Marshall-Tufflex extends range with Universal Switch and Socket Boxes

Marshall-Tufflex has introduced new 44mm deep Universal Switch and Socket Boxes to its collection. The new products offer further choice for installers working on a variety of projects, with each box featuring knockouts for both 20mm round conduit and mini trunking (25mm by 16mm). Following the introduction of the 32mm deep version, the manufacturer has extended its range to give installers more choice and flexibility when working on projects, with this latest 44mm deep model. Installers can choose from boxes with either square or rounded corners in single gang, or twin gang configurations. The 32mm and 44mm deep single gang boxes both feature one knockout for mini trunking and one for conduit. Both sizes of the twin gang boxes feature three knockouts for mini trunking and three for conduit. Each box in the range also features three entry point options - left, right and centre - making the boxes a straightforward solution, regardless of where the box is installed and the required cable feed entry point. Martin Russell, Group Product Manager at Marshall-Tufflex says, “As part of our dedication to developing high quality products for our customers, we listen to installer feedback to ensure we continue to meet the demands of the industry, with solutions that help to simplify the installation process. As such, when reviewing our range of Universal Switch and Socket Boxes, we have deliberately kept things simple. With our single gang or twin gang model both featuring knock outs for both 20mm conduit and MMT2 mini trunking, as well as various cable entry points, installers will benefit from a single solution that meets a variety of project requirements, with less variations to store or manage on-site.”

Manrose welcomes Global Recycling Day

Manrose has welcomed Global Recycling Day, taking place on 18 March 2023, which aims to highlight the importance recycling plays in preserving the planet’s resources. Manrose is helping achieve this aim by making ventilation more sustainable for installers, specifiers, contractors, developers and wholesalers with its 100% recycled ducting range. Manrose is investing in the planet and helping customers make sustainable choices, with 100% of its PVC ducting made from recycled window frames - while plastics extracted from old fridges are used to create ducting components. In addition, Manrose has invested in energy efficient moulding and tooling equipment for its manufacturing site, offering increased supply capacity based on demand, while reducing its impact on the environment. This means Manrose is able to swiftly meet demand and supply PVC ducting as soon as it’s needed. “We’re delighted to celebrate Global Recycling Day and the wider awareness of the importance of recycling this brings. Increasingly our customers are looking for more sustainable products and we are aiming to make this as easy as possible for them. Our recycled ducting range offers more sustainable choices and, thanks to significant investment in our manufacturing process, we have increased our capacity and therefore stock levels,” says Clive Britton, Senior Sales Director at Manrose. “Our customers have always known Manrose for its reliability, and now we are helping to make ventilation sustainable for them too." Manrose has set itself sustainability targets, each geared towards achieving significant improvements by the end of FY2025. The company’s Lo-Watt products will help customers reduce the energy they use for ventilation and by the end of FY2025, the company is aiming for 70% of its sales from this product range. Additionally, Manrose is investing in R&D and manufacturing technology to develop fans 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. Manrose is already considerably increasing the use of recycled plastic from the circular economy in the manufacture of its products and continuously improving processes to reduce waste throughout its products’ lifecycle. Manrose and its customers are diverting 200t of PVC a month from landfill by ensuring 100% of its PVC ducting is made from recycled sources. The Group is also recycling the polystyrene content from old fridges to make High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) for all rigid ducting accessories. This will save 63,000 fridges a year from going to landfill. Manrose is making it easy for customers to identify products made with recycled plastic. All of these products feature a recycled plastic label to indicate that it has partly or fully been manufactured using recycled materials in support of making its ventilation products sustainable.

