Propeller adds postal service for compliance documents

Software provider Propeller has launched an integrated postal service within its job management platform, allowing electrical contractors to bulk-send housing compliance documents with automated tracking and audit records. The service has been introduced as social housing regulations require Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) to be issued to tenants within 28 days of inspection. According to Propeller, the platform can be used to distribute EICRs, gas safety certificates, servicing appointment letters, and other compliance documentation without relying on third-party mailing houses or manual processing. The company has partnered with Postworks to provide the service, with documents generated inside the Propeller platform sent directly for printing, fulfilment, and dispatch. Production and delivery information is then returned to the platform, giving contractors visibility over what was sent, when it was dispatched, and who received it. Audit trail and delivery tracking Propeller says the system is designed to simplify compliance administration for contractors operating within the social housing sector. Dave Carr, Managing Director of Propeller, explains, “Staying compliant with evolving housing safety regulations is becoming more demanding for M&E contractors, especially those working in the social housing sector. "The need to send EICRs to existing tenants within 28 days of inspection is just one example of the growing administrative burden contractors face. “Although digital communication is increasing, post remains widely used for sending housing safety documentation. Many organisations rely on mailing houses, which requires someone to physically transfer documents and often leaves no internal record of what was sent. "Integrating postal services directly into our platform automates the entire process and consolidates tracking, providing a robust audit trail from dispatch to delivery.” Propeller also states that the postal service aligns with its environmental commitments. It notes that Postworks operates as a carbon-neutral platform and plants 11 trees for every 10 used, while Propeller itself has held carbon-neutral certification since 2020.

Scolmore team completes Snowdon night climb

Employees Audra Fellows and Kevin Beech of Scolmore Group, a UK manufacturer and distributor of electrical products, have completed the Snowdon by Night Challenge in support of the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). The fundraising event involved a night-time ascent of Snowdon, also known as Yr Wyddfa, in Snowdonia National Park. Participants began the climb from Llanberis before reaching the 1,085m summit during the overnight challenge. According to Scolmore, the initiative forms part of the company’s ongoing support for the Electrical Industries Charity, which provides financial, wellbeing, and practical support for people working across the electrical and energy sectors. A fundraising challenge for an industry charity Audra Fellows previously completed a fundraising climb of Mount Kilimanjaro and took part in the Snowdon challenge alongside Kevin Beech, Managing Director of Scolmore Group. Kevin says, “It’s probably one of the most challenging things I’ve ever experienced. The climb itself was difficult enough, especially in the dark, but the descent was even harder! "Fantastic views from the top [and] great to have achieved it with such a dedicated group of people for our very own electrical industry charity.” Audra adds, “It was a privilege to be part of such a fantastic event, bringing together an incredible group of people to raise money for our industry. “It was inspiring to see just how much everyone genuinely cares, and full credit goes to all those who took part and supported us through sponsorship. "A special thank you to Kate Adamczyk and Liva Ivanova from the EIC for organising the climb, and to the guides who led us safely to the summit and back down again.” Scolmore says the fundraising effort helped raise awareness and support for the charity’s ongoing work within the electrical industry. For more from Scolmore Group, click here.

Coming together to take action on mental health

During Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, NICEIC, a certification body for the UK’s electrical contracting industry, is urging all those working in the electrotechnical sector to take time to prioritise mental wellbeing and take action to support colleagues in need of support. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on the theme of 'Action', emphasising that while awareness is important, real change comes from practical steps to support mental health in our workplaces, communities, and daily lives. For those working in the electrical sector and wider trades, the need for action is especially important. Research shows that 62% of tradespeople feel mental health isn’t discussed enough, highlighting a persistent stigma that prevents many from seeking help. The Tools to Talk To help tackle these challenges, NICEIC says it has developed The Tools to Talk, a dedicated mental health and wellbeing support toolkit for NICEIC-certified businesses, created in partnership with the Electrical Industries Charity. Designed specifically for the needs of electricians and their teams, the initiative provides practical and accessible support, including: • Resources to help recognise early signs of mental health challenges • Conversation starters to make it easier to talk about mental wellbeing • A quarterly mental wellbeing e-newsletter with expert advice and guidance • Regular webinars exploring key issues and sharing lived experiences • Signposting to professional support services, including charities and helplines The toolkit aims to break down stigma and empower businesses to create open, supportive environments where people feel confident to speak up and seek help. Driving change in the trade Mental health challenges remain widespread across many industries, particularly in construction and the trades, where long hours, high pressure and job insecurity can take a toll. Creating a culture where individuals feel able to talk openly is, NICEIC believes, a crucial step towards improving outcomes. Danny Mouskovias, Learning and Wellbeing Manager at NICEIC, comments, “Tradespeople play an essential role in keeping our homes, businesses, and infrastructure running safely, but the realities of the job can bring long hours, high pressure, and isolation. "Despite this, mental health is still too often something that isn’t openly discussed. We need to make it easier for people to start those conversations earlier, before issues escalate. "The Tools to Talk is about giving individuals and teams the confidence, language, and support to look out for themselves and each other.” Taking action As Mental Health Awareness Week highlights, even small actions - from checking in with a colleague to accessing support resources - can make a meaningful difference. NICEIC-certified businesses can access the toolkit at niceic.com/toolstotalk. NICEIC says it encourages all certified businesses to explore the toolkit and prioritise mental wellbeing, not just during this week, but throughout the year. For more from NICEIC, click here.

