Ovia Ireland has welcomed a new Area Sales team member

Ovia Ireland is delighted to welcome Jay White to the growing team. Jay takes up the role of Area Sales Manager covering Northern Ireland, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Sligo regions. He comes to the role with seven years’ sales experience working with two of the industry’s leading electrical wholesalers, where he was responsible for building relationships with electrical contractors to sell in products from across all electrical accessories and lighting products. With a particular interest in the lighting side of the business, Jay is looking forward to working with a leading lighting manufacturer, where he will be part of a growing team tasked with taking the comprehensive Ovia lighting offer out to existing customers as well as developing relationships with new ones. Commenting on his new role, Jay says: "I am delighted to have joined such a forward thinking company and the great team that they have both here in Ireland as well as in the UK. I look forward to the challenge of growing the Ovia brand in Ireland and developing strong relationships with both the wholesalers and the electrical contractors. Ovia has just launched its third and biggest catalogue to date, so there is a wealth of innovative products and solutions to excite the market.”

Contractors and installers must play an active role in building safety

Wrexham Mineral Cables (WMC) has called on contractors and installers to play their part in improving building safety by increasing their understanding of the performance capabilities of fire-resistant cables. The UK manufacturer of ‘fire-resistant’, or what the company prefers to call ‘Fire Survival’, mineral insulated cables says it is vital that the stresses real-life fire scenarios have on ‘fire-resistant’ cables are recognised so they can identify products that will truly withstand a critical situation. In order to meet the requirements of a fire-resistant cable, products must meet the British Standard appropriate to their type of fire-resistant cable, such as BS50200, BS8434, BS8519 and BS6387. All of these standards have a variant of time and temperature the cables are tested at under fire conditions, ranging from a 30 minute rated cable tested at 830oC to a three-hour rated cable tested at 940oC. However, Wrexham Mineral Cables Commercial Manager, Steve Williams, says building safety could take a step forward if contractors and installers play a more active role in delivering change. Moreover, says the company, this will require an increased awareness of the tests individual products undergo in order to obtain their fire resistance certification. For example, only ‘fire-resistant’ cables that are greater in diameter than 20mm must undergo testing for direct impacts and water testing with any significant pressure on a single test sample. For ‘fire-resistant’ cables under 20mm, different stages of the test are carried out on different samples of cable, whilst exposure to water is minimal. [caption id="attachment_28009" align="alignleft" width="300"] Wrexham Mineral Cables factory[/caption] He comments: “There has been a real drive across the construction industry to make everybody in the supply chain more accountable throughout the various stages of the building’s existence. Fire survival cables are a vital component of building safety, yet because there is a lack of understanding about the important role they play in keeping buildings safe, all too often inferior cables are installed. The sad reality is these cables are not likely to be adequate in the event of a fire, putting lives at risk. “In an era of greater accountability, there should be no compromise; we can no longer aim for minimum compliance to get the job done. Whilst we believe there should be a higher classification of cables introduced to identify those which can survive, rather than simply resist fire, greater understanding of performance capabilities, particularly amongst contractors and installers, would go a long way to ensuring high performance products were used in every project. “As a market leader, we are committed to raising standards and are working hard to educate people - whether they are just starting out in their career or have many years’ experience - about the benefits of specifying ‘true’ fire survival cables. It is for this reason we offer training to students and experienced contractors - showing how we make and test our cables and demonstrating how they compare to other products – so they can be sure they are using a solution which is fit for purpose.”

