Vestel announces partnership with EV software provider

Vestel’s UK EV charger division has formed a strategic partnership with dedicated EV software provider, Electric Miles. The move sees Electric Miles EV charger control software - which is designed for end users - integrated with Vestel chargers, enabling Vestel to offer a whole ecosystem of effective charger control and management options to its installers, fleet customers and charge point operators. Electric Miles brings to the table a suite of innovations designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses transitioning to electric mobility. The suite includes: the Electric Miles driver app, which offers EV tariff integration along with full solar capabilities; Installer Miles, a commissioning app designed for installers; and Admin Miles, which is aimed at operations and fleet managers as well as teams supporting multiple charge points (along with customers that also require remote charger management). Ali Khan, Head of e-Mobility at Vestel, comments, “We are excited to partner with Electric Miles to deliver innovative EV charger software and apps for our entire Vestel EV charger customer portfolio, from residential end users to fleet operators and CPOs. Together, we are committed to driving the adoption of electric mobility by offering affordable, efficient, sustainable, and user-centric charging solutions.” Arun Anand, CEO of Electric Miles, adds, “Partnering with Vestel, one of Europe’s largest EV charger manufacturers, further establishes Electric Miles as the UK leader in EV charging software and control. As EV numbers increase, there is a growing need for software that can automatically time shift EV electricity demand to protect the grid and minimise customer energy costs, as well as offering flexible charger management and reporting for commercial users. We are looking forward to working with Vestel to embed these solutions across its EV charger portfolio.” Electric Miles will be built into residential-focused variants of Vestel’s forthcoming Libra EV charger, giving users an app that is designed to be friendly and easy-to-use right from installation. Installer Miles and Admin Miles will feature across Vestel’s commercial chargers, from smaller units designed for SMEs to its full commercial rapid and DC chargers hitting the UK later this year. With Vestel’s Turkish factory offering a production capacity of over 700,000 EV charging units per year, the Electric Miles partnership will underpin Vestel’s continued growth in the UK EV charger market.

New Farnell technical guide shifts focus to EV charging

Farnell has announced the release of its latest solutions guide which focuses on electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The company believes it will be the definitive resource for all aspects of EV charging station development, from power management to connectivity to security. The guide recognises the diversity of EV charging station requirements and their respective applications as they rapidly populate areas ranging from residential neighbourhoods and commercial complexes to workplaces, public spaces, and designated corporate fleet charging platforms. Whether a developer is creating a new solution for occasional vehicle charging or innovative quick charge stations for busy travellers on the go, the guide is designed to help them arrive at the ideal EV charging infrastructure for their application faster, and more confidently. Ankur Tomar, Farnell's Regional Solutions Marketing Manager, says, “We have devoted many hours of technical expertise into this guide. The entire team of contributors felt it was vital to share their expertise to ensure that all those who are engaging in the development of EV charging solutions were able to get definitive answers that would enable them to make fast, yet highly confident decisions. We believe all of that knowledge, and more, is reflected in its content, making it a useful how-to-guide that incorporates all the relevant technical information too.” In addition to the new solutions guide, Farnell has amassed a huge repository of online information on EV charger solutions, from details about power distribution units, input protection, connectors and payment security through to microcontrollers, PLCs and everything in between. The library of materials for EVs is readily available with not only practical application and operational details, but detailed individual product information and pricing. Ankur adds, “This is one of the most comprehensive reference resources we have ever complied, and it illustrates the importance we place on EV charging and associated markets. It is an especially valuable source of information for the transition to more efficient energy use.” Farnell’s EV solutions guide can be downloaded by clicking here, while the EV reference library can be accessed by clicking here. For more from Farnell, click here.

