Toolstation raises over £500,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support 

Bridgwater based Toolstation has raised over £500,000 for its designated company charity, Macmillan Cancer Support in 2021. Teams from across the Toolstation business including those at its distribution centre, head office and its 500+ branches took part in a variety of team fundraising initiatives throughout the year to reach this record figure. Store teams from the Kent and Essex region carried out a virtual trip to the North Pole, walking over 8,480,000 steps, while three directors from its head office ran the London Marathon. Other examples of fundraising activities carried out last year included leg waxing, team walking events, fancy dress days, ice-bucket challenges, sponsored gaming marathons and supporting Macmillan’s Coffee Morning in September. These were all supported by asking for customer donations in store during the Easter and August bank holidays. Toolstation’s managing director, James Mackenzie says: “The generosity of our customers and colleagues is remarkable. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on Macmillan Cancer Support’s efforts at a time when people living with cancer need our support more than ever. Our fundraising will support the charity in its efforts to be there for everyone living with or affected by cancer.” Macmillan’s Director of Corporate Partnerships & Philanthropy,  Kate Goldman-Toomey says: “Toolstation employees and customers continue to amaze us with their fundraising efforts. We are so very grateful for Toolstation’s continued support and for raising such a phenomenal amount in an especially challenging year. At Macmillan we rely almost entirely on donations from the public and passionate corporate partners like Toolstation. Without this generosity we simply wouldn’t be able to do whatever it takes for people living with cancer when they need it the most.” Toolstation has also teamed up with the Lighthouse Club charity to support tradespeople through an innovative campaign across all of its channels and has included details in its latest catalogue.

Domus Ventilation adds two new residential ventilation CPD courses

Following the release of its newly updated and revised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) CIBSE accredited course on ‘Residential Ventilation Principles and Building Regulations’ last year, Domus Ventilation has launched two further complimentary courses: ‘MVHR Design & Best Practise’ and ‘Pre Planning Conditions & Ventilation’. ‘MVHR Ventilation Design & Best Practice’ takes an in-depth look at how to design an MVHR system and best practice based on real world ‘dos and don’ts’ examples. This detailed course covers air flow rates for different types of properties; sizing & selecting of ductwork; how to ensure the correct MVHR unit size is used and where to site it; minimising noise; and the importance of good system design for energy efficiency. Installation & Commissioning are also addressed. The course includes a range of MVHR system drawings to help illustrate best practice, along with common mistakes to avoid. ‘Pre Planning Conditions & Ventilation’ focusses on ventilation strategies, why they are important and how to achieve planning compliance, as well as providing the best indoor air quality for occupants. It looks at ventilation in relation to Approved Document F (Ventilation), the new revision of Part F due this year, Part L1A, SAP Assessments, and the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide. Two real world case studies are covered in-depth to illustrate how ventilation system design can be adapted early on in the build process to meet planning conditions. These two new CIBSE accredited CPD courses join the existing Domus Ventilation ‘Residential Ventilation Principles and Building Regulations’ course which looks at the importance of ventilation in the residential new build industry, and lays clear the considerable changes to Part F - Ventilation of the Building Regulations. The aim of this course is to clearly explain why ventilation is so important, not only for the health of the occupant but also for the fabric of the building. Topics covered include why ventilation is necessary, with an increased emphasis on pollutants and indoor air quality; the types of ventilation available, along with supporting ductwork and installation practices; and the pertinent regulations / directives. New Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) guidelines and best practice also features within the course. Part B - Fire Safety is addressed for the first time in this recently revised course, looking at the changing requirements, which differ across the nations, when it comes to the use of combustible material in cavities. The three CIBSE accredited CPD courses have been written by the Domus Ventilation Specification team, using their breadth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the residential ventilation sector. They have been produced specifically for Chartered Engineers, Energy Consultants, Engineering Technicians, Incorporated Engineers, Mechanical & Electrical Consultants, Mechanical Consultants, and Specifiers.

