(Certificate of Average Distribution for the issues distributed between January and December 2023)
STAY SWITCHEDON
Although I have learnt about a lot of different sports during our action-packed summer, I remain totally clueless when it comes to motor racing, in particular Formula 1. It is, however, frequently discussed by colleagues in the office and the big gossip this week has surrounded a man by the name of Adrian Newey – a lot of gossip in fact for somebody who isn’t even an F1 driver! I now know of course that he is a very successful racing car designer who has recently agreed to join the Aston Martin team from Red Bull (I thought that was a drink…). To summarise briefly, Newey-designed cars have won 13 World Drivers’ championships, with his first coming in 1992 when he was just 33 and his most recent in 2023 at the age of 64. During that time the sport has seen a considerable amount of change, yet here is an individual who has demonstrated superbly an ability to adapt to changing technology, methods and regulations – a very useful skill to have I think we can all agree.
If you have been well tuned into your telecommunications news you may well know all about ‘The Big Switch-Off’, that is the switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network, which will be completely closed down by January 2027. This means telephone landlines for homes and businesses will no longer be able to run off the old copper wire network and will need to be switched to a fully digital network that uses Internet Protocol across a fibre based service. In a nutshell, BT says the current system is old and difficult to maintain, and that what is essentially a 20th century technology cannot keep up with the demands of 21st century communications.
Although a lot of us now use smartphones, or communicate remotely on platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, many households and businesses still rely on landlines for their phone systems and will therefore need to be updated. If any readers are unaware of all of this and have started to panic, don’t worry. There is plenty of time to take the necessary action and there are plenty of signposts on the Internet to help, including the BT and Openreach websites.
Returning to my opening paragraph it is just another example of using new technology and adapting to the times. Smart technology, which is one of our special features this month, is playing a crucial part in adapting buildings, old and new, to modern demands. Smart technology can be used for an array of building functions and in this issue we have articles discussing, among other things, solar-compatible EV chargers and centrally controlled smart heating systems.
On a final note, I’d like to wish Carhartt a very happy anniversary. The workwear brand is celebrating an incredible 135 years in the business and you can read all about the company’s evolution on page 38. Enjoy the issue!
Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Tracey Rushton-Thorpe Editor
NEWS & VIEWS
Ansell provides support to apprentices
ANSELLLIGHTINGSUPPORTS ELECTRICIANSOFTHEFUTURE
Ansell Lighting has joined forces with Warrington & Vale Royal College to provide support and resources for electrical apprentices and full time students.
Ansell has built a strong relationship with the college, with team members undertaking regular talks and presentations to the students on the latest lighting technology and products.
The college is also keen to build relationships with industry partners in order to help students and apprentices to learn more about lighting and electrical products and help them build their knowledge.
Now Ansell has supplied a series of product boards including downlights, retailand commercial fittings, emergency lighting packs and its own smart OCTO
lighting technology, to be displayed within the College and for the students can interact with. Each board has information about the luminaires and their benefits, as well as a working product attached to it.
Mike Talbot, Sales Director at Ansell, said: “As a manufacturer we recognise the importance of investing in and supporting the next generation of electricians and installers, at a time when there has been talk of skills shortages within the industry.
“We have worked on a number of projects with colleges across the country but in this instance it has been especially great to support students and apprentices local to our Warrington headquarters.”
Karl Hill, Subject Leader for Electrical Installation at Warrington & Vale Royal College, said: “It was an absolute
pleasure to welcome Ansell Lighting to our Warrington campus last week. We are very grateful for the donation of various product boards, which will be displayed in our brand-new electrical workshops, as they will help our students gain a better understanding of how these fittings work, setting them up perfectly for their careers after college. We look forward to collaborating more with Ansell Lighting in the future!”
SIGNIFY SUPPORTS MILTON KEYNES’ SUSTAINABLE CITY
Signify is supporting Milton Keynes City Council in its long-term vision to create a world-leading sustainable city. Signify was selected to upgrade 18,000 existing streetlights to LED –enabling the city to introduce innovation in terms of performance, quality of light, and connectivity to its lighting assets – and contribute to their climate action goals.
The phased programme will be completed in 2024 and is expected save the council over 5 million kWh in energy usage, and £2 million in energy costs per year, following completion (based on average and estimated prices 2021-2025), as LED lighting uses up to 70% less energy when compared to the existing HID lighting. The reduction in ongoing energy costs is expected to pay for the project in full within eight years. The LED upgrade will also increase visibility for motorists and pedestrians, and improve
the quality of security camera footage, helping to improve the feeling of safety and deter criminal activity.
Signify was selected as the lighting partner of choice based on several parameters. The technical specification of the proposed lighting solutions, the projected operational and energy cost savings, as well as carbon emission reductions. In addition, Signify’s sustainability credentials as a responsible supplier played a large part.
Throughout February and March this
year, and forming the main part of the roll-out of the project, a combination of ~18,000 Philips LumiStreet Gen2 and LumiStreet ECO LED lanterns were installed along roads and footpaths across the city - replacing the old, energy inefficient HID lanterns. The Philips LumiStreet ECO was designed to specifically meet the needs of the UK market, and this project sees the first large roll-out across a city. In addition, in December 2023, 1,800 Philips TownTune urban decorative LED luminaires were installed, to improve the lighting across car parks, pedestrian walkways, and cycle paths.
For the installation, the council chose Philips luminaires in combination with Telensa’s cloud-based Central Monitoring System (CMS) that provides a fully functioning, controllable street lighting asset management system, capable of driving further energy savings.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INVESTS IN NEW UK MANUFACTURING SITE
Schneider Electric is investing £42m in a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
More than 200 jobs will be created to meet the increased demand for electrical equipment to drive the UK’s move to cleaner energy including renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and intelligent, energy-efficient buildings.
The site, which is almost triple the size of Schneider Electric’s existing Scarborough
facility, is a blueprint for sustainable design and operations in the manufacturing industry. It is poised to become a net-zero plant and will use modern technology to reduce energy waste and maximise the use of renewable energy. It is expected to be net-zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions when it opens in early 2025.
Scarborough is a long-established manufacturing base for Schneider Electric, currently employing 450 people. It
specialises in the manufacture of low-voltage switchgears which protect and distribute electricity and are crucial to the rollout of sustainable and energy-efficient operations such as EV charging infrastructure and net-zero buildings.
Kelly Becker, President at Schneider Electric, UK & Ireland, Belgium & Netherlands, commented: “Sustainability is at the core of our purpose, culture and business.We’re proud to be investingin and developing innovative solutions which will deliver immediate and lasting decarbonisationin the UK, while bolstering the creation of local,green jobs in Yorkshire.”
The investment in Scarborough is in addition to a £7.2 million facility upgrade to Schneider Electric’s site in Leeds, announced in October 2023, meaning the company will create more than 300 jobs in Yorkshire over the next 10 years.
Schneider to open new manufacturing facility
NEWS & VIEWS
SURVEY SUGGESTS BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO FILL VACANCIES
INDUSTRY SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS PERSISTENT SKILLS GAP
The latest quarterly Building Engineering Business Survey, carried out by ECA in partnership with BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF, has revealed that electrotechnical and engineering services businesses struggle to find suitably qualified candidates to fill vacancies in their organisations.
Of the 125 businesses surveyed, almost half (46%) are currently looking to fill vacancies in their organisations. Of those respondents, half (47%) said that candidate pay expectations are too high, and 46% said applicants consistently lack sufficient knowledge or skills for the job.
One respondent commented, “Potential electrical apprentices are encouraged to stay on at school. Youngsters coming into the industry struggle to cope with the academics of the electrical courses, and consequently leave.” Another said, “One of the biggest problems is that applicants are not as skilled as they think they are. In some cases, they are nowhere near where they should be.”
Considering these findings, ECA has welcomed recent comments from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP encouraging more young people to
ONE CLICK LCA PARTNERS WITH RECOLIGHTTO ENABLE CARBON TRANSPARENCY
One Click LCA, a leading provider of life-cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declaration (EPD) software, has announced a strategic reseller partnership with Recolight. The partnership follows the launch of One Click LCA’s Luminaires EPD Generator, a tool to streamline the creation of EPDs for lighting products.
“This collaboration with Recolight highlights our commitment to decarbonising the lighting industry. Recolight’s extensive network of luminaire
manufacturers will benefit from combined access to world-leading LCA and EPD software, and support and consulting to enable them on their decarbonisation journey”, said Panu Pasanen, Founder and CEO at One Click LCA.
“An increasing number of specifiers and end users are now demanding credible environmental metrics as part of their lighting procurement and specification. Those companies that move early will gain a competitive advantage. We are delighted that through
consider apprenticeships as a viable alternative to university. ECA Chief Operating Officer Andrew Eldred said:
“ECA welcomes the Education Secretary’s ambition to see more young people qualify as electricians. For her statements to have any sort of impact, her government must work closely with industry leaders, educators and business owners – to listen to electricians themselves about what to do to make this happen.”
Earlier this month, ECA launched the Electrical Skills Index, which illustrates the national shortage of electricians in England.
our partnership with One Click LCA, we can provide access to industry leading LCA and EPD software that enhances embodied carbon transparency, and helps both specifiers and manufacturers move towards a low carbon future,” added Nigel Harvey, CEO at Recolight.
The strategic partnership will harness the industry leading position of both One Click LCA and Recolight to offer expertise, guidance, and world-leading LCA and EPD technology to the lighting industry.
WHOLESALER NEWS
ELTA TRADE STRIKES NEW PARTNERSHIP
ELTA TRADEPARTNERS WITH EDMUNDSONVENTILATION &HEATING
Elta Trade has announced a new partnership with Edmundson Ventilation and Heating, a leading stockist of ventilation and electrical equipment in the West Midlands.
Edmundson Ventilation & Heating, part of the wider Edmundson Electrical chain, will now carry Elta Trade’s entire range of domestic ventilation solutions. From single room heat recovery and decentralised mechanical extract ventilation (dMEV), through to PIV systems, centralised systems and more, electrical contractors can purchase Elta Trade’s products from Edmundson Ventilation & Heating in Sutton Coldfield.
To kickstart its relationship and ensure staff are equipped with the right knowledge to advise electricians and ventilation contractors projects, Elta Trade held an in-person training session for Edmundson Ventilation & Heating’s team. Alongside the training, Elta Trade has provided free ongoing marketing support, including POS materials, flyers, social media, and email graphics and assets.
The training allows Edmundson’s team to capably advise contractors about the right solutions for their jobs, while the marketing support will enable the high quality and competitively priced range to reach more potential customers.