UK Power Networks staff raise £48,500 in 'Royal Ramble' initiative

Over 300 UK Power Networks employees have raised a total of £48,500 for The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) charity by virtue of their participation in a 20-mile 'Royal Ramble' charity walk across London. The walk, which took place on 24 May, saw teams of up to seven people walking from Richmond Park in West London over to Potters Field Park by the iconic Tower Bridge. Many of the day's participants used UK Power Networks' 'Donate a Day' scheme, which allows employees to give something back to charity by being paid to do volunteer work twice a year. The first walkers ‘home’ completed the trek in less than eight hours. The money raised will go to the DofE Award charity that helps young people gain skills for their future. Mark Simmons, Head of Powercare at UK Power Networks, says, “It’s really important for me to support charities such as the DofE, as they provide young people from all types of backgrounds fantastic opportunities to develop new skills, grow in confidence and reach their full potential, which ultimately benefits our society. “Aside from the finish line and raising money for a great cause, the day presents a great opportunity for team building with my team, and also colleagues from across the wider business. Initiatives like Donate a Day are a great way for employees to get together to support charities and local causes, but also for the company to give something back to the communities that we work in daily.” Alex McDowell, DofE Director of Fundraising, adds, “We are delighted that UK Power Networks staff have taken on this incredible challenge to support the DofE charity. The money raised will help us reach even more young people with a life-changing DofE programme, enabling them to build the skills and confidence to take on today’s toughest challenges. “UK Power Networks has been a dedicated supporter of the DofE since 2016, enabling 1,600 young people to access the Award. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Royal Ramble.” For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

Baxi partners with Abode Heat to support heat pump installations

Heating and hot water specialist, Baxi, has teamed up with Abode Heat, a leading national MCS Umbrella provider, to help support installer participation in the growing retrofit air source heat pump (ASHP) market. Through Baxi, Abode Heat will be offering discounted rates for its 'Heat Pump Go' MCS Umbrella service which enables installers to easily access grant funding for homeowners. This means Abode Heat will take responsibility for key parts of the heat pump installation project, such as the DNO application in order to connect the ASHP to the electricity supply, verifying the installation is MCS compliant, and ensuring the customer will benefit from the £7,500 grant currently available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). Ben Hodges, Abode Heat Director, says, “There’s a disconnect between the different aspects of what’s required to install an ASHP – training, grant applications, contract, design and calculations, MCS accreditation and commissioning included. Working alongside Baxi, we’re able to join those component parts up making it simpler and more manageable for installers to get involved in ASHP installations.” As well as its Heat Pump Go MCS design expertise, Abode provides the back office engine that allows installers to focus on the fitting and installation, while Abode picks up the associated admin and paper work, such as BUS applications and MCS compliance. Baxi is investing to double the capacity of its Warwick based training facility to 1,600 installers per year, helping them to design, install and commission heat pumps along side its traditional boiler business. By completing one of Baxi’s courses, the company will provide free of charge commissioning support for the first installation, and give installers access to Abode’s Heat Pump Go MCS umbrella provision for 20% below the standard rate. Ian Trott, Baxi’s UK Training Manager, adds, “We’ve teamed up with Abode to reduce the barriers installers need to overcome to get into lucrative ASHP installations, and to expand and deliver this important carbon reduction strategy. By enabling good installers, we’re helping to build confidence and trust among customers who are thinking about installing an ASHP as a clean heat solution for their homes.” For more information on the courses and how to enrol, click here. For more from Baxi, click here.

