CEF finalists for Wholesaler of the Year at Northern Ireland’s Electrical Awards

CEF is proud and delighted to have been selected as finalists in the Multinational Wholesaler of the Year category at Northern Ireland’s Electrical Awards 2021. Nominated for their commitment to ‘always go above and beyond’, CEF submitted details of its high-quality customer service which has earned the company an ‘Excellent’ rating by Trustpilot (score of 4.6/5 based on 7,771 reviews) and secured it the #2 position in the UK Electrical Wholesale market in early 2021. Customer feedback, also submitted as part of the awards entry, praised the helpful and friendly staff saying they always go the extra mile to answer questions, offer advice and provide great products at competitive prices. CEF stores remained open during COVID-19 lockdowns to provide essential electrical products and services crucial in supplying electrical power to homes, businesses, industry, and the health and emergency services. Customers can place online orders at CEF.CO.UK and through the mobile Trade App to access more than 35,000 products from over 300 leading suppliers. With a range of same-day essentials, including almost 3,000 of the most popular electrical products guaranteed in stock and ready to collect, CEF has everything that electrical contractors need to get the job done. Northern Ireland’s Electrical Awards, organised by Ireland’s Electrical Magazine, recognise the achievements of the top electrical contractors, consultants, suppliers, people, products and projects across Northern Ireland. They are judged by an independent panel of respected industry experts who have unrivalled experience and industry knowledge. The winners will be announced at a Virtual Awards Ceremony in November, broadcast to over 8,500 followers across Ireland’s Electrical Magazine’s YouTube and social media channels. CEF would like to take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to all finalists on the night.

New products from Makita

Makita UK has announced its new October collection, adding further cordless machines to its expanding LXT battery platform. A new 18V garden sprayer, impact wrench and inflator join the line-up of over 275 solutions within the LXT range. DUS054Z GARDEN SPRAYER Removing the effort required to pump, this lightweight 18V 5-litre sprayer delivers up to 0.45L/min, allowing for efficient spraying with comfortable paddle control. The telescopic spray wand with a rotatable H-shaped dual head design allows the user to quickly switch between mist and jet spraying modes depending on the task. Delivering up to 8hrs runtime on a 6.0Ah battery, the clever Auto-Stop feature helps to minimise any unnecessary drain on the battery by shutting down the power when the handle isn’t engaged. The machine has been designed with user comfort in mind and includes a shoulder harness and an ergonomically optimised tank body that sits comfortably at the user’s hip. Furthermore, the handle features a lock-on function to hold the trigger in place - ideal for larger jobs where continuous spraying is required. DTW302Z IMPACT WRENCH The new 18V LXT DTW302 Brushless Impact Wrench features a fresh design on its previous counterparts. Compact, with an overall length of 138mm and 3/8-inch square driving shank, the DTW302 brushless motor provides high power with a fastening torque of up to 300Nm and maximum nut busting torque of 500Nm. Featuring a variable speed trigger, the DTW302Z provides the user with more control, with 4-stage impact selection, enabling the user to set the appropriate torque for the application at hand. For greater control and convenience, the tool also features Forward / Reverse function, with 6 modes for customised applications. DMP181Z INFLATOR For quick and easy inflation of automotive and machinery tyres, sporting equipment and more, the new 18V DMP181Z Inflator is powered by Makita’s LXT battery technology to deliver up to 161psi and a rapid air discharge volume of 22L/min. The tool features a digital pressure gauge, a LED light for convenient use at night and an Auto-Stop function which automatically shuts down the tool when the desired pressure is reached. The DMP181Z also offers manual decompression functionality, allowing air to be released in case of over inflation. Speaking on the new products, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK says: “With over 275 cordless solutions within our LXT platform, we are delighted to further expand the possibilities for professionals with these new additions. Designed with purpose-built motors, innovative battery technology and enhanced communications, all our cordless tools work together to deliver reliable power, speed and run times that provide the trade with a cordless solution for every type of application.” [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaNmRbsCCv8[/embed]

