Marley adds new EV charger to renewable system solutions

With Part S of the Building Regulations outlining all newly constructed homes in England must include electric vehicle (EV) charging points, Marley has enhanced its growing renewable energy portfolio with the introduction of a Marley electric vehicle charger. Effective from June 2023, Part S mandates that housebuilders and developers must include electric vehicle charging points when constructing new build homes comprised of 10 or more dwellings, which include onsite or associated parking spaces. In addition, Part S also outlines the requirement for existing homes and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation to also include electric vehicle charging facilities. And, as the uptake of electric vehicles continues to increase due to their low carbon emissions, along with increasing fuel prices, potential house buyers are looking more eagerly at properties that offer in-built at-home charging facilities. As a result, the relationship between the power that can be generated through solar panels on the roof, which can then be used to charge an electric car through the Marley EV charger, becomes an attractive option for the homeowner. EV charger from Marley Further enhancing a holistic package of renewable products that already includes SolarTile, its integrated solar PV solution, Marley has launched an effective EV charger that meets both Part S demands to support housebuilders with the creation of sustainable homes, whilst providing homeowners with a cost-effective way to harness solar generated power from the roof and put miles in their new electric cars. Design, installation, and performance benefits Coming complete with a three-year warranty, the EV charger has attractive slimline aesthetics that can be fitted discreetly on the exterior of the property for kerbside appeal or within interiors, such as garages, if required, avoiding the need to install unsightly earth rods due to its built-in open PEN conductor protection. The sleek and compact 7kW wall mounted socketed charging unit provides high charging performance, and the ability to connect to solar panels on the roofscape so homeowners can access renewable and cheaper energy in the home. Marley’s EV charger is further supported with an easy-to-use mobile app which provides users with immediate control and a range of functions, including charge scheduling, usage monitoring and solar power matching. Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, comments, “We are delighted to add a proven EV charging solution to our expanding portfolio of renewable system products. Thanks to the Part L and Part S amendments, housebuilders, and the wider construction community, are proactively looking for sustainable solutions to help them deliver the energy efficient and low carbon homes required to meet the UK’s 2050 net zero target. “Specifying solar PV on the roof is already an effective way to meet the regulatory demands of Part L and the growing popularity of Marley’s SolarTile is testimony to this. Following the launch of the Marley EV charger, housebuilders can now source an attractive, high performing EV charging solution from Marley at the same time, which can connect seamlessly with a solar PV system. “This will enable housebuilders to comply with Part S and Part L changes from a single source. It also provides a strong combination of sustainable technologies in the home that will appeal to potential homeowners keen to use renewable energy and lessen their impact on the planet.”

Lighting workshops quantifying sustainable resilience

A new series of workshops on how to calculate circular and carbon metrics for lighting products has been announced by Recolight. The educational event explores the latest guidelines, standards, and legislation, life cycle assessments and associated metrics. The focus is on the practical delivery of TM66 and TM65. Delegates will learn: How TM66 and TM65 combine to validate the circular and embodied carbon content of products already designed And how these metrics can be used in future developments to better inform circular decision making in the design phase of a project Hosted by lighting product designer, Simon Fisher of F Mark, the CPD-accredited events also look at the approaches and techniques to creating lights with long use, repair and upgradeability built in. Simon estimates that 80% of a light fitting’s environmental impact is determined at the design phase. He says, “To quote environmentalist Ellen MacArthur, ‘waste is a design flaw; In nature it doesn’t exist.’” The workshops are intended for technical managers, design and engineering managers, quality managers, compliance engineers, sustainability managers, marketing managers, product managers, and any others that influence product design. They are a roundtable environment with a maximum of 12 delegates, giving the opportunity for full interaction, feedback, and questions for each topic. Places are available for Wednesday 21 June, in London, with more dates to be announced. Delegate feedback from previous Recolight workshops: “Simon delivered a superb CPD workshop explaining and unravelling the complexities of the circular economy from the perspective of designers and manufacturers. Interactive and informative; this is knowledge sharing at its finest,” says Jago Wickers of LUMINO.

