Resideo's new European security and life safety platform

Resideo Technologies has announced the introduction of its connected ProSeries Security and Life Safety platform to Europe. The platform has been developed for residential and small business applications and is modular by design, incorporating seamless hardware, software, an app and associated services. By connecting life safety products, including smoke and CO detectors, ProSeries provides peace of mind to the installers, homeowners and small business owners that it protects what matters most. The introductory offering in the three initial European launch markets - France, Spain and the UK - includes: The PROBOX-EU wireless security panel Suite of compatible wireless sensors and peripherals Professional and self-monitoring options The platform can offer professional installers the opportunity to grow their businesses by enabling them to develop their customer relationships beyond the traditional install and repair life cycle. This is done by offering a monthly service that enhances the security and safety of the home and small businesses. Laurent Legris, Senior Director of Safety and Security Product Management, explains the significance of the introduction of ProSeries to Europe, "Our award-winning and trusted ProSeries solution has been protecting homes and businesses across America and Canada since 2020. The introduction of a version specifically tailored for the European market is good news for homeowners and small businesses, who want to protect what matters most, and professional security installers who want to grow their business through smart services. We are confident that it will become the preferred choice of European security professional installers and distributors." The number of panel variations, peripherals and services will be extended during the remainder of 2023 and into 2024.

Manrose reaches final in H&V News Awards

Manrose has announced it is a finalist in the H&V News Awards within the 'Net Zero Impact' category. A leading UK-based ventilation manufacturer, the company has made the shortlist for its ‘Making Ventilation More Sustainable’ entry, which covers the company undergoing a manufacturing transformation at its Reading site by moving from using virgin to recycled plastic. Celebrating the achievements of the HVAC industry for over 30 years, the H&V News Awards identifies the most forward-thinking, innovative and customer-focused businesses in the industry. The winners of the H&V News Awards will be announced at a prestigious ceremony to be held at the London Hilton Metropole on Thursday 23 November 2023. Committed to a net zero-carbon future, Manrose set itself sustainability targets, each geared towards achieving substantial improvements by the end of FY2025, which will significantly cut carbon emissions​. Manrose, therefore, transformed its manufacturing to reduce carbon by investing in R&D and manufacturing technology to develop ventilation products from recycled sources with 90% of the plastic used in its facilities to be from recycled sources by the end of FY2025, without compromising on quality or reliability. By investing in new, more efficient plant within its facilities, it is also reducing the embodied carbon on the components it moulds. “We’re thrilled to make the final of the H&V News Awards. It is great to be recognised by the industry for our efforts. Our customers have always known Manrose ventilation for its reliability and now we are helping make ventilation more sustainable for them too. We are committed to a net zero-carbon future. It is exciting times at our Reading site as we continue to transform our ventilation manufacturing,” says Stuart Eglin, Sales Director at Manrose. Since moving to recycled plastic, Manrose has manufactured over 500,000 complete ventilation units, where chassis and facias are produced from 100% recycled ABS. Not only does recycled plastic prevent the use of virgin materials, it has a lower embodied carbon. Taking another step towards more sustainable choices for customers, using recycled plastic is a true innovation. Manrose previously reduced its single-use plastic waste and produced ductwork from recycled plastic. But this innovation moves to the core product, learning to work with recycled material, developing and manufacturing a robust product performing to the same high standards as those made from virgin material, meeting safety standards. Manrose’ transformation moving from manufacturing in virgin to recycled plastic marks an industry step-change in ventilation manufacturing, enabled through investment in specialist manufacturing equipment, allowing Manrose to produce its ventilation products without affecting the function or performance. Changing the plastics and moving to recycled sources required a tooling redesign for the moulds. Tooling changes needed to ensure the impact and tensile strengths were retained and the material flowed into the moulds consistently.