Luceco installs LED lighting at Cambridge hub

Luceco, a UK manufacturer and distributor of LED lighting products, has completed a lighting and controls installation at 5 Journey Campus, a life sciences development in Cambridge. Delivered in partnership with KRB Installations, the project involved the refurbishment of a four-storey building within the wider Journey Campus development, which supports life sciences and technology organisations. The lighting scheme covered laboratories, meeting rooms, breakout areas, circulation spaces, a café, external areas, and emergency lighting systems. The installation also incorporated Luceco's wireless Platform lighting controls system, alongside energy monitoring, which, according to the company, is designed to support compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. Wireless controls for energy monitoring The project included a range of LED luminaires and lighting controls tailored to different areas of the building. Products installed included LuxPanel Extra LED panels, Contour suspended linear luminaires, track lighting for café spaces, IK10-rated Climate Extra fittings for laboratories, and Tempus emergency lighting connected to remote monitoring systems. The Platform controls system incorporates PIR sensors, occupancy and absence detection, daylight harvesting, energy monitoring, and emergency lighting monitoring. Craig Wren, Director of KRB Installations, says, “5 Journey Campus was a large and technically challenging project. "The design process took several months, so there were many amendments to the scope and functionality of the lighting. “Luceco worked closely with us to ensure that the client's vision for the space was realised and that they had all the functionality required from the lighting control system. "We are very impressed with Luceco's service and dedication to finishing the project successfully and would certainly work with them again.” Ben Smith, Regional Sales Manager - Southern Projects at Luceco, adds, “This was a truly exciting project to be involved in. "It was great to combine delivery of the architect's vision for how the finished spaces should look and feel with a technically compliant installation. “Deploying the Platform system across this large building - utilising energy monitoring, remote emergency monitoring, occupancy/absence detection, daylight harvesting, and heat-mapping - was both challenging and rewarding. "We look forward to working with Journey Campus and KRB Installations again soon.” For more from Luceco, click here.

'Buy, Spin, Win' with BG's new promotion

British General (BG), a UK manufacturer of electrical wiring accessories, is giving installers the chance to win unforgettable travel experiences with the new 'Buy, Spin, Win' promotion, running across selected promotional BG Consumer Units. Through this promotion, there's the possibility to win a VIP trip to Las Vegas, Oktoberfest in Munich, or New York City, plus hundreds of instant prizes. Getting involved is quick and easy. Simply pick up a promotional BG Consumer Unit - just look for the sticker on the outside of the box. Inside, you’ll find a flyer containing a unique code. Enter the code online at bgwin.co.uk and spin the digital wheel for your chance to win instantly. There are hundreds of instant prizes available throughout the promotion, including BG products, KNIPEX tools, and retail vouchers. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Every valid entry is also automatically entered into one of three major prize draws, giving installers the chance to win: • A VIP Oktoberfest getaway to Munich, Germany • A New Year’s trip to New York City • An unforgettable Las Vegas experience Each prize includes flights, accommodation, transfers, and exclusive experiences. You can click here to enter. The promotion is open to residents of the UK and Northern Ireland aged 18 and over and runs from 00:01 GMT on 1 May 2026 to 23:59 GMT on 31 October 2026. Full terms and conditions, exclusions, and prize details are available by clicking here. For more from BG, click here.

