A third of tradespeople have found themselves in an unexpected situation

New research from Toolstation customers has found that 37% of tradespeople and 41% of DIYer’s have found themselves in an unexpected, difficult, challenging, or funny situation either related to a DIY or work-related job, and almost half of trades (46%) explained the most challenging aspects of their work life is unexpected problems. When working with the general public, it seems tradespeople are going above and beyond to do the job ‘right’ and have some odd and unexpected encounters along the way. It revealed the top extra requests included a variety of household or unexpected tasks such as: being asked to move furniture (67%); accepting deliveries (53%); moving items to the attic (31%); sweeping and hoovering (21%) and making a cup of tea or coffee (12%). Surprisingly, 15% had even been asked to feed a family pet, 14% of those asked had been asked to pick up a parcel and 12% had been asked to take the bins out. Toolstation has been on the hunt to find out some of the challenges customers face on a daily basis, including the funny situations encountered whilst on a job. Here are some of Toolstation’s favourites: “I was called out to gain entry to a home as the lady was locked out managed to get a window open so climbed through to be met by a huge snake asleep in the passage by the front door. The lady forgot to mention her snake can roam free… it turned out to be very friendly!” “I arrived at a large house after a callout, no answer at the door, heard voices to the rear, so walked around the back to find the lady of the house and friend stark naked, on sun loungers... So, I walked back to the gate and shouted, “Anyone there”, 30 seconds later the lady appeared with a kaftan on, her modesty and my embarrassment saved.” “I sent an apprentice in to run some cables through some ceiling joists and supplied him with an electric drill. Job should have taken no more than half an hour. Customer rang and said the apprentice was taking a long time and had been over two hours. Went to site and the apprentice had drilled through two out of seven joists. Apprentice had been trying to drill through the joists but with drill in reverse! Fifteen minutes later, job was complete, apprentice very embarrassed and customer very amused, fortunately!” “Arrived at the customer's house, materials hadn't turned up after an hour of chasing, I ended up going for them. On returning to the job, the customer had started to rip out the kitchen which was strange as I was there to fit his bathroom, the customer had thought I was the kitchen fitter who was not due till three weeks after I had completed the bathroom, his wife was furious!” “An elderly customer called and was panicking about her noisy boiler she thought was going to explode and she couldn't turn it off. Arrived on site to find the cause was a faulty electric tin opener rattling the cutlery drawer beneath the boiler. Removed the tin opener batteries and threw it away. Customer happy!” “I was once sent to a job by my company I used to work for. Sat with the customer for 15 minutes with a nice cup of tea. Lovely conversation, then he asked me what I wanted and what I was doing there, boss had sent me to the wrong address. Nice to meet them though, and great brew.” Greg Richardson, Head of Marketing at Toolstation, says, “Whether it is being asked to take out the bins, or to make a cup of tea, we were surprised at some of the unexpected situations our customers have found themselves in. It just goes to show the trust the nation has in tradespeople and confirms for us that our customers go above and beyond when asked.”