Local family business to brighten the town with Christmas light switch on

A family-run business, which sparked to life in Halesowen, has been chosen as the official installers of the town’s Christmas lights for the seventh year running. Starkey Electrical has once again been entrusted to manage and complete the light installation by the Halesowen Business Improvement District (BID). The Christmas light switch-on, which attracts around 40,000 visitors each year, will take place on Saturday, 18 November, in Halesowen town centre, and is a much-loved event within the community. Lisa Starkey, Director of Starkey Electrical, was a former board member of the Halesowen BID. While the company has now grown, with a national customer base, she said its heart is still very much in Halesowen. Lisa says, “We are delighted to have been chosen as the official installer of the Halesowen Christmas lights once again. The town holds a lot of history for us and we feel honoured to be able to give back to the community there.” The team has been tasked with completing health and safety documentation for the BID, including PAT testing all of the lighting before they are installed. The Christmas lights will then be installed throughout the town centre, as per the layout requested by the BID. Vicky Rogers, Halesowen BID Town Manager, says, “Halesowen BID is thrilled to have Starkey Electrical install our Christmas lights for the seventh year running. We have worked closely with the team at Starkey since the start of BID in 2017, and they have continued to be our illumination installers due to the experience, professionalism and friendliness of the team. “Christmas is our largest event in the town centre so we can not afford to get it wrong. Working with Starkey Electrical gives us the confidence we need to know that the job will be done right.” The team at Starkey Electrical will also be at the switch-on event to assist with the countdown, plus be on-call throughout the festive period in case of any issues. The team will also be responsible for the testing and inspection of the lights prior to the big event, as well as removal and storing of them afterwards.

Connected Kerb joins Bosch’s EV charging platform

Connected Kerb has announced its integration with Bosch Mobility’s global EV charging platform. The inclusion of Connected Kerb’s entire network of over 3000 public charging sockets on Bosch’s charging platform will dramatically enhance the visibility of UK-based charge points for the platform’s users worldwide. Bosch’s platform is fully customisable and is available for businesses to include in their products. For example, car manufacturers can create a bespoke frontend system that seamlessly integrates into their vehicles and gives the user access to hundreds of thousands of electric vehicle charging points across the world, no matter which company owns and runs the individual charging points. In addition, there is a free Bosch app, Charge My EV, that gives drivers a convenient way to find charging stations, whilst giving users access to charger availability data in advance, enabling drivers to easily plan journeys. Charging sessions can be started and paid for directly through the app, RFID, Plug & Charge or locally available methods. Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, says, “Connecting people and places as seamlessly as possible – that’s what we’re all about. This means giving drivers as much visibility of our network as possible, via trusted and credible platforms like the Bosch charging platform. “Our integration onto Bosch’s charging platform opens up our network to businesses and users across the UK and Europe, all of which can now easily find, use, and pay for our chargers, hassle free.” Connected Kerb’s growing network is now available across ten major e-mobility apps, including Zap-Map and Paua, to broaden the visibility of the charging network and ensure it is as convenient as possible for drivers to charge up. The company also operates its own app, enabling drivers to find, start, track, and pay for charging sessions across Connected Kerb’s entire network. Users will have access to Connected Kerb’s rapidly expanding network, regularly updating with new, live charge points. In early 2023, Connected Kerb announced the UK’s largest ever rollout of EV chargers by a local authority in Surrey – a partnership that will result in 10,000 electric vehicle chargers deployed across the county.