DW Windsor Looks to the Future with Expanded Street Lighting Portfolio

DW Windsor is proud to announce the launch of its latest product innovation, Daytona. With replaceable light modules, an elegant design and the power to adapt to the needs of its surroundings, Daytona is set to transform the illumination of urban spaces. Daytona is an intelligent lighting solution that helps specifiers deliver the right light at the right time. Its modern design and advanced features make it ideal for a range of civic applications, including the illumination of urban and residential roads, pedestrian and cycle paths, and public spaces. The need for versatile lighting and sustainability has never been more important for urban living and our environment. Daytona is a highly efficient, Connected Spaces ready solution with an outstanding service life to support the circular economy. The luminaire features interchangeable light engines that can be upgraded as new innovations come to market, whilst toolless entry and removable fixings ensure Daytona is easy to maintain. Daytona is also DW Windsor’s first luminaire to be offered with Tunable White technology as standard, providing designers with a flexible solution for night-time illumination. The system can be specified with two separate transition ranges: 4000K to 2700K, or 3000K to 2200K, and the luminaire’s control system can be configured for multiple scenarios using a simple and intuitive app. By automatically adjusting the luminaire’s colour temperature and brightness throughout the night, the innovative system can improve visual comfort, offering a sense of security whilst also minimising the impact on wildlife and biodiversity. For example, Daytona can be programmed to begin illuminating at 3000K when night falls and transition to a warmer, softer 2200K overnight, when fewer road users and pedestrians are present. The ability to manage light responsibly was a key consideration when developing the new Dark Sky friendly luminaire. To help minimise light pollution, Daytona has a 0% ULOR (Upward Light Output Ratio) and is compatible with the latest lighting control technologies, including a range of NEMA and Zhaga compliant sensors and network solutions. “Daytona represents an exciting new platform within our contemporary lighting range that is adaptable, versatile and reliable, both now and in the future,” says Mitch Waite, Sr. Product Manager at DW Windsor. “With flexible control systems and Tunable White technology, we are giving specifiers the tools they need to tackle the ongoing challenges of balancing the safety of pedestrians and road users, with the issues of light pollution and the impact on biodiversity.” Daytona can be specified with multiple light distributions and is offered in three colour temperatures, 4000K, 3000K and 2700K, in addition to Tunable White. The range is manufactured from high-pressure die-cast LM6 corrosion-resistant aluminium and features a toughened lens. In addition, it is IP66 rated for weather resistance and offers impact protection up to IK10.

Complex M+E project completes at Liverpool Science Park

A full-service mechanical and electrical company has finished work on an intricate and complex project at a key site in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter. Atherton-based Ash Integrated Services was tasked with installing pipework for ventilation and air conditioning as well as new electrics throughout the IC1 reception. Due to the tight spacing, the team manufactured the pipes and lighting tracks to intertwine, while still maintaining the overall high-quality spec and contemporary feel of the building. Ash’s integrated approach, which sees dedicated mechanical and electrical supervisors on site, also ensured the project ran smoothly keeping to programme. The company carried out the work over a period of 12 weeks on behalf of fit-out contractor Braithwaite Fit-Out. Antony Grace, co-founder and director at Ash Integrated Services, says: “Our speciality is on full mechanical and electrical schemes. “As demonstrated on this significant development, having supervisors from each service side ensures communication is faultless, with everyone working together on the same team to deliver the works without any delays. “This way of working was critical for this job, particularly with the small spaces in which the services had to run. “In addition, there was the added challenge of our work being on show as part of the décor. This means there was no room for error, and attention to detail was crucial. The team have done a fantastic job ensuring all pipework and structures are level and finished to a high quality.” Liverpool Science Park provides offices, co-working and lab spaces for a number of engineering, scientific and technology companies. The new IC1 reception also boasts a “living wall”, a vertical blanket of greenery made up of climbing plants and grasses, a feature that Ash also played a key role in, in addition to an illuminated wall. Antony adds: “We installed a system within the wall to ensure there is frequent water drip-fed to the roots and that any excess is drained away. “On the electrical side, we also installed an LED-style wall as well as plug sockets on each of the benches. It was important that none of the wires were on show to keep in with the style of the building, and we designed a solution to run the wires down from the ceiling area into the benches to successfully achieve this.”

