Toolstation launches new Trade Credit Account and January Catalogue

Toolstation has introduced its new Trade Credit Account and January Catalogue, as part of its continued commitment to further support its trade customers. It comes at a time when almost half of tradespeople admit to being worried about the impact of the pandemic and one in five concerned about cash flow difficulties. Toolstation tuned in to the needs of its trade customers for increasing support in getting the job done, responding to their growing worry about staying in control of finances and keeping a healthy cash flow. The new Trade Credit account brings the solution its trade customers have been calling out for, offering added support with more efficient financial management, with up to 60 days interest free credit, flexible credit limits and fully online account management. Signing up for a Trade Credit Account allows customers to buy now and pay later and get the tools and supplies needed for larger jobs. January also sees the launch of the new Toolstation catalogue, offering an extensive range of tools and more with great deals and prices across top branded products including up to £100 off DeWalt Power Tools, up to £80 off Swann security equipment and up to £30 off Kärcher cleaning supplies, enabling customers to conveniently access product whenever they need it. The catalogue also brings new season additions to popular product ranges, including 20 new power tools in the Makita XGT 40V Range, and seven product additions to the Ebb + Flo kitchen tap collection in traditional and modern designs. Toolstation has also taken steps to further enhance the in-store customer and digital experience in recent weeks, introducing wi-fi in stores and improved payment terminals. Easier payment methods have also been introduced with customers now benefitting from the option of payment through PayPal Credit, Google Pay and Apple Pay in store and online. James Mackenzie, MD of Toolstation, says: "We are committed to providing our customers with the tools they need to get the job done, but more than that, improving their overall experience. Introducing the Trade Credit account, requested by so many of our customers, will provide added support and convenience, particularly as some may face increased challenges in January. Launching at the same time as our latest catalogue ensures our customers can continue to benefit from the tools they need at great value as they work hard to keep homes and businesses safe, warm, dry and secure in the New Year.”

Elior UK makes the move to a 100% electric fleet

Elior UK has committed to transition its vehicles to 100% electric in a move that will reduce their vehicle CO2 emissions by 80-100%. The exchange programme was developed earlier this year and further demonstrates Elior’s Economic Social Governance (ESG) commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Elior’s pledge will see the replacement of its petrol and diesel vans and company cars with eco-efficient vehicles that are EV (full electric), PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric) or non-plug-in hybrid electric. Any vehicle manufacturers that do not offer alternative fuelled vehicles will be removed from Elior’s car policy which will be reviewed annually to account for any changes. Charlotte Wright, CSR manager at Elior UK comments: “As a responsible company, we wholly recognise the importance of preserving natural resources and the positive impact this will have on society and in our continued commitment to our ESG programme, it’s essential that our people are part of the journey. The UK government has announced it will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. We are ahead of this, going green with our vehicles is a big step in the changes we are working towards in becoming a more environmentally-sound business.” To support the changeover, Elior will invest in installing electric charging points at its offices. App based technology will also be made available to employees to conveniently identify the nearest available pod points whilst on the move.

Kane delivers £24M M&E contract to Southbank Place

Kane has successfully delivered a £24 million M&E contract at high rise residential scheme, Southbank Place, in London on behalf of Canary Wharf Contractors, contracted to Braeburn Estates. The largest project to date delivered by Kane, the company used its in-house design and prefabrication capability in install off-site construction methods which saw huge efficiencies on site. The 30-month contract consisted of 301 dwellings comprising 46 affordable housing apartments, 52 assisted living apartments and 203 luxury apartments. From the outset Kane collaborated with Canary Wharf Contractors to ensure an efficient design experience utilising its in-house BIM and REVIT modelling expertise. At the forefront of off-site construction, Kane prefabricated 398 Utility Pods of 47 different varieties at its head office facility in Northern Ireland and delivered to site just in time for installation. The superior quality and user-friendly Utility Pods had huge efficiencies for the project team, saving approximately one week of manual labour per apartment. Kane also prefabricated the Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW), Chilled Water (CHW), Boosted Cold Water (BCW) and Boosted Grey Water (BGW) Mechanical Risers along with Electrical Containment Risers to decrease the onsite resource, allowing for a more efficient installation period. The prefabrication method has a powder coated paint, showcasing a factory finished installation. Kane offered speed of onsite services installation while reducing the project co-ordination across multiple trade and services. The project works also consisted of Residential & Commercial Sprinklers, Wet and Dry Risers, Refuge shoot, Smoke Ventilation System, Grey Water Reclamation System, Lift Sump Pumps, Air Handling Units (AHU), Fan Coil Units (FCU’s), Lighting Control and a Building Management System controlled user interface via a touch screen per apartment. The project team carried out some night works during the project to ensure stringent programmes were achieved with shift work carried out, on a 24-hour basis, between the mechanical and electrical teams. Collaboration with the whole project team was crucial including logistics given the extremely congested location. Kane utilised its Logistics Hub in Rainham to ensure materials were delivered to the project just in time.

