Electrozad's Automation Business Development Manager for Festo, Japjeet Lutchman, brings deep technical knowledge and a customer-first approach to helping manufacturers across Southwestern Ontario optimize their operations. In this Q&A, she shares insights on what sets Electrozad apart as a local authorized Festo distributor, how to navigate Festo's extensive portfolio, and what's really holding plants back from running at their best.

From left to right: Kevin Culp, Electrozad Technical Services and Solutions Manager; Dan Post, Festo Regional Distribution Manager; Japjeet Lutchman, Electrozad Automation Business Development Manager.

Can you tell us more about yourself and your role at Electrozad?

My role at Electrozad is centred on growing and supporting the Festo business while acting as a technical and strategic resource. On a day-to-day basis, that means working with our customers and alongside the sales team to provide solutions. This includes supporting the customers with information they are looking for, their application questions, technical support and really, providing value-add to ensure customers get the solutions and support they need.

I work with a wide range of accounts across Southwestern Ontario — from food and packaging to automotive, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and process industry.

My background with Festo, having worked at Festo for almost 8 years, allows me to bridge the gap between product capability and real-world application, helping customers apply Festo solutions effectively within their operations.

Many customers know Festo as a global leader—but what does it actually mean for them to work with Electrozad as their local authorized Festo distributor?

Working with Electrozad means customers get the strength of a global brand paired with local expertise and accountability.

At Electrozad we are close to our customers. We understand their operations, their requirements, and their timelines. Also, our customers know us, they know the people on our team and the expertise we bring to the table. This relationship and trust allow us to respond and provide hands-on support. They know when they work with Electrozad, they’re not just getting a product – they’re getting a partner who stands by their trusted brands like Festo and one who works to ensure success within their operations.

Festo’s portfolio is deep and highly technical. How do you help customers navigate that complexity and select the right solution for their application?

The key is to understand the customer requirements first. Rather than starting with products, I focus on what the customer is trying to achieve — their application, project timeline, performance requirements, maintenance expectations, and of course, budget.

From there, I can guide them through the Festo portfolio and explain why certain solutions make sense for their application. My experience and knowledge of Festo's portfolio allows me to translate technical details into practical decisions, so customers feel confident in the solutions they’re implementing.

What technical capabilities or services does Electrozad offer that customers may not realize are available to them locally?

Many customers are surprised to learn how much technical support is available locally. This includes system audits, air leak detection, in-house assembly capabilities -saving lead times, and ongoing technical guidance. We work closely with Festo’s engineering team as well to review customer applications and provide support with testing/ demos etc.

We’re also a resource for catered training and knowledge transfer, helping maintenance teams understand how systems work and how to maintain them properly. That local technical support is a significant advantage, especially when downtime or performance issues arise.

What are some common inefficiencies you still see in plants that many teams don’t realize are holding them back?

One of the most common inefficiencies is poorly managed compressed air systems — whether that’s leaks, improper air preparation, or components operating outside their ideal range and overly complicated configurations/ product selection. These issues often go unnoticed because the system still “works,” but it’s costing far more than it should.

Another is lack of standardization. When every machine uses different components or configurations, troubleshooting becomes harder, spare parts inventory grows, and knowledge becomes siloed. Over time, that complexity slows everything down.

What are your thoughts when it comes to modernization and managing products that have been phased out?

Modernization is a critical part of keeping systems running efficiently, reliably, and cost‑effectively. When products are phased out, customers often assume staying with the legacy technology is the simpler option—but in reality, maintaining older components can become costly and difficult as availability decreases.

In many cases, we can offer a lower‑cost modern alternative that is easier to source and fully supported. Often these are one‑to‑one replacements that provide improved performance, better availability, and long‑term sustainability.

At Electrozad, we work closely with Festo during inquiries and can also proactively consult with customers to assess their installed base. This helps us identify modernization opportunities that reduce downtime risk and optimize both supply and replacement costs. Modernization isn’t just about replacing products—it’s about strengthening reliability, lowering lifecycle costs, and positioning customers for future growth.

What do you personally enjoy most about working with customers at Electrozad and helping them improve their operations?

What I enjoy most about working with our customers is the people I get to meet and the knowledge they share with me. I love learning about their businesses and operations and their daily jobs. I always appreciate it when customers take the time to show me around their facility and how things are made, how machines are built and how they add value to their operations. Listening and seeing those things gives me an opportunity to understand where and how I need to add value to improve their operations and that looks different in each situation and is unique to all customers. It is the little things that matter when helping customers and when I get to support them with such things that simplify their operations and tasks that truly is rewarding and satisfying to me.

TLDR: Japjeet Lutchman breaks down how Electrozad's local expertise, hands-on technical support, and a strong partnership with Festo help customers across Southwestern Ontario solve real operational challenges — from compressed air inefficiencies and lack of standardization, to product modernization and navigating Festo's broad portfolio. The takeaway: working with Electrozad means getting more than a product, you get a knowledgeable local partner invested in your success. Learn more about the total value of working with  Electrozad on our website: electrozad.ca/festo