Meet Josh Sizemore, product manager for the U.S. division of WEgrid Solutions, the WIKA subsidiary that specializes in SF6 gas lifecycle management for the power transmission and distribution industry.
WEgrid Solutions is a global leader in all things related sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and other insulating gases used in electrical substations, switchgear, and certain medical and laboratory equipment. So, when the WIKA Group subsidiary wanted to hire a product manager for its U.S. location, it naturally looked for someone who was equally dynamic, knowledgeable, and dedicated to customer satisfaction. WEgrid found all that – and more – in Josh Sizemore.
A Focus on Customer Care
Josh comes to WIKA USA from FLW Southeast, an instrumentation solutions company and sales partner for WIKA. He was looking for his next challenge, and when he saw the job posting for WEgrid product manager, he thought he would be well-suited since he was already familiar with various WIKA instruments. WIKA executives agreed, and Josh formally joined the company in January 2025.
He felt at home right away. “I really enjoy the culture at WIKA, and from day one I knew it was a good fit,” he said.
Although Josh’s title is product manager, his attention is on people. Much of the job involves answering technical queries and talking with customers at their place of business or during trade shows. He is also in constant contact with the SF6 calibration lab staff to make sure customers’ gas-handling equipment is serviced and returned back to them as quickly as possible. Even when he’s managing accounts, creating product presentations, preparing for new releases, or offering sales and marketing support, the end users of WEgrid products and services are always top of mind. Easy-going but highly motivated, Josh is driven to understand his customers’ business needs and offer tailored solutions.
Learning about SF6 Lifecycle Management
Insulating gases is a very niche market. In his previous roles as inside sales representative and outside sales engineer for FLW Southeast, Josh was well-versed in WIKA’s portfolio for flow measurement, level sensing, and temperature solutions – but had only limited exposure to the world of SF6 and the role this gas plays in power transmission and distribution (PT&D). That’s why shortly after joining WIKA, he flew to Germany for specialized training.
For a week in Klingenberg am Main, where the WIKA Group is headquartered, Josh was fully immersed in equipment that monitor and handle SF6. The WEgrid team in Germany led him through a series of hands-on training on innovative products like the GPU-S-3000 cart for filling, cleaning, and recovering SF6 gas, and the GA11 gas analyzer for determining the quality of SF6 and alternative insulating gases.
To stay up-to-date on trends in power transmission and distribution, Josh looks forward to attending many more conferences and committee meetings hosted by IEEE, NEMA, Doble Engineering, and other industry leaders.
Preparing for the Future of Insulating Gases
Medium- and high-voltage equipment need insulating gases to quench dangerous arcs, but that gas won’t always be sulfur hexafluoride. Even though it is highly effective and stable, SF6 emissions pose an environmental hazard. Josh knows that many of his customers are reluctant to change, but regulation around SF6 continues to be a hot topic, and the industry is showing more interest in alternative insulating gases such as nitrogen and Novec™ 4710 gas mixture (g3).
“I believe SF6 will eventually be phased out, but that could be postponed with more regulation to reduce or even eliminate gas emissions,” Josh said. “Regardless of what states, regions, or the U.S. decides to do, WEgrid always stays updated on the latest industry technologies and trends, and will continue to be an industry leader.”
WEgrid and Josh Sizemore, Trusted Partners for PT&D Companies
When not visiting customers or deepening his knowledge of the market, Josh can most likely be found spending quality time with his wife, Erika, and their two kids. It’s even better if family time involves grilling on the back porch of their home in northwest Atlanta metro. He also enjoys playing golf and watching his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, whenever possible.
For more information about reliable gas handling instruments and services, reach out to Josh Sizemore at WIKA USA.