Chris Green appointed Senior Marketing Director of Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric has appointed Chris Green as the new Senior Marketing Director UK and Ireland. Chris brings over 18 years of B2B marketing experience across various technology markets, including engineering systems and services, IT software, and hardware. As Senior Marketing Director UK and Ireland, he will assume responsibility for all regional Global Marketing functions. This includes overseeing digital, communications and PR, as well as segment and channel marketing. He will be an integral part of the UK and Ireland leadership team and the Europe global marketing leadership team, working closely with senior executives to advance the company’s marketing objectives. He will report directly to Turhan Turhangil, the SVP of Global Marketing Europe Operations, and Kelly Becker, Zone President UK and Ireland. Before joining Schneider Electric in 2022, Chris was Global Digital Marketing Lead for Honeywell Building Technologies, where he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives and played a pivotal role in enhancing the company’s brand presence. His expertise in marketing complex technology solutions and his ability to generate demand from B2B end-users makes him an ideal fit for Schneider Electric’s UK and Ireland operations. “Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated creative and innovative leadership skills, delivering successful marketing campaigns and driving growth for multiple organisations,” says Turhan. “I’m delighted that he is stepping into this new role, reinforcing our commitment to driving exceptional marketing strategies to our customers and partners in the UK and Ireland.” “Schneider Electric is a dynamic organisation that is truly dedicated to managing the global transition to net zero emissions, helping to tackle the energy crisis and empowering all to make the most of the planet’s energy and resources,” says Chris. “I look forward to continuing to work with the talented team here to drive impactful initiatives that will make a positive difference.”

WMC announces the death of Steve Williams

Wrexham Mineral Cables (WMC) is sad to announce the death of its Commercial Manager, Steve Williams. Steve has been a key figure at Wrexham Mineral Cables over the last 16 years and his death, after a short illness is an enormous loss to the team and the cabling industry. As well as being a much-loved husband, father and grandfather, Steve Williams was a highly respected industry figure. He spent much of his time driving positive change in the building safety arena. The impacts of his tireless and energetic work to drive awareness of the benefits of fire-resistant mineral insulated copper clad (MICC) cable - and to challenge current product certification standards - have been felt right across the built environment. Energetic educator, and change-maker Steve joined WMC as its quality assurance manager, and quickly made his way up the ranks, displaying his passion and energy throughout the business, eventually becoming commercial manager in 2016. Steve fervently believed that there are still too many cables classed as ‘fire-resistant’ that would not be adequate in the event of a fire, as the tests they undergo do not represent real-world conditions. For this reason, he led the company’s lobbying efforts for all enhanced fire-resistant cables to undergo true fire scenario tests. In recent years, Steve spent much of his time working with the industry and his supply chain to educate customers and consultants on these points. It was a topic he was passionate about, particularly in light of recommendations that arose from the inquiry following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Steve Williams’ passion for change is succinctly captured in a press statement he made in 2022: “It is our belief that there should also be a higher classification of cables introduced to identify those which can survive, rather than simply resist fire. Despite the lessons learned (from the Grenfell Tower tragedy) over the last five years, we do not believe this is the case, particularly when it comes to the installation of fire-resistant cables. Ensuring that the tests which construction products are subjected to are relevant and can be relied upon is the only way we can make buildings truly safe.” Unparalleled MICC knowledge, passion, and dedication On a personal level, Steve’s death has been felt acutely right across the company. “We are all devastated by Steve’s death,” says John Allden, WMC Managing Director. John continues, “He brought unparalleled MICC knowledge, passion, and dedication to everything he did. On a personal note, he was everything we could wish for in a colleague; 100% personable, smart, witty, engaging - quite simply a great person. In his professional life, Steve was a change-maker and an energetic advocate for revolution in the building standards arena. His hard work and efforts in this field have paved the way for change in how cable products are specified. The impacts of his tireless work in this area have been tremendous - and we will keep his memory alive by pursuing the work he was so passionate about. We salute him for this work and, as a colleague, we will miss him enormously.” Steve is survived by his wife Kath, three children, and the recent addition of his first grandchild. Industry colleagues and friends are welcome to attend Steve’s funeral on 9 June at 12:00.

