JIB’s ‘one-stop-shop’ helps to enable a healthy and secure industry

With another lockdown announced in response to the rising Coronavirus infections, the Joint Industry Board (JIB) has issued a reminder of the benefits a JIB membership can bring. During the first lockdown period in March the JIB worked swiftly to implement flexible and supportive measures to ensure jobs and businesses were fully protected. The JIB, however, carries out ongoing work in a number of areas to assist in enabling a secure and healthy industry for the longer term. The JIB’s membership comprises the UK's largest electrical contractors to the SMEs who make up the bulk of its members. Together, they benefit from a ‘one-stop-shop’, which takes care of employment matters, a comprehensive health and benefits scheme, and unique access to markets other contractors cannot reach. Popular membership benefits include: Dispute Resolution. Skills Development Fund. JIB Benefits Scheme. Nick Woollacott, Labour Manager for Boulting, a JIB member, says: “JIB membership helps us to stand out as a quality employer and the JIB benefits package demonstrates to our people and the outside world that we value them. The JIB brings stability to the industry by implementing good work practices and setting standards. It sets benchmarks to assess competencies that ensures the workforce is suitably skilled, it also promotes personal professional development that encourages all members to adopt and learn new skills and practices. Furthermore the JIB team are always at the end of a phone providing support when we need it.” Jay Parmar, JIB Chief Executive, states: “Our members range from companies with one qualified electrician (often the business owner) and one apprentice, setting their employment arrangements on a sound footing, through to some of the largest players in the industry, who benefit from recognised Gold Standard employment practices. Whatever your company’s size, JIB membership offers electrical contractors not only an industry recognised employment package but also a range of cost savings and other benefits designed to support your business.”

NG Bailey completes installation at UK's first battery industrialisation centre

NG Bailey has completed an installation of mechanical and electrical services at the UK’s prestigious new battery development facility, the £130m UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC). Acting as Principal contractor, NG Bailey completed the £14.6m installation in eight months. With commissioning and handover of the facility now complete, NG Bailey has been retained as Principal contractor to support UKBIC during the ongoing installation phase of specialist equipment. The publicly funded facility, which combines manufacturing, experimentation and innovation, covers the whole production process from electrodes to cell, module and pack assembly. Its clients span sectors including electric vehicles, rail, aerospace, industrial and domestic equipment and static energy storage. Most mechanical and electrical equipment - including 6km of pipework and 140 heavy duty service modules – was manufactured at NG Bailey’s offsite manufacture facility in Bradford. Other solutions delivered using offsite construction techniques include production of horizontal multi-service modules which enabled rapid installation and innovative space-saving solutions including a multi-service bridge structure which reduced the amount of space needed to house essential services and maximised production areas. Duncan Smith, NG Bailey’s Operations Director, Midlands explains: “By being involved in the early stages of the project we were able to develop solutions for rapid delivery. It only took six weeks from the initial concept to delivering the first module. “By using our offsite manufacture and building information modelling (BIM) expertise we were also able to deliver other benefits, in particular positioning our services to sit above the facility’s own plant and equipment. “This approach also reduced the time needed to deliver the project by shifting 17,500 hours of work away from site – it creates safer working environments, reducing on-site congestion.” Jeff Pratt, Managing Director of UKBIC, states: “We’re delighted with the progress made, and look forward to UKBIC being operational. “Complete, our facility will be accessed by any organisation with existing or new battery technology – that technology will bring green jobs to the UK.” Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council and board director at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, says:, “UKBIC is a vital element of Coventry’s drive to lead the green industrial revolution “UKBIC will be the centre of battery development in the UK and we have all the skills to help support the move to electric vehicles.”

Ideal Networks appoints new chairman

Neil Gaydon has been appointed Chairman of Ideal Networks, the global provider of innovative, simple to use cloud connected copper and fibre network test equipment. Neil joins Ideal Networks with 40 years’ experience in the technology sector and board-level leadership. He has previously held notable roles at Pace, leading it to become the global number one in its sector with revenues of $2.3 billion, and North American company Smart Technologies, which was reinvented with a new vision, strategy and value proposition, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Foxconn Technology Group. He attended Harvard Business School and has been the recipient of numerous business awards during his time spent living and working in the UK and North America. “Ideal Networks is committed to continued innovation and transforming the way that our global customers work with exceptional solutions and products,” says Paul Walsh, CEO of Ideal Networks. “We know that Neil’s passion and expertise will support this, and our whole team is delighted to welcome him as our Chairman.” “I am delighted to be joining ideal Networks at a time of expansion where my experience can support the management team’s exciting vision for the company,” says Neil Gaydon, who is also Chairman of two Private Equity owned companies, Adare International and Adare SEC. “Neil has a reputation for working strategically with management teams to create great companies with strong financial performance, that teams are proud to be part of. We are confident that he will be a great asset to Ideal Networks,” says Matthew Hutchinson, Partner at CBPE Capital, which acquired a majority ownership position in Ideal Networks in December 2018.

