Screwfix opens its 800th store and targets 80 new stores across UK

Screwfix’s ambitious expansion plans are continuing at pace with the retailer set to open the doors of its 800th store in June of this year. The omnichannel retailer will create more than 800 jobs by the end of January 2023 with the opening of 80 new stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, taking its store estate to over 870 stores. This follows the successful opening of 70 new stores in 2021. As part of the retailer’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the 80 new stores will be equipped with air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water powered by electricity instead of gas. Screwfix’s entire store network is already powered exclusively by renewable electricity, with over 250 existing stores fitted with air source heat pumps so far. The 800 new roles will include retail assistants, assistant managers, and branch managers, in locations across the UK and Ireland, such as Roscommon, Swanley and Brackley. Newly recruited staff will have the opportunity to participate in the retailer’s apprenticeship scheme, to join the 850 apprentices currently training across the business in areas such as Retail Management, Supervisor, HR, Finance, Data and Legal. John Mewett, Screwfix CEO, says: “We know how busy tradespeople are and how important it is to be able to find a Screwfix store close to site. In opening more stores across the UK and Ireland, we’re making Screwfix even more accessible to tradespeople, ensuring they can get their job done quickly, affordably and right first time. We’re also delighted to be having a positive impact on local communities, creating more than 800 jobs for local people. “This is a very exciting time to be part of Screwfix as we deliver on our ambitious growth plans, and I look forward to welcoming our new colleagues in the coming months.” Screwfix’s growth plans are supported by Kingfisher, the retailer’s parent company, whose ‘Powered by Kingfisher’ strategy aims to maximise the benefits of combining its distinct retail banners with the scale, strength and expertise of the Group.

Shadow minister visits BGEN to meet the next generation of electrical engineers

Alison McGovern MP and Shadow Minster for Work and Pensions, recently visited BEGN’s electrical manufacturing facility at Penketh, Warrington to discuss tackling the skills shortage and attracting more young people into the engineering sector Alison says: “I had a great day with BGEN. It is clear that new technology in engineering offers great jobs, particularly in work that is crucial for our country, such as addressing the consequences of climate change. Thank you to all at BGEN for helping me learn more about some of the most important jobs for our country’s future.” Robin Whitehead, CEO at BGEN, comments: “It was great to introduce Alison to some of our apprentices, several of which work at the business with their parents. At BGEN we have a culture of supporting people throughout their careers and are proud that employees recommend the company to their children.”

myenergi appoints Tom Callow as Head of External Affairs

myenergi has announced the appointment of Tom Callow as Head of External Affairs. Joining the business from bp pulse, Tom is widely regarded as a leading voice in the electric vehicles sector. With more than fourteen years’ experience in senior level strategic and operational roles, Tom has worked with some of the world’s largest automotive and electrification brands. Most recently, he was Head of Insight and External Affairs at bp pulse, with responsibility for both monitoring and influencing the regulatory landscape, as well as representing the business to a wide range of external industry stakeholders. Prior to this, he was Head of External Communications at Cox Automotive (previously Manheim UK) and helped to build the brand’s national profile as a leading provider of auto auction, defleet, remarketing and retail operations. Having started his career agency side, Tom has been involved in ground-breaking low-carbon, cleantech and electrification programmes for more than a decade. In his new role, Tom will drive myenergi’s engagement with policy and regulation, as well as leading on a wide range of public relations initiatives. Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, comments: “As a renowned EV expert, I’ve known Tom for a number of years. His reputation within automotive and electrification is simply unmatched, so we’re delighted to welcome him to the team. “Since founding myenergi in 2016, the business has continued to scale. We now employ more than 350 team members in the UK, with teams growing globally and subsidiaries now operational in Australia, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Earlier this year, we shipped our 350,000th unit – an important milestone for our rapidly-growing global business. “Tom’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to further developing the team with some of the sector’s most ambitious and respected leaders. I’m looking forward to working in close partnership to further drive our policy and regulation engagement activity over the coming months.” Commenting on his appointment, Tom adds: “Having followed the myenergi story almost from inception, I’ve greatly admired what Jordan, Lee and the rest of the team have accomplished in such a short space of time. As someone with a background in the automotive sector, I’ve been acutely aware for many years of the need to transition towards zero emission vehicles and believe that myenergi is truly leading the way. “In my new role, my goal is to ensure that myenergi is not only recognised for its fantastic zappi EV charger, but becomes absolutely synonymous with smart home energy technology more generally. Indeed, with the largest share of household emissions coming from heating, decarbonising homes is of paramount importance.”

