Tradey tunes: the most listened-to songs by UK electricians revealed

IronmongeryDirect analysed thousands of Spotify playlists containing trade-related words in their titles, such as ‘tradesperson’, ‘plumber’ and ‘building site’, to identify the songs which appear the most frequently. Australian rockers AC/DC are the most popular artist and feature in trade playlists more than twice as much as often as any other singer or band. Three of the band’s hits feature in the top ten tradey tunes, with Highway to Hell and Thunderstruck joining Back to Black on the list. Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 single Dreams, from their best-selling album Rumours, is the second most listened-to track, ahead of Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood. Olivia Rodrigo, star of multiple Disney TV series, also makes the top ten with good 4 u, which recently topped the UK singles chart for five weeks in a row. Rodrigo is the third most popular artist, behind AC/DC and Lana Del Rey. Another surprise inclusion is Harry Styles, formerly of One Direction. He is the fifth favourite artist among tradespeople, largely thanks to the popularity of his summer anthem Watermelon Sugar. The top ten most listened-to songs by UK tradespeople are: 1) Back in Black - AC/DC 2) Dreams - Fleetwood Mac 3) Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood 4) Africa - TOTO 5) Highway to Hell - AC/DC 6) Thunderstruck - AC/DC 7) PTT (Paint The Town) - LOONA 8) Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People 9) The Less I Know The Better - Tame Impala 10) good 4 u - Olivia Rodrigo Many of these songs appear in playlists across the industry, but it seems that each trade has its own taste in music. The most popular song for each UK trade is: Builder: Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People Electrician: Closer - The Chainsmokers Joiner: Back in Black - AC/DC Plumber: Highway to Hell - AC/DC Plasterer: Nimbasa CORE - plasterbrain Painter Decorator: PTT (Paint The Town) - LOONA Landscaper: Avant Gardener - Courtney Barnett Carpenter: Blinding Lights - The Weeknd Bricklayer: Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt - DJ Shadow Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect, says: “Music is a massive part of day-to-day life for tradespeople, whether they’re working on a construction site or in someone’s home, and it’s great to see that they have such varied taste! “Whether you listen to Harry Styles or AC/DC, playing songs in the background can really help create a positive work environment so it should definitely be encouraged.”

Bob Bohannon joins the Lighting Industry Association

The LIA are excited to announce that Bob Bohannon has joined the management team of the Lighting Industry Association in the role of Head of Academy and Policy. This is a key role for the LIA and will provide strategy and leadership in the Academy, as well as enabling a forward-looking handover, of Peter Hunt’s excellent work in his role as Chief Policy Officer. Bob will oversee and coordinate all those supporting policy within the LIA, head up many of the key relationships, create wider and effective cross-industry links and work closely with the newly created Government Affairs committee, chaired by Dave Ribbons. Passionate about good lighting, sustainability, knowledge sharing and competence, this move brings Bob’s career full circle, as his 35 years in our industry started like so many others with a LIA Certificate Course.  Bob brings a wealth experience to the LIA, the immediate Past President of the Society of Light and Lighting, he had 20 years in manufacturing working on major projects such as St Pancras Station and Heathrow T5, before returning to lighting design and sustainability; being the recipient of prestigious industry awards for both. Matt Sturgess (The LIA’s CEO) comments “I am excited to have Bob join us, strengthening our management team, spearheading growing the Academy and representing our members in key industry and government forums”. Terry Dean (President of the LIA) adds “Having Bob come on board, takes us a big step forward on our journey to develop the LIA and support our member’s businesses.”

Alfie's Army completes challenge to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer

An intrepid team of 13, including National Ventilation’s sales manager, Andy Bills, has successfully completed a half-ultra challenge, hiking 53km through the Peak District on 3rd July 2021 to raise money for the Young Lives vs Cancer charity. The Peak District Challenge is an annual event which welcomes over 2,500 adventurers to test themselves in the Peak District National Park with a range of options from 25km to 100km. Starting and finishing in idyllic Bakewell, the team, named Alfie’s Army, took on the challenge to give something back to the charity that has been supporting Andy’s son, Alfie, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just 3 years of age. The team was formed of: Andy Bills; his life-long friends, Mark McCann, Michael Terry, Tim Newland, Bert Daines, Phil Bristow, Harry Kahl, Jolyon Shilling and Kieran Amer; Andy’s brothers-in-law, Barry Cullen and Matt White; and Andy’s nephews, Joe Cullen and Sam White. All 13 successfully crossed the line, including Andy, who finished the challenge in 12hrs 20mins, burning 5,000 calories along the way. So far, Alfie’s Army has raised an impressive £11,123. However, with charities hard hit during COVID and Young Lives vs Cancer offering families such vital support, the team would warmly welcome any further donations. Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent) is a cancer charity for children and young people and is solely funded by donations. The charity helps families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. Every day, 12 more children and young people hear the devastating news that they have cancer. “Alfie has spent the last 27 months under a very intense, relentless regime of Chemotherapy but he is doing very well, tolerating the treatment brilliantly, and is keeping up great attendance at school. Treatment is a roller coaster though and when he has lumbar punctures and intense treatments, he is not at school the following week”, explains Andy. “During these last 27 months we have been on a journey which can only be described as horrendous. It is a situation I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Fortunately, we have had the support from Young Lives vs Cancer both emotionally and financially. If anyone can lend their support to this wonderful charity, I’d be very grateful”, said Andy Bills, Regional Sales Manager at National Ventilation. Andy not only has the support of Alfie’s Army and Young Lives vs Cancer his work colleagues are also fully supporting him. “At National Ventilation we are very proud to support Andy and Alfie’s Army in fundraising for Young Lives vs Cancer. Andy and his team have done an amazing job raising so much money for the charity, but with charities finding the current conditions tough it would be great if we could raise some more valuable funds to support children and young people and their families in their fight against cancer”, says Robin Francis, Managing Director at National Ventilation. Meanwhile, Young Lives vs Cancer is delighted with the fundraising that Alfie’s Army have been undertaking. Becky Clements, Fundraising Engagement Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer explained: “Alfie’s Army are an incredible bunch that I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside over the last 6 months. The support Alfie’s Army have shown Young Lives vs Cancer over the last year is just phenomenal. I cannot thank Andy, Jen and every member of Alfie’s Army enough for their continual support, passion and enthusiasm to raising awareness and vital funds for Young Lives vs Cancer, allowing our vital work supporting young cancer patients and their families through the toughest times to continue. “Thanks to Alfie’s Army, we will be able to help even more young people and their families to face the emotional, practical and financial impact that cancer has on people’s lives. The £11,123 raised by the group could pay for 292 families to stay overnight for free in one of our 10 Homes from homes which are located close to specialist treatment hospitals all around the UK. These facilities allow families to be together when they need each other the most”. When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to. At Young Lives vs Cancer, the charity helps families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. Powered by the kindness of their supporters, they face it all together. To support Alfie’s Army visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-bills.

Johnson & Johnson new wind and solar power purchase agreements

Johnson & Johnson has announced that the company has executed three separate virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) in Europe, significantly accelerating progress towards the company’s ambitious goal to meet 100% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2025. The three VPPAs include a mix of wind and solar projects in Spain for a total generation capacity of 104 megawatts (MW) or approximately 270,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually. This amount of clean energy is equivalent to avoiding the carbon emissions from more than 41,000 passenger cars per year, or the annual electricity consumption of more than 82,000 homes. Developed by Enel Green Power, the wind and solar projects are expected to become operational in 2023, and would not have been financed and developed without Johnson & Johnson’s commitment, meaning the company is directly helping to accelerate the renewable energy transition in Europe. “Johnson & Johnson has a longstanding commitment to environmental health, including two decades of public climate commitments,” says Carlton Lawson, Company Group Chairman, Consumer Health EMEA, Johnson & Johnson. “These new VPPAs will cover more than thirty sites in eight European countries. Combined with existing PPAs in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland, we will soon be sourcing the equivalent of 100% of our electricity for Europe from renewable sources — a fantastic achievement that underlines our commitment to ensuring a better, healthier world.” The VPPAs will provide the equivalent of 100% renewable electricity for all Johnson & Johnson property sites across its three business sectors — pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health — in France, Germany, Spain, UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, and Italy. Johnson & Johnson’s aim to procure renewable power aligns with its Health for Humanity Goals — specifically, its commitment to source 100% of the company’s electricity from renewable sources by 2025 and to achieve carbon neutrality in its global operations by 2030. The company also recently joined the Race to Zero/ Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign with an ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across its value chain. “As the world’s largest and most broadly-based healthcare company, we know that human health and environmental health are fundamentally linked — healthy people need a healthy planet,” says Paulette Frank, Chief Sustainability Officer, Johnson & Johnson. “These new agreements are an exciting milestone in our longstanding commitment to climate action and take us another step closer to our goal of powering our global operations with 100% renewable electricity.” “We're delighted to see the positive progress that Johnson & Johnson are making towards achieving 100% renewable electricity across their business by 2025,” adds Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100, Climate Group. “They are demonstrating admirable leadership by using impactful procurement to take real climate action.”

