20 Years of Ivory Egg: A Conversation with Founder Colin Price 

As Ivory Egg celebrates its 20th anniversary on the 12th of March, Sophie sat down (virtually) with founder Colin Price to reflect on the company’s journey, the evolution of the smart home industry, and what the future holds. 

What inspired you to start Ivory Egg? 

Colin: The idea for Ivory Egg came from a gap in the UK market. At the time, I was working as a smart home integrator alongside Ben Lewis. At that time there was nobody else using KNX in the residential market. KNX was being used in commercial spaces, but there was no dedicated distributor for the residential sector in the UK.  

There weren’t many stylish light switches available, and early adopters who were driving the market had to source products from overseas, which was challenging. So Ivory Egg was born to service the integrator market, which we couldn’t do as integrators. We set up Ivory Egg as an independent technical distributor with the goal of making it easier for integrators to access KNX products and training. 

How has the smart home industry evolved over the past 20 years? 

Colin: In the early days, smart home solutions were often cobbled together from different manufacturers with products that didn’t integrate with each other, and lighting control was synonymous with Lutron rather than being brand agnostic.  

Homeowners weren’t as accepting of technology in their homes and lives as they are now. The biggest change has been the increasing demand for smart systems, driven by the rise of smartphones and the expectation of connected living. The adoption of technology as part of the home infrastructure is ongoing. Today, it’s not just about technology enthusiasts, smart home features are becoming a standard part of home design. 

What were the biggest challenges in the early days? 

Colin: KNX was almost unknown in the residential market, so education was a big hurdle as we were breaking new ground. 

There was also the issue of product availability and design. Many commercial-grade KNX switches weren’t designed with home interiors in mind, so we worked with manufacturers like Gira and JUNG to introduce more aesthetically pleasing options to the residential market.  

Very few integrators had heard of KNX, and it requires specialist knowledge to design, install and commission a KNX system. To overcome this educational challenge, we set up a training school to educate installers and grow the KNX community in the UK. 

What have been the key turning points in Ivory Egg’s history? 

Colin: Launching KNX training was a major milestone. We were the first UK KNX training centre focused on supporting residential installers and it helped us build a community of integrators and create a knowledge-sharing culture.  

Another big step was the formation of KNX UK, which provided a national platform to promote the standard, as well as a grow and be a part of a community of people who were using the same technology for the same purpose.  

Expanding internationally into New Zealand and Australia also shaped our evolution, giving us a global team with diverse expertise. 

Has Ivory Egg’s mission changed over time? 

Colin: The core mission has remained the same: helping integrators and homeowners put the best technology into their buildings.  

While our understanding of that mission has evolved, the fundamental belief in open systems and long-term reliability has been constant.  

We’ve gained a lot of experience over our 20 years and we’re committed to making buildings better and ensuring that technology enhances people’s lives in the long term. We do this by helping integrators and their clients to put the best technology they can into their buildings. 

What are the biggest challenges facing the smart home industry today? 

Colin: One of the biggest challenges is the rise of standalone smart home gadgets that seem attractive due to their low upfront cost but lack long-term reliability. Many of these devices have short lifespans and require expensive software updates or replacements.  

Homeowners need to be educated on the difference between a professionally installed system and a collection of consumer-grade products that may not work together over time. 

What advice would you give someone entering the smart home industry? 

Colin: Focus on infrastructure first. A KNX system may have a higher initial cost, but it’s built to last and can be updated without ripping out walls.  

Homeowners need to be urged to think about their long-term investment rather than just the cheapest solution today.  

As an integrator, being knowledgeable about open systems like KNX and the wealth of available integrations will set you apart from those who rely on proprietary systems. 

Do you have any standout projects that demonstrate the power of KNX? 

Colin: There are many fabulous homes that use KNX as a part of the whole Smart Home solution, and many commercial projects where lighting control is the focus.  But a single project, that comes to mind, that really personifies the multi-disciplinary approach of KNX is the Glenorchy Campground in New Zealand. It’s a Living Building Challenge-certified project that uses KNX for monitoring and controlling energy, solar power, water usage, HVAC and lighting.  

The technology operates quietly in the background, making the buildings highly efficient while maintaining a seamless user experience. That’s what a great smart building automation system should do - work effortlessly without drawing attention to itself. 

What do you think keeps customers coming back to Ivory Egg? 

Colin: People come back to us because they know we care. We’ve built a reputation as a trusted advisor, not just a distributor.  

We support integrators in finding the right solutions, provide technical expertise, and maintain strong relationships with both customers and suppliers. It’s not just about selling products - it’s about ensuring successful installations and long-term satisfaction. 

What’s your vision for the future of Ivory Egg and the smart home industry? 

Colin: The industry is moving towards more seamless integration of different technologies. The rise of protocols like Matter shows a push for standardization and interoperability, which aligns with what KNX has always stood for.  

As for Ivory Egg, the future is about continuing to build a strong, knowledgeable community and staying true to our values. We want to keep making smart homes better for everyone involved; Integrators, homeowners, and the industry as a whole. 

Finally, if you could sum up Ivory Egg in three words, what would they be? 

Colin: Respectful, Helpful, Family. 

After 20 years, Ivory Egg remains a key player in the KNX and smart home industry, dedicated to supporting integrators and promoting open, reliable technology for building automation. Here’s to the next 20 years of making buildings smarter, better, and more sustainable for everyone.