ERA invests in sustainability commitments with new appointment

Home security and fenestration component provider, ERA, has recruited a new Sustainability Programme Manager to lead its environmental improvement journey, as part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy. Kerri Nadel has a wealth of experience in sustainable product innovation, including the successful reduction of waste materials, following five years as Innovation Technologist for Tarmac. As part of her new role, Kerri will be responsible for overseeing the environmental impact and actions of each ERA business, from product development and manufacturing to operations and logistics, as part of parent company Tyman plc’s Focus-Define-Grow strategy. Kerri will also be leading ERA’s implementation of Tyman’s 2030 Sustainability Excellence Roadmap, which details the business’ action plan and outlines how ERA will achieve sustainable operations, build a sustainable culture and deliver more sustainable product and service solutions. A key ambition of the Roadmap is accomplishing carbon neutral operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by the end of 2030. This will be accomplished by implementing a holistic approach to energy efficiency, including the deployment of renewable energy technologies, in addition to dedicated carbon removal projects. Speaking of her appointment, Kerri Nadel says: “This is an extremely exciting time to join ERA, as it undertakes a significant plan of investment over the next 10 years, which will create a more sustainable and efficient future for all. The entire team is working incredibly hard to achieve these targets, and I look forward to helping ERA go from strength-to-strength in fulfilling these objectives.” The Sustainability Excellence Roadmap also outlines the company’s aims to deliver 100% sustainable packaging by 2026, in addition to eliminating waste to landfill within the same year. As part of this commitment, Tyman has signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative to fully quantify its carbon footprint across its value chain and extend its targets to cover reductions across scope 3 emissions, which will also deliver the level of decarbonisation required under the Paris Climate Agreement. Tyman’s Health, Safety and Sustainability Director, Jonathan Garrett, concludes: “Kerri’s appointment reflects our commitment to sustainability and achieving tangible goals that will benefit our customers, end-users, employees and wider society. Our 2030 Sustainability Excellence Roadmap contains some challenging targets but I am confident that, as a team, we will achieve our ambitions, whilst continuing to deliver the highest standards in product quality and service.”

New EnOcean CEO: Raoul Wijgergangs supersedes Andreas Schneider

Raoul Wijgergangs was appointed EnOcean's new CEO, starting from 1 August 2021, succeeding co-founder Andreas Schneider. In this role, Wijgergangs will further expand EnOcean's position as a market leader in the field of battery-free radio technology and wireless solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT). Oberhaching, August 24, 2021 – After 20 successful years, the last five of them as Managing Director of EnOcean, co-founder Andreas Schneider has left the company at his own request on 31 July 2021 to take on new entrepreneurial challenges. Since 1 August 2021 Raoul Wijgergangs is EnOcean’s new CEO. He has over 20 years of experience in the IoT industry and is also a co-founder of the Z-Wave Alliance. Dr. Peter Klein, CFO, EnOcean, says: "I would like to personally thank Andreas Schneider for his constant commitment and tireless dedication to the company and every single employee. Under his leadership EnOcean has been able to expand and consolidate its market position even further. The fact that we as a company have successfully come through the Corona crisis confirms this. The entire EnOcean team and I wish him all the best for the future. At the same time, I am looking forward to the upcoming collaboration with Raoul Wijgergangs as the new CEO and I am sure that together we will build on the outstanding work of Andreas Schneider." Raoul Wijgergangs, new CEO, EnOcean, adds: "I am honoured that the Management Board puts so much trust in me as the new Managing Director, and I am very much looking forward to this new professional chapter. As the world leader in sustainable IoT, EnOcean will certainly be even more in demand in the coming months and years. With that in mind I see great opportunities not only in the commercial real estate but also in the industrial IoT. What’s more, the company’s focus on interoperability with products supporting the EnOcean radio standard, Bluetooth Low Energy and Zigbee Green Power makes it a real IoT power house. I thank Andreas Schneider for his successful work over the last years, without him EnOcean would certainly not be where the company is today. And of course I’m very much looking forward to be working with such an innovative team with a strong expertise and great technical know-how." Before joining EnOcean, Wijgergangs was CEO at Disruptive Technologies in Oslo and worked as Vice President/General Manager at Silicon Labs as well as Vice President/General Manager of the Z-Wave business unit at Sigma Designs in Copenhagen, to name but a few positions. Raoul Wijgergangs studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at H.T.S.’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, and completed his MBA at the Twente School of Management, University of Twente, Netherlands.