Aico partners with AWEBB to power LEAD Academy

Education, training, and development are at the heart of what Aico says it offers to its supply chain and colleagues. This is why the company says it is pleased to announce that it will be supporting AWEBB’s training academy with a rebrand. The AWEBB LEAD training academy will be rebranded as ‘The LEAD Academy powered by Aico’. AWEBB’s training academy provides a pathway into management for its members. Through the training, they can increase their awareness of effective sales skills and negotiation, develop their techniques for conducting successful interviews, and gain insights into effective business development. Mark Lambert, Chief Executive Officer for AWEBB, comments, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Aico to enhance our LEAD Academy. We share the same values around training and investing in our people so the partnership itself is a natural fit.” Aico says that the new partnership will ensure the best of both organisations and enable AWEBB to continue to provide its members with industry leading training. Neal Hooper, Managing Director for Aico, adds, “Aico HomeLINK’s foundations are built upon quality, service, innovation, and education. Our award-winning CPD accredited training and the unique City & Guilds assured training offer the supply chain unrivalled learning. Every colleague within Aico HomeLINK has four days every year devoted to personal development. We are delighted to partner with AWEBB with their LEAD academy. It is a superb initiative ensuring education embraces its whole membership, at all levels. We look forward to delivering education together for the future generations to come.” Barry Hall, Learning and Development at AWEBB, states, “The AWEBB LEAD Academy powered by Aico, is really to get people to think much deeper about how to sell profitably. The workshops are designed to reflect our members’ particular challenges and cater to an individual's needs and wants for their career. The partnership with Aico allows us to build on that shared belief of the importance of people development, to ensure staff retention and progression.”

Travis Perkins launches Online Trade Counter to make ordering easier

Travis Perkins is recently making shopping online and through its app frictionless with the launch of its Online Trade Counter and new shared access feature. The launch of Travis Perkins Online Trade Counter allows trade account holders to shop quickly and seamlessly for the products that they buy most at their trade prices, without having to navigate through product information and payment screens, and reducing the time it takes to order. The Online Trade Counter means customers only need a couple of clicks to complete their order, selecting from their regularly purchased products, and it stores billing and delivery information. This means that customers can order products straight to site more quickly than ever before. Kyle Leivers, Head of Digital at Travis Perkins, says, “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to create a better experience for our customers. We know many builders and tradespeople often purchase from a regular pool of products and want a hassle-free and frictionless route to ordering and delivering to site. They want to find the products they regularly buy quickly, be reassured it is at the same price they normally buy it at and delivered to a site of their choosing. The Online Trade Counter offers customers value, convenience and consistency above everything else.” Travis Perkins has also enabled shared access on its platform, giving firms a new way to offer access to their Trade Account for their employees. Users can choose to give their team access and set permissions based on the tasks they want them to perform. By opening their profile, customers can share their Travis Perkins account with whoever needs it. After choosing their access type, those contacts will be emailed with access details. [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkzilasYtAw[/embed]

Hager enters the UK switchboard market

Hager has launched a factory-built switchboard offer combined with its own ACBs and MCCBs from its Telford facility. By evolving the Quadro Evo platform, the Hager switchboard offer is now specific for the legislative needs of British Standards, combined with the specific market and installer expectations. Ian Smith, Hager's Country Marketing Leader, comments, “The driving force behind the subsequent creation of Quadro Evo has been a clear focus on these primary areas that we know resonate with the UK customers’ needs. This is a very specific development by Hager, for the UK market, and we are thrilled with the outcome. “By innovating and pushing what is possible, we have ensured that installers now have the freedom to create customised distribution boards up to 1,600A that can fit into the tightest on-site spaces. Ease of wiring has been a priority and the newly incorporated aluminium busbar no longer requires hole punching to connect outgoing circuits. This saves precious on-the-job time and valuable costs. “Combine this with our fantastic new range of Hager h3+ ACB and MCCB breakers, which are 100% Hager manufactured, and we are really excited to be able to offer an outstanding solution to the UK market.” In the field of electrical enclosures, internal separation plays a crucial role in ensuring safety standards. Quadro Evo is designed to comply with BS EN 61439-2 and provides tailored solutions to achieve the ultimate internal separation of busbars, functional units, and terminals, according to project requirements. This allows for a greater degree of choice in terms of Form 4a and Type 2-7 arrangements. Quadro Evo's scope goes beyond the enclosure system. The platform is capable of using the latest h3+ Hager MCCBs and ACBs, providing precise energy consumption data to support sustainability efforts. The development of these devices involved an investment program and marks a milestone for Hager Technology. Quadro Evo switchboard now enables the company to introduce these advanced devices to the UK market, which has been a long-term goal. To ensure that Quadro Evo meets all regulatory standards, it has undergone independent third-party certification by ASTA. This validation assures users that the product has been objectively assessed for performance guarantees, safety, and application viability. The launch of Quadro Evo in the UK is the result of over two years of dedicated teamwork and investment to provide a British Standard compliant solution that meets market norms and installer expectations.

