Earlier this month, our directors, Mark, Richard, and Sophie, along with our Sales & Marketing team, had the opportunity to visit the Trend (Honeywell) Factory in Horsham, West Sussex. With both our leadership and sales & marketing teams there, we got a well-rounded view of everything from how Trend controllers are made to what’s new with their latest technology, including the impressive IQ5.
Behind the Scenes at the Factory
The day kicked off with a guided tour of the factory. We got a close-up look at the machines, tools, and processes involved in producing Trend’s controllers, including the IQ4 and IQ5. It was great to see how much precision and care go into every stage of the production process.
A highlight was hearing from Amanda Jones (Production Manager at Honeywell), who spoke about how Trend is using AI to improve lead times and overall efficiency. One of the newest additions to the production line was a robot applying stickers to components. This may seem like a small task, but it saves valuable time and frees up employees for more complex and skilled tasks. As more automation is introduced, it’s clear the factory is evolving to meet growing demand while improving consistency.
Introducing the IQ5 Controller
After lunch, we sat down for a presentation led by Charlie Hinchey, who took us through Trend’s latest controller, the IQ5. We started with a look back at the history of Trend, dating back to 1983, and it was fascinating to see just how far the technology has come.
The IQ5 is a big step forward from the IQ4. One of the standout features is its “one box integration”, which brings together multiple elements, like electricity meters, IQEco devices, and OEM AHU controls, into a single unit. It also supports modern protocols such as T1L wiring and MQTT, making it easier to integrate and communicate across systems.
Why the IQ5 Stands Out
Here are just some of the key benefits of the IQ5 controller:
- Shared User Management
- Secure Communications
- Flexible, Modular I/O
- Fast Installation & Easy I/O Replacement
- T1L I/O Modules
- IQ3 & IQ4 I/O Port Support (on IQ500)
- Next-Generation Processor
- 5-Year Honeywell Warranty
- Compact, Flexible Installation Options
- Broad Integration Capabilities
- Trend LAN Adapter
- Backward Compatibility
- Deterministic Control Engine
- Easy Password Recovery
- IQView: Smarter Display Options
IQVIEW
Charlie also introduced us to the IQVIEW — a new HTML5 display interface designed for the IQ5. This is an in-controller app that can be accessed via a web browser and connected to a modern touchscreen display.
The IQVIEW is available in two sizes:
- A new 5-inch Honeywell display
- The existing 7-inch Trend version
Both displays offer crisp visuals, responsive touch control, and are designed with cybersecurity in mind, meeting IEC62443 standards. The hardware is covered by a 2-year warranty, providing peace of mind in addition to excellent performance.
Spotlight on the IQ528 Controller
We also had the chance to learn more about the IQ528, a compact controller that’s perfect for smaller systems and plant rooms.
It’s designed for:
- Small to medium AHUs
- Chillers and Boilers
- VT and CT circuits
- Zone or Floor Control
With 28 onboard I/O (16UIO, 4 relays, 4 SSRs), the IQ528 supports up to 52 hardware points and can be licensed for up to 250 integration points. It’s a powerful, flexible solution for small plant applications where space and efficiency matter, and it complements the IQ5 as part of a broader building controls strategy.
Wrapping Up
Our visit to the Trend (Honeywell) factory was a great experience. It gave us an insight into where Trend are going with their BMS innovation and how this can be optimised and integrated efficiently into some of our current customer sites, which will provide a long list of benefits to them now and in the future.
The advancements in the IQ5 controller reaffirm the exciting direction of modern building controls — with smarter integration, better performance, and long-term flexibility at the core. We’d like to say a big thank you to the team at Trend for hosting us and sharing their knowledge. We came away feeling inspired, having had a closer look at the Trend solutions we promote, and we are excited to continually bring these new and improved solutions to our customers’ BMS on site and empower them to upgrade their systems to become more efficient, cost savings and eco-friendly; an important value that Boss Controls stand for.