New CMD catalogue provides technical power distribution guide

CMD has released a new catalogue, providing an easy to follow technical guide to the company’s power distribution products. Detailing CMD’s full range of UK-manufactured power distribution and workstation power products, the catalogue will be a helpful source of information to M&E engineers and contractors alike to understand how the company’s products connect together and deliver technical specification and compliance. Available to download from the company’s website, the new brochure has been designed for use as a support document for product specification. It has been updated to make it easier to navigate, with product information split into two sections: power distribution, including Betatrak powertrack and Power Hub, and workstation power, including under and on desk modules.  The brochure includes useful information on technical and regulatory guidance for power distribution installations in commercial environments, along with sample workstation schematics, delivering a complete visual guide to the turnkey power distribution solutions offered by CMD. Jon Holding, general manager of CMD comments: “We have lots of product information available on our website but it’s often helpful for specifiers to have all the information they need collated in a single document, which they can reference when specifying, purchasing or liaising with our team. “We are proud to be a company that doesn’t just offer products; we provide solutions, backed by expertise and UK manufacturing capabilities. Our new catalogue provides an educational tool that demystifies power distribution systems for industry professionals, helping us deliver our goal of connecting power, people and organisations.”

Introducing technically speaking- the latest podcast from NICEIC

NICEIC has introduced their latest podcast series, ‘Technically Speaking’. Aimed at electrical contractors wishing to expand their knowledge, ‘Technically Speaking’ joins the brands successful technical webinar series, The WIRE and complements the regular NICEIC Live Stream events and Low Carbon Fix podcast. “Following the events of the past 18 months, we are acutely aware that our customers are increasingly looking for new and more convenient ways of undertaking learning,” says Paul Collins, NICEIC Technical Services Manager. “This is clearly demonstrated in the success we have seen with The WIRE, which reached over 10,000 individuals in the last series, and the increasing popularity of our weekly Live Stream events, which regularly attract over 1,000 viewers. “Keen to keep engaging with our audience, we are delighted to introduce our latest offering, ‘Technically Speaking’. Taking the questions and answers from our Live Stream Q&A events, we have added this technically rich content to our growing Podcast platform allowing contractors to tune in whilst out on the job, in the van, or at a time and place to suit them.” Available now via all popular podcast channels, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, the ‘Technically Speaking’ launch package includes eight episodes. To tune in, search NICEIC Podcasts via your chosen podcast provider, and don’t forget to log any of the episodes you listen to as part of your personal CPD record.

The Government has announced new grants for heat pumps

Rated people has commented in response to the news that the government will be introducing grants of up to £7,000 to help households replace gas boilers. Rated People has reported a 28% rise in demand for heat pump installations. An air source heat pump – the most common style of heat pump – could save the average detached home with four bedrooms up to £1,300 per year, depending on the heating system you are replacing. Before the £7,000 grants come into play, homeowners can still claim £970 per year through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. Rated People’s Home Improvement Trends Report found that 57 per cent of homeowners want to be more eco-friendly. Adrienne Minster, CEO of Rated People, comments: “It’s great to hear that the government is looking to quadruple the budget for the Clean Heat Grant. The average cost of an air source heat pump is around £10,000 and price remains a big barrier for homeowners looking to lower their carbon footprint. This grant of up to £7,000 will go a long way to helping many move to a cleaner energy solution. It’s set to help 60,000 households, and while there are a lot more than 60,000 gas boilers to replace across the UK, it’s a good start to further tackling carbon emissions. Our research has shown that growing awareness about climate change has meant that homeowners are keen to go green where possible. For a number of years, solar panels and insulation have been the go-to options when making sustainable home renovations. However, the fuel we use to heat our homes can make a big difference to a property’s carbon footprint. This is where heat pumps can play a huge role.”

JIB highlights the importance of early workplace conflict resolution

The Joint Industry Board (JIB) has highlighted the importance of resolving workplace disputes early after a recent report by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) estimated that workplace conflict costs UK employers £28.5 billion every year, an average of just over £1,000 for every employee. The Acas report, titled ‘Estimating the costs of workplace conflict’, also shows that nearly half a million employees resign each year as a result of conflict and that handling disagreements and complaints early before employment relationships are damaged can help save businesses money. The JIB has operated an industry disputes resolution mechanism since it was set up in 1968 and this free to access procedure remains a fundamental aspect of the JIB Agreement, provided to member companies, operatives and registered apprentices. Since the introduction of Pre-Claim conciliations in 2013, there have been more than 300 claims resolved by the JIB and only four Dispute Committee Hearings. With the average one-day Unfair Dismissal claim costing over £8,000 where cases reach the Employment Tribunal, this represents a potential saving to the industry of £2.6 million. No JIB Dispute Committee hearing has ever taken more than a day. Sheik Khan, Head of Industrial Relations at the JIB, says: “The JIB has put in measures to resolve cases earlier, through informal channels, rather than allowing these to escalate and deteriorate to the stage where the working relationship has broken down and before Dispute Hearings or Employment Tribunal claims are lodged.” Sheik adds: “The JIB’s involvement through mediation has meant that we have settled hundreds of cases. We have not had a formal Dispute Committee hearing since 2016 and the last five years have seen a 100 per cent success rate in resolving cases lodged within our procedures and at pre-claim stage. JIB members have a respected process which is aided by the pragmatism of the ECA and Unite the Union representatives who understand both the JIB Agreement and the industry.” Acas Chair Clare Chapman comments: “Acas appreciates the key role performed by JIB, ECA and Unite the Union, along with their dedication to help the sector through the Covid-19 pandemic; navigate out of lockdown; support businesses and continue to protect workers.” Disputes resolution is just one of the many benefits of being a JIB member. Other benefits include industry recognised terms and conditions, a tailored benefits package including private medical care, contributions towards training through the Skills Development Fund, access to unique business opportunities, apprenticeship support and ECS card discounts.