Who's Who - The number one junction box for UK installers

Built on performance and installer trust, GEWISS is recognised for reliable, high-quality products that are engineered for efficiency, consistency, and real-world installation demands. In this special Who's Who feature, the company explains why its junction boxes are the perfect choice for electrical contractors. Leadership in the UK electrical sector is not built on claims, but on site performance, installer trust, and consistency over thousands of real installations. When reliability is non‑negotiable and efficiency is essential, installers across the UK turn to one name above all others: GEWISS. The box that built the category, reborn for today With a heritage rooted in engineering excellence and innovation driven by installers, GEWISS has become the benchmark for junction boxes in the UK. At the core of this leadership is the APTA 44 CE junction box range, a product family that does not simply meet market expectations – it raises them. Designed to perform across domestic, commercial, and industrial applications, APTA is the clearest example of why GEWISS stands as one of the finest options for junction boxes in the UK today. Market leaders don’t guess – they listen APTA was developed from direct installer feedback, addressing the real pressures faced on UK sites, like time constraints, demanding environments, and the need for products that work first time, every time. Derived from the Latin ‘Aptus’, meaning suitable and adaptable, APTA embodies GEWISS’ installer‑first philosophy. Every feature exists for a reason. Soft‑touch membrane entries enable fast, accurate cable insertion while maintaining full ingress protection. Pre‑threaded M20 side entries allow immediate cable gland installation without drilling. IP‑safe rear entries provide added flexibility without compromising standards. The result is a junction box that reduces installation time, eliminates modification, and delivers confidence from box to box. One range, every environment, zero compromise The 44 CE APTA range delivers IP66/IP67 protection as standard, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor installations across domestic, commercial, and industrial settings. From residential gardens and retail spaces to factories and infrastructure projects, installers can standardise on one trusted solution. UV‑resistant materials ensure long-term outdoor durability in the UK climate, while halogen‑free construction supports safer installations in sensitive environments. Crucially, GEWISS backs up these specifications with substance; every APTA box is individually inspected through advanced quality control processes, ensuring seals, membranes, and performance meet exacting standards. This commitment to verified quality is a defining reason why GEWISS continues to lead where others follow. Installer efficiency isn’t a feature. It’s a philosophy. Available in small, medium, and large sizes, the APTA range offers total flexibility without sacrificing familiarity. Installers benefit from consistent features across all formats, enabling faster work and confident specification. The flat lid design maximises internal space, simplifying wiring, accessory mounting, and labelling. Quarter‑turn captive screws eliminate stripped threads and lost fixings. Captive lids improve safety during overhead installations. Security seal slots add reassurance in public or controlled spaces. These are not marketing extras; they’re productivity tools refined for everyday use. Six fixing methods No two installations are the same, and GEWISS understands this better than most. APTA delivers up to six fixing methods, including internal screw fixing, external bracket mounting, knock‑in and rod fixing, nail gun installation, panel mounting, and cable tie fixing to trays. This level of flexibility allows installers to adapt instantly on site without compromising IP protection or structural integrity. Patented alignment ribs ensure clean, precise fixing every time, providing proof that speed and precision can, and should, go hand in hand. True leadership built on systems GEWISS reinforces its market leadership with purpose‑designed accessories that enhance the entire installation. Supports for the Wago 221 series terminals integrate seamlessly into APTA boxes, improving organisation and accessibility. The innovative earthing clamp for SWA cable glands redefines best practice, delivering secure, space‑saving earthing while accommodating thermal movement. This system‑based approach is a clear differentiator, and a key reason GEWISS remains the first choice for professionals who demand more. Over 40 years of expertise Since the early 1980s, GEWISS has invested in advanced plastics technology, precision moulding, and electrotechnical design. Supported by an in‑house certified laboratory and total quality control, this depth of expertise allows GEWISS to deliver products that are robust, compliant, and built to last. - This Who's Who feature first appeared in the May 2026 issue of ECN, which is available in its entirety in our archives. For more from GEWISS, click here.

B.E.G. installs lighting controls at Edinburgh's Ocean Terminal

B.E.G., a German manufacturer of occupancy sensors, motion detectors, and lighting control products, has delivered a lighting controls system at the Ocean Terminal residential development in Edinburgh, supporting energy efficiency and reduced operational power consumption across the site. The 338-apartment development has been built on previously unused land and includes four residential buildings ranging from 10 to 14 storeys, alongside shared amenities including a gym, rooftop garden, and communal spaces. The project focused on reducing operational energy use through improved lighting management across communal and shared areas, where lighting typically represents a significant proportion of ongoing electricity consumption in residential buildings. B.E.G. installed a layered lighting control system across selected areas of the development, using standalone controls in back-of-house spaces, DALI Broadcast systems in landlord corridors and circulation areas, DALI-SYS in communal amenity spaces, and networked systems in tenant-facing zones. The system automatically adjusts lighting according to occupancy and usage conditions, helping reduce unnecessary energy consumption and lowering demand across shared areas of the building. Lighting controls aiding energy reduction According to B.E.G., the installation is designed to improve operational efficiency while also reducing maintenance requirements through more controlled usage patterns. Paddy McGlone, Specification Sales Manager Scotland & Northern Ireland at B.E.G., explains, “This project was driven by a clear sustainability agenda, with a strong focus on reducing energy consumption across a large and complex residential development. "Lighting is one of the most consistent energy draws in schemes like this, so improving how it is controlled delivers immediate and long-term benefits. “By matching the right control technology to each area of the building, we’ve been able to significantly cut unnecessary energy use, reduce waste, and improve overall operational efficiency without compromising safety or comfort. “This project is a strong example of how intelligent lighting control can directly support carbon reduction goals in residential developments. "The B.E.G. system delivers measurable energy savings today, while also providing a flexible platform to optimise performance further in the future.” The project was delivered in collaboration with PMK Electrical and forms part of B.E.G.’s wider residential lighting controls work across the UK. For more from B.E.G., click here.

