Ansell adds Trinity to linear lighting range

Engineered to deliver versatility and reliability, Ansell Lighting has unveiled Trinity, the latest addition to its range of linear lights. Ideal for education and healthcare settings, Trinity is a high quality, high performance, UGR<19 rated linear light that can be used to create comfortable, visually-pleasing environments that support learning, enhance focus, and promote health and recovery. Featuring a high-transmittance polycarbonate diffuser to ensure superior light uniformity, Trinity is also CCT and wattage selectable, enabling users to customise lighting output for their specific needs. Additional options including Switch Dim, DALI Dimming, Analogue Dimming, Corridor Function, Microwave Sensor and Emergency functionality are also available for enhanced flexibility and control. Available in 1,200mm and 1,500mm lengths, Trinity suits rooms of various sizes and is both suspension and surface mountable (via BESA box), making it ideal for projects requiring consistent lighting across different ceiling types. Designed for effortless installation, Trinity also features piano-key and push-fit terminals, along with retractable, lockable end caps to ensure secure electrical connections. These end caps also protect internal components, adding waterproof, dustproof, and tamper-proof layers for greater durability and reliability. Trinity is backed by a five-year warranty. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, comments, "Trinity is the most comprehensively adaptable linear fitting on the market. Built with functionality and safety in mind, it combines high performance with user-friendly installation, making it an ideal choice for environments where comfort, safety, and durability are paramount." For more from Ansell Lighting, click here.

Car retailer invests in rooftop solar

The Spirit Motor Group, the retail division of OHM Group, an automotive distributor and retailer, has announced the successful installation of a pilot rooftop solar plant at its flagship Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Dublin. Representing a strategic move to align with the growing demands of the electric vehicle (EV) retail market, the innovative DC-optimised rooftop solar system (powered by SolarEdge) will provide clean, reliable power to the site’s Jaguar Land Rover showroom and a newly built EV preparation centre located on the same site. The 470-panel solar system is expected to generate around 160MWh of electricity each year. This is forecasted to offset approximately 50% off the site’s high energy use, saving over €50,000 annually. Payback is expected in less than three years. OHM Group is an exclusive distributor and retailer of international brands and related aftersales services in the automotive and power solutions markets in Ireland. Its decision to invest in solar followed a sharp rise in the company’s electricity bills.    "With the motor industry transitioning from ICE to electric vehicles, our business needs have evolved. Our energy usage has gone up by 50% in the last two years alone, and we expect this increase to continue," says Gerard O’Farrell, Managing Director of Car Division at OHM Group. "Installing solar systems will not only support our increased electricity requirements for EV charging but also underscores our commitment to sustainability. Through this project we’re hoping to set a new standard in the automotive industry." The solar plant at the Dublin facility comprises two separate arrays: 260 modules are installed on the Jaguar Land Rover showroom and a further 210 modules are sited on the new EV preparation centre workshop. Key to achieving such a rapid payback period for this project was the company’s decision to use SolarEdge’s DC-optimised inverter technology. The rooftop solar system uses Power Optimisers attached to each pair of solar modules to maximise energy production by overcoming issues such as soiling, shading and module mismatch that can limit production in non-optimised systems. The Power Optimisers also allow the monitoring system to provide highly-granular data on module and system performance – enabling OHM Group to track energy production and consumption across the two buildings and multiple EV charging stations in real-time. To showcase its commitment to sustainability, the company has installed a live feed from the SolarEdge monitoring platform, enabling visitors to see how much energy is being generated by the system on the Jaguar Land Rover showroom, as well as the associated carbon offset. "As the installation is a pilot for us, before we embark on further solar installations, we wanted to monitor the system closely," explains Gerard. "The SolarEdge solution has advanced inbuilt monitoring which enables us to identify and address any underperforming modules quickly, streamlining maintenance requirements and enabling us to maximise the uptime of the system. We are incredibly pleased with the results we’ve seen so far. During the summer months, daily generation peaked at more than 1MW on occasions and regularly exceeded 800kW. Based on these results, we have already begun to plan the roll-out of solar systems on eight more of our showrooms, both at our Dublin site and others located throughout the country.” For more from SolarEdge, click here.