A fifth of UK electricians are abused by customers every working day

Almost nine in 10 (86%) UK tradespeople have been abused at work by customers, with swearing, threatening messages and even physical attacks common in the industry, new research has revealed. The study was conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, after its Mental Health in the Trades report found customer tensions and abuse are among the leading causes of stress. Swearing and insults (34%) are the most common form of abuse, but one in ten (10%) tradespeople have been physically attacked by a client, and one in 14 (7%) have been sexually harassed. The intimidation continues even after workers have left a job, with one in seven (14%) receiving aggressive text messages or calls. Such behaviour means many tradespeople have felt unsafe (16%) or threatened (13%) at work, and one in eight (12%) have felt stressed, depressed or anxious because of heated exchanges. Sadly, incidents like these are happening on a regular basis, with one in five (20%) experiencing customer abuse every single working day, and more than a third (34%) are berated every week. While both male and female tradespeople are victimised, the type of abuse they receive varies. Women are more likely to be sworn at or insulted (37%) and receive threatening messages (18%), but men are more commonly on the end of physical attacks (10%) and sexual harassment (8%). Overall, tradeswomen are abused by customers more regularly, with almost a quarter (23%) being mistreated every day, compared to 19% of men. Age is also a factor, with younger workers generally most likely to be targeted. Gen Z (18-24 year olds) and millennial (25-34s) tradespeople receive the most insults, threats and sexual remarks. However, customers are most likely to threaten to withhold payment when it is an older tradesperson (over 65) in their home (16%). Furthermore, some trades receive more abuse than others. While bricklayers experience incidents most frequently, with over half (56%) abused daily, carpenters are the most likely to be physically attacked (21%), and plumbers suffer the most sexual harassment (17%). Almost one in five (19%) electricians are abused each day, with 9% having been attacked and 7% having been sexually harassed. The UK trades most likely to receive daily customer abuse are: 1) Bricklayer – 56% 2) Builder – 24% 3) Plumber – 22% 4) Plasterer – 20% 5) Joiner – 20% 6) Building surveyor – 19% 7) Electrician – 19% 8) Carpenter – 16% 9) Painter decorator – 14% 10) Landscaper – 7% With the scale of the problem revealed, IronmongeryDirect has partnered with experienced psychological therapist, Michael Padraig Acton, who has provided advice for tradespeople dealing with confrontational customers: 1) Ask for specifics “Make sure you are hearing and understanding everything the person is complaining about. Don’t assume anything and double check that you know what they are referring to. Be genuine and make note of their sense of the problem.” 2) Stay calm “Don’t raise your voice or antagonise the customer. It’s the worst mistake you can make as you will just escalate the situation. Sometimes staying calm is enough to diffuse the situation as the customer might back down after having their say.” 3) Check your involvement “It is always helpful to reflect on your involvement and consider how you did or didn't manage something. You can also ask your employer or company for training and support.” Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect, comments: “It’s horrific to see how widespread the problem of customer abuse is in the industry, with many tradespeople experiencing it every single shift. “It’s so important that tradespeople look after themselves and don't just put up with hostility, as it can have a detrimental effect on their mental health. Our research found that one in eight workers have walked away from jobs because of abuse and that is a really sensible action to take.”

Merton bus garage gears up for zero-emission operations

Environmentally-friendly buses are operating from a South West London bus garage, thanks to a new electricity connection. UK Power Networks has completed work at Merton for Go-Ahead London, to enable new electric buses to charge overnight, with the project representing a major contribution towards reducing local pollution levels, while helping to enable the UK’s transition to Net Zero. The delivery team installed new cables to provide additional power at the garage, which will deliver supplies for 17 electric buses operating on route 200 from Mitcham to Raynes Park. The work has reduced running costs for the bus garage, which is able to charge its new fleet when local electricity demand is very low. Irvine Nyamapfene, project manager at UK Power Networks, says: “This is bringing another breath of fresh air for Londoners and we are pleased to be playing a key part in the city looking forward to a greener future.” Richard Harrington, director at Go-Ahead London, comments: "As the capital's largest bus company, and the UK's biggest individual e-bus operator, we are at the forefront of zero-emission technology.  Go-Ahead London and UK Power Networks have worked collaboratively to electrify Route 200 and, in the process, improve air quality for the local communities we serve." UK Power Networks, the firm that keeps power flowing across London, the South East and East of England has enabled more than 500 buses in the capital to turn electric over the last few years, to help meet the Government’s 2050 target of net zero emissions. UK Power Networks is a global leader (ranked top in the Smart Grid Index) in the development of smart, flexible electricity grids to support Electric Vehicles, improve air quality and reduce the capital’s carbon footprint. It advises companies and individuals how to best connect charge points, and plan new fleets.