New guidance set to improve the management of electrical systems

Monday 18 October saw the Electrical Safety Roundtable present its new guidance on How to Manage Electrical Systems in Higher-risk Buildings to a wide range of industry stakeholders. The online event saw over 50 organisations join the ESR in sharing its 106-page document with speakers Martin Simmonds, Chair of the Electrical Safety Roundtable Social Housing sub-group and Jon Vanstone, Chair of the Interim Industry Competence Committee. Higher-risk Buildings (HRBs) present a unique challenge when considering the correct or best way to manage electrical Compliance and Risk. This is due to the nature of the asset as it houses multiple tenancies and multiple areas of risk which need to be independently managed. This guidance has been created to generate consistency within the industry and provide a user-friendly overview for those who may not be experts on the subject of electrical safety management and compliance within HRBs. It will present an opportunity for organisations to look critically at their current electrical safety management policy and see what more could be done and help those new to the industry, or those coming into new roles. Commenting on the guidance and launch event, Peter Baker, Chief Inspector of Buildings at the Health and Safety Executive says: "Making high-rise buildings safer for residents is about understanding what can go wrong, how it can lead to a fire or structural problem, and what needs to be in place to prevent a serious incident and reduce its impact on people. Measures include having electrical and other building systems properly designed, installed, and maintained by competent people, and making sure safety systems work when you need them. "The ESR guide is a welcome example of how industry has taken the initiative and is sharing the knowledge, experience and expertise of a number of organisations to help those responsible for the safety of high-rise buildings manage electrical safety risks and prepare for when the building safety reforms become law." Speaker at the event and Chair of the Interim Industry Competence Committee, Jon Vanstone comments: "It is great to see industry working together to produce such detailed guidance on the management and monitoring of electrical systems in higher-risk buildings. The guidance will no doubt be useful in raising awareness of the considerations, risks and complexities of the task of managing the electrical installations within higher-risk buildings and it is a great example of industry acting now to enhance safety in the sector, whilst we await the Building Safety Bill’s passage through Parliament.’

Demand for air purification creates healthy spaces in buildings this winter

During the pandemic COVID has raised the profile of the quality of the air we breathe in our buildings. As Winter approaches the combination of the weather cooling, so we are spending more time indoors, and a drive for employees to return to the workplace means that extra purification is in now in demand. Employers are increasingly looking to air purification in addition to effective ventilation to help ensure good indoor air quality (IAQ) and a healthier environment. Leading ventilation specialist Vent-Axia has therefore launched its PureAir Room air purifier to remove harmful particles, neutralise bad smells and remove pollen and other allergens. “Since COVID began, everybody has become more aware of the importance of good indoor air quality and how it affects inhabitants. In response there has been a growing demand for added purification”, explains Tom Wodcke, Product Manager at Vent-Axia. “To improve IAQ there are three main actions: Reduce the number of pollutants introduced; Dilute the pollutants by ensuring there is adequate ventilation introducing fresh clean air inside; Purify by adding a purifier to remove the remaining pollutants. The Vent-Axia PureAir Room is the ideal solution to achieve this and is now available via electrical wholesalers for commercial customers.” Indoor air pollution impacts lung health and causes a range of health issues ranging from cardiac disease to dementia. While the importance of good IAQ is hitting the headlines in relation to COVID, it’s clear that the same principles to reduce airborne COVID transmission can and should be used going forward to reduce indoor air pollution. Patrick Vallance, the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, commissioned The Royal Academy of Engineering to review how we design, manage, and operate buildings and how we can make infrastructure more resilient to infection both now and going forward. The initial report, ‘Infection Resilient Environments: Buildings that keep us healthy and safe’, highlights the importance of achieving good IAQ as well as reducing transmission of COVID and other infectious diseases meaning many of the suggested changes have relevance well beyond COVID-19. The Vent-Axia PureAir Room features an air quality display that shows the levels of PM2.5 from the integral air quality sensor with a traffic light system telling the user if the air is good, bad or needs improving. The PureAir Room has a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 260m3 and is suitable for any habitable room. Lightweight and portable, it can easily be moved to where it’s needed and only uses as much energy as a light bulb. The Vent-Axia PureAir Room features an advanced 6-stage filtration system to purify the air, tackling unpleasant and unhealthy airborne matter. These filtration stages include: 1. Washable Pre-Filter that captures the coarse particles from the air flowing through it protecting the vital HEPA Filter. 2. HEPA Filter removes 99.9% of particles in the air including diesel, pet allergens, pollen, viruses, mould and bacteria by trapping them inside the filter material. 3. Activated Carbon Filter removes VOCs, odours and gaseous pollutants from the air trapping the gas molecules in the charcoal. 4. A Cold Catalyst Filter speeds up the decomposition of organic compounds breaking them down to harmless molecules, such as H2O and CO2. 5. Ultraviolet Light is used as a disinfection method helping keep the internal workings of the unit clean by inactivating bacteria and viruses. 6. Ionizer is the last stage of the filtration process, generating negatively charged ions which adhere to small particles so they attract other particles creating larger clusters than can be absorbed from the filter at the start of the cycle.