UK’s biggest Treetops Trails course covered by ESP CCTV

Lightwater Valley is a theme park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire, founded in 1969. The Park is home to the UK’s biggest Treetop Trails course – covering over 2,000 square metres of beautiful woodland. Over the course of this year the Park has been investing in a number of new rides and attractions to enhance the overall visitor experience. At the same time, the owners have taken the opportunity to upgrade the CCTV systems which provide security throughout the grounds. With around 30 different rides and attractions in total, the number and type of CCTV systems required is both extensive and varied and a mixture of wire-free and hard wired systems from across ESP’s CCTV ranges have been installed. There are two main functions for the CCTV installations – one is the evidence based collection of footage to help identify any potential breaches in security. The other is to provide the ride operator with a clear view of all aspects of the rides, to ensure the safety of those taking part. The installer responsible for fitting the systems has been using ESP’s CCTV for a number of years and had this to say: “It was great to be able to get a broad range of CCTV solutions all from one supplier and the quality is excellent. I have used cheaper products in the past and they either break down or the image quality is inferior. The quality of the ESP systems is far superior. I like how easy the wire-free systems are to install and we have been able to spread the coverage across a decent amount of space. The hard wired system is one that is mainly used for observing. “As we continue to update the rides and facilities at the park, we will continue to update the CCTV systems to incorporate the best products from ESP.”

IDEAL Industries appoints central Europe account manager

IDEAL Industries has appointed Lammert-Jan (LJ) Sinkgraven as regional account manager for central Europe as part of the company’s ambitious growth strategy for the EMEA region. Based out of IDEAL Industries’ new German office near Stuttgart, LJ joins the company with a wealth of experience in the electrical sector, having spent more than 18 years at Phillips, where he was a regional sales manager. A customer-focused sales professional with international experience, including managing agents in across Asia, LJ not only brings extensive knowledge of the electrical and construction markets in Europe to IDEAL Industries, but also a broad skill set, including strategic planning, market analysis, team building and Leadership. Brett Smyth, general manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA comments: “We are delighted to have attracted a professional of LJ’s calibre and experience to our central European office to spearhead our growth in key construction and electrical markets in Europe. “His customer service experience and technical expertise will enable him to work collaboratively with our customers across central Europe, helping them select the right combination of innovative solutions they need from the IDEAL Industries range.” LJ Sinkgraven adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to play a central role in the continued success of IDEAL Industries in Europe. The company’s products have been designed to make electrical installations faster, simpler and more consistent for electricians, offering robust and practical solutions that enhance the quality and sustainability of construction projects. I am looking forward to developing relationships with both new and existing IDEAL Industries customers.”

Bolton receives boost thanks to new MKM branch

Bolton has received a boost to its building and DIY offering, thanks to the opening of a new, independently run MKM Building Supplies branch. The 2.4-acre site, located on the Meridian Business Park, Manchester Road, signals the return of an independently run builders’ merchant to the Bolton area, providing builders, tradespeople and the general public with a comprehensive building and civils offering, alongside a state-of-the-art kitchen and bathroom showroom, all from the same convenient location. “We’re delighted to be open after a lot of hard work to get to this point,” explains Tony Masters, co-Branch Director, MKM Bolton. “Our being here signals a significant expansion of choice for the building and DIY markets in and around Bolton. We offer all the plumbing, heating, landscaping and timber supplies you’ll need, alongside a wide civils portfolio and a high-spec kitchen and bathroom offering, with an in-branch showroom that enables customers to see our latest designs.” “Being independent is a huge positive both for us and the trade and public in the area,” explains Wayne Critchley, co-Branch director, MKM Bolton. “It means you get good local knowledge from a team that is locally established, alongside a fair and welcoming customer service offering and competitive pricing.” MKM Bolton celebrated its opening alongside local charity Bolton Wanderers in the Community (BWitC), an initiative that seeks to harness the power of the football club to drive positive change across Bolton and Greater Manchester. The two announced a new, year-long partnership at the launch, with an initial donation of £1,000 being given to mark the new collaboration. “We’re local people ourselves, and so we wanted to work with a charity that is able to give back to the community we know and love, and BWitC achieves that. The majority of staff here are also Bolton fans, who we’ve been aware of the charity’s excellent work for the local area for a while” explains Masters. “The £1,000 is our initial donation to mark the beginning of the partnership, but we already have plans for further fundraising activities throughout the year. Community is a big part of our branch identity, and so partnerships like this enable us to give back to the local area we live and work in.” Continues Critchley. MKM Bolton has generated more than 20 new jobs for the local area and is the latest independently run branch across the growing MKM Building Supplies network. It offers class-leading building, landscaping, plumbing and heating and timber supplies alongside a stunning and high-spec kitchen and bathroom offering, complete with in-branch showrooms, all for both trade and public. “As the largest independent builders’ merchant in the country, MKM values outstanding service, excellent local and industry knowledge and a comprehensive supply offering, and these are what we look to provide the communities surrounding our branches with,” says Kate Tinsley, CEO of MKM Building Supplies. “I wish MKM Bolton all the best in its new venture and am confident it will provide the best quality service to their evolving community.”