Stuart Whitehouse, General Manager at Elta, commented: “Since the Elta Trade division was established last year, we have steadily grown, and we’re looking to ramp up even more now, as evidenced by this exciting new partnership. Elta Trade exists not only to supply ventilation equipment and accessories, but also to help installers with finding the right products for their projects. We’re offering free advice and marketing support to stockists to help move the dial on air quality and ventilation issues.”
CEFTECHTALKSRETURNFORAFOURTH SERIES
CEF has launched the fourth series of its award winning TechTalks, taking place from 3rd September to 21st November 2024.
For the last two years, these free talks have been a source of inspiration, knowledge, and a way to bring members of the industry together.
The upcoming series, centred around the theme ‘Have Your Say’, provide a platform for electricians to collaborate with CEF and event partners – the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Attendees will be able to expand their knowledge, help shape future IET Wiring Regulations, gaining 3.5 hours’ worth of CPD and network with over 20 leading brands and industry professionals.
The schedule for the day will include discussion on changes to BS 5839 for fire
alarms (non-domestic), an explanation of the BAFE scheme, as well as changes to BS 5266 the emergency lighting standard. After complimentary refreshments, further discussion will be had around protection against fire in battery storage systems for use in dwellings, changes to BS 7671:2018 including the 3rd and proposed 4th amendments as well as plenty of time for a Q&A.
Hosted by Darren Staniforth, Head of Technical Solutions, and Dave Austin, Technical Presenter, the TechTalks will be returning across 21 locations over 11 weeks up and down the UK and Northern Ireland.
Darren Staniforth said: “TechTalks were created in response to the rate of change within our industry – either through new innovations or the development of standards. We wanted to create a platform that supported contractors and installers with the information and updates they need to keep up. We’re excited that our fourth series of TechTalks also provides them with an opportunity to communicate the changes they’d like to see to standards going forwards.”
In association with Scolmore
EDA INSIGHT
A HIVE OF INDUSTRY
The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence. These training modules have won a Princess Royal Training Award so you can be assured of their value.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Have a go at this quiz sampled from the Industrial Controls module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.
Q1: What must be specified related to the coil when selecting a contactor?
Q2: If you are only able to ask one question when replacing a fuse, what would it be?
Q3: What voltages are commonly used for control circuits such as contactor coil energizing?
Q4: Are all terminals suitable for all cables?
Q5: When would you use a volt-free (relay contact) digital output?
Q6: What protection is suitable for an enclosure in a food factory where the floors are washed with hoses?
Industrial Controls is one of the 12 EDA Product Knowledge Modules created to develop the professional knowledge and confidence of your team. Training in Industrial Controls includes:
● Switches and Indicators
● Relays and Contactors
● Fuses and Breakers
● Motors and Motor Control
● Power Supplies
● Enclosures and Panel Layout
● Programmable Control and Automation
● Sensing and Instrumentation
● Environmental Considerations
● Trends in Industrial Controls
Online learning
All the EDA Product Knowledge Modules are available to study electronically via The EDA Academy, the Association’s e-learning portal. Each training course is delivered through video and interactive learning, but if the original hard copy textbook is preferred these are still available.
Q6: IP 65 is suitable as the enclosure is not directly washed down but may experience splashing.
Q5: VFC outputs are used when the device draws more current than can be supplied by a solid state module.
Q4: No, the terminal must be suitable for the conductor size (in mm2). Also the terminal must be designed to carry the circuit’s maximum current and rated voltage.
Q3: 12 V DC, 24 V DC, 48 V DC, 110 V AC, 230 V AC and 415 V AC.
Q2: The first thing to know about a fuse is its current rating. If you supply the wrong physical type it probably can’t be fitted. Annoying but safe. If you fit a fuse with a higher rating than the design a dangerous overload can develop and the fuse may not break the circuit in time, or at all.
Q1: The voltage, for example, 230 V AC or 24 V DC.
ANSWERS:
HOW DID YOU DO?
Full marks: Well done!
3 - 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?
Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.
WATCH THE VIDEO AND DOWNLOAD THE COURSE DIRECTORY
THERE’S PLENTY OF INFORMATION ONLINE AT WWW.EDA.ORG.UK INCLUDING VIDEOS AND A DOWNLOADABLE COURSE DIRECTORY, GIVING YOU A SUMMARY OF WHAT’S COVERED IN EACH OF THE 12 TRAINING MODULES. THE EDA TEAM IS READY TO HELP. VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX001
If you’re a manager looking for a flexible and convenient way to train your team to drive sales, get in touch on: 020 3141 7350 or email: training@eda.org.uk
ELECTRICALDA @eda_uk www.eda.org.uk
SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS
With World Suicide Prevention Day recently having taken place, the EIC want to take a moment to address a critical issue that affects our community: the stigma of asking forhelp that sadly leads far too many people to take their own lives.
The most recently released data from the Office for National Statistics reports that in 2022, there were 6,607 deaths by suicide registered in the UK. That same year the Samaritans volunteers responded to a call for help every 10 seconds. What we can understand from these numbers is just how many people are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
In the electrical industry, we are no strangers to challenges; demands on our mental and emotional well-being can be substantial. Historically, engaging with emotional distress is something we have been taught to shy away from. We will ensure physical safety on job sites but wilfully overlook the signs that someone is struggling with their mental health. We want to help change this.
Why It matters
Studies have shown that high-stress professions, like ours, can contribute to mental health struggles. The stigma around mental health often prevents many from seeking the help they need and prevents those around us from feeling able to offer it. We believe that the first step to changing the culture is by talking about it and the only way to facilitate this discussion is to hold a safe space for people to feel heard and cared for.
This can often be extremely challenging as such topics can feel dangerous and triggering – a first step could be to speak with your GP, counselor or or use one of the many services and helplines we have listed below.
You are not alone
SAMARITANS is a listening service and emotional support to anyone about any issue, with a special focus on suicidal feelings. They are open all day, every day. You can call the helpline for free on 116 123 or email atjo@samaritans.org
PAPYRUSIS a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. The helpline number is 0800 068 4141. You can also text them on 077862 09697, or emailpat@papyrus-uk.org.
MAYTREE is an organisation that offers telephone support to over 18’s in suicidal crisis. You can contact them 24/7 on 020 7263 7070 and can leave a message if there is no one to answer your call.
MY BLACK DOG is a charity run by volunteers who all have personal experience of dealing with suicide, selfharm, depression, and mental illness. This is an organisation for those who are over
“ The stigma around mental health often prevents many from seeking the help they need and prevents those around us from feeling able to offer it.”
the age of 18. You can chat online to a volunteer Monday-Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 10am-3pm and Sunday 10am-3pm and 710pm. Their website is https://www.myblackdog.co/
If you would rather not speak on the phone, you can contact SHOUT via text on 85258 with the word ‘SHOUT’
CALM offers help, information, and advice to anyone. They deal with issues such as abuse, bullying, mental health, relationships, suicide, and self-harm. The CALM helpline is open every day from 5pm-12am (midnight) on 0800 58 58 58 You can webchat with them via their website, and find out more about them at www.thecalmzone.net
HUB OF HOPE is a directory of local mental health services in the UK. They have a range of fact sheets and information about different mental health diagnoses and lists of specific support services for each condition. Their website is https://hubofhope.co.uk/
DADS MATTER UK is a free service that provides support for dads worried about or suffering from depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You can find more information on their website https://www.dadsmatteruk.org/
You can also reach out to the EIC either via out contact form –https://electricalcharity.org/find-help/ or the support line on 0800 652 1618
And you can read more here: https://electricalcharity.org/suicideprevention/
FACE TO FACE JEFFERSON TOOLS
In this month’s Face to Face we speak with Darren Binns, National Sales Manager for Jefferson Tools, to find out more about the tools market and the company’s recent activities.
QWhat is the history behind Jefferson Tools?
A. Jefferson Tools has been trusted by wholesalers and tradespeople for over two decades. It has a mission to provide high quality tools and equipment that caters to professionals, particularly electricians, as well as DIY enthusiasts. What began as a small, family-run operation has grown into a widely respected European brand, known for its durable and reliable products offered at fair prices. By focusing on the needs of skilled tradespeople, Jefferson Tools has successfully expanded its product range to meet the specialised demands of this sector while maintaining its commitment to producing top-tier tools.
Over the years, the company has built a reputation for continuous growth, ensuring that its tools meet evolving industry standards. By partnering with distributors and wholesalers, Jefferson Tools has solidified its place in the UK and Ireland markets as a go-to brand for electricians seeking reliability, precision, and long-lasting equipment. From its humble beginnings, Jefferson has maintained a customer-first philosophy, consistently adapting to meet the demands of professionals across the electrical industry.
“
QHow does Jefferson Tools ensure it continues to meet consumer demand and develop products that appeal to its customer base?
A. Jefferson Tools places a strong emphasis on staying connected with its core markets - conducting regular research and gathering feedback from industry experts. This allows the company to stay ahead of emerging trends and adjust its product offerings to address the specific challenges that electricians, for instance, face on the job.
By partnering with distributors and wholesalers, Jefferson Tools has solidified its place in the UK and Ireland markets as a go-to brand for electricians.”
In addition to market research, Jefferson Tools invests heavily in product development. The company’s in-house R&D team constantly works on refining and innovating its tool offerings, focusing on features like ease of use, ergonomics, and durability - key factors for electricians. By leveraging feedback from both professional installers and wholesalers, the company continues to provide tools that are practical and performance-driven, ensuring electricians have the reliable equipment they need to perform their work safely and efficiently.
QAre there any specific products that have proved to be particularly popular with installers and wholesalers this year?
A. This year, Jefferson Tools has experienced a notable increase in demand for its range of electrician tools, with popular items such as automatic wire strippers, versatile pliers, and reliable cutters leading the way. Electricians value these tools for their portability, durability, and high-performance capabilitiesessential factors when working in environments that require both flexibility and mobility. These tools have become indispensable for electricians aiming to streamline their tasks while delivering both power and precision.
Additionally, the company’s selection of cable management solutions has been a hit with both installers and wholesalers. Electricians require tools that offer
reliability and accuracy, and Jefferson Tools focus on creating equipment that simplifies complex tasks has resonated well in the market.
QHow will the newly installed warehousing system enhance company operations?
A. Jefferson Tools’ newly installed warehousing system represents a significant improvement in how the company handles its logistics and operations, particularly in the electrical tools sector. The new system incorporates advanced inventory management technology, allowing us to track product stock levels in real time. This ensures the company can respond swiftly to fluctuations in demand, which is crucial for electricians and wholesalers who require
“ The warehousing upgrade helps ensure that key products are always available when and where they are needed.”
fast and reliable access to essential tools. By reducing lead times and optimising stock availability, the warehousing upgrade helps ensure that key products are always available when and where they are needed. Moreover, the new system significantly improves order fulfilment efficiency. With automated processes now in place, Jefferson Tools can process larger volumes of orders faster and more accurately.