SELECT issues alert as campaign highlights dangers of sub-standard work

The President of Scotland’s largest trade association, SELECT, says regulation of the electrical industry is essential to prevent the “incompetent and downright dangerous” workmanship that its members encounter on a regular basis. SELECT President Donald W Orr insists protection of title is the only answer to the faulty electrical work that costs Scotland around £120 million every year. And he was supported by two professional electricians, who said they signed up to SELECT’s high-profile campaign for regulation after being regularly called upon to fix dangerous work carried out by rogue and unqualified tradespeople. Mr Orr comments: “The level of sub-standard electrical installations that we’re still seeing out there demonstrates that there is an overwhelmingly urgent need to protect the public from the activities of unscrupulous traders. “We see incompetent and downright dangerous work on a regular basis and it could have tragic results if we don’t act now. Miscreants put the public at risk and tarnish the name of proper electricians and we must weed them out through regulation of the industry.” Mr Orr’s warning was echoed by two new signatories to SELECT’s Wall of Support, which shows the growing groundswell of support for protection of title, and continues to attract new backing from organisations and politicians. Jim Kerr of JK Electrical in Glasgow says: “Hardly a week goes where I don’t come across electrical work of extremely poor standard. I’ve seen some truly shocking installations and feel that the problem of unskilled personnel carrying out electrical work is worsening. It’s therefore absolutely essential that electricians be given protection of title.” Another qualified electrical contractor, Brian McKenna, Director of Glasgow-based Enerlek, says: “Too often I have to fix electrical work that’s been installed dangerously and doesn’t conform to the regulations, putting people and premises at risk. The title of electrician must therefore be protected and regulated to ensure people are safe.” Mr Orr also highlighted a recent case where a tradesperson in Wales was fined for signing off reports stating that the electrics in a domestic property were satisfactory. Subsequent investigation revealed that the wiring was 40 years old and unfit for purpose. He adds: “This case shows the very real danger that exists out there, and how unwitting consumers can be put in danger by unscrupulous tradespeople. “People who falsely trade on the good name of electrical professionals are a serious danger to themselves, the public and the qualified personnel who are so often called upon to rectify their mistakes, and it’s high time they were stopped.” SELECT’s campaign, run in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board, the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust and Unite the Union, aims to make it an offence for someone to call themselves an electrician when they have no, or inadequate, qualifications. The Scottish Government has set up an Electricians Working Group to explore the issue and two high-profile consultations on regulation have also taken place, both of which have overwhelmingly supported statutory regulation. In Scotland, SELECT states the need for qualified electricians has become more immediate as the deadline nears for the introduction of new legislation on alarms by the Scottish Government. Mr Orr adds: “Our campaign has attracted a massive groundswell of support but we cannot afford to take our foot off the gas. “Electrotechnical work is extremely complex and it is of primary importance that the professionals who carry it out are fully trained, qualified and up to speed with the most recent developments and regulations which apply to the sector.” Research carried out on behalf of SELECT in 2018 showed that faulty electrical installations account for 7.1% of all fires in Scotland, and damage caused to property by these fires costs around £9.6 million. Not including the occasional major cost of catastrophic incidents, it calculated that the overall cost of faulty electrical work in Scotland is around £120 million every year.

Win a Scolmore minifridge full of chocolate!