Bright sparks begin their electrical apprenticeship training

A new intake of electrical installation and maintenance apprentices have begun their training at Telford College. They are on a three-year programme, studying for an advanced level three qualification. The trainees come from a range of businesses in Shropshire, including Now Electrical, CMK Electrical, Rose Electrical, TC Electrical, Roycroft, Randles Building Solutions, Swancote Energy, Albinroy, Lloyds Electrical Design, and PP Electrical. Lora Rogers, recruitment officer at Telford College, says: “We have worked closely with many employers to help them recruit new members of staff, and upskill existing employees. “These apprentices will be attending college once a week to gain practical experience in our own purpose-built electrical installations workshop and modern classrooms during term time. “This, alongside their paid employment, will give them practical and theory knowledge and experience, covering a number of specialist subject areas.” Lora added: “Apprenticeships help to provide a skilled workforce for the future and are proven to increase staff loyalty and retention by significantly improving their future prospects. “We’re keen to help local businesses to invest in their staff, or take advantage of our free recruitment service to build and grow their team for 2021." Telford College offers around 40 different apprenticeships, across all subject areas and abilities, and works with nearly 700 employers.

Gresham House energy storage fund acquires battery storage project

Gresham House Energy Storage Fund has conditionally agreed to acquire a c.30MW battery project located near Wester Dechmont, Livingston in West Lothian, Scotland, known as Byers Brae. The Project is part of the pipeline described in the Fund’s Prospectus published on 10 November 2020. Byers Brae is a battery-only site with a c.30MW/30MW export/import capacity which is currently expected to be commissioned in Q2 2021.  The Project is expected to generate revenues primarily from asset optimisation (whereby it imports and exports power to earn income from the wholesale market and the National Grid-administered Balancing Mechanism), together with frequency response services. The Project will be acquired from the developers Gresham House DevCo and Noriker Power.  Current Portfolio Once completed, the acquisition increases the total capacity of operational utility-scale battery storage projects in the Fund's investment portfolio to 345MW.   Project Location MW Staunch Staffordshire 20 Rufford Nottinghamshire 7 Lockleaze Bristol 15 Littlebrook Kent 8 Roundponds Wiltshire 20 Wolverhampton West Midlands 5 Glassenbury Kent 40 Cleator Moor Cumbria 10 Red Scar Lancashire 49 Bloxwich West Midlands 41 Thurcroft South Yorkshire 50 Wickham Suffolk 50 Byers Brae West Lothian, Scotland 30 Total 345   In addition to the above portfolio, the Fund has a 25MW project in the advanced stages of due diligence, and shortly expects to commission a further 10MW of capacity at its Glassenbury project. Ben Guest, Fund Manager and Head of Gresham House New Energy, says: “Byers Brae is our first project in Scotland and is expected to help National Grid balance wind generation in the north with power demand in the south. It is located at a point between Edinburgh and Glasgow where physical constraints exist in the transmission system and is therefore expected to benefit from additional revenue System Actions in the Balancing Mechanism.”  