Aico to host IoT technology conferences across the UK

Commencing on 26th May, Aico will host five conferences, examining the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to create healthier and safer homes. With the uptake of technology rapidly increasing within the housing sector, these events will explore the benefits of IoT and how it contributes to resident wellbeing, indoor environmental health, sustainable buildings, and the transition to net zero. Keynote speaker, Professor Tim Sharpe, Head of Architecture at Strathclyde University, will discuss how the push to net zero is one of the greatest and most important challenges faced by society, and why the potential negative effects it can have on indoor environmental health should also be considered. Tim adds, “Our research has consistently identified performance gaps leading to poor indoor air quality and energy use which have important health impacts for occupants. There is clearly a need to ensure better compliance and performance for both new build and especially retrofitted housing. The legislative landscape is beginning to recognise the need for post-completion compliance with new technologies offering significant opportunities.” The events will also provide a detailed overview of net zero homes, including a live technology demonstration of the Aico HomeLINK IoT platform and case studies. Other guest speakers include industry professionals from Smartline - a collaborative research and innovation project led by the University of Exeter, with a focus on how willing people are to use digital technology that aims to improve health and wellbeing. Chris Jones, CEO of HomeLINK, says: "Making homes healthier and more sustainable is an urgent priority for everyone in the sector. It is essential that we share information and research in these challenging times, and we want to amplify the voices of the leading scientists working on these problems. Aico HomeLINK also have unique insights to share from having deployed 120,000 IoT devices in social homes and schools." This series of events are free to attend, and FIA CPD accredited, taking place at iconic science museums across the UK including; the London Science Museum (26th May), the Royal Institution (27th May), Glasgow Science Centre (6th June), Manchester Science and Industry Museum (20th June) and Birmingham ThinkTank Science Museum (21st June). Attendees will also have the opportunity to access the venues after the events.

Three in five electricians are now more likely to work abroad than pre-COVID

More than three in five (62%) UK electricians say they are now more likely to move abroad to work than they were before the pandemic. The study by ElectricalDirect found that almost a third (31%) are actively looking for opportunities overseas and a similar number (35%) know a colleague who has already made the move. The most common reason for considering a different country is the chance to try something new (29%), with the last few years encouraging electricians to broaden their horizons. Interestingly, although each generation of electricians is similarly likely to consider moving abroad, the age groups all have different motivations. For millennials (25-34s), the prospect of more work is their top incentive, whereas better weather (35-44s), new opportunities (45-54s) and higher wages (over 55s) lead the way for older workers. Gender is another factor, with male electricians significantly more likely to say that coronavirus has increased their desire to leave the UK (67% vs 41%). For those looking to move, Australia appears to be the most coveted destination. Every year, Brits search for electrical jobs abroad more than 18,000 times, and the land down under tops the wishlist, with an average of 3,373 Google searches. This is perhaps unsurprising, considering that the average electrician wage in Australia is £47,691, which is more than £15,000 greater than the amount in the UK (£32,540). This is an increase of 47%. Canada takes second place, with 1,883 searches, ahead of Ireland in third (1,550 searches). Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, says: “The pandemic has affected our lives in many ways, and it appears that the allure of working abroad is now stronger than ever for lots of electricians. “There are numerous benefits to a life overseas, but it’s important to do your research before committing to such a big decision. Our study found that despite so many electricians wanting to work abroad, more than two-thirds don’t know exactly what they’d need to do in order to make it happen, so make sure you properly investigate what any move would involve.”

BEAMA releases tool to help heating installers explain new requirement

New regulations for existing homes mean that, from 15 June 2022, heating installers will be required to install thermostatic room controls when replacing a boiler. To support this change, industry experts from the BEAMA Heating Controls group have produced a short animation to explain the change to consumers, and to highlight the benefits of this work being done. The animation is freely available for installers to share on their websites and social media so that their customers can be confident they are receiving a compliant system. [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHLOXtk_ubc[/embed] The 2022 changes fall under Part L of the Building Regulations, which covers energy conservation and is a key element of the Government’s progress towards reducing the UK’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. As heating and hot water systems use about 80% of the energy in our homes, it is essential that every opportunity is taken to make those systems as efficient as possible when work is being done. The new requirement will match the current standards for new heating systems, and in most cases this requirement will be met by adding thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to radiators. TRVs are a familiar and proven technology for installers and deliver cost effective savings for householders. These should be added to all heated rooms except where the room thermostat is located, and there is no need to replace existing TRVs if these are fully working. The energy savings in homes as a result of this change are likely to be significant. Recent research at the University of Salford showed that under standard operating conditions a heating system with TRVs would use around 18% less gas, compared to the same system without TRVs. With predictions of annual fuel bills hitting an average of £3,000 over the next few years, consumers should welcome the fact that getting a new, more efficient boiler installed will be complemented by measures to reduce wasted energy from the radiators. Commenting on the new tool, Remi Volpe of Schneider Electric and Chairman of BEAMA Heating Controls says: “This change to the regulations will directly benefit householders by saving them money and should be welcomed by our industry. We know that many installers saw fitting TRVs as good practice to deliver an efficient and effective heating system, but also feared that adding them to a quotation could see them being undercut by competitors. The fact that this is now a required minimum standard will help to level the playing field, and it’s important that we get this message out as widely as possible.” This new requirement applies in England from June, and a similar requirement was consulted on for the Building Regulations in Wales and the Scottish Building Standards. It is expected that these will also come into force in the near future.