CPD invests £10m in new product range

CPD, a commercial vehicle conversion specialist, has announced a landmark £10 million investment to expand its offering of converted vehicles. This new range is designed to cater to the varied needs of tradespeople and fleets across the UK, further solidifying CPD's reputation as a trusted partner in the industry. The investment supported the purchase of vehicles, ensuring £6 million in stock availability, including a broad selection of brand-new single and double cab chassis, ready to be converted into tippers, dropsides, and Luton vans. Panel vans designed for customisations such as welfare vans, passenger transport, and specialist shelving and racking configurations are also part of the expansion. With all vehicles in stock and available for rapid nationwide delivery, CPD is meeting the demand for reliable, versatile vehicle solutions. As part of this investment, CPD has significantly expanded its range of fully electric models, reflecting its continued commitment to supporting the UK’s transition to zero-emission transport. Already, a significant percentage of the company’s current orders are for electric vehicle conversions, highlighting the growing demand from businesses eager to future-proof their fleets and reduce their carbon footprint. This investment also included £250,000 for a new spray booth and £1 million for a new facility, boosting production capacity, agility, and delivery speed. “This investment reflects our commitment to empowering UK businesses with innovative, reliable vehicle solutions,” says Cathal Doocey, Managing Director of CPD Bodies. “As the demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, we’re proud to support businesses in future-proofing their fleets with sustainable, zero-emission options. Whether it’s a sole trader or a fleet manager, we’re here to deliver purpose-built conversions, ready for rapid delivery, to drive success and support a greener future.” All CPD conversions are carried out on-site, providing a seamless, in-house service that eliminates third-party delays and costs. Customers can either purchase a fully converted vehicle directly or supply their own chassis for conversion, making CPD a one-stop shop for commercial vehicle solutions. By managing the entire process internally, CPD Bodies ensures exceptional build quality and reliability with every vehicle. To enhance the customer experience further, the company offers a web-based portal that allows clients to track their vehicle build in real-time. This innovative tool provides complete transparency, keeping customers informed at every stage of the process. CPD has also bolstered its leadership team with key appointments including Tom Pearson in the role of Commercial Director, Stephen Turner as Head of Sales, and Louise Tinsley, the new Senior Marketing Manager. These appointments reinforce CPD’s commitment to excellence and its ambition to remain at the forefront of the industry, providing tailored solutions that support the evolving needs of its customers.

Screwfix Foundation raises £15m for charities and local projects

The Screwfix Foundation has announced that it has raised an incredible £15 million and supported more than 1.5 million people in its mission to support local charities and community projects across the UK. This achievement has been made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of Screwfix customers and the dedication of Screwfix colleagues, whose fundraising efforts have made a real difference in their communities. Since its launch in 2013, The Screwfix Foundation has been committed to supporting charities and not-for-profit organisations by providing grants to repair, maintain or improve community facilities, homes and other buildings used by those in need. Reaching this £15m milestone, the Foundation has helped more than 3,000 local projects, ranging from mental health charities and youth centres to hospices and schools. Claire Flory, The Screwfix Foundation Manager, says, "We are immensely proud of hitting this fantastic milestone. This would not have been possible without the continued support and generosity of Screwfix customers, along with the tireless commitment of our colleagues. Everyone has played a part in helping us to improve the lives of people in our communities. Together, we are making a real difference.” The funds raised have already supported numerous projects, from delivering vital services to those in need to creating safe and welcoming spaces for vulnerable individuals. By continuing to work together, The Screwfix Foundation is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in local communities across the UK.

