CICV praises industry for embracing payments and cashflow campaign

The Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) has praised the industry for embracing its drive to improve payments and cashflow - and says that the positive response to its recent campaign demonstrates that there is a real appetite for change across the sector. The collective says that the response from the industry on its payment survey, Best Practice Guide (BPG) and webinar has led to a flurry of follow up activity that has reignited the debate about financial frustrations. The CICV’s Len Bunton and David MacDonald recently discussed the BPG and industry issues on the popular Construction Cashflow Podcast with Stu Davidson, where they outlined the many pitfalls in modern payment practices - and the potential solutions suggested by the CICV. Len also appeared on the Clive Holland Show on Fix Radio on 7 March where he again discussed the BPG and all things cashflow, telling listeners, “Payment in the construction industry has been a problem for many years. The big thing now is getting people to actually put the BPG into practice.” The CICV says its efforts have also earned a great response on social media, with organisations rushing to praise the BPG and its long term aims. Len says, “The industry response to the CICV’s recent campaign has been nothing short of phenomenal and shows that people are fully engaged with changing the way we do things. “The questions and comments we received at the recent CICV webinar on improving payments and cashflow in construction really demonstrated that people are serious about ripping up the status quo and making things fairer for the whole supply chain. “The challenge now is converting this groundswell of support into real and meaningful change - and the whole industry needs to be on board to make that happen.” Fellow CICV member Ian Honeyman, adds, “We have been extremely pleased by the positive response to the BPG, with contractors and sub-contractors thanking us for supplying potential solutions to the problems they continue to face. “We also had great feedback to the initial CICV cashflow and payments survey, which started this whole campaign off by shining the spotlight on the long-standing issues that need addressing.” Fellow CICV member, Iain McIlwee said that while the response to recent activity had indeed been encouraging, the initial enthusiasm needed to be harnessed correctly. He insists, “We need to now build on this great start and keep the momentum going, sharing the BPG, asking questions and insisting that the industry puts in place real and practical change. “Nothing will change if we don’t make it happen, so it’s up to everyone in our industry to commit to a real conversation about how we pay each other, from the top to the bottom of the supply chain.”

EDA welcomes its 93rd President, Charlie Lacey

The Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) has confirmed Charlie Lacey, Managing Director at Stearn Electric, as its 93rd President. Charlie takes over from CEF’s Chris Ashworth and will lead the association for the next two years. Charlie joined the EDA Board in July 2018, and has served as Vice President since December 2019. Charlie says, “Chris has led the association through one of its most challenging times - the COVID pandemic and repeated lockdowns. His leadership has been a case study in resilience and flexibility. “Chris is a passionate advocate for access to professional training, which is a passion I share. Under his presidency, the award-winning 12 EDA Product Knowledge Modules were being adapted from printed textbooks into a digital training option with videos and interactive learning. Work is underway to adapt the most popular modules to a digital learning format, and it is expected that all 12 will be available to EDA businesses by the middle of this year. “As president, I plan to continue to encourage EDA businesses to engage with all areas of our work. In particular, I hope to see our wholesalers and affiliated members attending our online and in person events, where so much crucial information is shared by the EDA team. “One of our key activities since 2020 has been to try and help our members and affiliates with the digitalisation of the sector through the growth of EDATA, the data pool. I believe that the data pool is the most effective channel through which to share product information with wholesalers, and I hope wholesalers will take advantage of their free access to EDATA and use its Dynamic Data Sheets during their trade counter discussions and quotations. “The association will continue to strengthen its relationships with industry bodies and relevant trade associations in this sector. This collaboration means the EDA can best serve its membership with timely access to information, market trends and opportunities.”

Seaward donates tester to improve hospice’s electrical safety

Seaward has donated one of its advanced testers to a Yorkshire hospice to help improve the safe checking and testing of dozens of electrical appliances. The move has seen Barnsley Hospice receive a portable Seaward PrimeTest 100, which is now being used to check the safety of dozens of items as part of the organisation’s ongoing asset management and maintenance programme. These include electrical appliances such as PCs, laptops, kettles, dishwashers, microwaves, power tools and desk lights used to support services. Barnsley Hospice provides a range of end-of-life and palliative care services to people living with cancer, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease among other life-limiting illnesses - catering for up 10 patients at any one time at its specialist inpatient unit. A team of counsellors, nurses and support staff are also available to provide specialist outreach and support services in the local community. The tester’s ease of use and reliability is ideal for the hospice’s requirements, enabling maintenance team member Finlay McKenzie to more effectively carry out PAT testing on electrical appliances. He says, “We would like to thank Seaward for its generosity - it’s very much appreciated. It’s replaced an old tester and is a great, all-round piece of kit that exceeds our requirements for a reliable, cost effective tester. It’s simple to understand and easy to use and I really appreciate its value and accuracy as part of our health and safety compliance requirements.” Sam Barwell, Marketing Executive at Seaward, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to help Barnsley Hospice. It’s a fantastic charity that does outstanding work throughout south Yorkshire. It relies on an array of electrical devices and equipment to provide vital support for the hundreds of patients it helps and supports every year, so it’s great to see our tester making a really difference to its health and safety compliance programme.” The Prime Test 100 forms part of a comprehensive range of Seaward PAT instruments, accessories and software that have been specifically designed to meet the needs of electrical safety duty holders.