Knightsbridge supports DOTS to help the homeless community

Dogs on the Street (DOTS) – the charity that supports homeless people with dogs across the UK – has received additional support this New Year thanks to a donation from Knightsbridge. DOTS is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit charity dedicated to supporting dog owners in the homeless community. Homelessness can be a lonely, alienating experience for those it affects, but the companionship of a dog can help alleviate some of the immense pressures that these individuals face on a daily basis. However, as all dog owners will be aware, this also presents challenges: veterinary care and feeding can be extremely expensive. Additionally, for the homeless community, temporary accommodation (such as hostels) will not always allow animals on to their premises – thousands of homeless individuals were offered hotel rooms and temporary accommodation during the pandemic in 2020, but for some it was a hard choice between a bed or their pet companion. The challenge is enormous: it is estimated that up to 75,000 homeless people own dogs. To help meet this great need, DOTS runs weekly services in London, as well as regular services in other major cities in the UK. DOTS has over 700 clients under its care, and also operates a four-acre sanctuary where it cares for over 50 animals currently separated from their owners owing to illness, temporary accommodation issues or other circumstances. Knightsbridge, a manufacturer of lighting and wiring devices, is closely aligned with homelessness charities and is donating £10,000 from its December Weatherproof range sales to DOTS. The donation will go to help support, among other things, DOTS’s fully equipped mobile veterinary surgery plus the provision of essential items such as medicines and food.

Toolstation partners with Ecospend to offer 'pay-by-bank' services

Toolstation has announced that it is partnering with Ecospend to become one of the largest ecommerce sites to adopt ‘pay-by-bank’ technology as a payment alternative. Ecospend’s Open Banking payments technology will allow Toolstation’s Trade Account customers to significantly improve their cash flow, while also providing flexible credit limits and making their online account management much more efficient. The ‘pay-by-bank’ technology will be integrated into Toolstation’s customer app and website. In doing so, Trade Account Customers will be able to settle their account balance, without the risk of inputting the wrong details, and fraud risk will be minimised. Payments will be made via Ecospend’s account-to-account technology, ensuring a smooth customer journey that requires no card details or any data to be imputed. Instead, customers simply select the pay-by-bank option, authenticate their identity with their biometric ID, and confirm the payment – resulting in an instant transaction. Toolstation’s Trade Account customers will also be able to pay their bills instantly via QR codes sent to them in the post. Customers just need to scan the QR code and confirm the payment, Ecospend’s ‘pay-by-bank’ technology will ensure an instant payment to Toolstation. Finally, Ecospend’s ‘management console’ technology will be available to Toolstation agents, which allows them to send out payment links in bulk to anyone that needs to settle their balance. The technology can send payment links through all messaging platforms, and it will instigate an instant account-to-account payment. This was previously a manual process and through Ecospend’s open banking technology, Toolstation’s agents will be able to significantly cut down on administration time spent on debt collection. James Hickman, COO, Ecospend, comments: “This is yet another high-profile example of the benefits that open banking payment technology can bring to big businesses and their customers. It is especially positive to see Toolstation adopt open banking in multiple different forms, allowing them to really benefit from our technology. Through our ‘pay-by-bank’ pathway, Toolstation will not only be able to significantly improve the efficiency of their customer journey, but save both time and money which can be spent on further developing the business.” Richard Lavin, Finance Director, at Toolstation, adds: “We are excited to be embracing the latest technology to help ensure we offer our customers as smooth as service as possible. Ecospend’s wide range of tools meant that they are a perfect fit for us in delivering the best service to our Trade Account Customers. Additionally, by using this technology, we are helping our customers shop as securely as possible, which is imperative in a world where fraud risk is rising.”