Scottish Construction Leadership Forum progresses in recovery plan goals

In an encouraging milestone for the construction industry in Scotland, an interim assessment of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s (CLF) long-term Recovery Plan for the sector is showing steady and consistently-improving progress. The Forum, a collaboration between Construction Scotland, industry partners, the Scottish Government and other industry stakeholders was established in March 2019 to develop and implement an Action Plan of improvement initiatives aligned with Government policies and Construction Scotland’s Industry Strategy. When the magnitude of the coronavirus pandemic became clear last year, the Forum’s energies were diverted initially to restarting the sector after the first shutdown and then to developing an ambitious wider recovery plan with over 80 specific actions. That plan was approved in October last year and set out a pathway not only to recovery, but also to a longer-term transformation which the Forum believed was required to build a stronger, fairer and greener economic future. Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning and Chair of the Construction Leadership Forum, says: “This Recovery Plan has set an ambitious agenda for the sector and I am pleased with the progress so far. There is still much to do to move us from recovery into the transformation which is vital for this sector. The Plan recognises the central role of construction in meeting net zero targets and its ability to create jobs right across Scotland. “Although the formation of the current Construction Leadership Forum arose from the worst of circumstances it is delivering the best of outcomes. The forum must continue driving forward this important work to build the fairer, more sustainable, innovative and diverse industry we all want to see. “Creating and delivering such an ambitious plan has only been possible due to the spirit of collaboration across the sector. The collective has endeavoured to understand the challenges not only brought about by COVID-19 but also those underpinning the sector’s longer-term resilience, and everyone involved has put in countless hours through a high level of commitment.” Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and chair of the Executive Group of the CLF, comments: “The Forum committed to taking a long-term view of building a productive, profitable, low-carbon and socially responsible construction industry, but it was also crucially aware that immediate action was needed to alleviate the most severe effects of the pandemic. “In response to this, the Recovery Plan built on immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term aims, focused on five areas: Pipeline and Commercial; Skills and Workforce; Transformation; Supply Chain Resilience and Capability; and Industry Data and Insight. “An update on progress of the delivery of the immediate and short-term goals has been published on the CLF website. It shows that twenty immediate and short-term actions have been completed. Progress has been made in a number of key areas such as support for apprentices, issue of new safe operating guidance, a digital upskilling strategy, a value of consultancy approach, construction quality improvement and developing a data strategy to better inform key decision making. “This has not been without its challenges and there is still a long way to go, however a significant amount of activity is due to be completed this year, and particularly in the next quarter.” Mr Reekie pointed out that, while the immediate action results were satisfactory, the short-term results were more mixed. This reflected the fact that although much time and effort has been devoted to the task, there needed to be realism about what could be achieved while operating under the ongoing COVID restrictions. However, the work being done as part of the recovery plan will underpin a much-welcomed Construction Accord which will help create a responsible industry which offers quality jobs and fair work to a highly skilled and diverse workforce and a quality and life-time value product to its customers.

'Game changing' digital portal for green technology launched

UK Power Networks has launched a new online portal that is making it quicker and easier for installers to connect green, clean technologies to homes and businesses. Smart Connect will give many technology companies an instant decision on whether they can connect domestic electric vehicle charge points, heat pumps, battery storage or solar PV, to the local electricity network. It removes the need for multiple paper forms and streamlines the process. Launched after close collaboration with project partner Octopus Electric Vehicles, the new platform is a result of listening to customer feedback that the old process for domestic vehicle-to-grid projects was confusing and time-consuming. UK Power Networks is forecasting up to 700,000 electric heat pumps and 4.5m electric vehicles connected to its networks covering London, the East and South East by 2030, meaning new products are needed to ensure a seamless customer service as volumes increase. The service is designed to make life easier for specialist installers of low carbon technologies, and help domestic customers ensure their electricity supply is ready to connect them. The new portal will automatically refer customers if their electricity supply needs to be upgraded to manage the additional power. Installers will also be able to see the current status of multiple applications at the click of a button. Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks says: “Millions of electric vehicles will connect to our networks over the next decade, and so it is critical that we find faster, smarter ways to facilitate the connection to the network and streamline the customer journey as customers go electric. “We worked with experts in their fields to create a new customer journey that’s more responsive to their needs and will make a tangible difference to anyone looking to upgrade to green low carbon technology in their home.” Albena Ivanova, Powerloop project manager at Octopus Electric Vehicles says: “Smart Connect is a huge step forward for the decentralisation and digitalisation of the grid. The launch of the portal will be a game changer for customers and installers alike, making the connection assessment and process fast and transparent. The simplified documentation required from customers along with the high level of visibility of the application progress will markedly improve the customer experience.”