'Match for the Mind' raises £4,000 for mental health charities

On Saturday (26 May 2024), 50 tradespeople competed at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium in the first ever Match for the Mind. Organised by IronmongeryDirect, the event raised over £4,000 for the mental health charity, Mind. The six teams were each made up of representatives of different trades, and the tournament was eventually won by the Other Trades after beating the Electricians on penalties in the final. After finishing 1-1 in normal time, the Other Trades triumphed 7-6 in the shootout. Bobby Funnell, playing for the Electricians, received the Golden Boot award for being the top goalscorer overall, having scored five, and was presented with a golden work boot. All players received an engraved medal. Players were required to donate to Mind ahead of the day, and these sums were then added to the totals raised at the stadium through additional fundraising activities, such as a penalty shootout and crossbar challenge, where IronmongeryDirect gave £10 to charity for each successful effort. In total, Match for the Mind donated over £4,000 to Mind, helping to support their vital services. The event was attended by players’ friends, family and colleagues, as well as three famous football freestylers, including Andrew Henderson, the five-time world champion. A representative from Basildon Mind also attended the tournament to share mental health advice with both the players and spectators. The contest at Stamford Bridge was organised in line with the ‘movement’ theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and aimed to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise on mental wellbeing. IronmongeryDirect’s annual Mental Health in the Trades report recently found that more than four in five (82%) UK tradespeople experience some form of mental health issue due to work. Jay Mccrindle, a 29-year-old plumber who played in the tournament, comments, “My father died by suicide at the age of 14. I have always been plagued with mental health issues. I have been confused and unsure since losing my father. However, with the guidance of Mind and my family, I have now accepted what happened. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to combine my two passions of mental health awareness and Chelsea by playing in Match for the Mind." Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, discusses the benefits of staying active on people’s mental wellbeing. He says, “We are so grateful to IronmongeryDirect for choosing to fundraise for Mind and helping us highlight how exercise can benefit our mental health. “Exercise has long been proved to have a positive effect on the mental health of millions. We want to help more people make moves for their mental health, as this can help to manage stress and improve your sleep, mood and confidence. “We’re in the middle of a mental health crisis, with over two million people waiting for NHS mental health services. Now more than ever, it is vital that everyone has access to the right support, advice and information when they need it. “The money raised by IronmongeryDirect will help Mind raise both awareness and vital funds so that we can move closer to a future where no mind is left behind.” Ellis Osborn, Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect, adds, “We’re thrilled that everyone had such a good day at our inaugural Match for the Mind, and that we were able to raise so much money for charity. And the Other Trades now have the bragging rights! “Thank you to everyone who donated, took part or supported the brilliant tradespeople who played. Mental health problems are unfortunately prevalent across the industry, and that’s why we’re continuing to raise awareness, and encourage people to seek support if needed.” For more from IronmongeryDirect, click here.

Video highlights benefits of a partnership approach to fire safety

A video produced by a Siemens Building Products partner is illustrating the importance of manufacturers and installers working closely together to realise the optimum solutions for protecting buildings from the threat of fire. Diamond Systems is a Belfast-based company that has specialised in life safety and security systems for almost 40 years. It is a second-generation family business and has been partnering with Siemens since April 2013. Joint MDs, Angela Bennett and Stephen Snoddon, wanted to celebrate that partnership and decided to create a video which provides an overview of the Siemens systems they offer and how the two companies work together to achieve maximum fire safety for building owners and operators. The video focuses on the two main systems manufactured by Siemens: Cerberus Fit for small to medium sized premises, and Cerberus Pro for the larger applications. Stephen talks of the range of benefits to installers, including features such as the line tester tool through which cables can be tested before the commissioning process can start, pinpointing any open or short circuits, and any earth faults, making for a more efficient installation. Angela recognises the issue of false alarms, citing that 99% of automatic fire alarms in Northern Ireland turn out to be false. The guarantee against false alarms that Siemens gives for its Cerberus PRO Advanced Detectors with ASA is an important contributor to addressing this and, as Angela says, “We believe this technology could significantly reduce the unnecessary burden on both the fire and rescue services, and on the premises owners themselves caused by false alarms.” Rob Yates, Siemens Head of Building Products Fire Safety in the UK and Ireland, comments, “We have the confidence in our technologies to be able to provide a guarantee, but that is only half the story. Equally important is the expertise of the installer - site surveys, installation, commissioning and maintenance are all vital in ensuring that the detector operates correctly, with the settings appropriate for the environment it is protecting. Hence the guarantee is administered by our approved partners, who we work closely with to ensure they have the appropriate training and product knowledge. Companies such as Diamond Systems are an excellent example, with their third party certification to the NSI Gold standard since 1993.” The video can be viewed on Diamond Systems’ YouTube channel by clicking here. For more from Siemens, click here.