Scruffs launches new womenswear range for women in trades 

Scruffs has been supplying performance workwear and safety footwear to trades since 2003. Offering a head-to-toe range that combines comfort, durability and value for money with great design, all Scruffs products are tried and tested by real tradespeople to ensure all products meet the standards that men and women in trades need day in, day out. Launching this autumn, Scruffs is excited to be introducing a dedicated women’s range. Scruffs has worked side by side with real tradeswomen to develop products that tick all the boxes and offers women exactly what they want and deserve in their workwear - proper fitting workwear that stands up to the job but doesn’t make them stand out on site. Scruffs has made sure that the fit is spot on and inclusive, with clothing sizes ranging from size 6 to size 20, and footwear ranging from a size 3 to a size 8. What’s more, Scruffs hasn't just made its existing range smaller; the company has ensured every cut and every detail has been adapted to meet the needs of women, to ensure they look and feel good. Longer length t-shirts, carefully positioned pockets, elasticated sections and stretch panels for an optimised fit all feature in the new range. The new Scruffs womenswear range includes: Women’s Trade Softshell Jacket Women’s Trade T Shirt Women’s Trade Flex Plus Holster Trousers Women’s Trade Hoodie Women’s Trade Bodywarmer Women’s Argon Women’s Switchback The range is launching this December, available online and at Screwfix.

CityFibre celebrates anniversary as build passes 170km milestone 

Two years after starting its build, CityFibre has now installed a staggering 170km of full fibre optic cables up and down the streets of Newcastle as part of its £62m plan to future-proof the city’s digital connectivity. The significant milestone represents enough full fibre cabling to travel all the way from Newcastle to Blackpool as the crow flies. This is enabling thousands of residents in the city to access full fibre services from a range of internet service providers (ISPs) for the first time and the hundreds already signed up are benefitting from more reliable, better-quality broadband, that’s up to 20 times faster. Jason Legget, CityFibre’s City Manager for Newcastle, says: “Celebrating the second anniversary of our build is such an important milestone. Thousands of Newcastle’s residents can now access full fibre broadband for the first time and it couldn’t come at a better moment. With people and businesses recovering from the city’s economic challenges and with many of us already looking forward to spending time with our loved ones over the festive period, accessing world class broadband services has never been so important to us all. “As a team, we’re so proud of the speed and quality of our deployment; and as our build continues in the coming years, we will offer services to nearly every home and business via our increasing roster of ISPs. This includes the award-winning Zen Internet, local provider FibreConnect and national provider TalkTalk.” Newcastle is one of the first of a growing number of locations in the UK to benefit from CityFibre’s £4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme which will bring new and improved broadband infrastructure within reach of up to eight million homes and businesses nationwide. Jason Mirza, CityFibre’s first connected customer in the city, comments: “It really has been life-changing having gigabit speed broadband; and since moving to Zen internet’s service on the CityFibre’s network I’ve never had less than 900 Mbps for both upload and download. It’s just phenomenal!”