IronmongeryDirect announces fundraising total for 2024

As part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the community in which it works, staff at specialist supplier, IronmongeryDirect, raised over £6,000 in 2024. The funds support a number of local and national charities, including Basildon Mind and Macmillan Cancer Support. Employees at the Essex-based company took part in fundraising, giving, and volunteering activities across the year to support the worthy causes that had been nominated by the 'WOW Team' at IronmongeryDirect. The WOW Team comprises a group of employees who represent each department and work together to organise company and charity events. As the voice for all staff across the business, the team selected a range of local and national causes to support over the course of the year. Basildon Mind, Basildon Food Bank, St Luke’s Hospice, and Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon were all recognised as part of the company’s mission to help local causes, as well as the Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support. By hosting various fundraising activities, which included an employee Christmas raffle, and a charity bake sale, the company raised a combined total of £6,575 for the charities during 2024. Additional activities included over 30 employees spending six hours volunteering at Wat Tyler Country Park to undertake litter picking and grounds maintenance. Plus, a donation of 60kg worth of food and toiletries to Basildon Food Bank to aid people in crisis. A key fundraising highlight of the year was hosting the UK’s first ever inter-trade football tournament held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, which saw 50 tradespeople from different sectors compete in ‘Match for the Mind’. Organised by IronmongeryDirect, the event - which coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week - raised over £4,000 alone for Mind, the national mental health charity. Jayke Ingram, HR Business Partner and Chairperson of the WOW Team at IronmongeryDirect, comments, “We are delighted to have raised over £6,000 to help support these brilliant organisations and the valuable work they do. A huge thank you goes out to all the IronmongeryDirect staff for their efforts throughout the year, in raising this fantastic sum of money, and donating their time to these causes. Giving back to the community is integral to who we are as a business, and we are very proud to be able to contribute in this way and look forward to doing even more in 2025”. IronmongeryDirect is an ironmongery specialist, with over 50 years of trusted experience and over 18,000 products in stock. Partnered with leading couriers, customers can order by 9pm for next day delivery (4pm on Saturdays) or choose Click & Collect from over 10,000 DPD parcel shops nationwide. For more from IronmongeryDirect, click here.

Early collaboration vital under new Building Safety Act

Early collaboration between project partners is an important first step to achieving smooth project completion under Building Safety Act, says cable supplier AEI Cables. The new Building Safety Act – introduced in October 2023 – makes new stringent requirements for higher-risk buildings which are those deemed to be of at least 18m in height or at least seven storeys containing at least two residential units. However, AEI Cables says that by collaborating early in the process, supply chain partners can work efficiently to meet the new demands of the legislation. The systems in these buildings powered by electrical cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety.  Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, says, “We recognise the issues presented by the new legislation for all those working in the built environment but by working closely together early in the process we believe we can overcome a lot of the challenges. “We are finding that collaboration amongst our partners really works and leads to a much more streamlined, efficient process.” The Building Safety Regulator will oversee the safety and performance of all buildings, as well as having a special focus on high-rise buildings. It will promote competence and organisational capability within the sector including for building control professionals and tradespeople. Building owners should now have their building safety regime in place and any occupied higher-risk buildings should be registered with the Building Safety Regulator. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.  

Workplace injuries affect 95% of tradespeople

According to research by Direct Line business insurance, almost all tradespeople (95%) have experienced workplace injuries and half of tradespeople acknowledge that health and safety requirements and procedures are not consistently followed on site. Analysis of new Health and Safety Executive data reveals that 47,000 people working in construction trades suffered a non-fatal injury at work in the three-year period 2021/22–2023/24. There was also nearly one fatality a week (51 fatal injuries) in the construction industry in 2023/24. The impact of workplace injuries is far-reaching, with more than a quarter (26%) of injured tradespeople surveyed requiring six months or longer off work to recover. Worryingly, 96% of tradespeople report not knowing anyone in their field who has avoided workplace injuries, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. According to the Health and Safety Executive data, approximately 425,000 working days were lost in 2021/22-2023/24 in the construction sector due to workplace injury, severely disrupting livelihoods and placing significant strain on businesses. Health and safety awareness is a critical issue, with nearly one in five (18%) tradespeople admitting they are not fully informed about relevant rules and regulations. Just a third (37%) of tradespeople would speak to a trainee or apprentice on-site if they weren’t following health and safety procedures and less than half (41%) of tradespeople would intervene if a health and safety breach put their own safety at risk. Concerningly, less than two fifths (37%) of those accountable for safety on site would actually address a colleague for not following health and safety procedures. Mark Summerville, Product Manager at Direct Line business insurance comments, "Health and safety awareness in some businesses remains inadequate, resulting in preventable workplace injuries and in some rare cases, fatalities. Neglecting to implement and adhere to health and safety regulation can lead to severe physical harm, avoidable business interruption and potentially significant legal repercussions. “It is essential for businesses and their employees to ensure that they have the correct health and safety training in place so that they stay informed about current regulations. It is also important to foster a culture where safe working practices are deeply embedded so that people get home safely to their families and loved ones."