Scolmore is close to hitting 5000 followers on its Twitter and Instagram accounts and is launching a giveaway to help reach this next target. Running across Twitter and Instagram, Scolmore will be giving away a mini fridge filled with chocolate to each of the overall winners on Twitter and Instagram, with beanie hats and travel mugs to the five runners up from each account. The requirements for entry on both platforms are simple. For Instagram you need to follow the account, comment how long you’ve been on the tools and tag three sparks in the comments. For an extra entry just share the post to stories using #ClickCrew. For Twitter, follow Scolmore, comment how long you’ve been on the tools and tag three sparks in the comments. For an extra entry, retweet the post using #ClickCrew. Scolmore has been building up a loyal band of followers across its social media platforms and will continue to engage with them via compelling and engaging content. Once the 5000 followers mark has been reached the competition will be closed and the winners announced.

Makita continues to provide the power

As part of its new October product releases, Makita UK has revealed a number of new 40VMax cordless machines that have been added to its exciting XGT range. The new high-powered products provide a one-battery solution to handle the most demanding jobs and environments, without sacrificing run time. 40VMAX LS004G XGT MITRE SAW Driven by a 40VMax brushless motor, this XGT 260mm Slide Compound Mitre Saw provides a no load speed of up to 3,600rpm for high power cutting that is comparable to corded machines. The rail-forward design allows users to maximise workspace as the machine can be positioned next to a wall and its single sliding system enables smooth operation to produce superior cuts.  Its 48o bevel range and 60o mitre range are easily adjusted with quick lock and release, making it simple to achieve the cut required. This impressive tool is also packed with safety features including Auto-Start Wireless System technology (AWS), enabling the machine to connect to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth. When applied, the dust extractor is powered on and off while the saw is in use. An LED light improves task visibility, and for greater safety, an electric brake stops the blade in seconds. 80VMAX UR012GZ04 XGT BRUSH CUTTER Delivering up to 6,400rpm and a maximum power output at 2.0kW, the powerful 80VMax (40Vx2) XGT Brushless Brush Cutter provides users with performance similar to a 40cc class engine grass trimmer, making this machine ideal for heavy duty applications. Users can adjust speed according to the task with 3-stage control, and thanks to Makita’s innovative Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), which adapts the cutting speed according to the load conditions, users can trust that the machine is always working at its optimum. The UR012GZ04 also features Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) that shuts down the tool if the rotation speed suddenly slows, protecting the user against kickback. And the useful reverse switch removes any material that gets stuck in the blade, reducing user downtime. On the announcement, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK says: “Our XGT platform was designed to provide professionals with even more power to meet high demand applications with ease. All of our XGT solutions are engineered with built-in programming, that provides digital communication between the battery and the tool, so that both work together for optimum performance and sustained power. “We are pleased to expand the Makita XGT range with our latest 40VMax and 80VMax equipment and tools, so that professionals can fully experience a truly cordless job site.”

A new open data portal brings another Net Zero boost

A new platform which provides unparalleled access to one of the biggest datasets on the UK’s electricity network, has been unveiled by UK Power Networks to boost Net Zero progress. The Open Data online portal brings together thousands of datasets from a vast range of sources to provide visibility of what assets the network operator has, where they are, what capacity they have and how they are utilised. The platform will help everyone from local authorities to electric vehicle charge point installers, renewable energy generators, flexibility providers and anyone with an interest in low carbon technology come up with new solutions to save money and benefit customers. It includes details of nearly 1,000 large-scale energy generation sites connected across London, the South East and East of England in in a range of maps and tables. The website also features more nearly than 2,000 data records of smaller Low Carbon Technology connections – like EV chargers and household solar panels. Users will be able to layer different datasets to create bespoke maps. Other network information on the site includes the Long-Term Development Statement, Earthing and Soil data. More than 140 industry specialists with an interest in open data have collaborated to help identify how network data could be useful to others, for example: Helping local authorities to create data-driven plans for reaching Net Zero emissions Supporting low carbon technology operators such as electric vehicle chargepoint installers, renewable energy generators and battery storage operators who can now save time and money in locating their equipment Enabling greater collaboration between local authorities, housing developers, the electricity distribution network and national transmission network Researchers, academics, and industry analysts will also be able to use the platform to create fresh data models and forecasts. UK Power Networks is the first network operator in the UK to publish all its datasets via a portal covered by a standard open data licence - meaning anyone can use them. The datasets will have Application Programming Interfaces so users can automatically connect to data sources and get live updates. This new portal represents an important step in the company’s ‘Enabling Open Energy Data’ initiative, which sees UK Power Networks partnering with the Open Data Institute, ODI Leeds, Regen and Opendatasoft, and which forms a key component of the company’s plans to enable Open Energy, Open Innovation and its own plans in contributing to the delivery of Net Zero. Matt Webb, head of enterprise data at UK Power Networks says: “We are taking the effort away from end users in accessing and consuming network and asset data, and in the process fostering a community of open data users who can share and potentially collaborate together. The industry has told us there is huge demand for an advanced, accessible and scalable open data platform. This is just the start, and we’re looking forward to continuing to grow the platform.” Stuart Briggs, account manager at OnGen comments: “UK Power Networks’ open data portal is an innovative platform that we are keen to support and help develop. Having accessible grid constraint data greatly helps the process of assessing the feasibility of installing on-site renewables and energy storage solutions thus supporting the decision-making processes towards the journey to Net Zero.”