Kneepads used by UK electricians to prevent knee pain set for success

Kneepads used by a growing number of UK electricians to prevent knee injuries are proving to be a big hit with American construction workers as their Glasgow-based makers set their sights on doubling the amount that they export to the United States (US) next year. Invented by a University of Strathclyde student, Recoil Kneepads are designed for use by tradespeople in sectors such as roofing, flooring, tiling and plumbing to reduce instances of severe knee pain, arthritis and prepatellar bursitis – more commonly known as ‘housemaid’s knee’. After extensive testing by roofers, the company’s owner and inventor Vicky Hamilton started selling the kneepads on Amazon after going on a three-week US State Department-sponsored trade mission just before the start of the global pandemic. With support from Glasgow City Council, Recoil Kneepads identified the US as a key target market, as US construction workers are much more likely to look at ways to prevent workplace injuries or conditions early in their careers because of healthcare costs. Recoil Kneepads has been sending regular shipments of kneepads to customers right across the US – and it has already achieved sales in all 50 states. Vicky is gearing up for strong growth over the next 12 months in a bid to corner the US market, as the Scottish-made $90 kneepads are more affordable than top-of-the-range American ones, which are anything up to $250. “There’s a real gap in the US market for UK tried and tested Recoil Kneepads, and, thanks to Amazon, they are readily available right across the country.” says Vicky. “We’re excited about the growth potential, especially based on the feedback that we’re getting from American construction workers, who are very conscious of preventing injuries and conditions that develop from spending so much of their working days on their knees. “It was a privilege to be part of the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative – a delegation of 50 European entrepreneurs who were invited to the US to learn about and experience the US entrepreneurial ecosystem. This took place just before the pandemic, so, as things open up again, it’s a great platform to build on. It makes me very proud to think that kneepads that I invented to help my dad’s arthritis have the potential to take America by storm.” The 31-year-old came up with the idea after her father, Gordon Hamilton – a time-served carpenter who was suffering from arthritis – challenged her to design him new kneepads that were both comfortable and practical for her final-year design project as a student at the University of Strathclyde in 2013. After graduating, it took a year of fundraising and product development (including more than 100 prototypes) to get the kneepads to a final design stage – after which it took a further year of manufacturing setup before the kneepads were finally launched in 2016. The kneepads use RECOIL360ä Technology – for which Vicky holds the patent – and use a coil spring system to absorb impact and spread pressure more evenly across the knee. They also feature a wear-and-grip surface, a double Recoil spring action and comfort padding. Whilst Recoil Kneepads has its sights set on US growth, Vicky’s connections with budding entrepreneurs as part of the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative mean that she has also been busy building networks in Europe. “The Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative has been a real game-changer for me, and it has opened doors and has helped me make connections with individuals who are equally entrepreneurial. We’re helping one another develop some very exciting business opportunities,” added Vicky, who is also looking to grow her network of stockists and distributors in the UK to increase the company’s foothold in the roofing market. “We’ve only just scratched the surface of the opportunity in the US, but I’m also keen to maximise opportunities closer to home and expand the amount of stockists in this country so that more tradespeople – including roofers, floor layers, tilers, plumbers and electricians – can use our kneepads to reduce severe knee pain, arthritis and prepatellar bursitis.”

BGEN launches operation in Africa

BGEN has launched an international operation to meet an increase in demand from major global companies requiring bespoke mechanical and electrical engineering services in Africa. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, an experienced management team have been appointed to oversee growth and use homegrown talent to deliver local and international client projects. “On the back of decades of successful project experience in the continent, the launch of an African operation was the next logical step for the business,” says Robin Whitehead, chief executive at BGEN. “We have strong demand from our existing client base for support in Africa, and I’m confident the diverse, experienced management team will achieve great things in terms of sustainably growing the business through the employment of local resource. As a company, it’s important we support the people and communities within which we operate.” BGEN International will provide a range of mechanical and electrical services including design and management, HVAC and building services, instrumentation and control systems, LV assemblies and system integration, LV/MV power distribution, piping systems and steel fabrication. The company will initially support its existing and new Nigerian-based clients along with those based in countries including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya. The operation will be headed up by a senior management team including Vinnie Edge (international & strategic business director at BGEN), Don Foy (managing director at BGEN International, Nigeria) and Bolaji Sofoluwe (chair of BGEN International, Nigeria). The team, with more than 60 years’ combined experience operating in the continent, have specific market entry expertise, an exceptional understanding of the African marketplace, and a wealth of engineering knowledge. “We already have an enviable client list including multinationals such as Diageo, Mondelez and PZ Cussons, having successfully completed more than 200 projects in Africa,” comments Vinnie Edge. “We’re looking forward to supporting local and international businesses in the region with bespoke electrical and mechanical engineering services to help optimise their operations. At a personal level, I’m looking forward to supporting the company as we look to create a positive legacy in the continent.” BGEN International will be officially opened on the 18th of November at an event in Lagos attended by customers and prospects alongside African and UK government officials.

