If you’ve ever walked into a supermarket, carpark, or university lab and breathed easy, there’s a good chance someone like James Thomas helped make that possible. Based in Wellington, James has been part of Setpoint Solutions since its early years, shaping the company’s service and safety divisions and mentoring the next generation of engineers who will keep New Zealand’s buildings safe, efficient, and comfortable.
A Career of Many Chapters
James first joined Setpoint Solutions in 1999 as a sales engineer, helping grow what was then a modest product division. “I began selling small control solutions, sensors, valves, humidifiers, fabric ducting — all the extra bits that make up a system,” he recalls. Over time, he became known for connecting the dots between the science of sensing and the art of building control.
After decades in the industry, James thought he was ready to slow down. “At 50 I decided to semi-retire,” he laughs, “but I ended up coming back.” The pull of practical problem-solving proved too strong. Today, at 58, James is “ The Gas Man”, testing, repairing, and maintaining the devices that sit at the heart of ventilation and safety systems across the country.
What began as a contractor return has evolved into a full-time role alongside colleagues in Christchurch and Dunedin.
Life Safety at the Core
James’s work revolves around Life Safety Devices, systems that detect and respond to hazardous gases to protect both people and property. “We test and calibrate sensors in oxygen-depletion labs, glue manufacturing plants, breweries, carparks- anywhere gas could become a danger,” he says. Using an asset management tool, he and his team apply up to 30 different types of gas to ensure sensors respond and alarms trigger as they should.
The impact of this work is far-reaching. From large retail stores, libraries and swimming pools, where carbon dioxide must be ventilated automatically, to supermarket refrigeration rooms using CO₂, to boiler rooms at Victoria University monitoring potential methane leaks, Setpoint’s calibration work underpins safety and compliance in everyday spaces most people never think twice about.
“There are two sides to what we do,” James explains. “One is saving lives. The other is saving energy. When sensors control ventilation properly, you’re not running AC or fans 24/7, you’re using them only when needed. That reduces running costs and cuts carbon emissions.” It’s a balance between comfort, cost, and sustainability that aligns perfectly with Setpoint’s wider mission.
A Day in the Life
Although much of James’s time is now spent on administration; emails, quotes, and scheduling, he still carries around certain gasses. “I do still like to get out on site,” he says. “It keeps you grounded.” His experience across decades of projects gives him a unique view of the industry’s evolution.
“I get personal satisfaction knowing we’re saving lives and reducing running costs. When you optimise ventilation through sensors, you’re helping fight global warming in a very direct way.”
The Science Behind the System
With a science degree and early experience selling laboratory instruments, James’s analytical background has always complemented the practical demands of building automation. His journey to Setpoint began at Siemens, where future Setpoint colleagues Steve, Sam and others also began. When Siemens scaled back its New Zealand operations, the staff seized an opportunity — forming what became Setpoint Solutions, now the largest user of Siemens building-automation products in Australasia.
That entrepreneurial spark still drives James today. “I’ve basically built a small division of my own,” he says. “I’m training up the young blood to carry on the work. I like flexibility and independence, but it’s important to pass on what you’ve learned.”
A Legacy in the Field
Among his many projects, one stands out: Victoria University of Wellington. “They have up to 70 Life Safety Gas Detection sensors on site,” James says. “We set up a service contract with them and have replaced a lot of sensors over the years. Oxygen-depletion sensors last about three years; others can go five or ten. We now look after many universities such as Otago, Canterbury, Lincoln, and some hospitals too. Victoria is an important customer in Wellington.”
Working with the Setpoint Team
For James, one of Setpoint’s greatest strengths is its people. “Everyone here is smart, professional, and independent,” he says. “We have great lunchtime conversations. If you can form a good argument and back it with logic, you’ll fit right in.” He says that he relies on the younger team members for IT help “they’re very patient with me” but in return he provides the kind of field wisdom only experience can teach.
James values the precision, professionalism, and long-term quality, “Everyone here works independently yet with complete professionalism. I can revisit a job from 20 years ago and find everything still exactly as it should be, the paperwork in order, the work completed to standard, a job done right.”
The flexibility and trust within the company culture suit his working style perfectly. “If I need to duck out on a Friday, I’m happy to make it up on Saturday.”
Reflections on the Industry
Having witnessed building automation evolve over three decades, James has both admiration and caution for the future. “Buildings are becoming more efficient,” he acknowledges, “but we’re also adding more and more technology. Everyone wants a heat pump now, each one efficient, but together they use more energy overall.”
He worries about the environmental impact of refrigerants and the short lifespan of modern hardware. “Heat pumps only last about 10 years before the outdoor unit rusts. That’s a lot of waste. We need to think smarter about sustainability.”
Passing the Torch
Asked what advice he would give to someone considering a career in building automation, James is direct: “You have to be curious. Ask questions, learn the mechanics, hydraulics and the electrics, and learn how to fault-find. This work suits people who can manage their own time, stay motivated, and just get things done.”
That combination of independence, intelligence, and practical skill has kept James Thomas at the heart of Setpoint Solutions for more than two decades. As he continues to train new technicians and expand the company’s service capabilities, his influence reaches far beyond Wellington, into every building that depends on safe air, reliable sensors, and the unseen systems that make modern life possible.
