Having established the business in 1992 initially as a reseller, Extronics has grown under John Hartley’s leadership from a product reseller into a world-leading Hazardous Area Wireless and IoT manufacturer. In that time, John shaped not just the business, but the people and partnerships around it. From introducing Extronics’ first wireless solution in 2005 to more recently overseeing the integration with BARTEC, John has put connectivity, safety, and trust first. His dedication and many contributions have shaped our story and left the company’s future looking bright.  

Three Decades of Growth and Gratitude

The acquisition of Extronics by BARTEC was a strategic decision by both companies to support our customers globally with their digital transformation.  

Since joining the ONE BARTEC family, John has taken on many responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition for future success. In the last year, John has assumed the role of Sales & Marketing Director for the Enterprise Mobility & Connectivity (EMCON) salesforce. The formation of a dedicated sales team focused on supporting our customers and driving visibility in the market for the BARTEC digital portfolio is a key part of the strategy. John’s involvement has been critical in ensuring the team is set up for success.  

Looking ahead, BARTEC now boasts a comprehensive range of Wireless, Mobility, RTLS, and Automation solutions designed to enable our customers in the process industries with their digital transformation.  

“It’s been an amazing journey building Extronics over the last 30 plus years, starting as a reseller of hazardous area equipment and then into a developer and manufacturer focused on products that enable the digital transformation of the Process Industries.  

Innovation and product development have always been a personal passion and the driving force behind transforming our business model. 

 Running a business like Extronics is incredibly rewarding but also all-consuming, so as I approached 60, I wanted to experience “time richness”, that commodity that is hard to put a monetary value on.  

The other motivation for selling the business was we needed scale to keep pace with the rapidly expanding Connectivity and IoT markets, which required substantial investment or partnership with a company that has additional reach. 

We chose to sell to BARTEC because they are present in over 30 countries and with 50 years of innovation in hazardous area equipment, share our values and digital vision.  

Whilst we did compete in some areas, the crossover was minimal, and adding the Extronics product range created the most comprehensive portfolio of hazardous area digital products on the market, making us an ideal partner for digitalization. 

 As with any business like Extronics, this success wasn’t built alone. My sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed or continues to do so! 

 As I retire on November 1st, it’s time to pass the baton to Per-Erik and the EMCON team to take the business to the next level while I look forward to new experiences beyond work. 

I’m pleased to share that the Executive Leadership have asked me to stay on in a part time advisory and strategic role, so I am so lucky to get the best of both worlds and still play my part in helping BARTEC become the global market leader in hazardous area products for digitalization.” 

ONEBARTEC!   

Passing the Baton Forward

With a focus on carrying forward the progress already made and a passion for helping process-driven industries stay safe, compliant, and connected in hazardous environments, we now welcome Per-Erik Nilsen into the role of Global Sales Director EMCON. Per-Erik has been with BARTEC since 2019 and his most recent role as Head of Connectivity saw his responsibilities cover an existing wireless range and supporting the integration of Extronics wireless portfolio, to establish BARTEC as to go to manufacturer for hazardous area connectivity.  

Per-Erik provided an interview about the future of EMCON and the digital agenda as part of the ONE BARTEC family.  

What do you hope to bring to your new role as Sales and Marketing Director for EMCON? 

I hope to bring a fresh energy and a results-driven mindset, grounded in both strategic vision and operational excellence. My focus will be on building deeper customer relationships, driving growth through innovation, and aligning our sales and marketing efforts so we are not only winning new business but also creating lasting partnerships. I want to empower our team to think proactively, act with agility, and deliver solutions that truly add value to our customers. 

Can you comment on the future of EMCON and your vision for our dedicated sales team? 

The future of EMCON is about being recognized as the trusted partner of choice in hazardous area technology and solutions. For our sales team, my vision is to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning. I want us to be consultative, not transactional—listening to our customers, understanding their challenges, and positioning EMCON as the company that can guide them safely and effectively through their digital and operational transformations. 

How should BARTEC customers interpret the investment BARTEC is making in a digital portfolio to enable their digital transformation? 

Customers should see this as a clear commitment: BARTEC is not only safeguarding their operations but also enabling them to thrive in the future. Our digital portfolio means more connectivity, more transparency, and more efficiency in hazardous environments. This investment shows that we are serious about helping our customers transition into the new era, ensuring they can compete, innovate, and remain compliant while staying safe. 

What should customers expect from BARTEC over the next 5 years?  

They should expect a partner that is always one step ahead of their needs. Over the next five years, BARTEC will continue to expand its digital portfolio, strengthen its global network, and invest in innovation that combines safety with productivity. Customers can expect us to simplify complexity, accelerate their digital journey, and deliver measurable value through technology, service, and expertise. 

Where do you see the biggest opportunity for IoT and connectivity in hazardous industries over the next 5 years? 

The biggest opportunity lies in predictive safety and operational efficiency. IoT and connectivity will transform hazardous industries by enabling real-time monitoring of assets, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making that reduces downtime and risk. Beyond efficiency, IoT can create safer environments for workers—detecting potential hazards before they become critical. The companies that embrace connected technologies will not only achieve compliance but will unlock new levels of performance, sustainability, and competitiveness.