Recolight announces two Lighting LCA training events

Recolight has announced a new webinar and a one day face-to-face training workshop, both focused on lighting industry LCAs. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is gaining wide acceptance as the specification of choice for certifying the environmental impacts of lighting products. Getting to grips with the technical and data requirements of both LCAs and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is essential for lighting manufacturers. The Introduction to LCAs webinar takes place on 30 January at 11am and is free to attend. Hosted by Ray Molony, Editor of the Circular Lighting Report, the webinar will include presentations from Dr Max Robson, who is responsible for LCA services at Recolight, and Martin McGrenaghan of One Click LCA. John Bullock of the Light Review will also present a Lighting Designer perspective of the value of LCAs. Later in the year, Recolight will host a full day training workshop on LCAs and EPDs in London on 19 March. The in-depth workshop will provide hands-on guidance for lighting manufacturers in a roundtable environment with a maximum of 12 delegates, giving the opportunity for full interaction, feedback, and questions for each topic. The workshop is intended to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to understand LCAs and EPDs for lighting products, the timescales, data requirements, and how best to use product families to minimise costs. The importance of product specific rules, and the role of the luminaire specific PSR-0014 will be covered in detail. There will be opportunities to see online LCA preparation in action, and will include case studies of luminaire LCA data, and use of a luminaire specific EPD creation tool. With an increasing number of lighting producers announcing that they have made LCAs and EPDs available, those that don’t act risk being left behind. The workshop will be led by Recolight Environmental Metrics and Training Manager, Max Robson. Representatives of One Click LCA will also attend the event and will be able to answer questions regarding the operation of the automated One Click LCA system and the EPD Hub. Jack Herring, Chief Product Officer and Founder of Jiva Materials who attended the first Recolight LCA workshop, says, “Thank you for such an insightful introduction to the world of EPDs. It was incredibly helpful for me to understand what the LCA data that is requested by our lighting customers is being used to produce.” To book, visit recolight.co.uk/events. For more from Recolight, click here.

Exterior decorative lighting range launched by Luceco

Luceco is launching a new selection of exterior decorative lighting, including solar lights and mains powered bulkheads, designed to enhance the aesthetic, safety and functionality of outdoor spaces. Each product in the range combines exceptional durability, high-quality technology and hassle-free installation. Easy to sell; easy to install Whether solar or hard-wired, Luceco’s new range of exterior lighting solutions are designed to be easy to install. The wired bulkheads come with an easy fix wall bracket for ease of installation while the solar products obviously do not require hard wiring. The overall offer is ideal for selling to today’s consumer, now that enjoying outdoor space, even year-round, is ever more important. The whole Luceco outdoor decorative LED range is both durable and weatherproof with IP54+ ratings and tough materials to ensure year-round efficiency whatever the weather. The energy efficient solar-powered options have high-quality panels and PIR motion sensors to prolong battery life and provide reliable functionality. Superb aesthetics The new Luceco decorative lighting range is customisable lighting at its best. Multiple modes and colour temperature options ensure the perfect ambiance - or security - for any outdoor setting. With styles ranging from decorative lanterns to sleek wall lights and powerful security floodlights, there is something suitable for every outdoor area. Luceco also includes the BG, Sync Energy and Masterplug brands and has over 70 years of industry experience. For more from Luceco, click here.

Seminar to tackle challenges faced by electrical industry

As the UK heads towards a low-carbon electrified future, the need for the electrical installation industry to modernise will be under the spotlight on 3 April at the 2025 Electrical Installation Seminar, organised by Electrical Safety First. The theme for this year’s event is Demand and Supply and will focus on the issues associated with infrastructure modernisation and the increasing demands on the UK’s building stock. Expert speakers will discuss how energy provisions and services are changing and the subsequent impact on the workforce in terms of safety, quality and competency requirements. Held at the historic IET building in Central London, this event will feature a range of engaging presentations and panel discussions which will highlight learnings from the UK’s energy transition to date, and considerations to be made now for a successful future. It brings together more than 100 experts and leaders to explore critical issues, solutions, and insights into safer electrical installation. Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director of Electrical Safety First, says, “We encourage our speakers not only to share their concerns, but also offer best practice solutions, whilst looking to the future on upcoming developments in the electrical installation sector. The seminar is the perfect platform to share expertise, future-proof your business, get feedback about your ideas from fellow professionals, and meet potential clients.” Join the Electrical Installation Seminar for a packed afternoon attended by manufacturers, wholesale retailers, apprentices, educational organisations, installers, government bodies, insurers, housing associations and fire and rescue services. For more information and to book tickets, visit electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/seminar. For more from Electrical Safety First, click here.