Marshall & McCourt become a Loxone Gold Partner
In this blog, we talk with Ryan Marshall of Marshall & McCourt, to celebrate them reaching Loxone Gold Partner status! Read our interview with Ryan to learn more about how Loxone has helped them grow the smart home division of their business, as well as what their journey to Gold has involved.
Hi Ryan, can you start by telling us about your background and how you became interested in home automation?
I originally come from a heating background, running a company that specialises in renewable energy installations. I’ve always been interested in keeping up with the latest technologies in the market, and felt that the Loxone Smart Home system would really help complement the existing services that we offer.
What made you decide to become a Loxone Partner?
After evaluating the various smart home systems on the market, I felt that the Loxone product offering was one of a few fully integrated systems available at a reasonable price. This, coupled with the excellent support and training provided by Loxone, helped us to make this decision.
The Marshall & McCourt Team
We are a family run organisation, with an experienced team of specialists across various fields including renewable energy, home automation, mechanical and electrical installations.
What makes Marshall & McCourt different? What are your unique selling points?
At Marshall & McCourt, we offer fully integrated heating and electrical solutions. We advise our customers on the most suitable sustainable and cost-effective heating products for their property. We then integrate the Loxone Smart Home system to manage and control the heating in tandem with the other elements of the home, ensuring that everything works in perfect harmony.
What has your dedicated journey to Gold involved?
When we first became a Loxone Partner, we made it our goal to reach the coveted Gold Partner status, so as to provide customers with the reassurance that we have a full understanding and previous experience in the installation of smart home technology. Due to high customer demand, our journey has been fast-paced, so it was key that we established a full understanding through countless hours of product research and training.
How would you encourage other Loxone Partners to reach for Gold?
I would advise other partners who are looking to achieve Gold status to install Loxone in their own home or office premises. Living in a Loxone Smart Home will act as an invaluable training aid and allow a much deeper understanding of the system’s functionality.
Ultimately, you’ll be able to help demonstrate the benefits of smart home system to your customers, as well as provide them with greater confidence that you know how to design, commision and maintain one.
What has been your biggest/favourite Loxone project? What challenges have you faced?
Our favourite Loxone project that we have completed compromises of heating, lighting, multiroom audio, shading, security and access control. The biggest challenge we faced was clearly defining the specification with the customer, and then fully integrating the different functions with as much automation as possible.
What would be your ultimate smart home project?
For us, the ultimate smart home project would consist of a whole house solution controlling each and every room and element of a home using the full range of Loxone products and solutions. Hopefully, we’ll be able to complete a project of this scale soon!
In your opinion, where will the smart home industry be, in the UK, in 2020?
I believe that smart homes will become an everyday requirement for future homeowners. Currently, some people believe smart homes to be a luxury purchase, but I believe that this viewpoint will soon change and automation will be a necessity for every home.
What are the go-to features customers ask for when it comes to home automation?
We find that the most popular home automation features are lighting and heating control; closely followed by shading and multiroom audio.
How have your customers benefited from living in a Loxone Smart Home?
I’d say that the intelligent automation of everyday functions, and the way that one single system can control the various elements of a smart home, is a very attractive prospect for our customers.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking of having Loxone installed, what would it be?
Do it! Once you experience life in a smart home, you will not look back. Automating your home will make everyday tasks easier… and more exciting! You’ll also feel an extra level of comfort, knowing that you are future-proofing your property whilst also enjoying spending even more time in your home.
What’s your favourite thing about being a Loxone Partner?
Becoming a Loxone Gold Partner brings a fantastic feeling of achievement. It’s great to get the recognition from Loxone for promoting and advocating their brand and products. The support offered by the technical, sales, and marketing departments is second to none and has certainly helped us expand our business into the smart home sector. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Loxone, helping to promote and drive awareness of smart home solutions that are now available to homeowners in our geographic area.
Case Study:
Orchard Lodge
Take a look at Marshall & McCourt’s latest case study, a remarkable North Yorkshire smart home.