Alex Parker, president of Redline Detection, says the automotive industry is a ripe starting point for innovation.
Redline, founded in 2008, designs and manufactures battery and coolant leak protection equipment and other tools to sell to automakers and dealerships in 160 countries.
Parker last year won an Innovator of the Year Award for her efforts in shifting the company from developing automotive diagnostic equipment solely for internal combustion engines toward building the software equivalent for electric vehicles (EVs) during the pandemic. The new segment now makes up around 40% of the business.
Now, she’s expanded to working with hydrogen and creating technology for marine applications. The company has also been looking to move into aviation.
“We are taking intellectual property developed right here in Orange County and applying it to innovative uses,” Parker told the Business Journal.
“We are in a fortunate position to be energy agnostic.”
She sees the scaling of electrification in the auto industry as an opportunity for Redline to grow as well, saying it’s a high growth area.
German Luxury
Currently, Parker is making investments in Redline’s research and development division as well as its engineering capabilities to move into different segments and industry spaces.
In the past year, Redline has launched two new programs with two German luxury automakers that allows the manufacturer’s technology to be deployed in new dealers and international locations. Parker said it was an expansion of technology that the company has worked on domestically with local partners.
She said she’ll be spending all of September in Europe to work on technology with new global partners.
“The adoption of innovation takes a moment, and then there’s a recognition of ROI, and then it becomes state of the art,” Parker said. “I think we’re there.”
The executive added that Redline has seen double-digit growth across most segments and increased its local workforce by 15% since last year. Continuing her dedication to education, Parker employed nine interns at the Orange headquarters this summer, marking her 115th mentee.
She wants to keep “the best and brightest” in OC.
Parker also noted that the manufacturer would be prepping for any impacts from this election year. She had a chance to meet Minnesota Governor and vice president candidate Tim Walz during a short visit to OC last week and expressed to him how critical local trade was.
She said she was encouraged by their conversation about supporting local business needs and workers.
“In the life of an entrepreneur, a year is a lifetime,” Parker said. “I love the pace we’re running at.”
