Work dips for trades, with a 20% decrease in job value

According to data analysis, there was a steep drop in the value of trade jobs over the past year. Data, from field management software specialist Workever, shows that the average quote value dropped by 6.5% in 2023 compared to data in 2022, with the value of quotes given the green light by homeowners dropping by nearly £500, an average of 20%. Data analysed from more than 500 companies and sole traders also showed that average invoice values have dropped by nearly 10%, with invoices for tradespeople such as plumbers, heating engineers and electricians averaging £748 in 2023, compared to £829 a year earlier, despite rising costs and overheads. Worryingly, invoices are also being paid more slowly, with tradespeople waiting an average of 31 days to get paid compared to 29 days in 2022, a nearly 2% increase in unpaid invoices. Damien Knight, CEO and Founder of Workever, says, “These statistics are concerning as we go into 2024. Whilst there’s been a dip in the housing market due to mortgage rates, the expected resulting boost in ‘don’t move, improve’ work for tradespeople doesn’t seem to have translated. “Having worked in the trade myself, we tend to work largely on the go, and it’s easy to lose track of jobs quoted or even those completed without a centralised log of everything. This is where utilising software that can track jobs, log quotes and manage all elements of the workload can prove invaluable. “Missing even one job could mean a significant loss of earnings, as can forgetting to invoice for the extra work done on a job; not ideal when tradespeople are already seeing a decline in the value and number of jobs.’’ “I designed the Workever software to meet the needs that I had when working in property maintenance. I needed to be able to track jobs, log costs, send invoices and chase payment, but to do that I’d need to essentially stop working and sit at a desk to go through it all. Workever has all the capabilities needed for businesses, but as a web-based app, it can all be done from the work van, on-site or on the sofa at the end of the working day.”

City Plumbing to unveil new Basildon branch

City Plumbing is set to open its new Basildon branch on 26 February. Moving to a new location at Carnival Park on Carnival Close, City Plumbing’s new and larger branch will be able to offer greater stock availability to customers, coupled with a Renewables Centre, Underfloor Heating Store and Bathroom Showroom. As part of City Plumbing’s ongoing commitment to supporting installers with energy-efficient solutions, the Renewable Centre is a key component of the new branch, which offers tradespeople access to information, products and impartial advice about the range of renewable products, including lower temperature heating technologies. The launch event starts at 9:30am and customers can view a suite of renewable solutions such as air source heat pumps, solar PV, wastewater heat recovery and EV chargers. Allen Hart, a plumber and social media influencer, will officially open the branch at 10am, whilst representatives from suppliers, including Worcester Bosch, Honeywell, Recoup, Rothenberger and Thermaskirt, will also be in attendance, offering a selection of giveaways on the day. Food and drinks will be provided and guests will have the chance to chat with manufacturers about their latest product ranges. The underfloor heating products on show will be part of the Underfloor Heating Store which will be housed within City Plumbing’s new location. The Bathroom Showroom displays an extensive range of bathroom products and suites for both the trade and end customers to visit. The branch has also created six additional roles within the Basildon area. Hemal Morjaria, Managing Director of Renewables and Electrical City Plumbing, says, “This flagship branch gives our customers a broader range and greater availability of stock. Coupled with this, through the launch of our second Renewables Centre, we’re demonstrating our ongoing commitment to a low carbon future with a host of sustainable heating and plumbing products on display. Our aim is to empower the trade to make a difference when it comes to renewable technologies.” Gary Plummer, Branch Manager at City Plumbing Basildon, says, “The official opening is a fantastic opportunity for our current customers and potential new customers to see what City Plumbing has to offer. Having a Renewables Centre, Underfloor Heating Store and Bathroom Showroom as part of the branch really gives customers that one-stop shop for everything they need. “The Bathroom Showroom is part of City Plumbing’s offering and is a fantastic sales tool for plumbers to assist their end customers in choosing their new bathroom range, backed up with an extensive stock of products. The new Renewables Centre also gives tradespeople an opportunity to explore low carbon options for now and the future.” To read more on City Plumbing, click here.

