IronMongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have expanded delivery options

IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect are now offering Same Day Delivery for customers with a SS, CM, or RM postcode for orders placed before 12pm, Monday-Friday. In addition, their Click & Collect network has doubled in size, with now over 6,000 shops available for customers to collect their orders from, providing even more convenience. Customers in the Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford and Romford areas can now benefit from the same day delivery option when placing orders before midday during the week, with orders arriving by 4pm the same day, to ensure customers have what they need exactly when they need it. Further to this, IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have updated its Click & Collect service, and can now offer over 6,000 pick-up points for customers to pick from, including Sainsburys, Matalan and Homebase – covering a large portion of the UK. Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect says, “We recognised that a large proportion of our customer base was within a 30 mile radius of our warehouse, and we want to help support our local economy and tradespeople as best we can. “As such, we have expanded our delivery offering so we can get products to customers in these regions quickly and reliably within the same day. This provides greater flexibility for our customers, allowing them to work as smoothly as possible, especially when meeting tight project schedules. We hope our customers enjoy this fantastic new service, as well as the update to our Click and Collect service.” IronmongeryDirect has been supplying architectural ironmongery to tradespeople for over 50 years and has the UK’s biggest range with over 18,000 products available for next day delivery. ElectricalDirect has a huge range of electrical products in stock with everything from sockets and wiring to smart home products available.

Revolutionary smart substations trial to spearhead Net Zero

UK Power Networks has been given the green light by regulator Ofgem after a successful bid to its Network Innovation Competition fund to trial a world-first innovation project, Constellation. The project will see powerful computers installed in a series of substations, optimising utilisation of the substations to free up capacity and help facilitate the rise in renewable energy generation. The volume of distributed generation, energy which is no longer connected to the national transmission system but to regional distribution networks, is forecast to grow from 26GW today to 65GW in 2050. Much of this generation is renewable in the form of wind and solar farms. UK Power Networks is adapting to increasingly complex power flows by becoming smarter so that it can safely release more capacity and enable more renewable energy to connect at lower cost – saving customers money and helping the environment at the same time. Constellation marks a transformation in the way electricity networks operate. It will enable local substations to analyse millions of data points on how the network is running, meaning the network can reconfigure itself to safely enable higher volumes of electricity to flow. It will also provide a foundation for many other smart solutions, further benefiting customers. This solution pioneered by UK Power Networks hopes to release 1.4GW of capacity (enough to power more than 700,000 homes) and save consumers more than £750 million by 2050 if the project proves a success and is rolled out nationwide. It is also forecast to save more than 19 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions by 2050. Ian Cameron, head of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks says: “We are creating a platform that will enable this smart solution to be deployed throughout the country and enable more renewable energy to connect quickly and efficiently. We already have smart control rooms and grid edge devices such as smart electric vehicle chargers, and now having smart substations in the middle pulling it all together is a logical next step.”

Gresham House Energy Storage completes Wickham battery project

Gresham House Energy Storage Fund, has completed its investment in the 50MW battery project located near Wickham Market, Suffolk. Wickham follows GRID’s recent acquisition of the Thurcroft project and was acquired for a total enterprise value of £32.75 million (plus up to £0.75 million of deferred contingent consideration). Wickham is a battery-only site with c.50MW/40MW export/import capacity, and 74MWh storage capacity. It is connected to the distribution network and the commissioning tests have now been successfully completed. The Project is expected to generate its revenues from trading whereby it imports and exports power in order to earn income from the wholesale market, and from National Grid’s FFR tenders and Balancing Mechanism. Since energisation, this asset has also provided frequency response capacity under the new Dynamic Containment service procured by National Grid. The Project has been acquired from Gresham House Devco Limited and Noriker Power (together, the Developers). Current Portfolio The acquisition increases the total capacity of the 12 operational utility-scale battery storage projects in the Fund's investment Portfolio to 315MW.   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   Total 315   John Leggate CBE, Chair of Gresham House Energy Storage Fund says: “The addition of Wickham boosts GRID’s operational capacity by nearly 20%, just weeks after the Thurcroft facility began supplying balancing services to National Grid. These two utility-scale power storage units are among the largest facilities in the UK and will deliver significant incremental revenues to support our target returns. This is clearly a material contribution to enhancing the stability of the grid, and also supports the acceleration of the expansion of UK’s renewable power generation fleet”.   Ben Guest, Fund Manager of Gresham House Energy Storage Fund adds: “We are delighted to complete this acquisition so soon after our successful £120 million fundraising last week, allowing the team to focus efforts on our pipeline opportunities.”  