Locate cables fast with new Tone and Probe from TREND Networks

TREND Networks has launched a new Tone and Probe for easy and dependable tracing of all types of copper cables, including data, telephone, electrical and COAX. “All installers, engineers, and integrators need to find some sort of cable or wire, yet many are using low cost, unreliable tools to do this, and simply hoping for the best,” says Tim Widdershoven, Marketing Director for TREND Networks. “Now, they can depend on our Tone and Probe as the kit bag essential for faster, more accurate cable tracing in any commercial or residential application.” The new Tone Generator features an industry leading power output of 13dBm, providing reliable cable tracing even over long distances. Easy to use, with no training needed, it is equipped with comprehensive line testing features for troubleshooting and service verification. With 70 hours of battery life, and a shielded button to prevent accident battery drain, users can depend on it being available whenever the job demands it. “When using some Tone and Probe products, either there is so much crackling on the line you can’t hear whether there is a tone or not, or the signal is so weak nothing is picked up,” explains Tim. “Our new high sensitivity Probe is designed to not only locate weak signals but also make it easier to find cables in challenging working conditions, such as noisy or dark server rooms.” The Probe features a visual signal strength light, that grows brighter the stronger the signal, as well as an audible indicator with volume control. Headphones can be plugged into the probe so that users can easily hear the sound, even in noisy environments, while an LED torch at the tip makes it easier to work in dark conditions. “Built with our dependable TREND Networks DNA, our Tone and Probe features a design that is modern, ergonomic, and rugged,” says Tim. “It is equally well suited to engineers using these tools day in, day out, or installers that simply need to be sure the tip won’t have broken off the probe when they next remove it from their kit bag!” The new tools have helpful applications in a wide range of industries, such as telecommunications, cable TV, electrical installation, security, AV, IT, and data cable installation. For example, the Tone and Probe can help users to accurately identify a specific pair of wires in a multi-pair bundle, conduct continuity tests on phone lines or detect Ethernet cable via RJ45 connectors. As well as being available as a kit, the Tone and Probe tools are available individually. The Probe is compatible with trusted TREND Networks products such as VDV II, NaviTEK NT, SignalTEK NT, LanTEK IV and LanXPLORER which all have built in Tone functionality.

The new Webasto pure charging station guarantees flexibility and extended warranty

The new Webasto Pure charging station makes charging at home even more user-friendly. The central LED display now indicates that charging is active with a flowing, gently pulsating colour transition. The unit is available in 4.5 or a 7m long permanently attached cable with a type 2 charging plug. This offers electric car drivers greater flexibility when selecting the location for their charging station. Plus, Webasto is now providing a five-year guarantee promise at no extra cost, thereby significantly exceeding the statutory guarantee period of two years. A further benefit of the new Webasto Pure is the factory-integrated DC residual current device. This means that it is completely unnecessary to install a separate 'Type B RCD' circuit breaker, which saves costs and installation effort. “Webasto is synonymous with high-quality and user-friendly products. With the new Webasto Pure we are specifically addressing customer wishes relating to EV charging. We are also offering consumers safe and reliable access to electromobility with our extended Webasto guarantee,” explains Heike Niehues, who is responsible for the global aftermarket business at Webasto. Just like its predecessor, the new Webasto Pure is available in the two power variants 11kW and 22kW to meet individual charging performance requirements. A new feature is that the installer has further available amperages when commissioning the EV charging unit. This enables the installer to better match the charging current to the infrastructure already available on-site. In addition, the universal key switch is retained, which blocks access to the charging station for unauthorised users, as is the simple installation, fast commissioning and ease of operation of the charger (plug and play). An important feature for electricity transmission system operators is that the new Webasto Pure allows remote access via a ripple control receiver for ensuring grid stability.