Dr Neale Foster appointed CEO at INDRA to drive growth

Dr Neale Foster has been appointed CEO at INDRA, the innovative British electric vehicle (EV) charger and renewable technology company. Dr Foster’s appointment is a key part of INDRA’s ambitious growth plans in the smart energy and EV industry. Previously CEO of Access Europe GmbH, Foster has a proven track record in the automotive industry and brings a wealth of experience to INDRA at a crucial time for the company. Key priorities for the business include a central focus on customer growth as INDRA moves to cement its position at the forefront of the EV technology sector. Commenting on his appointment, Foster says: “I’m delighted to be joining INDRA at such an exciting time for the company. With sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds, now is a pivotal moment for the energy industries. “By accelerating of the adoption of tomorrow’s technology today, we’re focused on improving both the electric vehicle charging experience and energy industry integration for drivers everywhere and creating a greener future for all. “Drawing on my experience in both the software technology and automotive spaces, I look forward to accelerating this transformation journey and working alongside the talented INDRA team to drive innovation and growth.” John O’Donohue, INDRA’s chairman, says: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Neale to the team as INDRA’s first CEO. “Neale’s impressive expertise and leadership skills complement INDRA’s growth plans and navigation to pioneering change and innovation in the EV industry to create a greener planet. “With the changing EV landscape, Neale’s appointment as CEO will draw upon his experiences and skills to continue building INDRA as a driving force in the EV charger sector.”

Toolstation wins share of £500,000 prize in annual advertising competition

Toolstation was among the winners in Ocean’s annual digital creative competition for its bold out-of-home advertising with ‘The World’s Most Supportive Poster.’ Britain’s fastest growing suppliers of tools, accessories and building supplies won third place in the competition and, along with five other companies, will win a £50,000 share of £500,000 worth of airtime for its campaigns to be showcased across Ocean’s multiple environments and iconic digital formats in cities across the UK. Chosen from a panel of 19 industry and advertising experts, the prizes were announced on the 14th October at Ocean’s annual digital creative competition hosted at the National Gallery in London. Toolstation’s entry helped to address mental health issues in the construction industry. Research has shown that every day, two tradespeople in the industry, take their own lives, which is three times higher than the national average. Toolstation’s and Krow’s entry came third. Toolstation teamed up with the Lighthouse Club charity, and its live chat poster entry means that tradespeople can connect to Ocean screens using a QR code to privately chat with a trained expert. An anonymized live feed uses different animations to reflect the most talked about topics and helps tackle the stigma around mental health issues facing those in construction. It will also serve as a live listening tool to help experts identify further areas of stress. Toolstation will be developing a campaign to support this across its channels early next year to raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to seek the support offered by Lighthouse Club. Bill Hill CEO of Lighthouse Club comments: “ We are absolutely delighted to be working with Toolstation on this significant issue within our industry. It is so important that we get the message of support to the “boots on the ground” that we are there for them 24/7. If our workforce don’t know we are there for them we simply cant help them in crisis. I am convinced that partnering with Toolstation and using the medium of Outdoor Advertising will make a significant impact and ultimately save lives.” Greg Richardson, head of marketing at Toolstation, says: “Research shows that tradespeople have a suicide rate that’s three times higher than the national average. We wanted to raise awareness of the issue and we think ‘The World’s Most Supportive Poster’ has a clear call to action that will reach tradespeople directly where they work.”