Toolstation team walk in support of Macmillan

The Toolstation finance team will be walking 563 miles throughout the month of March to help raise funds for its designated company charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support. The 13 colleagues participating in the fundraising activity are all currently based at the Toolstation support centre in Bridgwater. Each colleague will be tracking their mileage via a mobile application before collating their total distance on 31 March. The team decided on the 563-mile target as a representation of the total Toolstation stores in the current network. The 13 participants will need to average over 40 miles per person to complete the challenge - equating to just under two marathons each. A £500 fundraising goal has been set by the team, with £232 donated so far. The walk for Macmillan will form part of the finance team’s wider fundraising target of £2,500 throughout 2023, with several further activities planned including an Easter bake off and a cycling marathon. Donations can be made through the team’s Just Giving page. Kirsty Bell, finance assistant at Toolstation, comments, “As a team we are always looking for new ways to help fund the fantastic work that Macmillan Cancer Support provides to those that are living with or affected by cancer. The walk for Macmillan is a great way for the business to collectively work together, and with over 70% of the total distance already complete we hope we will be able to smash our targets, both in donations and mileage.” George Michell, Partnership Manager for Macmillan, says, “We’re so grateful for Toolstation’s continued support and to its colleagues for taking on this epic challenge in March. We have ambitious plans for our partnership this year and every penny raised will help Macmillan do whatever it takes for people affected by cancer. We simply could not provide our vital services without the support of our incredible fundraisers and partners like Toolstation.” Since launching the charity partnership in 2020, Toolstation has now raised over £1,500,000 to help fund vital physical, financial, and emotional support to the millions of people living with or affected by cancer in the UK. Fundraising has taken place across the business, with colleagues at its distribution centres, support centre and over 550 stores all getting involved throughout the year to help reach the record figure.

Dame Judith Hackitt to chair ETIM UK discussion on building safety

Dame Judith Hackitt will chair ETIM UK’s panel discussion at Digital Construction Week 2023, highlighting the importance of digitalisation in the drive for building safety. The event takes place on 18 May at London’s ExCeL. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster, Dame Judith conducted an independent review for the government into building regulations and fire safety. Since publishing her final report in 2018 she has continued to press for regulatory change and for an industry culture change. Her recommendations for radical reform of the regulatory system recently received Royal Assent in the Building Safety Act 2022. ETIM UK’s panel at Digital Construction Week, featuring four senior representatives from across the construction supply chain, will discuss building safety as a driver for digitalisation and the need for standardised product data to enable and accelerate the process. In every construction project, data needs to pass through a complex network of people and businesses. There are multiple sources, and multiple users, of the same data. Standardised product data is therefore the key to successful digitalisation. Successful digitalisation requires participation from all stakeholders in the construction process including manufacturers, merchants, distributors and wholesalers. ETIM is the tried and tested data international standard for structured product data, specifically technical and performance data. It was adopted by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in 2019 for building materials, HVAC and plumbing products, having been introduced to the UK’s electrotechnical sector in 2017 by the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA). John Newcomb, CEO at the BMF says, “We are delighted that Dame Judith will host this important discussion to highlight the huge significance that high quality product data has for every step of the supply chain - contractors simply cannot work without it. The Hackitt Report and the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) is creating a step-change for building security in the UK and ETIM, because of its focus on a product’s technical performance, has a vital contribution to make in that work.” Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA says, “Everyone in the construction industry agrees that complete, accurate, up-to-date and traceable product information is of vital importance to our sector.  We also agree that the manufacturer is the owner of that data. What is not clear, however, is what format that data should take and how it should move along the value chain efficiently so that it is usable by all players from building concept to demolition. The EDA is working with manufacturers and wholesalers to adopt a standard data model, ETIM, so that data can be shared in their transactions and more widely across the full construction value chain. This standardised data is the gold from which the golden thread is woven and key to building safety.”