CEF announces sponsorship of ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ challenge

CEF has announced its sponsorship of the ‘Dodd1e’5 Gr4nd S7am’ team and their upcoming ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ challenge, in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The event will see the team cycle from Edinburgh to Rome to raise money for the charity and its contributions to MND research.    Starting in Murrayfield, Edinburgh on 28 February, the riders will visit all of the six nation's stadiums on their route, including Dublin, Cardiff, Twickenham, Paris and ending in at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on 9 March. CEF is providing essential sponsorship money to the ‘Dodd1e’5 Gr4nd S7am’ team and the CEF logo will also feature on the team’s kit as they cycle an arduous 3,000km to raise money for vital motor neurone disease (MND) research. They will also be meeting several notable individuals along the way as they reach their milestones, including several current and past sporting professionals and Prince Albert of Monaco.   The challenge, led by esteemed rugby player Rob Wainwright OBE (formerly of Scotland and British Lions), has garnered widespread attention due to its dedication and impact in the battle against MND. The charity challenge has seen an impressive turnout with a 31-strong team involved directly in the ride and over 200 participants in the challenge overall, including the support teams, underscoring the widespread support and engagement that the cause has generated.    The sponsorship marks one of a number for CEF with the Foundation and other organisations. Steve Pope, Director of Power Tools at CEF, says, “We are proud to be sponsoring such a worthy cause and to be contributing vital funds toward MND research. Alongside my own personal experience with MND through a good friend’s diagnosis, participation in this event also helps to uphold our company values of giving back and contributing meaningfully to our community. Here at CEF, we truly believe that collective efforts can create real change and we wish the ‘Dodd1e’5 Gr4nd S7am’ team all the best in their monumental endeavour for a brilliant cause.”   To read more on CEF, click here.

Mood match LEDs with Flex strips from Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge says its LED Flex strip lighting is ideal for creating ambient lighting in kitchens, bedrooms and other spaces deserving colourful and energy-efficient accents. Flex’s low profile – from 1.5mm to 2mm – and 8mm width makes it ideal for hard-to-access, space-constrained locations, while its 3M self-adhesive backing tape provides a robust and durable fixing. Waste is kept to a minimum because installers can cut the LED Flex to fit at 50mm intervals and use the excess elsewhere, re-connecting it to other strips of product where necessary. Both single and four-colour (red, green, blue and white) versions are available, supported by dedicated drivers, controllers and profiles that offer a quick solution to most indoor installations. The colour-changing RGBW LED Flex are available with smart technology so they can be controlled through Knightsbridge’s proprietary SmartKnight app. The company has also introduced ‘COB’ single colour seamless strip lighting. COB stands for Chip on Board, meaning the LED diodes are built directly into the printed circuit board. The seamless strip lighting is ideal for illuminating indoor spaces as it offers a larger lighting area than traditional alternatives, resulting in no dark spots and perfect colour consistency and uniformity. The COB strip lighting is supplied with 150mm of cable and is dimmable with the appropriate control. Rated IP20 for indoor use, the 12V single colour range offers colour temperatures from 3000K to 6500K and light outputs from 510lm per metre upwards in white only. Its 24V equivalent is also for indoor use but is available in various colour temperatures of white as well as red, blue and green. The colour-changing models are rated at IP20 for indoor use and IP67 options are also available. The Flex collection encompasses 52 versions in 12V and 24V, lengths from 1m up to 50m depending on voltage and colour and a three-year warranty. A full range of accessories - from aluminium mounting profiles to controllers, connectors and drivers - is also available. To read more on Knightsbridge, click here.

THORNeco unveils new catalogue featuring exciting updates

THORNeco has announced the release of its latest catalogue, showcasing its newest innovations. The updated product lineup includes upgrades to popular luminaires Boris, Anna and Julie, offering even greater flexibility, efficiency and ease of installation. THORNeco Boris The Boris High Bay luminaire now boasts improved efficiency of up to 162lm/W and offers exceptional performance with low glare (<25 UGR) for enhanced comfort. The new FLEX feature makes adjusting the lumen output easier than ever, allowing on-site customisation to meet the user's lighting needs. THORNeco Anna The improved Anna recessed LED panel features VARIO technology for customisable colour temperature and the FLEX feature for effortless lumen adjustment. Anna offers quality and energy efficiency and is ideal for retrofit projects, providing gentle, soft, and glare-free lighting, ensuring a comfortable and productive workspace. THORNeco Julie Julie is ideal for indoor applications and has been designed for reliability and easy installation. With a clipless diffuser for increased durability and the addition of FLEX for customisable lumen output, Julie offers energy savings of over 50% compared to traditional lighting. Plus, with corridor and daylight functionality, it provides smart lighting solutions, reducing energy costs by only lighting spaces when needed. To read more on THORNeco, click here.