BGEN appoints new Head of Business Development

BGEN, one of the UK’s largest engineering firms driving the energy transition, has appointed Ron Ellis as Head of Business Development. In his new role, Ron is tasked with building on the company’s recent success and securing additional contracts in sectors including power and energy, pharmaceuticals, utilities, industrial and food and beverage. Reporting into CEO Robin Whitehead, Ron is responsible for the development and implementation of BGEN’s sales strategy across all its business units, including Engineering Solutions, Technology, Nuclear and International. He will also oversee the expansion of BGEN’s mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation (MEICA) offering amongst its current client portfolio, as well as securing new business opportunities in the energy transition space. “BGEN has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and I’m looking forward to playing my part in the future success of the company,” Ron comments. “As a business, we’re here to help solve some of the toughest engineering challenges of the modern world. BGEN has an enviable reputation within the sectors it operates, and along with the wider team, we’ll be identifying and securing contracts which align with our strategic goals.” Ron brings with him over three decades’ experience within the oil, gas, power and renewable sectors, working with clients such as National Grid, Scottish Power, SSE, Balfour Beatty, ExxonMobil, Northern Power Grid and UK Power Networks. He is a chartered fellow of the Institute of Management. Robin Whitehead, CEO of BGEN, adds, “It’s testament to our reputation as an employer of choice that we’re able to welcome someone of Ron’s calibre to our senior team. He brings with him a wealth of experience, much of which has been gained in the energy sector. With 60% of our work being related to the energy transition, he’s sure to be a valuable addition to the business – playing a key role in the delivery of next generation digital, electrical and mechanical engineering solutions to some of the biggest players within the sectors and industries we operate.” For more from BGEN, click here.

NAPIT backs petition to tackle tool theft

Steve Humphreys, Technical Commercial Manager at NAPIT, is urging the industry to back a petition to ban the sale of used power tools at car boot sales and markets. The petition has been launched calling for the Government to ban the sale of used power tools at car boot sales and markets. Every year, hundreds of car boot sales and markets occur across the UK, giving tool thieves access to a platform to sell stolen power tools for easy money. The petition suggests that these second-hand markets are a major reason for tool theft from vans. It issues a plea to the Government to take action against tool theft and impose a £10,000 fine for organisers of car boot sales or markets where stolen power tools are sold. Thus far, the petition has reached more than 45,000 signatures, and if it reaches 100,000 signatures it will be considered for debate in Parliament. NAPIT backs this petition and believes that more must be done to protect tradespeople from falling victim to having their tools stolen from work vans. Power tools are an everyday essential piece of kit that electricians and other tradespeople require to carry out their day-to-day jobs. The effect of having these tools stolen has huge financial implications for victims, which can cause some to suffer with added stress and anxiety. This crime needs to be taken seriously, NAPIT says, as the replacement of tools is often expensive. Recent data released by Direct Line Business Insurance suggests that tools worth £98 million were stolen from tradespeople in 2023. In total, 44,514 incidents of tool theft were reported to police forces in 2023 - a 5% increase from 2022 - which equates to a tool theft reported every 12 minutes. We need a deterrent to stop the thieves, who usually only sell expensive power tools for a few hundred pounds at most. NAPIT welcomes this petition and is encouraging its members and the wider electrical industry to sign it. Steve Humphreys, Technical Commercial Manager at NAPIT, comments, “During my time on the tools, I had my van broken into three times. I was self-employed on one of those occasions and I ended up having to replace two battery drills and other equipment at my own expense, as the insurance company refused to pay out. It is not only the financial implications but also the psychological effect it has on you. I was scared it was going to happen again. “As electricians, we can try to protect our tools from being stolen, but more needs to be done by insurers, the police, and the Government to protect our livelihoods. I fully support this petition and would encourage all our members and the wider industry to sign it immediately.” To sign and read more about this petition, click here. For more from NAPIT, click here.