QWhat are Jefferson Tools objectives for the year ahead?
A. Looking to the future, Jefferson Tools is committed to expanding its product line with new tools specifically designed for the electrical sector. The company recognises the growing importance of energy efficient and sustainable solutions and plans to introduce eco-friendly tools that cater to electricians working on green energy projects.
In addition, Jefferson Tools is planning to increase its international footprint by entering new markets. The company’s goal is to make its tools more accessible, providing cutting edge equipment to electricians so they can excel in their work. TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT JEFFERSON TOOLS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX002
CLOUD COVER
Amid supply chain disruption and more sinister and sophisticated cyber threats online, companies must continually streamline their operations, cut costs, and better secure their data to keep trading at a profit. The consequences of not doing so are stark. Several merchants with on-premises IT systems have gone bankrupt due to a cyber-attack where ransomware caused them to lose their ability to trade.
The good news is that cloud computing can help companies achieve efficiencies, improve customer service, and better protect their IT systems from cyberattacks. Understandably, many in the merchant and distribution industry are now looking at securing and future-proofing their business, so this article outlines the five key benefits for businesses switching from on-premises IT to cloud computing.
Robust defence against cyber threats
Sadly, cyber warfare methods continually enhance and develop. Thousands of new viruses, worms, and other forms of malicious software (or malware) are created each day. Many dangers exist, from advanced persistent threats (ATPs) to malicious ransomware and phishing attacks, and it only takes one successful attack to stop a company from trading.
Research shows that most companies underestimate the length of time a cyber-
With cloud computing now helping many companies protect their IT systems, James Mitchell, Managing Director for Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) in the UK and Ireland, looks at how it differs from on-site IT.
attack will stop them from trading. Instead of days, it's often weeks. Combined with the cost of the ransom, being unable to trade, manage stock, or issue invoices can be critical to their business in the long term.
Up to now, companies have been able to run their IT networks themselves, usually within a dedicated room 'on-premises'. However, as more efficient and sustainable solutions become available, many businesses find this requires careful management and significant cost overheads.
In today's competitive climate, such an investment of time and money looks increasingly expensive, especially since companies can now take advantage of
cloud providers' best-in-class technologies and expertise.
For example, cloud service providers like Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) invest heavily in their use of public cloud technology, creating secure environments beyond most merchant and distribution companies' ability to afford. They are proactive about conducting research and always look to utilise the best security technologies and expertise, all so they can offer their customers an enhanced level of protection from cyber-attacks.
Better protection against data breaches
When a data breach strikes, companies suffer from criminals gaining unauthorised access to sensitive company data. Consequently, such incursions can lead to the theft of valuable customer information, including names, email addresses, and sensitive financial details.
Being unable to trade after a cyber-attack, such as a data breach, is only one problem, however. After the breach, companies can usually expect worse consequences over the medium to long term, such as
significant fines and irretrievable damage to their hard-won reputation.
Cloud computing helps mitigate the risk of data breaches mainly through advanced, centralised data management systems. These systems enhance control over data access and provide sophisticated tools for data integrity checks and intrusion detection. Cloud providers typically also deploy multi-layered security strategies, including a physical security presence at their data centres.
Reduce your IT expenses
Maintaining on-site IT infrastructure can be very expensive and particularly problematic when a business is trying to cope with rising prices and issues within its supply chain. Companies usually shoulder the cost of maintaining hardware and software licenses themselves, while the cost of IT personnel can significantly drain budgets and resources.
Ultimately, cloud computing offers a cost-effective solution by shifting most of these fluctuating expenses to a predictable pay-as-you-go subscription model that stays the same.
Cloud hosting fees typically cover a range of services, including server maintenance, data storage, and increased data bandwidth capability. However, they also cover the maintenance costs for the server hardware, software security updates, technical support, and 24/7 backup provision.
Improve efficiency and scale
The ability to scale operations rapidly and efficiently is crucial in the building supplies industry, where demand can be unpredictable and vary according to
“ By migrating to a public cloud network, companies can leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance their operations, reduce costs, and secure their data more effectively.”
fluctuations in season and geography.
However, cloud computing facilitates easy scalability. Using a cloud provider lets your business increase its IT resources without investing upfront in hardware, software, and infrastructure.
This scalability ensures merchant distribution companies can handle peak loads during high-demand periods without disrupting service or performance. Moreover, cloud platforms can integrate seamlessly with AI and machine learning tools, enabling better demand forecasting and inventory management.
Cut carbon emissions
Sustainability is increasingly important in all sectors, including distribution. Cloud computing contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint of IT operations. Centralised data centres, optimised for energy efficiency, consume significantly less power compared to traditional on-site servers.
Furthermore, cloud providers often use renewable energy sources and implement energy-efficient practices that far surpass what companies could achieve independently. Additionally, the scalability of cloud resources means that energy usage aligns more closely with actual needs, avoiding the inefficiencies of underutilised on-premise infrastructure. By leveraging cloud computing, businesses move towards greener operations and align with global efforts to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
In conclusion
By migrating to a public cloud network, companies can leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance their operations, reduce costs, and secure their data more effectively.
KCS has seen the demand for its public cloud service, K-Cloud, grow as the pressures faced by on-premises operations have required customers to seek alternatives. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, public cloud solutions give businesses the perfect secure platform to trade confidently and profitably.
MOVERS ANDSHAKERS
It’s been a busy few months in the electrical industry, with new appointments and shake-ups across different sectors. Keep up to date with the latest movements here, as we detail who has gone where.
Riah Winstanley C-TEC
C-TEC has announced the appointment of Riah Winstanley to its internal sales team. With three years’ experience in C-TEC’s manufacturing facility, most recently as a Team Leader, History graduate Riah already has a wealth of knowledge about the company’s life-safety systems. Reporting to UK Sales Manager, Brian Foster, Riah will focus on creating new business relationships and provide the highest levels of customer support to the UK manufacturer’s ever-expanding customer base.
Sean Campbell SWITCHTEC
Switchtec has announced the appointment of Sean Campbell to strengthen its national wholesale team. Sean has spent many years working within the wholesale sector. Starting out in internal sales, Sean progressed to becoming part of the external sales team for a large national wholesaler distributor. Sean’s understanding of the wholesale sector and keen insight into what wholesalers look for in suppliers and their products will significantly contribute to Switchtec’s growth strategy.
David Bates, Marcus Barritt SCOLMORE GROUP
Scolmore Group has appointed David Bates as the company’s new Director of Operations and Logistics, and Marcus Barritt as a new Technical Engagement Engineer. David will have responsibility for overseeing all operations in the warehouse and comes to Scolmore Group with a wealth of experience, having worked for more than 25 years within operational management roles for a range of organisations in the UK and Europe. Marcus will primarily be responsible for developing and delivering technical training courses, both internally and externally, for stakeholders such as electrical wholesalers, contractors, students, and apprentices.
Robert Drew UNICRIMP
Unicrimp has welcomed Robert Drew to its rapidly expanding sales team. Robert joins the business as an Area Sales Manager overseeing the West Midlands, North and Mid Wales regions. In this role, he will focus on building and nurturing relationships with new and existing Unicrimp wholesale customers, promoting the company’s extensive range of cable management consumables. Robert brings valuable experience from his most recent role as a Project Procurement Buyer at Scolmore Group, where he primarily worked with Unicrimp products.
COMPETITION
Cable management manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex has bolstered its comprehensive portfolio with metal trunking and strut to provide even more choice when it comes to the organisation, protection and support of cabling across a wide variety of applications. These products join metal cable tray and fast fit wire basket to provide a full range of metal cable management solutions.
WINAVIRGIN EXPERIENCE
DAY COURTESY OF
MARSHALL-TUFFLEX
HOW TO ENTER
To be in with a chance of winning the Virgin Experience Day, simply choose the correct answer from the following choices
Q. What is the total number of size variants within Marshall-Tufflex’s new metal trunking range?
A I 7
B I 17
C I 27
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The IP4X rated metal trunking is ideal for heavy duty installations including manufacturing plants, warehouses, laboratories and other industrial facilities. Manufactured from hot dipped, zinc coated low carbon steel strip to meet BS EN10346, the collection is stocked and available in 27 different size variants. The metal trunking is also supplied with Marshall-Tufflex’s unique hexagonal turnbuckle lid fixings for fast and easy installation.
“IP4X RATED METAL TRUNKING IS IDEAL FOR HEAVY DUTY INSTALLATIONS.”
To celebrate its expanding range of products, Marshall-Tufflex is giving Professional Electricians Wholesaler readers the chance to win a deluxe Virgin Experience Day.
To view the full range of cable management solutions available from Marshall-Tufflex, please visit: www.marshall-tufflex.com
The winners of the July/August competition, sponsored by Timeguard, were: Peter Povah, Eric McGlen, Prakash Patel
Katie
Plumstead, Group Marketing Manager, Scolmore Group,
looks at the latest UK Electrical Wholesalers market report, and provides wholesalers with details of those products that will be making headlines in the coming months.
According to Mintel’s UK Electrical Wholesalers Market Report 2023, the size of the UK electrical wholesale market was forecasted at £4,073 million in 2023. High costs across all areas remained a key operational concern. The continued combined press of inflation, cost of living and higher borrowing costs will impact demand in home construction and home improvement sectors. Commercial and industrial sectors also face severe pressure. Wholesalers must remain agile, flexible and responsive in order to meet the needs of a fluctuating market.
As a leading supplier to the electrical wholesale market, Click Scolmore knows only too well the importance of flexibility and agility when it comes to servicing its customers and the ability to quickly respond to demands in the market is something that the company takes pride in. Whether reacting to demand from the installers working with the products on the job or making sure that the latest trends impacting interior design requirements are being met, Scolmore has the resources at its fingertips to respond, and this is demonstrated in the continuing programme of new product development that the company undertakes.
MARKET FORCES
Mesmerising matt bronze
With the increasing demand for decorative wiring accessories from end users, installers are looking for stylish and refined solutions to complement modern interiors. In response, Click Scolmore has expanded its Definity Complete range with a new matt bronze finish. A perfect blend of elegance and modern appeal, the new refined finish is designed to add a touch of timeless sophistication to any interior, making it an ideal choice for both domestic and commercial spaces.
The smooth clean lines of Definity Complete products provide the ultimate finishing touch to a feature packed range of decorative electrical accessories without the visible fixing screws. The Definity Complete range gives installers the ultimate flexibility. As all Click switch plates are modular as standard, this allows for endless combinations to suit multiple installations within both domestic and commercial environments.