Scottish Construction Leadership Forum asks for answers on future skills

In a new initiative in its wider agenda for change, the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum is reaching out to every part of the industry to seek its views on training provision and the intractable problem of skills shortages. The Forum, a collaboration between Construction Scotland, industry partners, the Scottish Government and other industry stakeholders, is issuing a comprehensive survey questionnaire to employers, designers, engineers, educators and construction and supply chain operatives. The survey, which seeks views about college, university and training providers, is aimed at gaining a better understanding of any gaps in provision as well as highlighting quality and best practice within training courses across Scotland. It will aim to inform the Action Plan which the Forum is developing as part of its Construction Recovery Plan, which will help the industry to Rebuild Better as well as, in the longer term, transforming the sector to build a stronger, fairer and greener economic future. Kirsty Duncan, Future Skills Co-ordinator at Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, says: “As well as having a pipeline of work in the industry, it is vitally important that we also have a pipeline of skills coming through to make the sector sustainable. “Skills shortages have been a recurring issue in construction and, by asking through this survey the views of those who operate in the industry, we want to be able to build up a picture of what approaches are working and what training initiatives need attention. “I would ask everyone who has an interest in the future of the sector, which is such a vital part of the economy, to take part in the survey. Their input will help us map cross-industry activities around skills and training to aid good practice and collaboration and to minimise duplication.” The survey seeks answers about: the clarity of paths for progression the effectiveness of industry engagement in programmes the relevance of programmes the fitness for purpose of current training provision portfolios the scope for improvement. The Forum, aware that the construction industry in Scotland has been particularly badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, has developed its Recovery Plan to be dynamic and to respond to the uncertainties ahead. The survey questionnaire can be viewed here.

ironmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect unveil new brand identities

IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have launched new brand identities, both featuring a new customer focused strapline – Trusted to deliver, to reflect the businesses ongoing dedication to delivering an exemplary customer experience. The bold, new look for IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect has been designed to refresh and develop the branding that customers have known for a decade. The evolution also includes a new strapline, ‘Trusted to deliver’, that reflects more than 50 years of experience in supplying to the trades, as well as communicating a continued focus on the customer experience. The rebrand, incorporating new logos, a fresh colour palette and modern design, will be implemented across all communication channels, including both company websites and social media platforms. The websites for both businesses will also offer an improved user experience for visitors regardless of device used, so that customers will enjoy the same quick and smooth process whether in the office or out on site. Visitors to the websites will be able to view a video about the evolution of the companies and will also be able to read about the five customer promises linked to the new ‘Trusted to deliver’ strapline: Trusted to deliver what you need, when you need it. Trusted to deliver quality service. Trusted to deliver quality products. Trusted to deliver stress-free shopping. Trusted - based on thousands of Trustpilot reviews. Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Supply Chain, Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect says: “We are delighted to launch our new brand to customers and suppliers. We have always been a business that looks toward the future and this new, modern identity helps us to communicate that, as a clear articulation of the promises we make to our customers. It’s the same company, people, range, competitive pricing and award-winning service that customers know and trust, but with a fresh new look.” The launch of the new brand identities follows the recent implementation of several key initiatives designed to enhance the customer experience. This includes updated flexible delivery options such as click and collect and same day delivery in selected postcodes, as well as new products added to the range, allowing customers even more choice at competitive prices. IronmongeryDirect has the UK’s largest range of architectural ironmongery with over 18,000 products available for next day delivery. The new IronmongeryDirect catalogue is out on 22nd March, showcasing the extensive range available. ElectricalDirect has a range of 10,000 electrical products in stock with everything from sockets and wiring to smart home products available, with new products being added daily.