AMDEA proves the nation are 'Heroes in the Home' with new campaign

With British households spending more time at home this year due to lockdown restrictions, the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) launched its new campaign, ‘Heroes in the Home’, to demonstrate the importance and relevance of domestic appliances. Focusing on the rise of those now cooking more often, and also from scratch in many cases, AMDEA identified a range of influencers across different sectors including parenting, cooking, and home interiors, to build awareness of how householders can benefit from the latest technology and innovation to make cooking easier. The Instagram content showcased how not only does a kitchen need to look good but must function well too. Paul Hide, CEO of AMDEA - The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances, comments: “The majority of Brits are spending a lot more time at home as a result of the pandemic, and as a result, we’re cooking more often too. Whilst previously many of us used to put up with a cooker that had a dodgy handle, or limited space for a food mixer, people are now starting to invest more in their kitchens to ensure their appliances meet their new lifestyles. “Whether that’s batch cooking for an entire family, increased time in the kitchen due to working from home or even experimenting with recipes, Brits want to make sure cooking is both enjoyable and efficient. By working with influencers, our Home Heroes campaign enabled us to resonate with consumers and clearly communicate our commitment to ensuring the best-in-class innovation and technology.”  

J S Wright sponsors local Leafield junior football team

A junior football team in the West Midlands is bonding together in style thanks to one of the UK’s leading building services providers. Leafield Athletic City Under 10s in Solihull will play in a new match strip donated by Birmingham-based J S Wright when grassroots football returns after the current national lockdown. The mechanical and electrical services contractor has supplied the smart shirts, shorts, and training jackets in the club’s yellow and black colours as the team’s new official sponsor. The youngsters, who play 7-a-side football with substitutes in the Central Warwickshire Youth League at Leafield Athletic’s ground in the Shirley district of Solihull, on Sunday mornings, have all progressed from the club’s Under 7s. Team coach Peter Burke says: “The team love the look, lightness and fit of their new strip. It has made them all feel a bit taller and given them a better sense of togetherness as they look forward to playing matches again after the lockdown. “As an FA-affiliated club run entirely by volunteers, we provide football for teams from Under 7s to Under 35s. We also play a wider role in the community by promoting fitness and wellbeing, which is why we have been providing home training sessions by video to keep the boys in shape during the interim.” Terence McLaughlin, J S Wright Associate Director, whose son Niall plays for the team, comments: “We are delighted to bring some community cheer to our region in these difficult times by sponsoring a junior football side.” Established in Birmingham in 1890, J S Wright designs, manufactures, installs and maintains mechanical and electrical services for the hotel, residential, social housing, student accommodation, leisure and commercial sectors. The company was voted one of the UK's Top Ten Specialist Contractors to Work For in the 2016 Construction Enquirer Awards, was a finalist in three categories in the 2018 H&V News Awards, and was named Construction Services Employer of the Year in the 2020 BAME Apprenticeship Awards.

Support during life transitions with the Electrical Industries Charity

Most of us are constantly looking towards retirement. Common phrases are ‘When I retire’ or ‘I’m hoping to retire soon’ or ‘Can I retire early?’ and we spend a lot of our working career paying towards our retirement with pension funds, savings pots and plans to upsize, downsize, move to the sea or even a different country. While we may all look to retirement sometimes when we finally do give up the grind it can be overwhelming. You find yourself unsure on what to do, how to fill your time and maybe what your identity is now you’re no longer working. You may even feel guilty that you’re not enjoying retirement as much as you thought you would. Going from a fast-paced strenuous working environment 40 hours a week to having days stretching in front of you can be somewhat daunting, which is why you need support. Robert had worked in the nuclear industry for 41 years; he had held various positions and had eventually been a Group Head before retiring. He was ready for retirement both mentally and financially and like many of us had been planning for his retirement for much of his working career. The nuclear industry had changed inordinately over forty years and Robert was ready for a slower pace of life. During his working career he had enjoyed an active social life. He volunteered with St John’s Ambulance, was a local school governor and a retained firefighter. He also spent lots of time with his family and supported his children through their formative years and into adulthood. Robert had so many pastimes he felt he was well equipped for retirement. Robert was confident this transition from full-time employment to retirement would be easy enough to navigate and his interests meant he could still get out of the house and contribute in different ways. When Robert’s life began to slow down his own internal struggles began to bubble to the surface. While running and managing a team for years Robert had always addressed everyone else’s concerns and issues, often ignoring or burying his own to help others. When he no longer could focus his attentions on his staff or workplace issues Robert began to grapple with his own issues. Sadly, Robert’s son had struggled with mental health and addiction issues. Robert understood that his son was the only one who could address his issues and change but he still felt hopeless and powerless. As an engineer by trade Robert was used to repairing things which were broken and as he couldn’t do this for his son Robert struggled with his own mental health. Robert approached the Electrical Industries Charity and he was assigned a welfare case officer who referred Robert for a psychiatric assessment. Robert was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and the Charity sourced counselling sessions for him while providing ongoing emotional support and a listening ear. Robert completed his therapy sessions and his anxiety has dissipated. If he ever feels overwhelming moments of anxiety, he now has techniques to help restore calmness. Robert is now enjoying all the perks of retirement. He exercises frequently - running, cycling and walking, he tends to his garden and has started working through all the domestic jobs he has wanted to do for years but never had the time for. Robert’s one biggest change is he now cares for himself. He still supports his family wholeheartedly, his son is on the mend, and his whole family is a hub of love and support, but he now realises the importance in caring and supporting himself. Robert can’t thank the Electrical Industries Charity for the support given and the welfare team who provided the care to Robert that he has been providing to everyone else for so many years. Retirement doesn’t have to be daunting with The Electrical Industries Charity you can get the support you need through its Employee Assistance Programme. If you’re struggling with practical, emotional or financial support the Charity can help you to navigate this huge life transition.

