Thermo King’s Matt Srnec joins Thermo King distinguished Master Innovator list

According to his kids, Matt Srnec is ‘Instagram marginal’ and has poor ‘selfie’ skills. Good thing for Matt, neither are required to earn the prestigious title of Master Innovator. He qualified for that after earning his 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th U.S. Patent for Thermo King in 2021. (He also holds 3 U.S. Design Patents, which protect the aesthetic or ornamental features of a product.)

Matt’s interest in innovation came long before social media pressures – or cell phones for that matter.

“I remember disassembling radios, appliances and other electrical equipment looking to make them better as early as age six or seven,” said Matt. “And while I usually ended up with something that was more art than function, I eventually learned to solder and actually make things better.”

Examples included:

• Flashing doorbell for the deaf
• Burglar alarm for a chicken coop
• Device to set up theatrical pyrotechnics. 

His father, an electrician and “expert problem-solver” had a big influence on Matt.

“I would watch him troubleshoot electrical issues either in-person or over the phone and was amazed at what he could visualize and solve without taking everything apart or even being there,” said Matt. “My dad taught me that asking the right questions, listening to the customer and having the knowledge and experience to understand the root cause of an issue or need are critical to innovation and creating solutions that will be truly valued.”

Key learnings and the path to electrical engineering and Trane Technologies’ Thermo King

Matt decided mid-way through high school that he would go into electrical engineering, wanting to expand beyond the electrical projects he had completed with his dad or as part of the local 4-H Club.

While earning his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Matt decided to focus on a power utilities career path. He then learned that the economy dictates job availability, so he took a sales engineering job with a small company.

“I was selling electric motors, variable speed drives and repair services to industrial customers in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area,” explained Matt. “And it was a great start because I learned that I liked working closely with customers and helping to solve their technical problems – a favorite part of my job today.”

From wireless sensor design and utility technology, to solar, electrification and beyond

Joining Thermo King nearly 10 years ago, Matt was hired to expand wireless sensor technology as well as support continuation electrical engineering needs as part of Thermo King Aftermarket. His first patents were around wireless sensor design and utility technology areas. Next came solar and an expansion into electrification and other growth areas as the rapid needs for new technology emerged.

“Working within ideation teams in these need-based focus areas to build our intellectual property (IP) value in electrification really drove the focus,” explained Matt. “One of my most impactful patents is Solar Charge Controller transient protection, which I worked on with another recently-named Master Innovator, Ryan Schumacher. It prevents competitors from claiming their solar charge controllers were designed to pass specific automotive testing.”

Innovating for the future

Many of Matt’s patents are examples of innovating for the future and how collaboration and structured ideation can quickly generate high-value ideas.

Case in point, a rapid experiment back in 2016 that successfully powered a Thermo King air shipment container with solar and battery power using AGM batteries and off-grid inverters was never commercialized due to cost and logistical issues.

“We were granted a patent, but the idea was stalled,” said Matt. “But now with Thermo King’s new Beyond the Core programs, that IP will likely be reviewed as part of new program initiatives – that’s exciting.”

It is the unending possibilities that motivate Matt. “I think the trucking industry is in a technology growth mode that is unparalleled. Our leadership in the transport refrigeration market can only be maintained if we choose to meet that growth with new ideas and innovation. Customers expect it and look to us for this leadership – and that keeps me motivated to keep innovating.”

Matt enjoys talking to customers and dealers to learn how our creations affect their daily operations and how we can support their future goals.

“Our new hybrid electric trailer is a perfect example. We are working closely with customers while testing the unit. Their feedback and the data we are collecting will ensure a final commercialized product meets everyone’s needs. At Thermo King, there are always opportunities to present new ideas or challenge status quo as technology readiness and understanding levels mature.