MBO for Lancashire security and electrical firm, SEI

A Lancashire-based provider of security and electrical installations has been acquired by its management team. Security and Electrical Installations, which trades as SEI, has been bought from majority shareholders and founders Paul Mercer and Alan Ogden. Directors Bradley Ogden, Ian Hearle, Callon Ogden and Sharon Clarke have acquired the business for an undisclosed sum and will take over the day-to-day running of the Leyland-based firm. SEI specialises in the installation and testing of security, data cabling and electrical systems for a wide range of industrial and commercial clients including the NHS, HM Prison Service, education providers and local authorities. The company is also well-known for its work on high security sites in the energy, utilities and defence sectors. The corporate finance and tax teams at MHA Moore and Smalley advised Paul and Alan on the sale of the business, providing deal structuring, valuation and tax advice. Paul Mercer comments: “Our success over the last 20 years has been down to our ability to build lasting relationships with our clients who have come to value our dependability, drive and integrity. “Alan and I are proud to have passed the business on to an outstanding management team who embody these same values. They are the right team to take the business forward and will ensure seamless continuity for our valued clients.” Bradley Ogden says: “My fellow directors and I are privileged to have been entrusted to take the business on the next stage of its journey. Our whole team is committed to providing our clients with the same high levels of service and quality for which SEI is known.” MHA Moore and Smalley’s deal team was led by corporate finance director Stephen Gregson, tax partner Tony Medcalf, tax director Michelle Taylor, and corporate services director Judith Dugdale. David Filmer of Forbes Solicitors advised Paul Mercer and Alan Ogden on the sale. Nicola Whittle at Brabners provided legal advice to the management team. Stephen Gregson, corporate finance director at MHA Moore and Smalley, comments: “It’s been a pleasure to assist Paul and Alan in this transaction, enabling them to take a step back from the business and realise the rewards of two decades of hard work building a successful business. SEI can look to a bright future with an experienced and capable management team at the helm.” Founded in Lancashire, 2002, SEI has 23 staff and works with clients nationwide. In addition to security and electrical systems, its other services include LED lighting design and replacement, fibre optic installations, fire detection systems and the installation of electric vehicle charging points.  

ECS launches Invigilation Service in response to COVID-19 restrictions

The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) has announced the launch of a pilot for an online invigilation service for the ECS Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Assessment as well as other new assessments through the ECS digital platforms. Responding to concerns regarding increased travel to assessment centres, especially as some have been closed due to COVID, the ECS has been working hard to see how it can better support its customers to ensure they can easily undertake their HSE Assessment needed when renewing or applying for an ECS card. The new online service is aimed at offering ECS cardholders and employers with the choice of undertaking the assessment without having to travel to an assessment centre. World class technology for automated invigilation using AI-powered, behavioural monitoring and verification tools provides a new facility for the industry to avoid unnecessary delays. With no requirements for downloading programs or browser extensions, users have the freedom to securely and safely complete their HSE Assessment at any time and anywhere. The powerful AI technology solution monitors the assessment to enhance the already stringent measures to prevent fraudulent activity. The system was initially launched as a pilot for employers in January and has seen a great interest with hundreds of assessments already through this remote system. Remote Invigilation is now an extended function within the Employer Portal; the Portal is already being used by almost 3,000 organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Work will be continually ongoing to improve the process, before expanding the service out to individuals and the wider industry in 2021. Jay Parmar, JIB Chief Executive, explains: “This is a fully integrated solution which can be undertaken online and gives immediate results, updating the individual’s card record as soon as the test has been successfully completed. Physical centres will still remain operational for those individuals and companies that wish to use this facility or don’t have access to a PC. Although the online system has predominantly covered HSE assessments in the past, this Remote Invigilation software can also be used for the new suite of assessments which have been introduced over the last year to support FESS Systems Operatives and Network Infrastructure.”