Spring Budget: electrical sector welcomes energy bills U-turn

ECA has broadly welcomed the Spring Budget, praising the extension of the energy support guarantee for another three months. However, ECA has warned that the Chancellor’s corporation tax hike could harm electrotechnical businesses, especially SMEs, as they continue to face fiscal pressures from the energy crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, and inflation. ECA Director of Legal and Business, Rob Driscoll says, “SMEs are a vital part of the construction sector, which itself is the backbone of the British economy. Today’s corporation tax hikes come at a time when SMEs have dealt with COVID-19, hyperinflating labour, materials and energy costs, rising insolvencies, receding demand and increased borrowing costs. “Today’s budget may prove to be counter-intuitive and hinder businesses’ ability to pivot into delivering our urgent net zero targets. “The drive to net zero hinges on skilled engineering services professionals doing the frontline work to upgrade our grid, electrify transport and heating, and connect our homes and businesses to clean energy sources.” ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, Andrew Eldred, says, “The measures announced by the Chancellor to encourage people back to work fail to address sector-specific labour and skills shortages. The extended energy bill support will provide some peace of mind, but this will be short-lived. “To make the UK energy independent, a skilled, competent workforce is vital to maintain existing electrical infrastructure. As the electrification of the UK accelerates rapidly, our sector needs stronger engagement from government to develop a flexible and competent electrical workforce in sufficient numbers to meet growing demand and ultimately help deliver net zero on time.”

Bright sparks receive EDA trophies for training excellence

Bright sparks from wholesaler and manufacturer businesses across the UK were celebrated for their achievements in an apprenticeship and EDA Product Knowledge studies at the Electrical Distributors’ Association’s Learning Achievement Awards. Now in its ninth year, the annual EDA Learning Achievement Awards took place at London’s Shard on 10 March 2023. The trophies were presented by EDA President, Stearn Electric’s Managing Director, Charlie Lacey, and by John Henry, Managing Director at sponsor EDA Apprenticeships Plus, the organisation which operates the association’s apprenticeship service. Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, says, “A high point in the EDA calendar in every sense, this event at the Shard brings together not only the trophy winners and their business colleagues but also family and friends to share their moment in the spotlight. It’s a wonderful showcase for careers in the UK’s electrotechnical sector. “Congratulations to this year’s trophy winners who have worked exceptionally hard and we watch their careers with interest. This year it is particularly rewarding because we’re looking back on individual achievements from the last 12 months, and it was in 2022 that our modules won the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award. “It’s very pleasing to recognise those who have studied every one of our 12 EDA Product Knowledge Modules, achieving at least 10 Distinctions in the process. They join a very select group of EDA learners. During 2022, Stephen Harris, Paul Carter, Lauren Notton, and Phoebe Avenell joined the group - they are all great ambassadors for the EDA’s training.” The EDA’s Learning Achievement Awards recognise outstanding performances during the last 12 months in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both. This year’s trophy winners are: Emma Baggott, R&M Electrical, Bristol, for Distinction grades in module studies. Phoebe Avenell, 3 Line Electrical Wholesale, Peterborough, for Distinction grades in module studies. Ben Ray, CEF, Cramlington, Northumberland, for a Distinction in his Trade Supplier Apprenticeship. Zack Thorpe, Edmundson Electrical, Shrewsbury, Shropshire for a Distinction in his apprenticeship and in all 12 of the modules. Jamie Cooper, Edmundson Electrical, Brierley Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, for a Distinction in his apprenticeship and in all 12 of the modules. Charlie Christie, Central Electrical Distributors, Braintree, Essex, for an outstanding performance in his apprenticeship and module studies. Lauren Fuller, ZLT Electrical, Ashford, Kent, for Distinction grades in her module studies. Matthew Bradley, QVS Electrical Supplies, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, for Distinction grades in his module studies. Emmet Gaule, Kellihers, Waterford, for Distinction grades in his module studies. Jordon Tuck, Termination Technology, Bristol, for outstanding performance in his apprenticeship and module studies. Three further Learning Achievement Trophies were awarded to those who have studied all 12 EDA Modules, achieving at least 10 Distinctions. 2023’s high achievers are: Stephen Harris, Midshires Electrical & Lighting, Northampton. Paul Carter, 3 Line Electrical Wholesale, Norwich. Lauren Notton, R&M Electrical, Bristol.