Wallbox and Octopus Energy partner to reduce charging costs in the UK

Wallbox, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Octopus Energy Group, the energy and technology group delivering a customer-focused and affordable clean energy system across the globe. The collaboration and recent integration will enable all Wallbox customers to join the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff by integrating through their Pulsar Max, the smart home charger designed to unlock time and money for EV drivers. Intelligent Octopus Go is a smart EV charging tariff that unlocks significant savings for EV drivers - cars are charged when the grid is cheapest, and usually greenest. It offers an innovative solution for combating climate change and catering to eco-conscious energy consumers. Switching to this system can save EV drivers more than £600 annually with smart charging rates and home energy efficiency. The Intelligent Octopus Go app allows users to schedule the time and amount of charge they need their car back with. Octopus’s tech platform, Kraken, then automates charging during peak renewable energy times, preventing millions of tons of CO2 emissions. It optimises the grid, enhancing energy system reliability and stability, while bringing down energy costs for everyone. Wallbox and Octopus will cooperate in reducing charging costs. Intelligent Octopus Go manages the UK's largest virtual power plant, surpassing the grid's biggest battery, now at 500MW through electric vehicles. “We are proud to announce the partnership with Octopus to implement smart solutions and avoid having to meet increased demand with fossil fuels”, says Ashley McFadden, Wallbox Sales Team Lead. “Parliament states that demand for electricity will increase by about 50% by 2035. We believe that EVs will determine a large share of it”. “We created Intelligent Octopus Go to keep charging costs for EV drivers as low as possible, saving them hundreds of pounds each year whilst taking pressure off the grid by charging their cars when it is greenest. Going green isn’t only good for the planet, it’s also good for your pocket, and we’re thrilled that these super cheap rates are now also available to Wallbox customers”, said Alex Schoch, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy. This is not the first collaboration between Wallbox and Octopus Energy Group. With the previous project, Wallbox installed Quasar, the first generation of its bidirectional charger in consumers’ households to offer grid services, saving users about £360 annually.

JTL wins Learning Provider of the Year award

JTL has been announced as the large ‘Learning Provider of the Year’ at the 2023 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards. The title, which was presented to JTL at the awards ceremony on 5 October 2023, is a testament to the team’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the industry. It acknowledges the exceptional work done by JTL in enabling apprentices from diverse backgrounds to excel and make significant contributions to the field. The Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards celebrate talent and diversity, recognising both the personal accomplishments of the apprentices and the vital role played by employers and learning providers in their development. JTL's mission to champion diversity is reflected in its inclusive approach to apprenticeships, providing a platform for talent to flourish, irrespective of cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Winning the title of ‘Learning Provider of the Year’ serves as a testament to the organisation's outstanding work in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all apprentices. Julie Asher-Smith, Director of Human Resources at JTL, says, "Winning 'Learning Provider of the Year' at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards is a tremendous honour and a validation of our dedicated efforts in creating opportunities for all apprentices. We are deeply committed to ensuring that our programmes are accessible, supportive, and empowering for individuals of all backgrounds." To find out more about JTL’s apprenticeship programmes and to apply, please visit here.

ECN Awards 2023 finalists announced!

Electrical Contracting News is delighted to announce the finalists of the ECN Awards 2023. The ECN Awards have been designed to recognise the very best of the electrical contracting industry and will be held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre on 30 November 2023. To view the programme for the evening please click here, and to book your tickets to attend please click here. Judged by an expert panel of independent judges, the finalists are…  [wptb id=40133] Huge congratulations to all of the finalists! For further information please contact Carly Wills or Kelly Byne on 01634 673163, or visit the ECN Awards website.