TV personality Steph McGovern to present ECA awards

Popular broadcaster Steph McGovern is set to host this year’s ECA Industry Awards Dinner. Guests will also enjoy a range of other entertainment hosted by Alan Dedicoat – the famous ‘voice of the National Lottery’- as well as a live band and DJ, along with some other surprise entertainment on the night! After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the ECA Industry Awards Dinner, supported by headline sponsors LEDVANCE and Electrium, is once again being held at the Hilton Bankside in London on October 22, 2021. This year's awards will combine Member projects and activities from 2019 & 2020. The ECA Industry Awards is one of the most exciting events on the industry calendar and gives those in the industry the chance to network and celebrate the outstanding work that ECA Member businesses, and others in the supply chain, carry out. The awards are currently open to entries until 23 July 2021. The full list of award categories is as follows: • Large Contractor of the Year – over £30M Turnover, sponsored by Schneider Electric • Contractor of the Year – £15M to £30M Turnover, sponsored by Eaton • Contractor of the Year - £5M to £15M Turnover, sponsored by ABB • Contractor of the Year – £1M to £5M Turnover, sponsored by the JIB • Contractor of the Year – under £1M Turnover, sponsored by Edmundson Electrical • Excellence in Training & Development – over £15M Turnover, sponsored by JTL • Excellence in Training & Development – up to £15M Turnover, sponsored by Ideal Industries • Best Health & Safety Initiative, sponsored by Electrical Safety First • Best Fire & Security Project, sponsored by NSI • Best Client/Partnership, sponsored by Markel • Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sponsored by CHAS In addition, we are pleased to announce that the FSA (specialist fire and security group within the ECA and SELECT) will be presenting its two annual awards for contribution to the fire and security industries during this event. ECA Director of Member Services Helen Atkinson comments: “This is a fabulous event which celebrates the very best of ECA Members’ work. Every year the judges review some exceptional award entries from contractors who have embraced challenges and delivered some ingenious client solutions and innovative team development programmes. It’s a great opportunity to showcase excellence.”

Scolmore doubles head office space

Having reached full capacity at its 10,000 sq. ft head office site in Tamworth by the end of 2018, Scolmore had its sights set on another building at the same location which, at 25,000 sq. ft, would more than double the capacity for the company’s new headquarters. The aim was to commence work in September 2019 to extend and refurbish the new building, with the relocation of all staff due to take place in early 2020. While the building transformation went ahead – the original steel structure and roof were kept intact, and the large central atrium closed – the plans to move staff in were inevitably delayed when the first of the national lockdowns was imposed in March 2020. However, having made the decision to invest in the significantly larger new site to futureproof the company for continued growth and expansion, Scolmore found itself in the fortunate position that once restrictions started to be lifted and staff returned to work, it could very comfortably accommodate the rapidly increasing number of staff, whilst operating within the regulations required for social distancing and safe practice in the workplace. At the same time as it expanded the footprint of the office space, the company has also dramatically increased its warehouse capacity at the Tamworth site. This investment has certainly paid off in the current climate, with the company able to hold significant levels of stock to meet the increased demand it has been experiencing for its vast range of wiring accessories and the newly launched Elucian consumer units and circuit protection products. The most recent acquisition of another 30,000 sq. ft of warehouse space brings the total square footage for the head office and warehousing facilities to 224,000 sq. ft. Commenting on the new premises, Steve Taylor, logistics director for Scolmore Group says: “We feel very fortunate that, having made the decision in 2018 to move to larger premises to accommodate our growing business, we were able to fulfil this much needed relocation. There were inevitable delays as we dealt with the restrictions on site in the early days and then with the requirement to operate a safe and compliant workplace. All staff are now back in the office and with our increased office space everyone is able to work with a 2 metre distance between them and this is the case across every department of the business. Having invested in significantly increased premises, we will be able to comfortably add to the staffing levels as the company continues its upward trajectory.”

A major power project has reached a new milestone

A major project to upgrade the reliability of power supplies for homes and businesses across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire has reached a significant milestone. The latest stage of one of the region’s biggest electricity infrastructure investments for years has seen new equipment between Little Barford and Eaton Socon energised at the end of last month, as the project continues to deliver on time and on budget. The £35 million scheme by UK Power Networks alongside its Alliance partners Kier, Wood and Morrison Energy Services has seen a new 132,000-volt underground cable installed that stretches 2.5km. The new cable route was achieved using a series of long and complex directional drills to minimise the impact on the local infrastructure and environment. The drilling went under two major roads, a river and a golf course during its progress. A new Supergrid transformer is being installed at National Grid’s substation at Eaton Socon to reinforce the electricity network capacity when the project completes in 2023. New electrical switching equipment at Little Barford substation owned by UK Power Networks will ensure the continued security of supply to 190,000 customers locally in Cambridge, Bedford and St Neot’s and future-proof supplies, as well as enabling the connection of more low carbon electricity generation. Geraint Hancock, project manager for UK Power Networks, says: “The continued success of this project is the result of dedicated teamwork across the Alliance and fine engineering. We have overcome some significant logistical challenges to make this happen. “Little Barford’s new cable connection to Eaton Socon ensures it will remain robust in the future, and there is a lasting community benefit in terms of safe and reliable power supplies for homes and businesses in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.” [embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZsHP4nOGiE[/embed]