NVC Lighting launches national campaign for emergency lighting range

NVC Lighting has launched its first-ever integrated marketing communications campaign to promote its new dedicated emergency lighting range. NVC Lighting’s ‘LiFe’ range comes with a seven-year warranty as standard for complete peace of mind and is powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery technology, making the range 80% more efficient and twice as long-lasting as NiCd-powered products. The range is being promoted heavily over the next few months by NVC Lighting with a new ‘Choose LiFe’ campaign, designed to promote the extensive range of products in the LiFe range and all the key features and benefits to electrical contractors, wholesalers, commercial building owners and facilities managers. This includes digital, print and social media activity to drive awareness of the range. The new LiFe range from NVC Lighting includes NEBRASKA LiFe – a high performance, ICEL endorsed, IP65 emergency bulkhead; LEXINGTON LiFe – an ICEL endorsed emergency exit sign; ARLINGTON LiFe – a high-quality drop-down blade sign; SENECA LiFe and SYRACUSE LiFe – both ICEL endorsed, non-maintained emergency downlights; and KANSAS LiFe – an ICEL endorsed, IP65 non-maintained twinspot emergency light. In line with requirements for monthly functionality tests and annual discharge tests for emergency light fittings, NVC Lighting offers manual, self-test and addressable test options across the range. Also included in the LiFe range is a plug-and-play High Bay Conversion Kit, a bolt-on, three-hour maintained emergency pack with its own light source that is available in standard NM3 and self-test NM3 versions. In addition, a Recessed Emergency Conversion Kit is also available, specially designed to work with NVC Lighting’s recessed downlights and LED panels. Phil Brown, Director of Product and Marketing at NVC Lighting, says, “The new LiFe range represents a major step forward for our emergency lighting offering, bringing together the design and functionality we have built our reputation on, alongside the latest developments in battery and testing technology. “Suitable across a huge range of commercial applications, LiFe products have the capacity to provide energy-saving benefits to users without compromising on the most crucial elements of emergency lighting. “Lithium batteries are up to 80% more efficient than traditional alternatives, losing only 4% of their charge each month as opposed to 20% - so we are confident that LiFe products will provide a long-lasting solution.” The product range covers all the main categories of commercial lighting for indoor and outdoor use, including LED panels, downlights, surface and suspended lighting, road and landscape lighting, and industrial and emergency lighting. To read more on NVC Lighting, click here.

Performance iN Lighting sparks aesthetic excellence

With founders specialising in Italian art and design, a lighting manufacturer says it is sparking creativity, innovation and aesthetic excellence across the globe. Performance iN Lighting (Powered by Gewiss UK) says it is continuing to attract architects and designers worldwide seeking the ultimate in style, sophistication and craftsmanship for its latest lighting projects. The current President of the Group’s great-grandfather, Guglielmo Lodi, originally established a glassmaking business in Verona in 1905. Since then, four generations of the Lodi family have grown the business to become an established player in the lighting industry – all while honouring the same skill, expertise and passion for beauty and elegance. UK Managing Director Paul Dawson says, “Performance iN Lighting’s roots are firmly (and proudly) embedded in Verona, and for over a century the Lodi family has been dedicated to delivering expertise when it comes to design and style. “Founded in the early 2000s, the Performance iN Lighting brand was a natural extension of the family craft. Combining reliability with radiance, innovation with individualism, and convenience with creativity, the firm offers lighting solutions that bring sophistication, expression, and finesse to any environment (inside and out). “Whether a ‘wow factor’ statement piece is desired, or a subtle silhouette effect is needed, our extensive suite of products offers fixtures suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage across a range of applications, including technical, office, education, residential, architectural, sports, industry, city and landscape. Our light fittings can perfectly integrate into any setting and complement any surroundings, from luxury hotels and high-end private residences to historical and listed buildings. “This commitment to aesthetics remains at the very core of the business. We’ve significantly invested in dedicated technical laboratories, allowing direct access to specialist equipment and systems so that the highest quality materials can be used. Adding this to our forward-thinking, pioneering and passionate designers results in elegant yet effective luminaires, reflective of our artistic Italian heritage.” To read more on Performance iN Lighting, click here.