Electrical apprentices enter the sector amidst industry skills shortage

Helping to support the housing sector skills gap, six electrical apprentices have secured positions, thanks to EN:Able Futures. Following challenging industry circumstances including business failure and redundancies, several electrical apprentices were displaced and without a business to complete their qualifications. Simultaneously, the five-yearly Electrical Installation Condition Reports for properties requires a range of changes to be rolled out and standards to be updated efficiently. Seeing the potential to tackle both issues head on and encourage new people to the sector, housing organisation, Berneslai Homes, partnered with EN:Able Futures. Having not initially set out to hire apprentices, a lack of skilled workers applying saw Berneslai Homes change tactic and work with Efficiency North to offer positions to six apprentices and then upskill them to support the sector’s changing legislation. Julie Deeley, Director of Operations at EN:Able Futures, says, “Placing apprentices where it is of mutual benefit to the apprentice and the organisation is pivotal to our role as apprenticeship facilitators. We supported Berneslai Homes by conducting interviews and presenting potential candidates, and we will now continue to guide all six of the successful apprentices throughout their qualification. “Berneslai Homes' commitment to apprenticeships also contributes to addressing the wider skills shortage in the social housing sector. By providing opportunities for apprentices to gain valuable experience and qualifications, Berneslai Homes sets a positive example for other housing providers and encourages the development of a capable workforce that can meet the demands of an evolving industry.” EN:Able Futures operates across the north of England and offers a flexible service, allowing property and construction employers to hire apprentices for either the full training or just part of it. EN:Able Futures take on all HR and pastoral responsibilities, which is why Berneslai Homes approached the team for its guidance. Should businesses go into administration or redundancies be required, this does not impact the apprentice and allows them to continue their studies. Callum Whitehouse, Specialist Services Function Manager of Construction Services at Berneslai Homes, says, “The shortage of skilled professionals in the social housing sector, particularly electricians with the required qualifications, has become a significant challenge. However, we have embraced a long-term approach to apprenticeships to meet future regulatory requirements. “The apprentices we hired have fitted in really quickly and have already proven to be valuable members of the team and we’re looking forward to seeing them progress with the guidance of the EN:Able Futures team.” Berneslai Homes has been shortlisted for an Affordable Housing Award for its recruitment campaign supporting the six displaced apprentices. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on 17 November.

Aico’s National Apprentice of the Year Award 2024 now open for entries

Aico has launched the Apprentice of the Year Award for 2024. The award has been established to honour the brightest talents within the electrical industry. Education is a fundamental principle for Aico; the company firmly believes that providing future installers with industry knowledge and expertise is vital to creating safer communities. Aico has introduced this new award to applaud the remarkable accomplishments made by future professionals within our industry. In his statement, Aico’s National Sales Manager, Tony Boyle, emphasised the purpose of the Apprentice of the Year award, "Our Apprentice of the Year award aims to recognise outstanding apprentices who not only have excellent technical skills but are role models for others in our industry. The electrical professionals of tomorrow are so important to our industry, and we aim to highlight and celebrate their success." The award is now open for entries, with a closing date of 1 January 2024. All apprentices are required to submit their application forms to marketing@aico.co.uk. Application forms can be readily accessed on Aico’s website. From the entries, 12 selected nominees will attend the JTL Training Centre Day in Birmingham to participate in the final assessment. All 12 apprentices reaching this stage will receive a fully loaded state-of-the-art toolkit. Following the assessment centre day, the top six apprentices selected will receive an exclusive invitation to the Aico in The Community Awards, set to take place on 18 April 2024. The deserving winner will be announced at the Community Awards and will also receive a top-of-the-range multi-function tester to add to their toolkit (worth up to £1,200). Alongside this brilliant prize, the winner can expect to be recognised industry-wide for their fantastic accomplishment. Download the entry form here and for more information about the award, visit the Aico website.

Lasnek launches new printer enclosure range

Lasnek has announced the arrival of its new range of robust printer enclosures, which are designed to improve safety and increase the lifespan of industrial printers used in production facilities. Designed for use on any flat surface with a clam shell or swing top industrial printer, the 304 stainless steel printer enclosures feature a wealth of user-friendly benefits to help increase the lifespan of printing equipment. Fitted with a reversible door for either left-hand or right-hand opening, the unique 270° hinge arrangement allows the door to be folded back against the side and held securely with a door clamp. This provides a safe and convenient solution for when the printer is in operation. Furthermore, for added ease of use, a stainless-steel shelf on runners enables a smooth withdrawal of the printer for paper changes or setup. Designed to prevent cable damage from shelf withdrawal and insertion, the latest range also includes a flexible cable ducting system to hold the power cable, and where applicable, communication cables in position at all times. For printers having an external power supply, a fixed bracket is provided to the rear, positioning cables away from any moving parts. Manufactured to IP65, The latest range of printer enclosures from Lasnek are available in two sizes to accommodate a selection of industrial printers from Zebra, Honeywell, Sato and Toshiba, and include entry points for power and communication cables and anti-tilt fixing brackets to securely fit the enclosure to the chosen surface.