Electricians vote Scolmore Group's App their top product of 2020

The Scolmore Group App has been crowned a Professional Electrician & Installer 2020 ‘Top Product’ award winner. The awards are recognition for those companies that have made a real difference to the electrical professional’s ability to get the job done efficiently, safely and professionally, whether this is in the form of innovative equipment, tools or time-saving solutions. PE Editor, Richard Bowler comments “Although 2020 has been a particularly challenging year, it hasn't stopped innovators, inventors, entrepreneurs and manufacturers from introducing a whole host of exciting new products to the market, including Apps and digital support aids. “Our annual awards are a great way to reward those companies that have come up with excellent ideas to help electrical installers and businesses overcome common problems in their everyday work, or to open up new profit streams. The Scolmore App is therefore a worthy winner of one of our 2020 Top Product awards.” Scolmore updated its App earlier this to incorporate all the businesses within the Scolmore Group.  This extended the access for users from Click Scolmore to the full range of products and services for ESP fire and security, OVIA lighting and Unicrimp cable accessories – with just one click. The award-winning Scolmore Group App brings to contractors a comprehensive range of features that will help them in their everyday tasks on site.  What sets it apart is the FREE ‘Tool Kit’ feature, which includes a selection of calculators, designed to make it quick and easy for electricians to make essential calculations on the job. Included are Z’s values; Cable Selection and Voltage Drop, Power Factor, KVA Convertor, Cost Saving Calculator, Downlights Number Calculator, Resistance Calculator, Voltage Calculator, Current Calculator and Power Calculator. The App also offers two new additional calculators within the Ovia Lighting section – one to calculate the recommended amount of lighting products required to achieve the optimum lighting level, as well as a Lighting Cost Saving Calculator. The ‘Quick Quote Calculator’ is designed to let electricians/contractors create a quick quote as they are walking around the site.  It has an advanced setting which allows users to set up the unit cost of each item and how much they would like to charge for labour.  It is also set up so that if a double socket for example is added to the quote, it will also automatically add a double back box. Free to download, the App features a complete range of searchable products across all the group companies, plus product and tutorial videos, catalogue downloads and all the latest news and events to keep users up to date with what’s happening in the company and the industry. As well as browsing the complete range of products, users can add them to their Favourites or the Quote Basket.  Electricians have the facility to email the contents of the basket for future reference, or straight to the wholesaler providing all the information needed to obtain any quotations or make a purchase.