Makita launches 40V reciprocating saw

Makita, a manufacturer of power tools and outdoor equipment, has introduced the JR003GZ 40V reciprocating saw to its XGT cordless tool range. Designed for heavy-duty cutting applications, the saw is intended for use on materials including wood, cast iron, and steel pipework. The tool features a newly developed chain vice designed to secure pipework during cutting operations. According to Makita, the system is intended to improve cutting stability, accuracy, and safety when working on large diameter pipes. The reciprocating saw offers a maximum cutting capacity of 220mm and includes adjustable stroke rate settings alongside constant speed control. Designed for pipe cutting applications Makita says the chain vice includes a built-in spring mechanism that allows the chain to be temporarily held in position while wrapped around a pipe. The company states that this helps operators achieve more accurate parallel cuts during applications such as pipe preparation for welding. The saw can also be configured for standard reciprocating saw operation using the supplied front grip accessory. Additional design features include a replaceable blade clamp system, allowing maintenance work to be carried out without removing the shoe assembly. Makita says the tool includes soft start functionality and an anti-vibration rating of 14.9m/s² during cutting operations to help reduce operator fatigue. The saw has also been designed with increased resistance to dust and water for use in demanding site conditions. Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK, explains, “If you take the example of a steel pipe with a diameter of 114mm, then our new recipro saw would have a cutting speed of just 28 seconds combined with the consistent accuracy professional results demand.” For more from Makita, click here.

YLEM signs energy installation agreement with Brown-Forman

YLEM Energy, a Salford-based independent onsite power generation specialist, has agreed to install a new energy management system at a Brown-Forman bottling plant and logistics hub in Newbridge near Edinburgh. According to the companies, the project is intended to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support wider sustainability targets at the site. YLEM Energy says the installation will include refurbishment work and deployment of a modernised energy control platform following a technical assessment of the facility. The agreement follows a previous solar energy project delivered by YLEM at the same site in 2023. That installation included a 630kW solar panel system, which the companies say generates around 516,000kWp of renewable electricity annually and allows surplus energy to be exported to the National Grid. Energy management system planned for bottling plant Andy Battjes, Director of Global Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability at Brown-Forman, says, “Our new agreement with YLEM demonstrates the company’s long-term strategic commitment to renewable energy and harnessing the latest control technology to drive forward efficiencies and achieve our ambitious sustainability goals. “We’ve seen first hand the positive impact YLEM’s solar energy installation has had on our Newbridge bottling plant over the last three years.” The project also forms part of Brown-Forman’s wider sustainability programme and supports the Scotch Whisky Association ‘Race to Zero’ commitment targeting net zero emissions by 2040. Ian Gadsby, Managing Director of YLEM Energy, says, “Installing our 'Optimise' management platform also gives Brown-Forman much greater control over its energy usage at a time when firms across all sectors are coming under increasing pressure to reduce operating costs and emissions.”

Waltham Forest upgrades street lighting network

British LED lighting manufacturer Acrospire has worked with the London Borough of Waltham Forest to complete a borough-wide LED street lighting retrofit programme, upgrading around 500 lanterns across residential streets. The project used bespoke retrofit kits to upgrade existing luminaires with LED technology while retaining the original lantern housings. According to the council, the approach was selected to preserve the established appearance of residential streets while improving lighting efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements. Many of the borough’s existing lanterns feature curved architectural designs that differ from standard street lighting fittings. Leo Cole, Street Lighting & Responsive Maintenance Manager at the London Borough of Waltham Forest, says, “We were looking to move to LED to improve efficiency, but struggled to find a modern luminaire that matched the look and feel of what we already had. “We didn’t want to replace these lanterns with standard fittings. They’ve become part of the character of the area.” LED retrofit reduces energy use The programme was supported through funding from the Mayor of London’s Energy Efficiency Fund (MEEF). Contractor JB Riney managed planning and installation works, with the retrofit process involving the replacement of the existing optical system and control gear while retaining the external luminaire body. A trial phase was carried out before wider deployment to assess lighting levels, uniformity, and potential light spill into nearby properties, and Acrospire also developed a back shield to reduce light intrusion into residential windows. According to the project partners, the retrofit programme is expected to reduce circuit wattage by approximately 45% compared to the previous installation. The lanterns were specified at 3000K to provide warmer lighting suited to residential areas, and installation work was carried out in situ, with each retrofit taking around five minutes per lantern. For more from Acrospire, click here.