The popular range now totals nine finishes including matt bronze, antique brass, brushed steel, stainless steel, polished chrome, white, metal white, matt black and metal black finishes.
A la Mode
Whilst the company will continue to develop its decorative accessories offer, it is the Click Mode range of white wiring accessories that remains the company’s best-selling wiring accessories collection to date. The Mode range was conceived and developed as a high quality, flexible and modern solution for virtually any domestic wiring requirement. The smooth, contemporary lines of the accessory plate fits easily into traditional and contemporary designs alike and the modular design allows installers unprecedented flexibility in creating dedicated wiring solutions.
access to charging without messy cables, and ensuring the electric toothbrushes are always charged ready to go. They are also antibacterial and antiviral certified.
Safety first
New to the Click Mode range, are the 1gang and 2-gang In-Wall Toothbrush Chargers. Compatible with most Oral-B toothbrush models, these products offer a wireless charging point for electric toothbrushes as well as additional space for a spare/replacement toothbrush head. The design allows them to be fitted directly onto the bathroom wall, offering easy
Other recent additions to Click’s decorative wiring accessories range are new Deco and Deco Plus 2-gang unswitched socket outlets. Designed with the consumer in mind, the socket outlets come offered with a safety shutter feature to increase security and overall reassurance. The safety shutters are designed to exceed BS1363 requirements, where a standard BS1363
Shutter only requires an engaging earth pin to open the shutter. These are available in satin chrome or stainless steel finishes and with black or white inserts.
Wholesaler support
As well as supplying the latest products to meet market demand, a working partnership with Scolmore Group ensures that electrical wholesalers have access to the widest possible source of information, resources and promotional support to help them stand out from the crowd and stay ahead in a highly competitive marketplace. Key to this support is the Marketing Hub –a unique website facility which is available across the whole of the Scolmore Group –Click Scolmore, Ovia, Unicrimp and ESPand provides a range of tools that wholesalers can use to enhance their own marketing facilities – and all at no extra cost.
With wiring accessories now available in a wide range of finishes, Steve Moss, Sales and Marketing Manager for Focus SB, looks at how trends impact sales.
TREND SETTERS
Trends in finishes come and go, but quality, innovation and continuity of finish are constants when it comes to the discerning customer.
Longevity vs trends
Popularity of finishes is constantly on the Focus SB radar, as the company offers inhouse expertise to professional electricians, design consultants, building contractors and specifiers via project support services. Popularity of finish by can be subjective and when it comes to enquiries there is always an equivalent to the latest trends as published by home interiors magazines or national press, so that wholesalers can easily source products for customers seeking products on behalf of those who may have been inspired by the weekend newspaper style pages.
High quality products paired with bespoke components and finishes that can be matched or complemented across a wide range of standard and specialist smart home products will give wholesalers and professional electricians the edge in conversation with your customers and stand the test of time.
Electrical accessories trends
As a company, Focus SB is continually assessing just how influential trends are on the electrical accessories market and how relevant these might be, enabling the business to best support customers and wholesalers.
Metallic finishes are timeless and won’t go out of fashion. It’s very much down to personal taste when it comes to finishes, but for larger prime residential and hospitality projects it’s crucial to be able to supply multiple finished products to complement an interior designer or architect’s interior scheme. This is where Focus SB comes in with the ability to offer multiple products finished to match, from laser marked low-voltage keypads through to 8G 20A 2 way rocker grid switches or 13A switched 2 gang sockets with 18W Type A and 45W Type C Power Delivery USB ports, down to bathroom shaver sockets and kitchen cooker control units fitted with double pole 45A switches for installations where higher current ratings are required, with the option of incorporating a switched 13A socket, for example.
Finishes for smart home tech
Prime residential designers and architects are faced with multiple options and can choose from touch screen and multi-button scene setting controls or systems utilising simple ‘push-to-make’ retractive rocker, toggle (dolly switches), push button ‘bell pushes’ and keypads of traditional appearance with the latest low voltage programmable technology behind the cover plate. Often these retractive switches will interface with proprietary ‘whole house’ complex control system installations, programmed by the smart home integrator or electrical contractor.
With many city centre commercial, warehouse and office premises being converted for residential or mixed use, the requirement for high quality monochromatic faceplate finishes in matt white and matt black remains popular.
Developers and designers will often try to utilise reclaimed building materials and look to use high quality products offering longevity such as switches, sockets and keypads with more unusual finishes to complement an overall theme.
Most clients embrace the benefits of energy efficient LED lighting, however many are less than happy to choose high tech multi-button and touch screen lighting control systems to operate the
lighting. These controls in many cases will ‘jar’ in terms of visual appearance with the property’s décor and cause unnecessary complexity. Increasingly touch screen proprietary controls are being replaced (or supplemented) utilising simple ‘push-tomake’ retractive rocker, toggle switches or push buttons for a more traditional appearance.
Often these switches will interface with proprietary ‘whole house’ complex control system installations. Focus SB’s low-voltage keypads can be specified with square and round push button switches as well as with a contemporary toggle switch style, with the option for bespoke ‘hotel-style’ combination plates and are available with the new Renaissance flat screwless plate in order to evolve a one-stop shop offering for wholesalers and their customers.
We’re seeing continued desire to be able to match faceplate designs and finishes across light switches, dimming and power outlets as well as a growing demand for smart home products with a traditional aesthetic. The ability to match
finishes across other specialist products such as keypad switches, Focus SB’s panic alarm button and sounder cover plates is useful for customers looking to order from just one supplier - and the fact Focus SB manufactures and finishes in-house means it's convenient for wholesalers to source options for their customers.
Modern square corner finish
Designed with sustainability in mind, Focus SB’s innovative design-first Renaissance product offers the ultimate in minimalist style complemented by product and functionality options customers expect. A rebirth of a classic style, Renaissance offers a true flat screwless plate with square corners, rather than a formed, or dished plate, or one that sits inside a frame in two pieces, or sits on a visible plastic frame, like the majority of available products on the market.
Modern ‘minimalist’ style continues to be popular coupled with an ability to create bespoke plate sizes which is a prerequisite for most high end residential or hospitality projects.
Total solution for wholesalers
For wholesalers servicing interior designers or other professionals visiting trade counters or for showrooms that want to match faceplate finishes with either existing installations or specialist products, availability of products with matching finishes is likely to be difficult or time consuming to source. As Focus SB manufactures and finishes all faceplates and components in-house, it is able to offer customers an unrivalled design and finish solution which solves this problem.
Wholesalers know that when they order electrical accessories products from Focus SB, they have a straightforward flexible solution from just one manufacturer. Typical customers are not impulse buyers, so Focus SB collaborates with wholesalers who want to offer a standard collection with the advantage of niche, bespoke ‘non counter’ products.
THE WHOLE STORY
Driven by regulatory changes and an ongoing need to reduce energy bills, smart systems for whole home electric space and water heating are fast becoming the norm in both new build and retrofit projects. Shaun Hurworth, Marketing Director at Dimplex UK, explores the advantages of smart whole home solutions, which combine a mix of electric heating and hot water technologies to create a centrally controlled system suited to the building and its occupants.
With regulations and rising bills in mind, fossilfuelled home systems must be replaced with efficient, smart devices that use renewable electricity to provide comfort.
Responsive heating
Smart whole-home space and water heating solutions are designed to meet regulatory needs while providing greater control and comfort for occupants. Rather than relying on a ‘one size fits all’ approach, a smart electric space and water heating system can combine various complementary products. This approach ensures a whole home solution is designed to optimise energy usage, comfort and control.
Precision temperature control is vital to maximising energy efficiency, and smart home heating systems are designed to deliver exactly that. By only heating occupied rooms to the desired temperature, unnecessary energy consumption can be avoided. Solutions such as the intelligent Dimplex Q-Rad electric radiator with infrared technology deliver a perfect blend of convective and radiant heat for a natural feel of warmth on demand. Built-in energy saving technology like predictive warm-up and open window detection ensure comfort is met without waste, and the range also connects to the Dimplex Control app via a central Hub to enable precision control and zoning, which ensures no energy is wasted heating unoccupied spaces.
Convenience built in Intelligent electric space heating is made even smarter thanks to the various ways the system can be controlled. Most smart systems can now be managed remotely via smartphone apps, providing convenience and allowing users to amend their planned heating schedule remotely.
For example, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity allows the Dimplex Alta Wi-Fi panel heater and the new AluRad Wi-Fi electric radiator to connect, control and manage heating through the Dimplex CapaConnect app. The connectivity features built into these ranges make them ideal for installation within garden rooms/offices, conservatories and garage conversions, as users can remotely set the temperature to a comfortable level before the space is used. The CapaConnect app also enables the creation of ‘groups’, such as ‘bedrooms’ or ‘downstairs’, a schedule can then be set for these zones to ensure they’re not heated unnecessarily.
Another advancement which helps heaters to be more economical and environmentally friendly is Dimplex’s Adaptive Start Technology. This feature, which is integrated into the Q-Rad electric radiator, allows the unit to self-learn a room's thermal characteristics and determine how long to run to reach a set temperature, further reducing energy wastage.
The Dimplex Alta Wi-Fi panel heater and new AluRad Wi-Fi electric radiator can also integrate with the Alexa voice assistant, allowing users to control the heating system with simple voice commands. Furthering the sustainability factor, the slimline AluRad WiFi electric radiator has a 100% recycled aluminium chassis, which is designed to match the traditional wet radiator aesthetic.
Specialist tariff access
Bringing traditional technology right up to date, smart high heat retention (HHR) storage heaters are designed to store up low-cost, off-peak energy to be used on demand throughout the day, making these products the most economical electric heaters on the market today. The Dimplex Quantum is an ideal electric heating option for properties where the existing storage heaters or other direct electric heating systems need to be replaced.
The high heat retention technology –and the flexible services it enables –complements the roll-out of heat pumps at a national level. These products help balance the grid by electrifying buildings where it isn’t easy to fit traditional heat pumps with a system that uses energy on a different profile, creating diversity in the electrification of heat. This includes properties subjected to EPC improvement targets as Quantum meets SAP criteria for HHR storage heaters and can bring the EPC rating down.
Helping to create these benefits, Dimplex has partnered with British Gas to launch the British Gas Dimplex Quantum Tariff, the UK’s most advanced electric storage heating tariff for use with the Dimplex Quantum storage heaters.
The British Gas Dimplex Quantum Tariff is a first-of-its-kind smart tariff. It can offer lower rates than typical Economy 7 tariffs thanks to the heaters’ capability to charge when electricity costs are lowest on the grid. This will be delivered through 100% renewable electricity* and with prices fixed for 12 months.