Aico takes on Derwen College to Lapland challenge

In support of the Derwen College Charity and the Agnes Hunt Village Project, Aico colleagues, both locally and across the UK, took part in the DC to Lapland Challenge. The Derwen College Charity was set up in support of the students at Derwen College with disabilities and learning difficulties. The College has provided education and care for students for over 90 years, aiding them to live more independent lives. All their fundraising efforts are put towards specialist equipment and opportunities for the students enabling them to reach their full potential and develop their independence skills. In 2019 the charity launched a project to develop the Agnes Hunt Village, a custom-built housing area, utilised by those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. The village is essential for the students, enabling them to develop their everyday skills such as housekeeping and caring for themselves. However, in order to provide this real-life education to as many students as possible for their life after college, the village needs to be modernised. The December challenge was to cover the distance from Derwen College in Gobowen to Lapland in 10 days from 1st to the 10th December, by walking, running, cycling or any other way of covering miles with physical activity. Everyone who took part recorded their mileage through Strava which meant that each daily challenge was monitored, the mileage recorded and automatically added to the total effort. Over 20 Aico colleagues, alongside 30 members of staff, including the students and their families, took on this virtual challenge to make it the whole 1,989 miles to reach Lapland. Aico’s campaign was able to raise £325 for the event, helping Derwen College to reach a total of £1,700 to be put towards the critical education they provide. Anna Evans, Fundraiser at Derwen College comments “Congratulations to all Aico staff who took part in the very first DC-Lapland Challenge 2020, we have made it to Lapland! Thank you so much for taking part in this event, you have been amazing. It’s hard to imagine us ever getting to Lapland without your help.”

10 steps to get your ideal construction job this Christmas

According to December’s Office for National Statistics figures, the number of job vacancies now available in the construction industry is back up to pre-Covid levels. 26,000 vacancies are available in the sector, which represents a 43% increase since the last quarter. Construction is one of only three industries that has seen an increase in vacancies overall since the same time a year ago. Almost a thousand of those vacancies have recently been uploaded to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy funded Construction Talent Retention Scheme a recruitment platform launched by the Government, construction industry groups and businesses earlier this year. A national portal for construction jobs and free to access for employers and candidates, it is straightforward to search, view and apply for jobs. Chris Jarman, director of the Construction TRS, says: “Every week we get another 200 live vacancies advertised on our platform. From electricians and forklift drivers, to site managers, customer services, project managers, engineers and office administrators – every sort of role you could imagine is here, and the demand from businesses is strong. Employers with vacancies range from large contractors, housebuilders and engineering firms through to a vast array of smaller regional and local businesses throughout the UK. “My advice for anyone who’s looking for a new role in construction is to go to the Construction TRS website and upload your CV today. You can search for jobs in your trade or profession in your geographic area and you can sign up for alerts to be told when new jobs are advertised. It’s completely free of charge and is simple to use.” Kat Betts, senior resource business partner at civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale says: “The Construction TRS is an essential tool for people looking for jobs in the construction industry. Applications come through directly to the recruiting companies which means a faster, more streamlined process. We have a range of great vacancies and graduate opportunities available on the site with more to be uploaded in the new year. Christmas is the ideal time to upload your CV so you’re ideally placed to apply for jobs in the new year.” Here are 10 ways to increase your chances of securing your dream job in construction this Christmas: 1.  Make sure your CV is up to date and tells an employer why you're suitable 2.  Get free information, advice and guidance from the National Careers Service 3.  Ask family or friends to check your CV and provide some objective feedback 4.  look at your social media profiles and make sure they show you at your best. 5.  If you have a LinkedIn profile, get that updated too 6.  Dig out any certificates, accreditations or proof of qualifications you may need 7.  Sign up to relevant job boards including the Construction TRS 8.  Set up alerts so you’ll be told when interesting roles are advertised 9.  Follow Construction Talent Retention Scheme on Facebook for regular updates 10. Lastly Don’t hesitate to apply for the roles that interest you - get in early. Sarah Beale, chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), says: "Throughout the pandemic UK construction has worked hard to stay open. There is a very strong demand for skilled people in our industry – the number of vacancies is back to where it was before the pandemic hit.  And with the level of government investment in infrastructure, new homes and retrofitting for reducing carbon, we are expecting a big recruitment drive in the New Year. There’s a wide range of opportunities available – so get registered and be the first to see them."