Simplifying high-specification cable protection

Flexicon has launched a new, high-specification IP68-rated Contractor Pack. The new FPEN Contractor Packs are designed to help installers reduce the amount of different conduit types and fixings they need to stock, lessening the cost and time associated with sourcing multiple product types for different applications. The cable protection solution is supplied in a convenient package and can be used by contractors as an end-to-end solution for any external or internal applications that require high levels of ingress protection and UV resistant properties. Available in two pack sizes, with 21mm and 28mm conduits, the packs cover all applications in one handy part number. This includes 10m of conduit, 10 fittings, 10 locknuts, and hinged fixing clips. This ensures installers have all the components required to protect, terminate, and secure the cable protection installation, so that ordering and managing stocks are made simple. The 21mm option offers additional space when compared to traditional metric-sized conduit systems of 20mm and 25mm. The 21mm conduit terminates with an M20 fitting and the 28mm conduit terminates with a M25 fitting. The product has been manufactured using 10% recycled content, meaning it also has a reduced impact on the environment without compromising the product performance. Neil Carter, Sales Director from Flexicon says, “The choice of which type of flexible conduit system to use for a particular application is an important one. It is vital that the solution protects all areas of the cabling and provides the appropriate levels of protection for its specific environment. “However, as every contractor knows, there is so much choice available that it can be a confusing decision. “Our new FPEN high-specification, IP68-rated Contractor Pack has been launched to help contractors manage materials to complete projects, helping save time and cost in applications requiring high levels of ingress protection or UV resistance.”

HellermannTyton and Starrett introduce new drill bits range

Starrett and HellermannTyton have partnered to introduce their first-ever range of drill bits. Manufactured with renowned Starrett-level quality and available to purchase from HellermannTyton, the new product line offers a range of products for SDS Plus, SDS Plus Chisel, Flat Wood and High-Speed Steel drills. Designed to meet the requirements of professional users and manufactured in line with industry standards, the range can be used across the trades from electrical to construction sectors and more. Firstly, the SDS three and five-point drill bits are ideal for drilling in brick, tile, concrete, plaster, slate, and aerated concrete blocks. With a 130-degree tip angle and specially designed flute geometry, users can expect fast drilling hammer action with excellent cutting speeds, constant performance, and maximum debris removal. A superior strength drill body with specialised heat treatment also enables these drill bits to withstand the most demanding of applications. Exclusively for wooden surfaces, the Flat Wood Drill Bit Hex Shank is manufactured using specialised heat treatment for increased tool life whilst a precision ground tip and twin spurs reduce the breakout and deliver clean holes. Designed for masonry, brick, and concrete applications, the SDS Plus Chisel delivers efficient results with its precision ground chisel edge with special hardening and strong, durable properties. Suitable for both corded and cordless drills, it is available in flat, wide, and pointed designs. HSS is the final product in the range. Ideal for wood and plastics, the HSS is designed from a high-speed steel structure with heat treatment and features excellence in cutting geometry and fatigue resistance. Nathan Bennett, Product Manager for HellermannTyton, says, “As a key distribution partner for Starrett, we are honoured to be bringing its first-ever drill bits range to the UK market. As a trusted manufacturer and distributor within the electrical industry, we are excited to continue to reap the benefits of what our partnership with Starrett brings to us as a business and more importantly to our customers. “Starrett is a strong brand name, known amongst the trade for its high-quality products and services, and just like HellermannTyton is dedicated to meeting its customer’s needs with the best solutions. With the new drill bits range now available to our customers, we are really pleased that we can provide them with such a high-quality product.” The new range offers five different drill bit products to allow versatility when drilling different types of surfaces and each provides users with more agility, efficiency, and safety. The entire range is available now through HellermannTyton.