Vent-Axia celebrates Global Recycling Day

Vent-Axia is celebrating Global Recycling Day, which takes place on 18 March 2023, by showing its commitment to expanding its range of recycled plastic ventilation products and meeting its environmental targets. Vent-Axia says that it is leading the way in the ventilation sector with a market transformation to manufacturing from recycled material to improve indoor air sustainably. This includes its Lo-Carbon Multivent MEV range which broke the mould to be made from recycled plastic. This has now expanded to a wide range of products including its Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) units and Mixed Flow In-Line fans, helping customers in a wider range of sectors make more sustainable choices. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact by setting and meeting key targets. By the end of FY2025, over 70% of its products will be from one of its Lo-Carbon ranges and 90% of the products that it manufactures will be made from a recycled source. By manufacturing ventilation units from recycled plastic through open loop recycling, Vent-Axia is using a sustainable source of raw material, there is a reduction in the embodied carbon, it reduces plastic going to landfill, avoids the consumption of oil stocks, consumes less energy than producing new virgin polymers, and follows sustainable values reducing human environmental impact. The sixth Global Recycling Day, organised by The Global Recycling Foundation, takes place on 18 March 2023. Recycling is a key part of the circular economy, helping to protect natural resources. Each year recyclables save over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions, and this is projected to increase to one billion tons by 2030. The mission of Global Recycling Day is to tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue, and that a common, joined up approach to recycling is urgently needed, asking people across the planet to think resourcefully and not be wasteful when it comes to the goods around us. “Sustainability has always been core to our product innovation. We are committed to offering more sustainable choices for our customers through continuously improving our products’ energy performance, reducing waste throughout our products’ lifecycle and significantly increasing the use of recycled plastic from the circular economy in the manufacture of our products”, says Lena Hebestreit, Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia. “This Global Recycling Day we are doubling down on ensuring we meet our ambitious targets so that by the end of FY2025, almost three-quarters of our products will be from our very energy efficient Lo-Carbon range and the vast majority of the products that we manufacture will be made from recycled plastic. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and excited about the developments we will make in the next few years.” Using recycled plastic is a true innovation. Vent-Axia has previously reduced its single-use plastic waste and produced ducting from recycled plastic. But this innovation now moves to Vent-Axia’s core ventilation products, learning to work with recycled material, developing and manufacturing a robust product that performs to the same high standards as those made from virgin material whilst meeting all safety standards. The transformation from virgin to recycled plastic followed significant R&D, including extensive material and product testing, CFD analysis, FEA analysis, and FMEA analysis as well as investment in specialist manufacturing equipment. Vent-Axia’s Multivent MEV range is now manufactured from a reliable, regularly available, recycled source of ABS plastic, allowing Vent-Axia to produce the range in recycled plastic without affecting the unit’s function or performance. Designed to provide a simple and effective solution to help housebuilders meet the Future Homes Standard, the Multivent MEV range is ideal for new build residential projects, helping housebuilders meet DER requirements through energy efficiency and improving indoor air quality (IAQ) for homeowners. On top of this, the move to recycled plastic further improves the environmental credentials of the product for housebuilders and homeowners. At current sales volumes, 34,440kg of recycled plastic is being used in place of virgin plastic per year for the MEV range. This equates to around 41,328kg less CO2 being created by the manufacturing process. The equivalent to 3,444,000 modern 500ml water bottles which weigh 10g each. And with MEV volume growth being at 17% over the last three years, these figures are set to grow. The Multivent is only the first step - Vent-Axia is further showing its commitment to meeting its targets as it rolls out more products made from recycled plastic including its Lo-Carbon PoziDry ProTM Loft Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) - key to helping social housing providers meet their environmental targets. This move to using recycled plastic in the PoziDry ProTM Loft PIV forms part of the company’s commitment to becoming increasingly sustainable, including using recycled plastic in an ever-widening number of products. Since Vent-Axia started using recycled material on the PoziDry ProTM Loft PIV in June 2022 the company has used 43,897kg of recycled plastic instead of virgin plastic. This equates to 52,676kg less CO2 being created by the manufacturing process. Using recycled plastic for the PoziDry ProTM Loft PIV is designed to lower social housing's carbon footprint too, helping providers meet their carbon targets, while at the same time providing effective ventilation and a solution for hard-to-treat mould. In addition, another recent product to make the move to recycled plastic is Vent-Axia’s ACM100 energy efficient Mixed Flow In-Line fans, helping commercial and industrial premises become more sustainable too. This move means Vent-Axia is making fans in recycled plastic to help customers in all sectors make more sustainable choices and are continuing to add more fans to its recycled ranges.