ESP’s large CCTV projects covered with 24/7 Colour IP range

For large, commercial projects requiring a robust and reliable CCTV solution, ESP says it can provide an all-embracing solution. From the initial stages, which include scoping the project, site visits, and providing detailed drawings and 3D plans, through to the specification of the CCTV system that will best suit the application, contractors can rely on a team of qualified and experienced design engineers and technical experts to help deliver the ideal solution. ESP’s 24/7 Colour IP POE CCTV range is designed to offer reliable and straightforward installation solutions for a range of applications, including larger and more complex commercial projects. Guaranteeing detail in colour, day or night, the IP POE range includes a variety of cameras offering 5MP and 8MP resolutions and a choice of 8MP NVRs with a range of channel options - 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 channels. With their 24/7 colour function, the cameras use low-light image sensors, which can use background light to produce a colour image in reduced light environments. The cameras, which have an IP67 rating for external use, are equipped with infrared LEDs, which are the default mode when the white LEDs are not activated. This ensures that the white LEDs are not on constantly, which will be unwanted by some users. The key feature of the NVRs is that they offer the capability of 8MP recording, which means they support high-resolution cameras in recording, playback and live view modes. With a choice of 4-64 channel NVRs available, ESP is providing a breadth of NVR capability to support a range of applications from small to large. Other features include: 250m PoE function. PoE (Power Over Ethernet) models provide greater flexibility to the installer by supporting cameras up to 250m, resulting in fewer additional power supplies and PoE switches required for large cable runs. Pre-installed Surveillance Hard Drive. ESP pre-installs purpose-built surveillance hard drives and, unlike standard PC hard drives, surveillance drives operate and handle data recording continuously. Intelligent record options such as line crossing and perimeter detection. This offers a flexible choice on what triggers the system to record, resulting in more critical recordings and reduced wasted recorded footage. For these CCTV projects that require larger systems and specific cameras, ESP believes that pre-planning is vital and that producing and working to a professional design will mean the best possible system is specified to get the best results on-site. The ESP design service can generate computer-generated models of a system’s live view from the cameras, ensuring a client will have a good understanding of the camera angles and views before committing to the system. As well as providing computer-generated previews from the camera locations, the service will provide recommendations for the total amount of cable required for installation and suitable hard drive capacity. It will also highlight the record duration, resolution and ESP camera part number required - making specifying an installation simpler. To read more ESP, click here.

Instaspark launches specialist commercial electrical brand, Orbem

Instaspark, an electrical services provider, has announced the launch of Orbem, a specialist electrical firm servicing the commercial sector.   The news follows a year of unprecedented growth for Instaspark, reaching a turnover of approximately £1.6 million in 2023, driving geographical expansion across the UK, and securing multiple lucrative contracts, including Co-Op, Haribo and True Learning Partnership. Having built partnerships with major companies and brands across a wide range of industries, Directors Brandon Rowlands, Chris Stott and Rob Stone announced the launch of Orbem to further expand the firm’s commercial offering.   Orbem will specialise in a wide range of electrical solutions, including electrical fit-out projects across all major industries, LED lighting upgrades, commercial EV charging and renewable energy solutions. Part of the Instaloft Group, which turned over £22 million in 2023 and aims to achieve over £30 million in 2024, Orbem says it will continue the brand’s commitment to excellence in its values of quality, innovation and reliability, creating tailor-made electrical solutions and cultivating long-term commercial partnerships.   Speaking on the launch of Orbem, Brandon says, “We are delighted to bring Orbem to the market, and we view it as a massive step towards our goal of changing the face of electrical contracting. Borne from our success at Instaspark, we identified the need for a dedicated commercial brand and we couldn’t be more proud of making that dream a reality.”   Rob says, “I’m proud to introduce Orbem Specialist Electrical, our latest venture, dedicated to providing top-tier commercial electrical services across the UK to a vast range of sectors. With our core values being the centre of our partnerships with our clients, we look forward to meeting the growing demands of this exciting sector and delivering unparalleled services and professionalism.”   Headquartered in Telford with regional offices in Huddersfield, Reading and Southampton, Orbem is already operating throughout retail, defence, education, manufacturing and other sectors, with plans to expand in all sectors. It is already on track to turnover more than £3.3 million this year.

CTEK offers free EV charge point training for UK installers

Installers can get free training on installing EV charge points from CTEK. The monthly free online training is delivered by CTEK’s UK-based Skillbase team and will equip installers with the knowledge on how to install and network CTEK EV charge points, load balance, configure and troubleshoot. The four-hour sessions are designed to equip the installer to work quickly and accurately so that each installation is high quality. The training blends technical information about charging products with practical walk-throughs on installation, load balancing and configuration. Installers will also be signposted to additional support and ‘how to’ guides available online and an introduction to the ongoing CTEK support available in the UK. The 2024 training sessions will run from 9 am to 1 pm on Thursdays: 7 March 4 April 2 May 6 June 8 August 5 September 3 October 7 November 5 December CTEK UK Skillbase Manager, Viktors Nikolajevs, says, “We have been running these free training sessions for installers for several years now, and the feedback is always very positive. Installers say it is time well spent to find out all about EV charging, how charging units work and what they need to know to install effectively. “There are always lots of good questions asked, including about load management, communication protocols, networking and RCD protection. Charge point installation is a growing market for installers, ranging from single-unit jobs in domestic settings to multiple output projects for employers, landlords, local authorities and large charge point operators. “Whether you are an installer looking to get into this market for the first time or an experienced EV charge point installer keen to learn more and step up to larger projects, you are very welcome to sign up for a free session and find out everything you want to know.” To read more on CTEK, click here.