Rolec EV introduces the QUBEV Smart

Rolec EV and EV OneStop have introduced the QUBEV Smart. New to the EV market this spring and the younger sibling to the QUBEV charging solution, the QUBEV Smart hosts an electrifying array of new features. It has been designed in line with the UK government’s Part S regulations and is suitable for any home builder or developer looking to make EV charging a staple. Rolec says that it remains committed to a programme of continuous development, investment, and innovation in the QUBEV Smart. Hosting up to 22kW of charging output with dynamic load balancing and Mode 3 charge protocol, it is packed with the latest safety features including security logs and alerts, all encapsulated in an IP54 weatherproof rated enclosure, compactly designed to provide users with a modern and sleek EV charging solution. One of Rolec EV’s most cost-effective, Smart solutions, the QUBEV Smart is also paired with a new Smart Wi-Fi app. Which allows you to schedule charging for when rates are lowest, saving the user money as well as reducing the strain on the grid. As well as an in-built LED charging status indicator and universal untethered charging socket (tethered model also available). James Jarvis, Business Development Manager at Rolec Services, says, “EV charging is on the rise and it’s safe to say that it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But that isn’t to say that it has always been accessible. Since my first day working with Rolec, we’ve been inundated with requests from everyone, from property developers, property services and contractors for a cost accessible home-charging solution. That not only provides people with a tactile and easy to use interface, but also doesn’t look out of place on a modern housing development. “That is where the idea for the QUBEV Smart came to be and for us, it was a no-brainer to contact another expert in-group, EV OneStop. Their hands-on knowledge of the public’s needs gave us an invaluable insight into the market and gave us the opportunity to really create something that works for everyone.” Rolec EV says that the QUBEV Smart is set to make waves in the EV charging space as a fore-runner in smart and capable charge point design - fully compliant and accompanied by a brand new Smart Wi-Fi app.

TRILUX creates new opportunities for electronic control systems specialist

Wiesheu Elektronik has recently undergone a lighting transformation of its 2,000m2 head office in Burgstetten, Germany, thanks to TRILUX's Light as a Service rental model. The project, which aimed to convert the lighting of the storage and production areas and its new office building, was completed with minimal effort and investment by Wiesheu Elektronik. Wiesheu Elektronik took advantage of TRILUX's Light as a Service rental model. This innovative financing option allows clients to enjoy modern, energy efficient lighting systems without the burden of high investment costs. This model involves TRILUX planning, installing, and operating the lighting system, including all service and maintenance tasks. The client, in this case, Wiesheu Elektronik, rents the new lighting for seven years for an agreed monthly fee. "We can enjoy a state-of-the-art, smart lighting system without any investment or risks since we are only dealing with fixed, calculable monthly costs," explains Arndt Wiesheu, Managing Director of Wiesheu Elektronik GmbH. TRILUX's comprehensive portfolio and project team enabled the company to provide Wiesheu Elektronik with a tailor-made and energy efficient lighting solution. The E-LINE NEXT LED continuous line was installed in the storage and production areas, while the FINEA LED light channel, Luceo Slim free-standing luminaires, and ONPLANA LED and SOLEGRA LED pendants were installed in the offices. All the luminaires are networked and controlled via the LIVE LINK PREMIUM light management system. In addition, daylight and presence detection sensors have been integrated to minimise energy consumption further. "Our Light as a Service rental model offers seven years of carefree and balance sheet neutral lighting, allowing our clients to enjoy the benefits of a modern lighting system without the burden of high investment costs," explains Tim Riedel, Project Manager TRILUX Sales.

