Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Any given building or complex must include that special cabinet. You know, the control box, the one that runs the entire building. Were you aware that a Utah company makes many of these important devices that are distributed worldwide?
Atkinson Electronics specializes in custom electronic control manufacturing, engineered automatic control solutions, system integration and energy management of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The company automates high-rise buildings, hospitals, large campuses and critical laboratory environments. It manufactures electronic transducers, solar and marine battery chargers, irrigation control and many other custom applications.
Company president Gaylen Atkinson, an engineer by trade, designed and sold solar energy controls on a part-time basis. In 1980, when presented with the opportunity to build the control systems full time, Gaylen decided to take it. Atkinson Electronics' focus expanded to heating and air conditioning and it began distributing control systems. A year later, Gaylen's brother, Bryce, joined the firm, and in 1991, the company moved to its current facility in Murray and quadrupled the manufacturing, engineering and office space.
In the mid 90s, Atkinson started manufacturing photo-voltaic solar battery charging controls. Gaylen is considered a pioneer in Utah's solar energy community because he was one of the first to use the technology. He currently partners with Murray City Power to provide part of their "green" energy with solar collectors on his facility.
Gaylen says Atkinson Electronics' clientele includes many architects and builders. The company has also been involved with many of the state's major construction projects including the Gateway, Huntsman Cancer Institute and the City Creek Center development. It has also become a leader in automating solar energy production.