Open to visitors- the Scolmore Group virtual reality exhibition

The pandemic has disrupted the way we normally interact with our wholesale customers and contractors, with live events, an exhibition and face to face meetings postponed or cancelled. Scolmore understand the importance of engaging with audiences to help get their products and messages out. To this end, they have been working behind the scenes to develop a brand-new exhibition experience and the doors are now open. The Scolmore Group Virtual Reality Exhibition has been designed to offer visitors an experience as near to a live exhibition as is possible, with access to a comprehensive range of products from across the group, opportunities to win some great prizes, and even the chance to indulge in a bacon butty. Visitors will be able to see all the latest products from across the four group companies, with individual stands created for Click wiring accessories, Ovia lighting and lighting controls, ESP security and fire protection and Unicrimp cable accessories.  Once visitors have entered the exhibition, they can take a tour, hovering over each stand to bring up a button to get on to the desired stand where the full range of products are on display.  Information lightboxes will also appear above each display stand with a menu offering product catalogues, videos and flyers. An exhibition would not be the same without the chance to pick up some free prizes, and by clicking on the drawstring bag on each stand, visitors are in with a chance to win some great goodies.  Similarly, no exhibition attendance is complete without the obligatory bacon butty, and Scolmore has created the ‘Bacon Butty Hutty’, where visitors can stop by and have the chance to pick up a free Greggs food and drink voucher.

Schneider electric appoints Mark Yeeles as Vice President

Schneider Electric, has announced the appointment of Mark Yeeles as Vice President of Industrial Automation in the UK and Ireland. Yeeles, will take over from Martin Walder, who will move into a new European role, overseeing Industrial Automation Transformation in Europe. Yeeles will play a fundamental role in driving forward Industrial Automation in the region, with a specific focus on increasing the uptake of interoperable automation software. While the sector has yet to feel the full benefits of digitalisation and automation, Yeeles will help to make its potential a reality, fueling the next phase of fast-paced growth in the UK and Ireland. In the midst of a period of intense change following Covid-19, the importance of remote management, advanced robotics, and predictive analytics solutions has never been higher. With a specific focus on the CPG, food and beverage, and water and water waste markets, Yeeles will be tasked with helping partners and clients meet a new set of challenges. “Mark is the right person to continue the growth of the Industrial Automation division,” says Mike Hughes, Zone President UK&I at Schneider Electric. “Over his 25 years’ in the industry including five with Schneider Electric, he has consistently proven his understanding of the market challenges our customers and partners face and how Schneider can help them. He brings great skills, knowledge and a fantastic ability to exceed customer expectations to the role.” Commenting on the appointment Yeeles professes, “I am absolutely delighted with the opportunity to lead the Industrial Automation team in the UK & Ireland. 2021 will be a year of great change with many opportunities for the sector to transform. We must embrace software collaboration and broaden our technological horizons to meet the challenges ahead. I cannot wait to start delivering innovations to our client and partner networks, whilst empowering them to meet their sustainability targets.”

Domus ventilation welcomes new sales and marketing personnel

Domus Ventilation, part of the Polypipe group, has appointed two new members to the team: Russell Beardsworth as Specification Sales Manager for the Midlands / North England, and Megan Bennett as Senior Marketing Executive.   Russell brings with him over 12 years’ experience in the construction sector, with the last five years being directly in ventilation.  His experience as both a Project and Key Account Manager at Xpelair and Vortice, and his work in developing the latter’s specification range, made him an ideal candidate for Domus Ventilation.   On his move to Domus Ventilation, Russell states: “This is an exciting opportunity for me to help further develop the specification side of the business amongst a specification team that is relatively new.  I am looking forward to helping to grow the business, both in sales and product.  Although I joined just before the first lockdown in March, which proved a challenging time for all, I’m now working on an exciting range of projects.  Ventilation is something I feel passionate about and I get great satisfaction out of explaining the widespread benefits of ventilation and how mechanical ventilation system work.”  In his spare time, Russell has a further passion, cycling, and often rides for charity as well as for fun.   A further newcomer to Domus Ventilation is Megan Bennett who has taken on the role of Senior Marketing Executive.  Megan may be new to the ventilation industry, but her marketing skills are tried and tested.  Megan has spent the last eleven years in various marketing roles with Invacare, a leading manufacturer specialising in helping people with reduced function, mobility and disability, culminating in the post of EMEA Marketing Communications Specialist.  On joining Domus Megan stated “Although I am new to this field, improving daily lives of others is an absolute passion of mine. During this difficult time, indoor air quality has never been so important. I’m excited to be joining such a renowned team within the industry.  With a passionate ever-growing team and upcoming product launches, 2021 is looking to be an exciting year!”   In addition to these two new appointments, Domus Ventilation has also announced the promotion of Dean Miranda from Contractor Sales Manager for London south central and the home counties to Specification Sales Manager.  Dean is now responsible for supporting consultants, design engineers and end user specifiers at the design stage of a project and providing product specification advice. This includes presenting CIBSE approved CPDs on mechanical ventilation principles and best practice.      Domus Ventilation has a well-deserved reputation for quality, supported by excellent technical support, from a market leading manufacturer and designer.  It is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L.