ECA announces new company President

The new President of ECA, the UK’s leading engineering services trade association, is business leader and electrical engineer, Stuart Smith. Stuart started as an apprentice electrician in 1986 on a CITB training scheme, started his own business in 1997, and became a Director of Stromtechs in 2007. Since joining ECA, Stuart has been Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Thames Valley Branch; Thames Valley Branch representative at the Central South REC for at least five years, and Central South representative on the ECA Council since May 2019. Stuart takes over the ECA Presidency from Sean Smyth. During the last 12 months, Sean played a critical role in guiding ECA as it supported its Members to grow and prosper. The full ECA Presidential team for 2024/25 is as follows: President – Stuart Smith Senior Vice President – Ruth Devine Vice President – Glenn Grant Immediate Past President – Sean Smyth The new ECA Presidential team was confirmed on 8 May 2024.

M&E firm expands with new director promotion

Leading building services engineering practice, Tate Consulting, has promoted Aaron Stevenson to director of its Belfast office. The company says the promotion is in line with the firm’s ongoing expansion programme and numerous high profile contract wins, which will create more jobs in the coming months. Aaron joined Tate Consulting at the end of 2021, which coincided with the Yorkshire headquartered company’s expansion into Belfast. Since then, Aaron has worked alongside fellow Tate Consulting director, Jim Lee, to grow the office organically and it now employs a 10-strong team close to Belfast City Airport in the Belmont Office Park on Belmont Road. Prior to joining Tate Consulting, Aaron spent 25 years working for several other well-known engineering firms in Northern Ireland. In his new role, as well as overseeing the delivery of projects and leading the team, Aaron is responsible for managing the office’s finances, policies and recruitment, with plans already in place to appoint several new people, including associates and senior associates. Tate Consulting provides a full range of commercial engineering solutions from mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) concept design to project handover and post-occupancy evaluation, as well as building physics, fire engineering services, sustainability and building performance assessments and master planning. In recent months, the company has won several major projects including large-scale residential schemes in central London, Brentford, Southampton, Manchester, Leeds and York, which combined will consist of more than 3,000 homes. Aaron says, “Our growth to date in Belfast has outstripped all our expectations and we’ve already completed a wide range of significant projects throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as building a solid and professional team. In recent months we’ve been appointed on another tranche of projects, particularly in the residential market, where developers want our expertise of working on high-rise and very energy efficient schemes with high quality amenities.” Aaron continues, “As a result of these latest wins, we’re now ready to expand our team further with ambitious and experienced people who aspire to work on career defining projects. All this makes it a very exciting time to step up to director level, and I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” Shane Tate, Managing Director at Tate Consulting, adds, “Aaron has been instrumental in us quickly establishing a strong foothold in Belfast and he thoroughly deserves this promotion. In the past two and half years, the Belfast team have completed projects across the residential, retail, industrial and leisure sectors, and further enhanced Tate Consulting’s reputation for adding significant value to projects - and we’re now ready to embark on our next phase of growth.” Projects that Tate Consulting’s Belfast team have recently completed work on several new stores for high street giant, The Range, and several projects in and around the Dublin area, including a substantial 450,000 square foot state of the art distribution centre for Primark. In London, the Belfast team have worked on a stunning new 30-storey apartment development at West India Dock Road at Canary Wharf, known as Vetro, and provided full mechanical and electrical services in new fitness suites created at The Clubhouse, which is an exclusive gym within Royal Wharf. The company has also worked on the sensitive renovation of a Grade II-listed neo-classical United Reformed Church, which sits at the heart of Leamington Spa’s Creative Quarter masterplan. For more from Tate Consulting, click here.