Electric vehicle infrastructure specialist sparks up UK transformation

An electric vehicle charging business is set to capitalise on a growing market after securing a number of strategic partnerships in 2020. Wirral-based firm adi Vehicle Charging Solutions (VCS) launched at the beginning of 2019, and is making inroads into the world of electric vehicle infrastructure. In June, the business propelled its partnership with EV charging provider Franklin Energy, to deliver a ‘Recharge Network’ for Merseytravel. This consisted of 52 existing public charge points across 21 sites within Merseyside, setting the scene for growth. And now in conjunction with Franklin Energy, adi VCS has extended its reach across a further 21 sites in the UK, as part of a far-reaching infrastructure roll-out project for leading national car park operators Q-Park. With large parts of the North West, including Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire also benefitting from adi VCS’ specialist services, the firm’s strategic assault to charge up the UK shows no signs of losing spark. “What we’ve found is that EV demand is really growing as anticipated,” says company brainchild, Kenneth Green. “With the announcement of the new diesel and petrol car ban from 2030, you have an industry that has been solidified as the way forward. “As infrastructure specialists, we’ve been keeping a watchful eye, and we’ve been completing projects across the UK and Ireland.” Partnerships adi VCS can link to its name are Schneider Electric and EVBox Group, which combined can provide the complete EV infrastructure package, from 7.4 – 22kW AC fleet and public charging systems to 50 - 350kW DC Micro Grid Charging Hubs. “EVBox Group and adi VCS share an approach that makes them good partners for EV adoption in the UK,” comments EVBox Group regional director, UK & Ireland, Jonathan Goose. “The product portfolio of EVBox Group enables adi VCS to deliver EV charging solutions that meet the expectations of customers.” Through its alliances, adi VCS are helping a range of parties, from city councils, blue chip companies, fleet operators and big name retailers, realise the benefits that can be gained with the EV switch. “We’re delighted to be connecting with partners and industry professionals to drive forward the e-mobility transition,” states David Hall, VP Power Systems UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric. “As we approach the 2050 Net Zero goal, low carbon energy and improved electrical infrastructure will be essential to encouraging users to adopt electric vehicles.” One of institutions already reaping the benefits of the adi VCS glow is the North West Ambulance Service, which has become one of the first services in the UK to fully embrace the EV drive. “The example with North West Ambulance Service demonstrate how an organisation’s fleet can benefit from huge reductions in fuel expense,” adds Green. “While there is the initial outlay, the long-term realisation outweighs upfront cost, so we’re encouraging businesses, land developers and more to understand that the EV revolution, and to get on board now.” Commenting on the adi VCS partnership, Robert Byrne, founder and MD of Franklin Energy, adds: “We are delighted about our partnership with adi VCS and have them carry out design, installation, maintenance and servicing works for our projects." The firm agreed to work on an interlinked charging system between the Wirral Waters development and the Wirral Master Plan, with Wirral Council. It holds a partnership with Urban Splash, an award-winning building regeneration company that is transforming residential developments across the country, incorporating EV charge points into the housing mix. And with adi VCS having the wider backing of the adi Automotive division, with household car manufacturers to its name, the business is set to continue expanding its presence alongside the fledging electric car revolution.

Ovia expands its sales team

Following a successful first year operating as an independent lighting company, Ovia  has recently appointed three new members to the sales team. A number of regions have been split further to accommodate the growth in demand for Ovia products and to ensure that customers in all regions continue to receive a dedicated and first class service. Richard Pickford joins as area sales manager for the newly created region that covers Central East Anglia. He brings with him nearly 20 years’ sales experience having spent time working with a lighting manufacturer as well as a role with a major electrical wholesaler. With more than 10 years’ experience at a prominent electrical wholesaler and nearly seven years with a leading lighting company, Jake Barwick has taken up the role of area sales manager for another newly created region covering the South West and the Channel Islands. Harley Adams is the new area sales manager for the Midlands region and joins the team following a number of roles within electrical manufacturing companies. Along with the rest of the sales team, the new members will be responsible for developing new and existing customer relationships at an independent and national level, as well as engaging with contractors and specifiers to grow brand and product awareness.

Napit's guide on initial verification and period inspection and testing

Napit has announced the release of a brand new publication, a guide on Initial Verification and Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations. The guide has been developed by Napit’s technical experts to cover 'everything you need to carry out initial verification and periodic inspection', including the tests and production of the relevant certificates or report. The book explains the variety of different test equipment available, what each is used for, and how to carry out all of the required BS 7671 tests. The contents include: Legal requirements BS 7671 requirements Identification of installation components Protective earthing Safe isolation Test instruments Thermal evaluation equipment Standard tests Initial verification Periodic inspection Napit’s Chief Technical Officer, Frank Bertie says "We are the National Association for Professional Inspectors and Testers in the UK, with inspection and testing of electrical installations at our core since 1992. We have used our wealth of experience and knowledge in this specialist and notoriously difficult area to produce a publication specific to Inspectors and Testers' needs." NAPIT members can pre-order a copy for just £17.99 and non-members £19.99.