The changing face of electric Britain

Have you ever thought about buying an electric car? If you have, you are not alone. With COP26 on the horizon, talk about the climate emergency is in the news every day. Buying an electric vehicle (EV) is one way to play our part in reducing carbon emissions. The rate of EV sales in the UK is growing rapidly. Last year saw the biggest annual increase, with more than 175,000 electric vehicles registered, a growth of 66% on 2019. Britain is about to undergo an electric revolution. Just as the combustion engine changed our towns and cities, our familiar spaces will change again, to accommodate the new breed of vehicles. If you are thinking about switching to an EV, no doubt you’ll have thought about where, and how, you’ll fill it up – with electricity. The dream of a net zero future, with more and more electric cars, hinges on our motorways and urban spaces having enough places to refuel. The price of electric cars is becoming more affordable all the time. Increasing numbers of companies now own fleets of electric vehicles. But, for the whole country to move to EVs, we must have a coordinated network of public charging points. Postcode lottery Charging your electric car in Scotland is easy and cheap. ChargePlace Scotland runs the country’s public network of 1,500 charging points and for a modest sum you can buy a card giving you free charging. Drive elsewhere in the UK and you find a choice of providers, each with a different charge card and varying prices. This can be very frustrating, even for the committed EV owner. According to Steve Bratt of Actuate UK, the voice of eight major UK engineering services trade bodies, “without an integrated plan to install a comprehensive charging network, customers will not make the necessary switch to EV. Drivers are understandably worried about being stranded without fuel. We must make the EV charging network a priority in the shift to fossil free motoring.” Without the switch to EVs, the country will not reach it’s 2050 net zero target. This Spring, Germany committed to spend nearly £5 billion during the next three years to provide EV charging points at every petrol station. Their aim is to boost consumer demand for electric cars. The UK must step up to provide a similar infrastructure to demonstrate to the world we are serious about the switch to electric vehicles. Adam Smith of NRT Eco, who installs EV charging points, says “we need more charging points in businesses and on the streets. If you go to your local petrol station, you are lucky if it has one electric point. If there is a car already fuelling, you could have up to an hour’s wait.” Moves are afoot to develop all electric charging forecourts. Gridserve has built the first in Essex. It plans to build another 100 by the end of the decade. There are noises from some of the big forecourt names such as BP and Shell, that they too are making the switch to all electric forecourts. You might be considering installing a EV charging point in your garage. Be warned it isn’t cheap - it could cost up to £14,000. The good news is it can be done quickly, with most installations taking less than a day. Government incentives for buying small electric cars were removed in March, although they are still in place for larger business vehicles, at least for the time being. You might be wondering why it is so costly to install a domestic EV charging point. As with many new technologies there is more involved than at first glance. For example, the installer needs to see your ‘permission to park’ and check the amount of power available in your house. The installer may need to fit ‘load limiting’ equipment. This prevents power loss for normal household activities by limiting the car’s charging speed. The solution to cheaper and more readily available charging points is to make more of them public. Small scale businesses, such as NRT Eco and Gridserve, are good news for EV owners. Actuate UK, however, is concerned about the many aspects of large-scale charging installation yet to be considered. While businesses may provide the charging stations, the surge in demand for electricity needs forethought. Renewable energy supplies almost half of the electricity needs in the UK, but more is needed. The solution to the charging surge is joined up thinking about energy storage. A system of minigrids with battery storage is one-way to capture electricity generated in homes and other small-scale ventures. This would generate enough electricity to power local charging points. Electric Vehicle technology is developing apace. New EVs have a range of 400 miles before they need a recharge, like a petrol vehicle. The time taken for charging is getting shorter. But to reduce our carbon footprint we must also change our habits. Thinking ahead how we use our cars, charging the car overnight and noting charging stations before a long journey will become common place. It is hard to visualise the future shape of our roads and service stations. And it may seem frustrating to make changes to our lifestyles. But what we all will welcome in the future is breathing cleaner air and hearing quieter roads. When asked what he would say to world leaders at COP26, Adam Smith says “Give us a plan, not just promises – people need incentives to switch to an electric future”.