One of the co-founders of Ei Electronics has bid farewell to the company after 44 years of service.

Dr Mike Byrne recently departed his role as Head of Research & Development with the Shannon based company bringing down the curtain on a contribution that lasted over four decades.

After graduating from UCD with a degree a physics, Dr Byrne joined what was then known as ‘The Ei Company’ in 1976. Twelve years later, he was involved with CEO Mick Guinee in the successful Management Buy Out (MBO) that led to the formation of Ei Electronics.

Known by his colleagues as ‘The Doc’, Mike is credited with the development of Ei Electronics’ first smoke alarms in the 1970s, the Ei100B, which is still in production today. With over 25 patents to his name, his vision and genius has continuously positioned the company at the forefront of smoke and CO alarm innovations, right up to the present day.

He was awarded the UCD Alumni Award for Science in 2018. His most recent achievements saw the release of Ei’s latest IoT Gateway and Remote Inspection solutions in 2020.

Speaking at the retirement function, Mick Guinee, CEO attributed the Company’s product quality over the years to Mike’s attention to detail and meticulous design validation. He legacy, he added is “an unrivalled range of products at the leading edge of sensor and IoT technologies.” On a personal note he acknowledged Mike’s humility, integrity and sense of humour, and noted that he will be greatly missed.

At the function for Mike and his wife Patricia at the Company’s Shannon Campus many tributes were paid by colleagues, past and present from all over the world. Mike paid tribute to his fellow co-founders and directors, Mick Guinee and Jim Duignan and the talent and commitment of the many engineers and employees with whom he worked over the years.

He outlined that he would remain a strong advocate of Ei’s culture of supporting deserving voluntary projects and charitable organisations throughout the region, having recently established a charitable foundation with his family.

Over 1,000 people are employed worldwide by Ei Electronics with more than 900 at its headquarters in Shannon.