Designed, developed and manufactured in the UK, the Quantum heaters intelligently communicate with British Gas, which charges them up with low-cost electricity when it’s available on the grid. This cheap electricity can be intelligently
stored as heat, which not only helps consumers to lower their bills but can also provide flexibility to the UK’s energy system as we continue to decarbonise our national energy infrastructure and transition towards Net Zero.
Water heating made smart
Just like space heating, hot water needs to be efficiently electrified in instances where a traditional heat pump isn’t suitable for a building. In response to this challenge, we have seen a rise in the demand for hot water heat pumps (HWHPs), which generate low-carbon hot water in houses and apartments and integrates with the whole home smart system.
Hot water heat pumps can offer a simple step towards providing an electrified, sustainable portfolio of options for installers that bring customers value and improve their buildings. They can solve issues for those with electric heating systems who need a cylinder replacement, are looking to reduce their bills or meet
EPC targets and properties looking to transition away from fossil fuels that may not have the resources or space for other heat pump technologies.
The Dimplex Edel HWHP is a highly efficient hot water heat pump that uses energy extracted from external fresh air to heat water up to 60°C in a durable, unvented stainless-steel cylinder. This heat pump is a highly efficient solution for generating domestic hot water in new houses and apartments using low-carbon renewable energy. Delivered pre-wired, pre-plumbed and pre-filled with refrigerant, the compact unit has a familiar appearance and footprint to that of a standard hot water cylinder, has no separate outdoor components and requires minimal maintenance and servicing.
With an impressive Coefficient of Performance (COP) of up to 3.36 and an average energy consumption of only 250W, Edel offers high performance and energy savings and is designed for use within a Dimplex Control Hub heating system alongside Dimplex’s range of electric radiators and storage heaters for a whole home solution.
*British Gas matches the electricity you buy from it on this tariff with 100% renewable energy by buying Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origins certificates. This means buying certificates that guarantee electricity has been generated from a renewable source to match the electricity that you’ll use.
SMART FROM SCRATCH
The team at CEDIA, the industry association for smart home professionals, explain more about the opportunities that will exist, now and in the future, for those who are pondering whether to make a start with smart.
From CEDIA’s perspective, a smart home is defined by professionally designed and installed technology that is easy and seamless to use, and also reliable and secure. CEDIA’s role is to connect, empower, and champion smart home professionals and businesses to deliver these systems that can enhance the experiences and lifestyles of homeowners and their families.
Growing market
The smart home sector is seeing significant growth and represents a major business opportunity for electricians.
In the 2023 Professional Smart Home Market Analysis UK, produced by CEDIA and released in December 2023, the UK market is estimated to be worth £2.9 billion and is supported by favourable industry growth projections for the next 12 months.
In other key findings, this analysis revealed that approximately 3,700 integrators are currently serving the UK market with firms completing an average of 14 projects per year, employing a median of four employees, and earning an average business revenue of £300,000 per annum.
Half of all participants expect to add technical personnel in the next 12 months with the categories anticipated to grow the most in the next year being media rooms, home cinema, outdoor audio-visual (AV) systems, and automated lighting and shading installations. Clearly, this is an industry not just exhibiting a confident mood and very good health, but growing, too.
The Smart Home Report, a white paper produced by the Beacon Agency in November 2023 on consumer attitudes towards the smart home, supported this view with evidence drawn from a survey of 984 participants. 93.59% of respondents said they use some form of smart tech in their home, compared to 55% of respondents in an equivalent survey carried out in 2020.
Additionally, this report pointed to the smart home market opportunity available to electricians. 32.30% of respondents said they preferred to conduct their own research to learn about smart technology, while 20.43% would seek advice from an electrician.
Working together
When the consumer’s vision requires multiple devices that are going to work well together in the home, the opportunity is huge for the electrician to be the expert in the right place at the right time – not just to advise on technology choices, but to offer design, installation, and aftercare services.
Last year’s Professional Electrician & Installer Reader Survey highlighted that 44% of readers were interested in upskilling in home automation and CEDIA is well-placed to help electrical contractors successfully develop their careers in this smart home space.
CEDIA provides not just the in-person and online education and resources to support such a move, but also answers questions from contractors, provide guidance, and support through a great community of industry professionals and suppliers.
The three CEDIA education packages that are fundamental to any contractor who is looking to start their journey in the smart home industry are Smart Home Technician Essential Skills, Smart Home Technician Further Skills, and Networking Specialist School. This education pathway provides a strong foundation for technicians interested in advancing their professional knowledge through a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of networking.
Smart Home Technician Essential Skills
This five-day pathway offers a solid foundation for newcomers.
The course covers essential topics, such as audio, video and RF fundamentals, best practice to safely install, terminate, and verify cabling in both new construction and retrofit environments, smart home subsystems, as well as training on the design and installation of AV racks, equipment placement, wiring and ventilation.
Skills taught include cable termination, cable lacing, testing and troubleshooting,
rack building, equipment installation, Ohm’s law calculations in addition to triangles, percentage, and ratios calculations. The last day of the programme also covers UK’s regulations of electrical safety.
Smart Home Technician Further Skills
This five day package is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals who already have some experience in the field or who have completed the Smart Home Technician Essential Skills package. During this course, electricians can learn the best practices for home cinema and media room installation and gain the knowledge and skills to implement lighting control protocols into a system design. It also covers how to
configure a typical router and correctly set up a secure Wi-Fi network, as well as the best practices for control system commissioning. Additionally, learners will explore some of the project and business processes that involve technicians, as well as the terminology and phases that are typically encountered on an on-site project.
Networking Specialist School
This provides an understanding of both the theory and practice of IP in order to design and install reliable and robust smart home systems. In addition, with wireless infrastructures being asked to handle ever more demanding applications, it’s also critical that these are designed and implemented in the right way. The Networking Specialist School includes a whole suite of IP networking courses to improve the understanding and skill set of technicians in these areas. FOR FURTHER DETAILS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX008
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
advantageof the lucrative opportunities it presents.
In today's rapidly evolving electrical installation marketplace, staying abreast of tech trends and process innovation is an important part of maintaining competitive advantage. With the industry feeling the same pressures as many other sectors, the race is on to identify opportunities for cutting above the rest. All the while, businesses must keep a keen eye on the strict regulatory landscape and adhere to evolving legislation.
Innovating, challenging, learning from best practice and developing your business across a number of fast growth areas can help navigate this dynamic landscape and stay ahead of the game. First and foremost is understanding the direction of change.
Emerging trends
With sustainability continuing to rise up the national agenda, homeowners are increasingly looking to reduce their carbon footprint, lower their energy bills and reduce reliance on grid energy. As a result, investing in alternative energy and utility solutions are rapidly gaining momentum.
Mainstream microgeneration solutions, such as solar PV and small-scale domestic wind turbines, offer a simple way to take control of energy spend and live more sustainably. While common misconceptions suggest that purchasing and installing renewables is expensive, this isn’t necessarily the case.
According to consumer champion Which?, a typical 3.5kW solar PV array can be purchased and installed for around £5,500, generating enough power for a family of four. With Ofgem suggesting that the average annual household energy bill sits at around £1,717 per year, the payback period of renewables is far shorter than many may think.
But while installing microgen might therefore seem like an obvious choice, it’s important to understand its limitations. Free, unlimited energy is certainly attractive, but renewable generation can be unpredictable. What’s more, most homeowners are out of the house during periods of high generation and use most energy during low periods. As such, it’s not unusual to see users exporting surplus energy to the
grid and buying it back (at a far more expensive rate) when they need it most.
In the past, this has created a barrier too high for many homeowners to overcome. However, owing to significant developments in battery technology, new innovation in self-consumption solutions and tax reliefs from the government, the picture is changing fast.
Future-proofing
The myenergi eco-smart product range has been specifically designed to maximise the value of renewable energy generation technology and improve payback periods for homeowners.
The solar-compatible EV charger –zappi – is a future-proofed solution that, alongside operating as a mains-connected charging device, seamlessly integrates with renewable energy generation technologies and allows users to harness 100% green energy. In periods of low generation, zappi can automatically optimise around energy tariffs to enable charging at both cheaper and greener times from the grid.
Alongside zappi, myenergi also manufactures a wide range of other devices, including the eddi solar power diverter and libbi, a modular home energy storge system.
The idea of smart, automated ecosystems that use renewable energy to charge our cars, warm our homes and store surplus for peak time deployment is a real game-changer. However, it’s not a vision for the future, it’s available right now.
Taking advantage of trends
The accessibility and increasing availability of more advanced green technology means higher demand and, inevitably, more inbound enquires for electrical installers. Alongside the uptick in direct orders, installers will also benefit from a greater ability to up-sell new products.
For installers to make the most of this modern tech, the main priority should be training. Efficiently and effectively installing products like power diverters and home batteries requires specialist knowledge, so installers should prepare
for a boom in tech installations by seeking the right guidance and training. To find out more about the qualifications required to install renewable energy tech, the City & Guilds website contains a wide range of expert courses and further detail about how to harness new opportunities.
Additionally, installers can benefit from manufacturer-led training to get the latest guidance, tips, tricks and (in some cases) receive the best deals. myenergi brings together a trusted pool of installers that become authorised subcontractors, offering them the ability to receive free product training sessions to enable easier
installation, more effective up-selling, better marketing and customer service, and even financial incentives for installing particular products.
As well as learning and development for installers, myenergi also runs the ‘academi’, which offers apprenticeships, internships, and post-graduate schemes throughout all areas of the business. It is designed for school, college, and university leavers looking to kick-start their career, or career changers who are looking to enter the green-tech space.
Staying acquainted with the latest and most advanced solutions through ongoing learning and development should be the number one priority for installers looking to stay a cut above the rest in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Taking advantage of the rise of renewables can offer exciting new opportunities and really help business boom.
NETWORKING EVENT
With more and more connections being installed in homes and commercial buildings, Glenn Ward, General Manager of Dunasfern, discusses what is driving our data networking.
We have all seen the wheel of doom circling round and round as we wait endlessly for a connection and demand for data continues to increase year on year, at an alarming rate. We now have more and more streaming devices in our homes, at work and in public spaces. A typical home will have gaming, video, browsers, smart home automation and even doorbells requiring and sending data and home automation is forecasted to grow at 10% per year.
Not only is demand increasing at a rapid rate, our demand for faster connection and greater capacity is also growing fast and acceptance of smart home automation is fuelling this growth. Just as we have become accustomed to new ways of transacting and connecting since the start of the pandemic, so too have we accepted online collaboration and remote working as the norm. The workforce will continue to be hybrid, with employees working fully from home or in the office or dividing their time between these locations.
