In this interview with Katie Rose, Katrin Rosenthal, Head of Marketing Communications at MDT, shares how women are natural peers and pioneers at the forefront of the industry.
KNXtoday: Tell us your background and how you became Head of Marketing Communication at MDT technologies GmbH
KR: I have a background in journalism and started writing for local newspapers as a teenager. I have always loved describing technical topics in a way that everyone can understand. After studying communication, I worked as a project manager overseeing clients with technical products in an advertising agency. From there, I moved into the electrical engineering industry and discovered my love of building automation – what could be better than talking about technology that has a positive impact on the environment and people’s daily lives? In my eyes, KNX has always been the leading system and I have been fired up from the moment I joined MDT in 2021.
KNXtoday: As KNXperts, what exciting recent KNX projects have MDT worked on recently?
KR: As a manufacturer, we primarily supply outstanding products. Our KNXperts support our customers at every stage of their projects: our sales representatives are on site with the planners and systems integrators and we are available to answer questions via our hotline. From schools, sports facilities and hotels to office complexes or unusual projects such as tour buses, every project with KNX is a milestone on the road to greater energy efficiency. Our mission is to make dumb buildings smart – preferably with KNX.
KNXtoday: What do you feel are the challenges and rewards for women working in the industry?
KR: At the beginning of my career, I was often the only woman in a room full of men, and in 2012, visitors still mistook me for a hostess at our trade fair stand. In recent years, much has changed – women are now seen as natural peers and pioneers and I have many strong female colleagues at MDT. I believe we are enriching the industry, and I am always delighted to meet women who are passionate about building automation. The topics of automation and energy efficiency give me a rewarding sense of purpose and job satisfaction.
KNXtoday: When did you join Women in KNX and what are your hopes for the initiative?
KR: When I heard about the plans to start Women in KNX, I joined immediately. It’s important that women from different industry sectors get involved and socialise together. As a marketing expert, I can help the initiative gain more visibility. We need to increase the representation of women, especially female electricians, system integrators and technicians, to encourage young women who are considering a career in the industry.
KNXtoday: Having been awarded the TOP 100 innovation prize for German SMEs for the tenth time in a row in 2025, what new developments is MDT looking ahead to in 2025?
KR: Since its foundation, MDT has always been an innovative company, and we aim to constantly listen, improve, and adapt our products to meet the needs of the market. In addition to the 10th TOP 100 Award, we have just been voted one of the most innovative companies in Germany by Statista.
Our latest product is the Glass Touch Smart, a push-button with a customisable 6” display that can be used to set up to 64 different functions. As with all our products, we offer an above-average range of functions from which the user can select those that best suit their project. The designer has the option to mount the push-button horizontally or vertically.
MDT has always and will always be at the leading edge of innovation. We have a major launched planned for 2025, but I can’t reveal any more about that yet.
KNXtoday: How can people connect with you?
KR: I’m always happy to connect – you can reach me via LinkedIn. I look forward hearing from you!
Katrin Rosenthal is Head of Marketing Communications MDT, manufacturer of KNX products, and developer and manufacturer of electronic products made in Germany for the past 40 years.