The future's bright, the future is Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge is further demonstrating it is Committed to a Brighter Future with a move to sustainable packaging that is both 100% recyclable and made from 100% recycled materials. In the case of cardboard boxes, the company has teamed up with the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure its packaging comes from wholly recycled  sources and is certified as such – look out for the FSC logo on these new materials. Where products were previous sold in plastic ‘clamshells’, these will now be sold in recyclable and biodegradable poly bags. The company also tasked its in-house recycling team to see what use could be made of materials received that would ordinarily go to waste. Its latest bright idea is converting incoming cardboard into ‘stuffers’ – the crinkle-cut packing that secures products within their outer cartons. The shift towards fully recycled and recyclable packaging falls within Knightsbridge’s Committed to a Brighter Future initiative, which sees the company’s determination to look after both customers and the environment turned into tangible, practical measures – rather than another round of corporate ‘greenwash’. Other achievements realised under the scheme so far include, for example, a 95% reduction in single use plastics, 98% of packaging being biodegradable; and contributions in both goods and volunteers that have helped feed over 1000 people at the company’s local food bank. Find Knightsbridge’s commitment to a brighter on social media via #committedtoabrighterfuture

Hydrosense protects new Dublin Airport control tower

Vimpex's Hydrosense Water Leak Detection System has been installed in Dublin Airport’s new Visual Control Tower (VCT) to protect the new state of the art facility from water ingress, which could seriously damage electrical, communication and computer networks. The 87m high tower is Ireland’s tallest occupied structure and a commanding new addition to Dublin city’s skyline. It comprises three separate but integrated building elements: the control cab and associated elements, the cab supporting shaft and a base building. The base building will accommodate staff facilities, electronic systems and mechanical plant space to provide control of the building environment. Vimpex’s Hydrosense Water Leak Detection systems are delivering the new standard in water leak detection; applying the integrity, control and reliability of life safety and building infrastructure systems to protect against water ingress that could seriously damage critical IT and communication infrastructure. It continuously monitors for water leaks around the clock, year in year out and has the facility for 72 hour battery standby in the event of power failure. Should a leak be detected the control panel sounds an alarm which can be extended to a remote location. When an alarm is raised, Vimpex Hydro-Cryer voice sounders can be used to broadcast an unambiguous message, avoiding confusion with other sounders on site. Utilising life safety technology in the design of Hydrosense provides the reliability and integrity of EN approved fire detection systems, meaning there is virtually no risk of failure, downtime and significantly fewer false alarms. Established in 1994, Vimpex is the UK's leading independent manufacturer and distributor of Fire and Building Infrastructure, Alarm and Evacuation products and accessories. The company produces and distributes a range of high quality Evacuation, Signalling and Fire System products - both Vimpex manufactured and supplied by the company's manufacturing partners.

Myenergi expands into Ireland as EV sales soar

A surge in EV sales and growing interest in ethical living has led to Myenergi, the award-winning manufacturer of renewable energy products for eco-smart home management, expanding its operations into Ireland. The new subsidiary, located in Ballycastle, Ireland, will be spearheaded by Pearse McHenry, a longstanding business partner of Myenergi. The move will bring the brand’s product range to the masses, helping residents benefit from a more sustainable lifestyle, as well supporting the government’s commitment to cleaner living. Myenergi’s zappi is the world’s first solar compatible EV charging device. With optional charging modes to either draw power from the grid, or utilise 100% of self-generated green energy, the pioneering system makes charging your car completely circular. A free supporting app allows users to utilise economy charging tariffs, engage the boost system and monitor energy usage. By August last year, there were more than 17,000 EVs on the road in Ireland, with a Government target in place to reach 936,000 by 2030. This target, which includes battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs, will be equivalent to one-third of the 2.8 million vehicles that are currently in use. Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of Myenergi, comments: “Unveiling our subsidiary in Ireland is our latest step in an ambitious programme of international expansion. With Pearse at the helm, we’re confident that we can build on our strong market presence with on-the-ground expertise and knowledge. “Pearse has been a driving force in the Myenergi journey since the very beginning. Supported by the Irish government’s commendable plans for a cleaner future, we cannot think of a better person to help grow Myenergi in Ireland.” Ireland will not be Myenergi’s only subsidiary, with international operations already located in Germany and Benelux, and more to be announced shortly. The brand itself has grown significantly in 2020, resulting in the employment of more than 120 staff and requiring the relocation of the UK headquarters to a purpose-built 15,500 square foot flagship facility.