Integrate lighting control into your BEMS

Carlo Gavazzi has launched the DLI-MCG024 DALI-2 Sub Master which, when installed with the UWP 4.0 Controller, supports the management of a complete DALI-2 network and input devices such as switches, dimmers and ballasts. This comprehensive lighting solution is then easily integrated into the BEMS for intelligent monitoring and control of all building services. Up to 20 DLI-MCG024’s can be connected to Carlo Gavazzi’s UWP 4.0 (universal web platform) and each DALI-2 sub master can control up to 128 DALI-2 items. Lighting control functions are easily performed by the UWP 4.0, including switching, dimming, scenarios, calendars, constant light and white balance. The UWP 4.0 provides easy integration of the DALI-2 network into BEMS systems via BACnet or Modbus/TCP to manage the whole lighting control system via its powerful and user-friendly web interface. The DLI-MCG024 is part of an ecosystem of DALI products and is used as part of a Dupline system. Dupline provides free bus wiring topology offering a simpler and more cost-effective wiring solution to traditional parallel wiring and can reduce the number of DDC’s and sub-panels required and increases flexibility for last minute changes and enhancements.

IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect welcome new Financial Director

IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have announced the appointment of Marcus Allen as its new Financial Director. With over 20 years’ experience in senior finance roles at both regional and group level, Marcus brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the company. A qualified accountant who trained with PwC, Marcus has a proven track record of working with local management teams to improve profitably and grow businesses. He has held senior finance roles across a number of businesses including Navitas, Avnet and Hewlett Packard, and most recently, at Harman. Here, he led the EMEA region through a significant change project before taking on the leadership of the international finance teams of a $1 billion business that included the JBL brand. Marcus says, “I'm excited to be joining IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect at a time when the company is going from strength to strength. I look forward to working with the team to help drive continued growth and success.” Outside of work, Marcus is a proud father of three grown children and enjoys both football and cooking.

UK Power Networks collaborates on underground data initiative

UK Power Networks has been an active participant of a new data project to digitally map underground infrastructure across the UK. The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) was launched in 2019 by the Geospatial Commission, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The register is a digital blueprint of the 40,000,000km of underground cables and pipes across the country. There are more than 650 asset owners across the public and private sectors (such as energy, water and telecommunications) who hold data about their own equipment, and are required by law to share to ensure excavation work can be conducted in a safe manner. However, there is currently no standardised method to do this, with multiple organisations having to be contacted for each dig. By having a single point of reference, stakeholders will in future be able to improve digging efficiency, reduce damage strikes, and help the local community. Committed to contributing to the success of NUAR, UK Power Networks has participated in the development of the electricity component of the standard data model underpinning the platform. Going forward the company will continue to provide updates to ensure the data from its 190,000km network is kept current and up to date. NUAR partially rolled out last month, initially available to eligible organisations in three areas: London, Wales and the north east of England. It is set to deliver at least £350 million per year of economic growth. Matt Webb, Head of Enterprise Data Management at UK Power Networks, says, “UK Power Networks has committed to realising the full potential value of its network and asset data through shared and open publication to as broad a range of stakeholders as possible. “Participation in NUAR is an example of this in practice aimed at improving access and use of our data in a controlled manner, in the interest of safe excavation and cross-party coordination. “Whilst recognising that the data and information made available by NUAR may not be useful in all instances, we believe that in allowing immediate identification of our assets alongside all other utilities and infrastructure at a given location, the end-user can be efficiently directed to our existing complimentary plan provision services where more detailed and comprehensive records can be requested as necessary. “These benefits also extend to or internal planning, design and operational staff who of course need similar insight into third party assets.”