For network teams, this means having to support thousands of “unique” network
locations and connections in this hybrid work environment. In addition, they need to ensure that the network can manage a significant increase in voice and video traffic, enable a more seamless and personalised user experience (UX), no matter where users are, and support the performance of business applications.
We have come a long way since the invention of Morse code over the telegraph. So, in today’s digital world, where staying connected is super important for households and businesses alike, how data networks are changing is important and in today’s fast-changing digital world, we need to expand data capacity and a big part of this is data networking.
Definition of data networking
Data networking is all about creating, setting up, and looking after networks that help share information. It involves using different technologies like Ethernet, TCP/IP, and Wi-Fi, which are like building blocks for today’s networks. These networks can be small, like in one place (called LANs), or big, stretching across many places (known as WANs). With more businesses using cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), good data networking is critical.
Data networking supports a wide range of functions, including remote work arrangements, real-time collaboration, ecommerce transactions and smart home automation. Businesses continue to digitise their processes and embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The future of data networks will be defined by the key trends and technologies. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) offers more flexibility and agility in network management by separating control from data and SDN lets organisations change network settings and allocate resources quickly as needs change. Edge computing and 5G technology will also transform data networking. Edge computing moves computing closer to users, while 5G offers super-fast speed and bandwidth.
The Evolution from 4G to 5G
5G technology represents a significant advancement over 4G networks in terms of speed, latency, and capacity. Unlike 4G, which primarily relies on traditional cellular towers, 5G utilises a combination of frequency bands, including millimetrewave frequencies, for more efficient data transmission. This transition allows for faster data transfer rates and improved performance, making it suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications like virtual reality and augmented reality.
The exponential growth of IoT devices across various sectors is driving the need for robust networking solutions. From smart homes to industrial automation, IoT devices are becoming the norm and contributing to the data explosion and this proliferation presents challenges in scalability, security, and data management for traditional networking architectures.
The smart home revolution
The explosion of smart home technologies is where innovation meets convenience and transforms the way we live. From lights that respond to your voice commands to security systems that ensure peace of mind, smart homes are redefining our relationship with technology and growing the need for greater speed and capacity in our data networks and companies worldwide continue to create new and exciting ways to make our homes safer and more efficient.
Voice-controlled smart home devices like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant are gaining popularity, simplifying tasks for millions of households. This surge highlights the increasing reliance on voice as a primary means of interacting with technology at home. Meanwhile, the advent of smart home security systems equipped with advanced computer vision and facial recognition is revolutionising home security. These systems can distinguish between family members and intruders, offering customised alerts and bolstering security and convenience. Notably, software incorporating these technologies is expected to see rapid growth, at 11.5% per year. Additionally, the emphasis on interoperability and open standards in the smart home sector is fostering compatibility between devices from different brands, empowering consumers to create comprehensive smart home setups tailored to their preferences.
As technology improves and becomes more affordable, more and more people are finding smart home gadgets helpful and convenient for everyday life. Whether it's for saving energy, increasing security, or just making life easier, the growing acceptance of smart home technology shows that it's becoming a normal part of modern living. The future of data networking is continuing to evolve because of new trends and technologies like Software-Defined Networking, the Internet of Things, smart home automation and 5G. It’s crucial for consumers and businesses to embrace these changes to succeed in the digital age and by keeping up with these advancements and using them well, we can all improve our work, home environments, and find new chances to grow in a more connected world.
STANDING THE TESTOF TIME
From humble beginnings in a small Detroit loft to an iconic workwear brand that is known and respected across the world, 2024 marks 135 years of Carhartt.
Founded in 1889 by travelling salesman Hamilton Carhartt in Detroit, Michigan, Carhartt began life as a small company dedicated to producing durable workwear for railroad workers. Armed with just two sewing machines, a half-horsepower electric motor and five employees, the company’s initial operation was modest to say the least, yet Hamilton Carhartt's vision and dedication to quality and customer satisfaction laid the foundation for what has become the most respected name in workwear and its motto of ‘honest value for an honest dollar’ is as relevant now as it was back then.
Back to the future
Every company needs a mission statement and from the outset Carhartt was committed to understanding and meeting the needs of workers. In fact, the company's first products were overalls, designed with the input of the railroad
Weathering the storm
workers who would wear them. These garments were made from denim and duck canvas and featured triplestitched seams and heavy-duty rivets –innovations that quickly set Carhartt apart in the crowded workwear market.
The reputation of Hamilton Carhartt’s workwear quickly spread and soon it wasn’t just those on the railroads who were wearing his clothing. With demand from tradespeople and manual workers across various industries, the early 20th century was a period of rapidexpansion for the company. It built multiple factories across the United States and Canada including major facilities in Detroit and Ontario. As well as increased production and the ability to reach an even broader audience, Hamilton Carhartt was also a pioneer in improving working conditions within his own factories, ensuring fair wages and safe working environments.
During World War I, Carhartt produced uniforms for American soldiers, further establishing its reputation for reliability and quality. Then the Great Depression hit and, after having enjoyed almost three decades of continual growth, the company suddenly faced significant challenges. Meeting these challenges head-on, the company stayed true to its core market and continued to adapt and innovate.
Carhartt's customer-centric approach was revolutionary for the time and set the foundation for its reputation for quality. Designed to withstand the rigors of farm and ranch work, the introduction of the Carhartt Chore Coat in 1923 exemplified this and it remains an enduring symbol of Carhartt's dedication to meeting the needs of working people.
When Hamilton Carhartt tragically died in 1937 in a car accident it was his son, Wylie, who took over the business. World War II marked another critical period for Carhartt, as the company once again contributed to the war effort by manufacturing uniforms for the military. With the post-war era bringing significant industrial growth in America, Carhartt was well positioned to meet the demands of
the expanding workforce and introduced new products such as insulated coveralls and specialised work jackets that empowered hardworking people to get the job done.
Cultural icon
Carhartt has always understood the importance and power of advertising and promotion. The Carhartt logo, designed in the 60s, became instantly recognisable and the following two decades saw Carhartt transition from a well known trade brand into the cultural icon it is today. This shift was fuelled by the growing popularity of the Carhartt jacket, particularly the Detroit Jacket, among blue-collar workers, outdoor enthusiasts and eventually, mainstream consumers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CARHARTT RANGE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX011
While the company’s core market was, and always will be, tradespeople, over the years its appeal has expanded to include a wide range of consumers who appreciate its rugged style and authenticity. Over the last 30 years Carhartt's reputation for durability and quality has resonated across a broad audience, leading to its adoption by diverse groups ranging from hip-hop artists to skaters and hipsters. YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN EXCLUSIVE CARHARTT LIMITED EDITION BEANIE!
To celebrate 135 years Carhartt has produced a limited edition of its iconic beanie. Each beanie is sealed and contains a scratch card, which has a code that can be checked online. The big question is: who will get a unique code for a Golden Beanie? One lucky winner will receive a wonderful tour around the Great Lakes of America, the birthplace of Carhartt! Terms and conditions apply. PEW HAS 10 LIMITED EDITION BEANIES
D-LINE CABLE CLIPS
As an essential part of a surface cable installation, D-Line’s Safe-D fire-rated clips – which can be fixed direct to surface or in PVC trunkings – have been designed following extensive research and development, with a host of technical features and installer benefits that not only deliver exceptional safety but also outstanding quality and value, making them an essential line for wholesalers seeking to provide the best for their customers.
To provide assurance and peace of mind, all D-Line Safe-D clips have been certified by Exova Warringtonfire and comply to 18th Edition regulations. This requires that non-combustable fixings are to be used for all new surface cable installations. D-Line Safe-D Clips can withstand temperatures 970°C for at least two hours, affording sufficient time to evacuate densely populated buildings and to prevent the potentially fatal risks for end users and firefighters of cable entanglement in a burning building, as well as being able to withstand levels of shock, vibration and water spray.
As well as U-Clips that can be fitted direct to a surface or in non-metallic trunking systems and Conduit Saddles that provide a modern look, the Safe-D range also includes F-Clips, the firerated, thumb-friendly, flexible cable support supplied in flat form with three fixing holes that can be folded in seconds.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX013
AXIOM
WIRING ACCESSORIES
KNIGHTSBRIDGE BULKHEAD
Highly durable and very easy to install, the new BT EVO from is designed so that the versatile bulkhead fitting can meet the needs of every application, whether it be commercial or industrial, indoor or outdoor.
The BT EVO is incredibly flexible, with users being able to customise the fitting by choosing one of three wattages – 9W, 14W or 18W – and selecting a colour temperature between 3000K to 5700K to suit their needs. This configurability is enhanced with a wide range of options beyond standard, including emergency, microwave sensor, emergency microwave sensor, corridor function, emergency corridor function, daylight sensor and, finally, emergency daylight sensor.
Ease of installation is a key feature of the BT EVO range. Having been designed for complete flexibility, the bulkheads include BESA and four 20mm conduit entries, making them ideal for retrofitting projects. Terminals are push-fit with loop-in-loop-out capabilities.
The design, upgraded from Knightsbridge’s existing BT range, includes slimmer bezels and an enhanced diffuser, resulting in a sleeker aesthetic and more uniform illumination. The bezels come in a choice of standard round or eyelid, in matt black, chrome and grey.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX014
Axiom has introduced the newly revamped Curvex range, where cutting-edge design meets performance excellence. Launched in 2022 and now even better, this attractive modular white accessory range aims to complement modern interiors with its sleek low-profile design and gracefully rounded edges.
Manufactured in durable fire-resistant thermoplastic, this extensive and expanded range is designed to meet the vast majority of installer requirements, including switches up to three gang/two way, 20A and 45A double pole options plus intermediate and dimmer switches. Sockets have one and two gang single and double pole fittings, both switched and unswitched, a range of data and shaver sockets as well as upgraded 45A cooker switches and fused connection units. In total, the Curvex range, including cavity boxes, amounts to upwards of 50 lines.
Designed for ease of installation, Curvex features solid screws for deep fastening into terminal blocks, with captive screws and clear terminal markings to help ensure strong long-lasting connections. In terms of quality, the Curvex range has 6mm thick plates, is certified to all relevant BS and BS EN Standards and is backed by a 25 year guarantee.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX015
OVIA FRAMELESS FLOODLIGHTS
A new addition to Ovia’s extensive lighting portfolio is the Sentro, a range of IP65-rated frameless LED floodlights designed to thrive in the most demanding environments. With its frameless design allowing edge to edge lighting, the Sentro offers a stylish and contemporary lighting choice. An ideal solution for lighting large outdoor areas, these versatile luminaires are supplied in a black finish as standard and they are available in a 10W, 20W, 30W and 50W in standard or PIR variants. A choice of warm white or cool white colour temperature is also available with all wattages.