Siemens launches Connect Box to manage smaller buildings

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has launched Connect Box, an open and easy-to-use IoT solution designed to manage small to medium-sized buildings. The latest addition to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, Connect Box is a user-friendly approach for monitoring building performance, with the potential to optimise energy efficiency by up to 30% and to substantially improve indoor air quality in small to medium sized buildings such as schools, retail shops, apartments or small offices. Siemens Xcelerator is an open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster and at scale. Connect Box allows users to accomplish essential daily building management tasks from one place via a cloud-based interface with no additional gateway or software. Alarm notifications for potential issues as well as graphics that visualise historical trends provide meaningful insights into the building performance at any time, supporting the optimisation of building operations. Connect Box offers intuitive online access via desktop or smartphone. Installation is fast and easily accomplished via plug and play, so system integrators, technicians and facility managers do not need engineering skills to set up, configure and operate the system. The included library contains more than 500 ready-to-connect field devices and is constantly growing, from both Siemens and third parties. A smart converter supports 11 communication protocols, both standard and proprietary, wired or wireless, including LoRaWAN, BACnet, Modbus and KNX. As an example, the IAQ (indoor air quality) multi-sensor which Siemens has recently introduced, works as a plug and play solution with Connect Box to provide crucial data on room air quality. The multi-sensor measures air quality in real time, checking key metrics like temperature and humidity, CO2 saturation, VOC and PM2.5 emissions, as well as light and noise level (dBA). Building operators benefit by getting full transparency on air quality in their building and can make sure that they provide a healthy environment for tenants, visitors or staff. Connect Box offers two licensing models. The cloud license allows users to store their building data in the Connect Box online database, while the on-premise license enables users to easily integrate the data collected from wired and IoT devices into an existing automation system, building management system, or external cloud. Both variants are managed remotely and updated over the air. IoT paves the way to a healthy and zero-emission building stock Even for smaller and medium-sized buildings that have been run without building automation up to now, it is becoming increasingly important to operate in an energy efficient and climate-neutral way. On the one hand, for intrinsic cost reasons, on the other hand, because more and more regulatory requirements have to be fulfilled which demand sustainable operations. In Europe, for example, the EPBD (Energy Performance for Buildings Directive) is supporting the EU’s goal to achieve climate-neutral building operations by 2050, forcing building owners and operators to take action. From a technical point of view, IoT-based building solutions not only provide what is needed to implement such requirements, they also pay off - energy and emissions savings of up to 30% are possible thanks to Connect Box's key building management features.

Prolectric appoints Business Development Manager

Prolectric Services has announced the appointment of Malcolm Kershaw as Business Development Manager for ProRehire, Prolectric’s new rehire division. The appointment is effective from 13 February 2023. Malcolm joins Prolectric with an excellent track record and extensive experience in national account management, technical sales and business development. With specialism in the rental market and over 30 years in the engineering and plant equipment industry, Malcolm formerly held the position of National Business Development Manager at Sunbelt Rentals UK. Malcolm’s new role at Prolectric will focus on Prolectric’s newly rebranded rental partner business, ProRehire, which launched in January 2023. As the specialist rehire division of Prolectric, ProRehire helps end users consolidate their supplier base. By offering a full suite of sustainable power, lighting, and security products to rental partners, Prolectric only hires to rental companies. Malcolm comments, “I am delighted to be joining Prolectric at such a pivotal time for renewables and company growth. Prolectric’s award-winning purpose-driven team are clearly at the forefront of the green revolution and leading the industry by example.” Rachel Preen, Prolectric Managing Director, comments, “It’s great to have Malcolm on board as Prolectric goes from strength to strength. We’ve increased headcount and are scaling up our engineering and operations team by nearly 50% over the coming year, bringing in the best talent. Malcolm has all the hallmarks to make ProRehire our next success story as we support the rental industry to respond to the increasing demand for our solar products.”

Electrician Courses 4U launches new online course

A new online course designed to make learning more accessible and flexible for electricians has been launched by Electrician Courses 4U. The 18th Edition Online Course aims to provide new or existing electricians with an in-depth understanding of the most up to date wiring regulations. The course, which is accredited by City & Guilds, covers the key chapters and appendices of the IET 18th Edition Wiring Regulations 2018 Amendment 2 book, as well as providing students with the qualification needed to join a government approved Part P scheme provider. Since launching towards the end of last year, the course has not only proven to be very popular but achieved extremely high pass rates too. In total, nearly 200 customers have booked onto the course and 97% have passed the exam first time. The online course provides electricians with a cost effective and more flexible alternative to the in-centre 18th Edition course. Whereas the in-centre course costs £385 including VAT, the online course is available at £225 including VAT. The online course can also be completed in a students’ own time, with the exam being taken at home as well. Nigel Best, Director of Electrician Courses 4U, says, “We’re extremely proud to be able to offer a course which provides new and existing electricians with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of essential wiring regulations in a flexible and cost effective way. “We’ve already received lots of fantastic feedback from our customers who have been able to accommodate their studying around their day-to-day commitments including work and family life. “At a time when value for money has never been more important we are delighted this is one of the most competitive courses of its kind on the market.” Chris White recently passed the 18th Edition online course. He says, “I made the decision to take the online course because the distance from the training centre and my family commitments made it challenging for me to spend extended time away from home. “The course is easy to navigate, provides everything needed to succeed in the exam and can be taken from the comfort of home.” As a result of the success of this course, Electrician Courses 4U is currently in the process of rolling out a number of additional online courses and remote learning opportunities including the City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 course, and the City & Guilds 2365 Level 3 course. Both of these courses are structured in two parts, with online learning being followed by in-centre and practical training at the provider’s teaching facilities.