Harry engineers new role at Ellis Patents

Ellis Patents has promoted Chartered Engineer, Harry Taylor to Technical Manager. Harry joined the company in 2012 as a Trainee Design Engineer, a role that included studying part-time for a degree in mechanical engineering at Hull University. He’s since added a masters degree to the first class honours degree he achieved, and was the company’s Senior Mechanical Engineer prior to his promotion. Danny Macfarlane, Ellis Patents Managing Director, says: “We put a lot of focus on developing careers for young, local people and to see what Harry has already achieved is a source of great pride for us all.” “He’s been a key member of the product development team since graduating with his first degree; and has been behind a variety of recent innovations that have all had a big market impact. I’m certain in the years to come his career will continue to flourish and that he’ll play an influential role in the future success of the company.” Harry’s first project was an update to the company’s 2 Hole Cable Clamp range with the product series selling three quarter of a million units in the nine years since its re-launch. Recently, he produced and oversaw the website conversion of Ellis Patents’ short circuit calculator; an online tool that ensures the correct cable cleat specification for given system configurations. “To achieve Chartered Engineer status in under 10 years since joining Ellis Patents and to have been involved in large scale engineering projects across several different countries surpasses every expectation I had when starting at here as a 17-year old,” says Harry. “I’ve been encouraged every step of the way, and I am very grateful to have such great support from all those I work with.” As part of his new role, Harry will take responsibility for the continued development of the company’s technical support service. “One of the key reasons for Ellis Patents success over the last 60 years has been our ability to adapt to changes in the market and how this effects what we do,” adds Danny. “Demand for technical support is growing and Harry has the technical capabilities and management skills to turn this service into a major part of our offering.”

ESP is firing up its training programme schedule

Online learning has certainly seen a huge boost over the last couple of years, with many businesses forced to provide their training virtually. For many, however, face-to-face training is still seen as the best way to learn, and ESP has been eager to return to hosting its training programmes in-person at the company’s Midlands-based head office. Contractors and wholesalers are invited to take advantage of ESP’s free training sessions. There are two separate training programmes available. Training course one is a one-day ESP Product Overview and up to 12 candidates can be accommodated. It provides an overview of ESP’s core product categories - Smart Security, CCTV, Access Control, EVAC, Fire Protection, Emergency Lighting and Sangamo timers and controls, with full features and benefits covered. The aim is to simplify the installation process, demonstrating ease of set up and programming, with live demonstrations of working systems incorporated into the session. Technical support is also covered. All candidates completing the training programme will be issued with an attendance certificate. Training course two is ESP Addressable Fire System Programming. This is aimed at competent contractors, that already have a good knowledge of installation and regulatory requirements, when it comes to fire system installation. The session is practical based, with a supporting presentation, and the aim is to help the installer with the final programming of the ESP system. The course is completed in a single day, with each candidate supplied with their own copy of the PC programming software, as well as a certificate for the attendance of the MAGPRO Addressable Fire Programming course.

Energy firm scoops gong for Streetworks excellence

For the second consecutive year, the UK’s biggest electricity distributor has won a top industry award for its delivery of quick and efficient Streetworks in London. UK Power Networks received the prize from the City of London’s Considerate Contractor Streetworks Scheme. The company claimed a commended Award for its overall roadworks performance in the capital. The award recognises that the requirements of the Code of Good Practice have been consistently exceeded. It reflects a spirit of pride, an awareness of the needs of the passing public and regard for the surrounding environment. UK Power Networks was praised for its efficient planning and coordination, in addition to recognising the importance of promoting innovation while remaining accountable to response times. Colin Smith, Streetworks Performance Manager at UK Power Networks, says: “This award is a culmination of the work all the teams at UK Power Networks do to improve access and make London as safe and reliable as possible. “It’s a great achievement to be recognised for the second year running for an award under the scheme. This is a well done to any colleague who has planned or carried out works in the city over the last year.”

Schneider Electric helps electricians with launch of ‘Spring Clean’ promotion

Schneider Electric is giving electricians the opportunity to give their vehicles some TLC by winning a range of cleaning prizes between 21st March and 30th May with its ‘Spring Clean’ promotion. Prizes on offer consist of cleaning kits, power washers and wet/dry vacuums. In Great Britain, electricians can enter the weekly draws by spending £50 or more on any Schneider Electric products. Every £50 spent gets one entry into the draws, so the greater the spend, the greater the chance of making this Spring sparkling! Entries automatically roll over to following draws until the end of the promotion. Invoice copies will need to be provided as proof of purchase, and as a thank you, each entrant will receive a free air freshener. In Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, electricians simply need to submit their details to enter. Nico Van Der Merwe, VP of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric, says “A company vehicle is one of the most effective advertising tools an electrician has. If key contact details or brand assets are covered in dirt and dust, this can hinder sales enquiries for a business. We are committed to supporting the industry in any way we can, and this is just one of the ways we are helping electrical businesses grow and empowering them to make net zero a reality.”