Thorn Lighting signs up as founding member of SELECT's new scheme

Thorn Lighting has become one of the first Associate Members of SELECT, Scotland’s largest construction trade association. Thorn, a lighting brand of the Zumtobel Group, was at the head of the queue to sign up to the new Associate Membership scheme launched by the campaigning trade body for the electrical sector in Scotland. As well as being eligible for a wide range of benefits, Associate Membership will also allow Thorn to build beneficial relationships with SELECT’s 1,260 member businesses, who between them have an annual turnover of around £1 billion. Iain Mason, Director of Membership & Communications at SELECT, says: “We are delighted that a company of Thorn Lighting’s prestige and reputation has been so keen to join our new scheme, which is aimed squarely at encouraging partnerships that will benefit the whole electrical industry. “Designed to accommodate organisations who don’t meet the usual criteria of membership, our new scheme will give some of the industry’s biggest names the opportunity to ally themselves with an established and successful trade body. “At the same time, it will allow us trade to build stronger relationships with organisations that can offer relevant and useful services to our members.” Matthew Boucher, Managing Director at Zumtobel Group, comments: “We are proud to be associated with SELECT, an organisation which shares many of our values, as well as our dedication to skills, quality, and technical expertise. “SELECT has been serving its member companies well for more than a century and has a richly-deserved reputation for being ahead of the curve when it comes to technical innovation, members’ interests, and meaningful communication. “We hope to be able to expand and develop our relationship with SELECT’s 1,260 member companies in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.” The SELECT scheme, which was formally launched on 1 January, is open to service providers, manufacturers, and any other commercial organisations related to the electrical industry. They do not have to be UK-based and may have a European or international remit. Among the benefits are a prominent logo and biography on a dedicated section of the SELECT website, networking and promotional opportunities, the chance to host webinars and events, and the ability to promote goods and services via a wide range of member communications. Associate Members will also be eligible for preferential discounts on advertising, sponsorship and events, including the association’s popular Toolbox Talk roadshows, which are due to tour Scotland in May and June after a two-year absence. Iain Mason adds: “SELECT has always been a strong advocate of collaboration and cooperation within the construction sector, and we believe this new initiative will allow our existing members and new Associate Members like Thorn to enhance and expand their networks to everyone’s benefit.” Founded in 1900, SELECT was the first trade association in the world to serve the electrical industry and is today regarded as an exemplar in the construction sector, especially in the fields of training, technical skills and communications.

myenergi tops Driver Power 2021 survey for home electric car chargers

The myenergi zappi has been crowned ‘Best Wallbox Home Electric Car Charger’ in the Auto Express Driver Power survey. Based on real-world driver feedback, the initiative aims to celebrate the market’s best technologies and most exciting new models. Respondents were impressed with zappi’s ease of use and recharging speed, as well as its simple installation, stylish looks and high levels of customer support. The zappi also topped the charts when it came to charging reliability, far outstripping the competition with a score exceeding 90%. zappi is a smart charging device with a difference. Not only does it operate as a standard EV charger, but it also has optional charging modes to utilise 100% green energy generated from solar panels or wind turbines. Paired with the myenergi app, users can set timers to harness economy tariffs, use the boost function, monitor devices and more. Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO at myenergi, comments: “Topping the Driver Power charts shows that EV owners really appreciate the care and attention that we put into each and every zappi device. At myenergi, we’re committed to changing the way people think about energy, with a diverse range of technologies designed to improve sustainability and minimise mains consumption. Winning such a prestigious award is testament to the hard work and commitment of each and every team member. “Since launching our first generation zappi device, we’ve seen thousands of units installed all over the world. However, despite this continued growth, we’ve stayed true to our promises of excellent performance, outstanding customer service and unmatched reliability. “Recent stats from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) show that around one in 10 new car sales are now electric. With this trend expected to grow further in 2022, we’re expecting to see even more zappi units installed worldwide – helping to make the transition to electrification easier than ever before.”

Makita: shining a light on improved productivity

Makita UK has added two new cordless tower lights to its wide range of lighting solutions. The DML813 and DML814 are the perfect additions to any jobsite during the darker months, providing the illumination needed for safe working this winter. Having fewer daylight hours to work with is one of the biggest challenges that tradespeople face during the winter months as, without proper light, the same level of productivity simply cannot be achieved. However, with Makita’s new cordless tower lights, professionals can keep working safely for longer. The DML813 and DML814 18V LXT Cordless Tower Lights feature 12 daylight white LEDs that deliver up to 3,000 lumens and mimic natural daylight for maximum user visibility. With three settings to choose from, professionals can easily adjust the output to suit the working conditions, and both models include a memory function that will turn the light on in the last setting used, for increased efficiency. What’s more, the DML814 features three light heads that can be pivoted independently, which is ideal when larger work areas need illuminating. Both the DML813 and DML814 are height adjustable (from 125-224cm), making them suitable for use at ground level and at height. The tripod stand is easily operated using a lock-release button – and it can be secured to the ground with screws or pegs for maximum stability. At the end of the day, the DML813 and DML814 can be neatly folded up for simple storage and transportation. The DML813 and DML814 have also been specifically designed for use on construction sites and are IP55 certified for weather and dust resistance. They also feature a padlock hole for the battery, to help protect against theft. Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita says: “We are delighted to expand our leading 18V LXT platform with two new site lights. At Makita, we are dedicated to ensuring that professionals have access to the tools that they need to work productively and efficiently - and the DML813 and DML814 will help them to do just that.”