Ellis Patents signals global marketing intent

Ellis Patents has appointed Georgette Donoghue as Marketing Manager - a move the north Yorkshire cable cleat manufacturer says is aimed at enhancing communications and facilitating growth across UK and export markets. The company recognises the importance of effective marketing and communication in today's global marketplace, particularly for safety-critical products such as cable cleats. Ellis aims to provide a more cohesive and efficient approach to promoting its products across its network of local distributors in over 50 different countries. This will not only benefit the company by enhancing its market position but also enable its distributors to better sell cable cleats to their customers. Danny Macfarlane, Managing Director of Ellis Patents, says, “We’ve achieved a great deal of success in recent years thanks to our joined-up, global approach to sales. The recruitment of a marketing manager will ensure that the Ellis brand is effectively communicated to our rapidly growing global audience.” Scarborough-based, Georgette Donoghue brings a wealth of senior marketing experience from multiple sectors, including Yorkshire Coast BID as project and marketing coordinator, Stephen Joseph Theatre as marketing and sales director, and Westlers (Malton Foods) as brand manager. Georgette will be instrumental in developing a strong marketing strategy at Ellis to support the further growth and success of the business. Georgette says, “It’s inspiring to see a brand leader like Ellis that prioritises innovation, ethical practices and social responsibility in all aspects of its operations. I am looking forward to embracing those values and contributing to its continued growth in the field of cable cleats and cable management solutions on a global scale”.

Ansell upgrades emergency downlight

With a new aesthetic and improved functionality, the team at Ansell Lighting has unveiled a new addition to the Falcon emergency downlight range. Whilst sustaining its innovative, interchangeable, open area and escape route lenses, the new Falcon Pro has been launched to include DALI technology, providing an array of programming and monitoring benefits. Available in both black and white finishes, the Falcon Pro has retained its ultra-low-profile design but has been brought up to date with a flatter, more uniform shape and surface. Other changes also include a longer, six-year Lithium Pro battery warranty, six-year product warranty and 59,000 hour lifespan. Self-test as standard, the Falcon Pro also features intelligent technology that conducts routine functional and duration testing in-line with the relevant standards. Eliminating the need for manual testing, automatic fault indicators improve the speed and accuracy of maintenance. The Falcon Pro is powered by a Lithium Pro battery, which uses pulse rather than trickle charging so that less strain is inflicted on components. Built-in battery protection also provides constant monitoring against short circuit, over-charging and mechanical damage whilst the lithium battery has a lower parasitic load for reduced power consumption and lower operating costs. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting says, “The Falcon downlight has proved to be a very popular product for emergency lighting schemes. Economic to run, its high-performance optic design delivers a wide beam of light, requiring fewer luminaires to be installed, reducing installation and operating costs. “The new upgrades are set to further increase the appeal and functionality of the Falcon Pro. The addition of DALI technology offers users improved control and take its energy saving properties one step further, whilst longer warranties will offer users added reassurance.”

Drayton welcomes guest speakers to The Drayton Community

Drayton continues to help heating engineers, electricians and installers keep up to date with the latest industry topics and hot talking points with free live expert panels on The Drayton Community Facebook group. Kicking off the 2023 calendar in March, Drayton will welcome industry experts throughout the year to discuss topics ranging from low temperature systems, heat pumps and hybrid systems, and best practice to achieve greater efficiency from heating systems. During each live session, the audience will be able to submit their questions, which will be answered throughout by the panellists. The first live Facebook session of 2023 will take place in The Drayton Community Facebook group on 16 March at 7pm, where Richard Burrows, Kimbo Betty and Rob Berridge will join Clare Weller, Trade Marketing Manager at Drayton, to cover pumps, including everything installers need to know about best practice for the most efficient heating systems. Clare comments, “We’re excited to be continuing the investment in The Drayton Community this year with our live expert panels. We have a great line up of guest speakers joining us throughout the year who will be sharing their valuable insights and knowledge with Drayton installers. The wide range of topics planned will help installers to further develop their skills and offer their customers even more efficient heating.”