schneider Electric Canada into the next generation of the electrical industry.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage

and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment. https://www.schneider-electric.ca/en/

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Pilz Automation Safety Canada L.P. announces that their long-term CEO and GM, Andreas Sobotta, will assume the role of Vice President North and South America, effective immediately. He will still work from the Canadian office in Mississauga and visit all other subsidiaries in North and South America. Pilz will take their time to find a… Read More…

  • SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    Whether in production or logistics operations, MAXOLUTION is synonymous with innovation in factory automation – across all industries and worldwide – helping you achieve your vision of an adaptable and resilient lean smart factory. Under the MAXOLUTION brand, SEW-EURODRIVE creates customized solutions for cutting-edge materials handling technology – from the shop floor through to IT.… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well.… Read More…

  • Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons,… Read More…