Hudson partners with Lighthouse Club to help combat stress

Hudson Contract is partnering with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity to promote better mental wellbeing in the sector and help ensure people can easily access any support they might need to cope with stress. Tell-tale signs of unhelpful stress include sleeping difficulties, drinking too much, being angry, feeling depressed or having low energy. Hudson Contract is using its extensive industry network to advertise a free Lighthouse Club workshop for subcontractors on the subject of stress, led by a qualified trainer and taking place online with anonymity for participants. The workshop will help people to recognise the signs of pressure and stress, understand what is normal and what is not, identify causes, learn coping mechanisms and build resilience. It is CPD-accredited, so will contribute to personal, career and professional development. Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, comments: “We all lead busy lives and can experience unhelpful stress from time to time. It is important to know there is help available and we are proud to be promoting the excellent support services provided by the Lighthouse Club.” More than 18,400 subbies paid by Hudson can see an advert for the workshop on the back of their payslips. The advert will be visible to a further 55,000 subbies that are registered on the company’s online subcontractor portal. The workshop takes place on 26 August at 6.30pm and is open to all, free of charge. Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Club, says: “By providing pro-active support for managing stress, we can help to prevent situations reaching crisis point. Our mission is that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis and Hudson are ensuring that we reach those that might need support.” Last year, the Lighthouse Club reported a 57% increase in the number of cases presented to its 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, with the vast majority requesting help with a variety of wellbeing issues.

IEC Lock connects at prestigious London Experience Centre

Technological Innovations Group (TIG) is a specialist global IT product and services provider, working with governments, infrastructure suppliers and other global organisations providing IT and technology solutions. TIG recently opened two Experience Spaces - in Frankfurt and London. These innovative spaces are designed to welcome integrators, consultants, facilities managers, specifiers and end-users and showcase TIG's impressive ecosystem of AV, UC, IT and control solutions from brands at the forefront of leading-edge technology development, in a safe and socially-distanced way. Technical solutions distributor and AV rack build specialist, Visualization, were called upon in the early stages of the prestigious TIG London Experience Centre project, having been recognised for their professionalism and quality of build. Scolmore’s IEC Lock+ rewireable connector – the world’s first locking C13 IEC connector was selected by Visualization for use in the rack build element of this prestigious project. Visualization’s involvement included preparing the cable infrastructure at the Experience Centre as well as the rack build and installation. The rack was pre-staged offsite at Visualization’s Maidenhead, Berkshire premises. The team then worked onsite to install the cabling infrastructure to power the Experience Centre and once this element of the project was complete, the rack was delivered and installed on site. The IEC Lock rewireable connectors were used by Visualization for the rack build element of the project, and they were also used with ICT equipment specified by TIG for mains distribution.  Key reasons for Visualization’s choice of the IEC Lock rewireable connected included the product’s unique locking features and the peace of mind it offers for secure connectivity, particular during transit, where there can be issues of displacement caused by vibrations. Nick Pidgeon, Managing Director of Visualization, comments: “When we first tried out the IEC Lock, we were impressed with the qualities and features it offered, and it was a no brainer for us to move over to them. We have been using the C13 rewireable connectors, as well as the versatile angled connectors, for a number of years now and they have become a trusted and standard part of our rack builds.  We love the peace of mind knowing our racks can be transported and installed on site without equipment disconnection and we would not use anything else.” Scolmore’s IEC Lock+ Rewireable was the world’s first locking rewireable C13 IEC connector. It is designed to guard against accidental disconnection of computers, PDU’s servers and most network devices, and it adds additional flexibility and ease of use, as well as LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) compatibility, to its list of features. The beautifully straightforward high-visibility locking mechanism is combined with a simple release mechanism which allows for disconnection from all sides. Ideal as a retrofit solution, it requires no other equipment or special inlets to secure it, it is simply plugged into an appliance as you would a standard IEC lead. The red cage release mechanism also marks the connector out from standard IEC leads to allow maintenance and other data centre staff to identify critical power sources. Its slim design means it can easily be implemented in areas where access is limited, and ease of removal is of paramount importance. Its LSZH attribute is crucial for critical applications in military, broadcast, transportation and data centres.