Sentro is the first frameless IP65 rated floodlight that offers a PIR version. The PIR version has a 120° PIR detection angle and an 8m detection range and features an override function. The luminaires are supplied pre-fitted with 1m of cable and come with an adjustable and angled bracket for installer convenience. A three year warranty is offered.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX016
CLICK SCOLMORE SCREWLESS PLATE
With the increasing demand for decorative wiring accessories, electrical contractors are looking for stylish and refined solutions to complement modern interiors. In response, Click Scolmore has expanded its Definity Complete range, a range renowned for its screwless, push-fit face plates, which now features a new sleek matt bronze finish.
The Definity Complete range gives installers the ultimate flexibility. As all Click switch plates are modular as standard, this allows for endless combinations to suit multiple installations within both domestic and commercial environments.
The new matt bronze finish, available with black inserts, adds a timeless elegance to any interior. The popular range now totals nine finishes including matt bronze, antique brass, brushed steel, stainless steel, polished chrome, white, metal white, matt black and metal black finishes.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX017
PROOFVISION BATHROOM TV
The latest ProofVision waterproof bathroom TVs redefine the bathroom entertainment experience. UK consumers are increasingly interested in entertainment options for their bathroom, with an average of 8,000 UK Google searches per month for ‘bathroom TV’. ProofVision offers electrical wholesalers an opportunity to increase revenue with a premium waterproof television range to meet this growing interest.
Launched in January 2024, the ProofVision models now feature WebOS-powered Smart TV functionality to enhance the end user’s enjoyment even further. This upgrade offers user-friendly access to countless streaming apps, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, as well as continuous updates for a seamless and easy-to-control viewing experience.
The IP65 rated bathroom televisions deliver a 1080p HD display for a crystal-clear picture and built-in vibration speakers that project a high-quality sound. Combining a sleek and modern design with a range of advanced features to enhance viewing, the waterproof and dustproof TVs are designed for use in highmoisture environments and can withstand humidity, meaning users don’t need to worry about steam or splashing water. The innovative models benefit from a heated screen to minimise misting and condensation, and are designed to be seamlessly embedded into the bathroom wall for a sleek appearance. What’s more, the mirrored version will blend into any bathroom, as when it is not being used, it reverts to a bathroom mirror, making the technology near invisible.
Available in a range of screen sizes, from 19 to 43 inches, and in three finishes (black, white, and mirrored), these smart bathroom televisions suit compact bathrooms and spacious spa-style spaces.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX018
INTEGRAL LED BULKHEAD LIGHTING
Integral LED has announced the launch of its latest advance in lighting technology, the Tough Shell Pro Bulkhead range. Engineered for excellence, this new series of bulkheads boasts a modular design with a variety of accessories aimed at enhancing both aesthetics and functionality, catering to a wide range of lighting needs. Delivering an impressive energy efficiency of 120lm/W, the Tough Shell Pro proves bright, consistent and customisable illumination while significantly reducing energy consumption.
The Tough Shell Pro is designed with versatility in mind, offering plug and play modules that include emergency lighting, microwave sensors and corridor function capabilities. These accessories allow users to upgrade and customise their lighting solutions effortlessly, ensuring optimal performance and adaptability for various environments.
Three power switching options (8W, 12W, and 16W) and switchable correlated colour temperature (3000K, 4000K, 6000K) offer further customisation to meet specific lighting requirements, while the range also features nine bezel accessories in varying colours and styles to ensure the Tough Shell Pro matches the appearance of any project.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX019
C.K TOOLS LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
C.K Tools has launched five new IP rated lighting products, including a brand-new range, designed to shine a light onto a multitude of projects for trade professionals, industrial workers and keen DIYers alike.
C.K Tools Folding Work Light provides a powerful and reliable lighting source throughout a full working day (up to 8.5 hours per charge). It comes complete with a 360° folding design and ball-ended hanging hook with magnetic base, for flooding work areas both large and small with light.
Meanwhile C.K Tools T9751 Mini Work Light 1000lm provides a versatile lighting solution with four modes to choose from –whether you need focused lighting for an up-close job or for lighting up an entire working area. For larger work areas C.K Tools T9752 – Maxi Work Light 2000lm is a versatile addition to the range. It features a flexible 180° folding design with magnetic base as well as being tripod compatible and four lighting modes to choose from.
C.K Tools T9714USB – Magnetic Wide Angle Head Torch 150lm features a wide-angle lens and a powerful 3.7V USBC rechargeable battery for up to nine hours runtime. Three modes provide varying degrees of light from 50 to 150lm.
For professionals who need a more powerful head light the C.K Tools T9615USB – Magnetic Dual Lens Headlight 500lm is a must. Users can choose from wide or narrow beam lighting which can also be dimmed to suit any environment. With a USB-C rechargeable 3.7V Li-ion battery as well as being x3 AAA battery powered, this latest offering from C.K Tools is sure to provide the optimum level of lighting required for any given situation.
NVC LIGHTING LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
NVC Lighting has announced enhancements to its popular CORE range of products. The company’s CORE range includes a number of everyday solutions that are used daily by electricians and electrical contractors on both large and smaller projects, such as for amenity spaces, industrial applications and floodlighting. All products in the CORE range come with a comprehensive five year warranty as standard, valid from the date of installation. The range offers excellent performance and value, with strong and competitive specification (rated L70 at 50,000 hours). One of the new enhancements to NVC Lighting’s CORE range this year is PASCO – an IP65 multi-wattage / multi-CCT bulkhead fitting for commercial indoor amenity lighting. Amenity lighting in commercial buildings is vital to minimise the risk of accidents in safety critical areas such as stairwells and corridors and can also be part of a building’s emergency escape route, meaning well-lit spaces are critical.
NVC Lighting has also enhanced its industrial range of products to meet the needs of factories, workshops and warehouses. This includes KELSO, a low bay fitting with a choice of two outputs, and NEPTUNE, a high output IP65 rated high-bay fitting. Another new product in the CORE range for 2024 is PUMA, part of NVC Lighting’s floodlight range.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX021
ANSELL LIGHTING CONNECTOR RANGE
FOCUS SB SCREWLESS PLATE
Focus SB has unveiled a high quality low profile solid brass flat screwless plate featuring distinctive square corner detail. Modern and crafted to last inhouse from highest specification recycled solid brass, the stylishly symmetrical Renaissance low profile screwless plate is manufactured utilising more raw material than similar options on the market. Human artistry complemented by custom CNC and Cobot technology showcases a striking product featuring outstanding precision engineered qualities with deliberately unbranded socket inserts and a lack of visible screws for a minimalist design aesthetic. Imagined in-house, the Renaissance product design is led by sustainable processes from start to finish. Available in bespoke sizes, this attractive low profile solution is achieved by cleverly conceived pocketed, clip and divot design details to the rear of the plate with hidden fixings for a superior flush electrical installation. With precisely machined switch and socket apertures, detail and craftsmanship are reinforced by reverse pressing blank brass plates for sharper edges which are hand polished for consistent high quality, a signature touch unique to Focus SB. TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX022
Ansell Lighting has unveiled AFIX, a brand-new range of high-quality connectors. Speeding up installation times, the range incorporates the AFIX Connector, AFIX IP Straight Connector, AFIX IP T-Junction Connector and AFIX IP Junction Box Connector. Designed for indoor use, the AFIX Connector range comprises a choice of three and four pole models with push fit connections and two part click-and-connect design for toolless installation. Cable clamps provide safe and secure connection whilst an easy access testing port enables instant reading for fixed wire testing. IP20 rated, the Connector range is ideal for use with recessed, downlights and high bay luminaires. Designed for indoor, in-ground and outdoor use, the AFIX IP Straight Connector and T-Junction Connector are IP68 rated for maximum protection against dust ingress and water immersion. Suitable for use with bollard, in-ground, spike and floodlights, both connectors are available in three and five core options and facilitate quick installation. Three core models feature lever connections whilst five core models feature screw terminals. Also created for indoor, in-ground and outdoor use, the AFIX IP Junction Box is available in three different sizes. The small model features two way, three core connections; the medium model three way, three core connections and the large model three way, five core connections. Extremely durable, the small and medium sized junction boxes are IP65 rated ensuring protection against dust and water ingress. The large model is highly robust with a IP68 rating. All junction boxes feature push fit connections.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX023
LUCECO HIGHBAY LED
Luceco has launched a new range of commercial highbay LED which is not only easy to install but offers the greatest flexibility for the end user currently on the market. Called the Titan All in One, it offers not only colour and wattage choice, but also beam angle change all in one unit without the need for added accessories. This is a first for the category, making Titan All In One the perfect solution for warehouses, factories, and any other similar industrial or commercial setting.
Most highbay LED lights require a lens change or added accessory for beam angle flexibility, but the Titan All In One has a unique and easy to use rotating lens beam angle adjustment. This means that installers can purchase one fitting and adjust it to suit the end user’s needs on site, rather than having to spec and purchase multiple light fittings ahead of time - great for both convenience and time and in terms of impressing clients. Sensor-ready for easy plug-and-play adjustability, Titan delivers uniquely adaptable lighting solutions as well as precise control, high efficiency and significant energy savings and lower operational costs.
JEFFERSON TOOLS TOOL TROLLEYS
Jefferson Tools has announced the launch of its latest product line: a range of robust trolleys designed to meet the diverse needs of professionals across various industries. Crafted with durability and utility in mind, these trolleys are designed to thrive in the demanding environments typical of busy workshops. Available in multiple configurations, they are perfect for a mechanic's garage, an electrician's workspace, a construction site, or even agricultural shed.
Jefferson Tools' trolleys are built not only for durability but also for ease of use. For instance, the three-level trolley’s compact design allows it to hold parts, power tools, and bulky equipment too large for a traditional tool chest, all while being easy to manoeuvre thanks to its side handle and lockable castor wheels. Measuring 870 x 400 x 875mm with a capacity of 150kg across three levels.
The two-level workshop trolley adds a layer of security with its lockable drawer, ideal for storing sensitive tools. Its soft-close ball bearing runners ensure smooth operation, while its overall capacity of 194kg is distributed across two levels and a drawer.
Titan All In One is also good news for wholesalers and stockists for all the same reasons, plus the ability to reduce SKU count from 72 to four while offering customers all the same options in the most slick and contemporary format.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX024
The largest in this range, with its gas sprung lid and five latched drawers, sets a new standard for heavy-duty workshop trolleys. The gas sprung lid features a rear locking mechanism for added security, while the five drawers, lined with non-slip liners, and a robust base shelf provide ample storage for larger parts and tools.
TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX025
PEW takes a look at the most sought-after products from recent issues of Professional Electrician & Installer magazine to give you an insight into your key customers’ buying behaviour.
SANGAMO THREE CHANNEL PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
With energy efficiency top of the agenda for homeowners and businesses, Sangamo is pleased to announce the launch of its new three channel programmable thermostat with RF and Wi-Fi, which provides the means to operate and control separate heating zones within a residential property and in doing so increase efficiency and reduce energy use and utility costs. The new Sangamo Thermostat Kit is suitable for properties with two-zoned heating systems and is designed to help installers comply with the requirements of Part L Building Regulations where two zone heating is stipulated. The kit comprises two RF programmable room thermostats to control heating over two zones and hot water programming, plus one receiver complete with three independent channels – two for heating and one for hot water. The system can be programmed and controlled directly or remotely via the ClickSmart+ App.
VISIT THE PRODUCT INFORMATION PAGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX026
BG SYNC EV EV-COMPATIBLE OUTDOOR CONSUMER UNITS
Fully compliant to IP65 external standards, the BG Sync EV consumer units from Luceco are the perfect solution for security lights, pond accessories, garden decorative and drive lighting, and gardening appliances as well as EV charging points. Rated IP65 as defined by BS EN 60529:1992+A2:2013 (Degrees of protection provided by enclosure) the BG outdoor consumer unit from Luceco has a lockable front cover to prevent unauthorised access to the electrical safety devices protecting the circuits. The IP65 enclosure also provides protection against dust and water jets making the unit safe from accidental proximity of a garden hose or jet washer. There’s also a IP20 version for indoor use. IP65 products are available in smart anthracite black and white, and IP20 in white.
VISIT THE PRODUCT INFORMATION PAGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX028
WERA ‘TAKE IT EASY’ VDE BLADES
Wera’s popular VDE interchangeable blades have had an update with the introduction of the
“Take it Easy” Tool Finder range. Launched earlier this year, each blade is colour-coded by profile and features laserengraved size indication to make it easier to identify the required tool quickly. Along with the revised colours, each blade has been redesigned to allow comfortable use without a handle. The palm of your hand is comfortably supported on the rounded shape of the rear end of the blades allowing quick spinning of the blade with light knurling on the shaft which accelerates the screwdriving process. Individual ‘Take it Easy’ Tool Finder blades are available now along with a Universal 1 17- piece set and a 26-piece Big Pack, both of which contain a blade-holding handle. They’ll soon be joined by two sets containing the new 837i RA, VDE Ratcheting handle.
BROWSE WERA’S FULL RANGE OF NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2024 AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX027
ESP
DUCERI CIRCULAR BULKHEADS
Recent additions to ESP’s comprehensive range of Duceri Emergency Lighting products, the new circular bulkheads offer contractors independently tested products that combine high performance with ease of installation. These new bulkheads are available in slimmer designs and offer selectable colour temperature (CCT) modes ranging from 3000K to 4000K and 6000K which ultimately improve overall lumen outputs. They’re IP65 rated and come with three 20 mm surface knockouts that allow flexibility and convenience for the installer. The range now comprises:
● 14W LED Emergency Circular Bulkhead
● 14W LED Emergency Circular Bulkhead with Microwave Sensor
● 14W LED Mains Only Circular Bulkhead
● 14W LED Mains Only Circular Bulkhead with Microwave Sensor
The Emergency models now include Lithium batteries to complement the recent Duceri revamps and offer three-hour duration periods.
VISIT THE PRODUCT INFORMATION PAGE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX029
PEW looks at some of the latest advertising campaigns featured in recent issues of Professional Electrician & Installer magazine which are helping to create awareness and pull-through sales opportunities at your trade counter.
CAMPAIGN NEWS
NVC LIGHTING THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR THE BRIGHTEST MINDS
With schools and colleges in need of retrofit solutions that can lower costs and improve energy efficiency and wellness, NVC Lighting is using its latest advertising message to push the benefits of ‘going back to school’. The brand’s extensive product range, which includes low glare solutions, means that NVC Lighting can help you with creating the perfect learning environment. The range also comes with a seven-year warranty for further peace of mind.
GET MORE DETAILS AT:
WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX030
Q ACOUSTICS
E300A. EASY INSTALL. EASY LIFE.
Providing electrical installers with the perfect opportunity to tap into the growing market for smart audio solutions, the E300A is the primary focus for a brand new advertising campaign from Q Acoustics. The product is a voice-controlled in-ceiling installed hi-fi amplifier that’s ready to be the heart of a customer’s smart home eco-system. The advertising artwork provides a closer look at the product and provides a quick fitting/application guide for potential customers.
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX031
KNIGHTSBRIDGE THE BEST JUST EVO-LVED
This striking new advert from Knightsbridge is designed to promote the evolution of the brand’s BT bulkhead with the launch of the easy to install BT EVO. The unit is designed so that the versatile bulkhead fitting can meet the needs of every application, whether it be commercial or industrial, indoor or outdoor. The BT EVO is incredibly flexible, with users being able to customise the fitting by choosing one of three wattages and multiple colour temperature options.
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX032
BOSCH SIMPLE SCANNING FOR SPOT-ON DRILLING
Featured in a new collection of adverts from Bosch Professional, the GMS 120-27 Professional is an easy-touse wall scanner that helps you zero in on hidden objects fast. In no time, it locates metal, live wires, and wooden substructures. The interactive display, complemented by a sound alert and colour change, clearly indicates and identifies concealed items. For precise marking, it features a handy marking hole and is built with a robust construction.
GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WAX033
DAZZLING DEBUT
If you've been visiting your local electrical wholesalers lately, you may have noticed something new catching your eye – SecuriFlex’s state-of-the-art point of sale cable display boards are making their debut across the country! These sleek, modern boards are not just another piece of promotional material; they are a game-changer in how cables are showcased.
First impressions matter
In a busy trade counter environment, first impressions matter. Securi-Flex’s cable display boards have been designed with that in mind, offering a visually striking and informative way to highlight the company’s diverse range of cables. Whether you're a wholesaler looking to enhance your store’s appeal, or a customer eager to see the latest in cable technology, these boards provide a clear and engaging presentation of our products.
The design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, ensuring that cables are presented in the best possible light. The boards are easy to install, durable and tailored to fit seamlessly into any retail space. With these display boards, you're not just offering cables, you’re offering an experience.
How to get yours
Securi-Flex is offering these cable display boards at no cost. All you need to do is get in touch with your dedicated Securi-Flex Account Manager today for more information.
This is a fantastic opportunity to not only brighten up your trade counter but also to elevate the way you present Securi-Flex’s high quality cables to your customers. Whether you’re looking to draw attention to new products, boost sales, or simply add a touch of professionalism to your space, these display boards are the perfect solution.
1000’S OF SHOW DEALS ● TOP ELECTRICAL BRANDS ● FREE CPD SEMINARS ON WIRING REGS AMENDMENT 2, CIRCUIT PROTECTION, EICRs, EV CHARGING AND MORE ● FREE ENTRY ● FREE PARKING ● FREE PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN T-SHIRT ● FREE BACON ROLL
Anthony Parkinson, Technical Compliance Manager at Ansell Lighting, explains what measures are being taken to support the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Sustainability is no longer a buzzword; it’s a core business principle. In the lighting industry we’ve seen a shift towards greener practices both in terms of use - thanks to smart lighting - and durability and longevity - due to product development.
At Ansell Lighting we have been at the forefront of creating greener products for many years – releasing our first low energy LED products in 2004. As a responsible manufacturer we realise there are many more measures that can be undertaken to reduce carbon and waste footprint and this decarbonisation of direct and in-direct emissions supports our goal of achieving Net Zero.
We have worked closely with our manufacturing partners to ensure they minimise how their operations negatively affect the environment and that they comply with the associated laws and applicable compliance, which has assisted in developing a culture of environmental awareness and mindset of sustainable operation.
Environmental champions
Internally, our innovative Green Team - a group of environmental champions within the business who promote sustainability - consistently re-evaluate the way we do things and look for innovative solutions to reduce waste and to do more with less.
While we have undertaken the most obvious and necessary things such as getting rid of single use plastic waste; introducing fully recyclable packaging; reducing the footprint of our fleet of vehicles; and recycling as many spare parts as we can, including empty bodies and drivers, we have also looked at the bigger picture.
By making changes to key products, such as adding power selectability and CCT, or removing drivers, we have been able reduce the number of stock keeping units (SKUs) required for stock.
And more than just changing our packaging to unbleached, fully recycled and recyclable brown cardboard - one of the most environmentally friendly packaging materials – which in itself removed 16 tonnes of plastic from our protective packaging in 2023, we have also ensured fixing kits are now supplied in small paper bags, with biodegradable paper protecting the products.
More recently we have removed more than half of the paper guides and instructions from packaged products. The installation instructions for the specific product are still included, but all the generic information and master safety instructions can now be accessed simply by scanning the QR code on the pictorial instructions. This simple switch is set to help us save 23.1 tonnes of paper and avoid 30.5 tonnes of CO2 this year alone and reduce the waste for our customers to dispose of.
Supporting our customers
But of course it is not just about reducing our carbon footprint. It’s about supporting our customers in reducing theirs and ensuring the end user ends up with a durable, energy efficient lighting installation that delivers what they need.
The benefits of LED lighting are well publicised – using around 80% less energy than traditional alternatives and maintenance is also low cost as LEDs last for around 30,000 hours without overheating or developing faults. Communicating the benefits to our customers so they can make the right recommendations to theirs is key.
Of course smart lighting plays a huge role in the increased energy efficiency of lighting projects – when you consider that up to 40% of energy consumption in commercial buildings can be attributed to lighting, making sure it is only used when and where it is needed is vital in reducing bills.
Warehouse upgrade
Reflecting this, in one of our latest green initiatives, we installed a significant upgrade of the lighting in our main warehouse and distribution hub in Warrington. Improving energy efficiency, reducing ongoing maintenence costs, strengthening sustainability and providing more flexibility, we refitted this key area with Z LED Performance and Z LED Linear Opti-X luminaires, and integrated them with our OCTO connected lighting system.
As well as promoting improved performance, enhanced visual comfort and on-site safety for our colleagues, it delivered an instant reduction in energy consumption and cost savings, which equate to nine tonnes of CO2 emission savings each year and payback on investment in two years.
This was definitely a case of practising what we preach, but also demonstrating that as an industry there are a multitude of ways to support sustainability.
ADVERTISEMENT INDEX
Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler . Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information
