INDUSTRY
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
The world is our oyster Our conversation with Jan McKenzie, Director of National Accounts, for ASSA ABLOY
G
lobal security market leader ASSA ABLOY is no stranger to designing doors. And Jan McKenzie is no stranger to connecting its customers with the opening solutions, trusted identities, entrance automation and service they need. For a person who never dreamt of selling door knobs for a living, she has spent a career being the person commercial contractors want on their side when they need answers. ASSA ABLOY offers covers products and services related to openings, such as locks, doors, gates and entrance automation solutions. That also includes expertise in controlling identities with keys, cards, tags, mobile and biometric identity verification systems. We sat down with ASSA ABLOY’s Director of National Accounts to get her thoughts on where the market is heading, the opportunities and challenges ahead, and her industry beginnings. Think about how many doors you go through every day. Every one of them includes locks, hinges, closers, levers, keypads, and now phone apps and credentials that help manage security and convenience. The incredible technology evolution and urgent desire for hands-free, clean, safe spaces have created a strong demand for the basics, as well as the ongoing need for technology and the IoT. Mobile access and credentials keep us busy.
If you have the right goals, mentors and determination, there are two paths. If you cannot get what you want, you need to change what you want.
Jan McKenzie
Give us a snapshot of the construction market today? What are you seeing out there?
Construction is very strong for us across the globe, as we manufacture for all types of construction and security in all vertical and geographic markets. Everyone needs products and expertise, regardless of the role we each play in securing, designing and building for work, play and home.
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — JULY 2020
It is not by accident that I have spent my career with globally recognized innovative companies that are extremely focused on future-looking strategies while protecting the core. Proactively creating the ability of human activity to coexist with the biosphere is redefining sustainability. I am continually impressed with the amount of resources ASSA ABLOY spends on predictive analysis and including sustainability goals in its product development process. Critically important is that we protect the supply chain for essential manufacturing and in turn, the projects of our critical customers.
How did you get started in the industry?
I can tell you I did not wake up one day and say, “Wow, I want to spend the next 30 years selling door knobs.” In fact, has anyone ever? I started like most people who just needed a job, and