ECS Remote Invigilation service now open to individuals through MyECS

The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has announced that its Remote Invigilation service for the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Assessment is now available to individuals through their MyECS account. The Remote Invigilation service offers ECS card holders and employers with the choice of undertaking their assessments without having to travel to an assessment centre, saving time and travel costs. It also means that when necessary, you can undertake an assessment without delay or unnecessary wait times, giving you greater flexibility than ever before. This is achieved through world class technology for automated invigilation using AI-powered, behavioural monitoring and verification tools. With no requirements for downloading programs or browser extensions, users have the freedom to securely and safely complete their HSE Assessment anytime and anywhere. The powerful AI technology solution monitors the assessment to enhance the already stringent measures to prevent fraudulent activity. A video showing step-by-step instructions to set up an online assessment has been developed and can be viewed on the ECS website here. You will also receive on-screen instructions as you go through the assessment making this as simple as possible to complete. The Remote Invigilation service was launched as a pilot scheme for employers in January in response to concerns regarding increased travel to assessment centres with some closing due to COVID. So far it has been a great success with thousands of assessments already processed through the remote system. The service is already part of the ECS Employer Portal system used by clients, contractors and other employers. However, some companies do not allow programs such as this to be used on their computer or do not allow access to webcams, so the availability has been widened to individual MyECS accounts to enable all to access this new service and enhanced value. Jay Parmar, Chief Executive of the Joint Industry Board (JIB), explains: “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes and we are pleased to announce that our card holders can easily undertake their HS&E Assessment through their MyECS account. This leading edge digital solution puts our customers in control as, when and where they take their HS&E test with the results being sent back in real time. Physical centres will still remain operational for those individuals and companies that wish to use this facility or don’t have access to a working PC and webcam. We continue to listen to our card holders and this exciting new service is part of a wider journey that puts our customers at the heart of our vision to deliver greater value and an excellent service.”

Aico invite local charities to their headquarters to celebrate their partnerships

Aico has recently been visited by three Shropshire-based charities to celebrate their partnerships and discuss how they can continue their ongoing support as part of their charity campaign, ‘Aico Support for Children’. On Wednesday 3rd November, representatives from The Movement Centre, Hope House Children’s Hospices and Little Stars Baby Bank joined Aico’s Managing Director, Neal Hooper, and Community Liaison, Jane Pritchard, at the company’s headquarters in Oswestry. Aico has supported each of these charities this year through volunteering, fundraising and donations, understanding the need for the essential work they do for children and young adults within the community and further afield. Neal Hooper, Managing Director of Aico, comments “Seeing the life changing commitment of these three charities inspires you to want to do more. We are proud to be able to assist in any way we can. As their focus is children, it creates the emotional commitment for all of us at Aico and HomeLINK.” The Movement Centre, based in Gobowen, Shropshire, assists children with movement disabilities through targeted training to maximise movement control and increase their independence. The work of The Movement Centre has a significant impact upon the lives of children nationally, allowing them to interact and play like they have never been able to before. Aico have a long-standing relationship with The Movement Centre, and have held regular fundraising activities in support of the charity, such as The Captain Tom 100 Challenge. Johnny Wilkes, CEO of The Movement Centre says of the support, “Aico have been instrumental in raising thousands of pounds for us, which enables us to deliver our targeted training therapy to more children; quite simply their fundraising efforts make the treatment affordable to the families who most need our help. We place immense value on our partnership and engagement with Aico.” Hope House Children’s Hospices supports families with the provision of bespoke palliative care for children with life-threatening conditions, as well as offering counselling and bereavement support to their families. Aico are proud to be recognised as a Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Business Champion, understanding that without business support, Hope House wouldn’t be able to continue their vital work. Lynsey Kilvert, Fundraising Team Leader of Hope House Children’s Hospices adds, “We are thrilled and delighted to have the continued support of Aico. The past 18 months have been so difficult for everyone. During this time we managed to remain open to support seriously ill local children and their families despite our fundraising suffering as we were unable to hold events and our shop doors were closed. More than 85% of our running costs come from our local community, so to know that we have incredible companies like Aico supporting us is fantastic.” Aico has also worked with Little Stars Baby Bank, through donations and marketing support. The Shrewsbury-based charity aims to help parents access the essential items they need for their babies and children. Established in July 2020, the charity has already helped 118 families, distributing over 4,500 donations to the families who need them. Supporting not only the children, but the parents too, the charity plays a critical role in the community. Leanne Simcoe, founder of Little Stars Baby Bank comments “Our partnership with Aico is extremely special. The support and dedication they provide not only to ourselves but across the charity sector is second to none. It is easy to forget they are a business as their CSR work is innovative and leading the way. Little Stars is a relatively new charity and to have a strong partnership with Aico means a great deal to us.”