ESP zooms in to provide fire and security solutions

The pandemic has caused widespread disruption across the industry, with materials often being in short supply and tradespeople unable to carry out their work. This was the situation with the UK’s leading funeral-related services provider when it found that the badly needed renovation of one of its largest premises was suddenly put on hold due to the unavailability of products and staff. ESP was able to come to the rescue to provide the fire protection and emergency lighting products required to complete the project. ESP was initially called on to provide a quote for a range of products that had already been specified for the project. However, having looked at the plans and identifying some issues due to the nature of the concrete building, the ESP design team were able to work with the installer to come up with some alternative products and solutions that would work better. The MAGfire addressable 16-zone fire panels, smoke detectors, sounders and call points, as well as the Duceri emergency twin spots and bulkheads, were all recommended. Whilst competitive pricing and speed of delivery were significant factors in helping ESP to secure the project, a key element was ESP’s ability to offer the requisite fire training. Unable to do this face to face due to lockdown restrictions, a fire training session was set up and conducted over Zoom. This allowed the contractor to access the key elements of the training that are normally conducted in person at ESP’s headquarters. The session covered  the best practice method for installing, setting up and final commissioning of the MAGfire addressable range. Karl Welch, from Bayliss Group Electrics, was responsible for overseeing the project and installing the products. He comments: “We have been working with ESP and the company’s products for around seven years, mainly on the security side with CCTV and ccess control. We haven’t used their fire protection range before, and this particular project was a much larger and more complex one than any we have worked on and required a lot of input from ESP’s design and training teams. From the plans we submitted they were able to turn around a design in just a few days – much quicker than any other suppliers we have worked with - providing us with direct contact with the design team along the way.  Due to its complexity and size, the project required an addressable fire alarm system and having not previously worked with addressable systems, the training they offered via zoom was vital and really well delivered. “The service from everyone at ESP was second to none. They are able to cover all aspects of the project from design, specification, training and technical support, and all at an extremely competitive price.” It was the commitment from the ESP design and the training teams that not only secured this project but has subsequently led to ESP winning the business for another funeral home in the same national chain, working with the same contractor.

Marshall-Tufflex achieves UK business hero award

Marshall-Tufflex, has been recognised by the British Chambers of Commerce as a ‘UK Business Hero’ for its immediate response to meet demand for its antimicrobial trunking for the emergency NHS Nightingale Hospitals. Launched in early October, the UK Business Heroes campaign recognises the incredible work that UK businesses have undertaken to combat the challenges presented by COVID-19. Marshall-Tufflex was nominated by Ana Christie, CEO of Sussex Chamber of Commerce, for its work on the emergency NHS Nightingale Hospitals. The Hastings-based manufacturer was approached to supply its anti-microbial cable trunking for the facilities, which uses a silver ion solution that disrupts key cell functions of bacteria and prevents them from reproducing – 99.9% of harmful bacteria will not survive. To meet the immense volumes and urgency, Marshall-Tufflex changed its manufacturing and distribution operation, with the factory running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and factory teams working additional hours and over weekends to deliver the required quantities. To put demand in perspective, use of the bio ingredient was around three tonnes every year. During a three-week period, over 40 tonnes was used. The logistics team transformed its procedures, with multiple drops required per day to meet demand for flexible and urgent deliveries, as well as a delivery to one site at 2am following the order just 12 hours earlier. Due to this undertaking to make this urgent delivery possible, the British Chambers of Commerce has named Marshall-Tufflex a UK Business Hero 2020 for its incredible contributions. Paul Mitchell, Managing Director at Marshall-Tufflex, states, "I'm extremely proud of the team at Marshall-Tufflex and key suppliers involved with meeting demand for such an exceptional project. “In these unprecedented times, the emergency NHS Nightingale Hospitals required an extraordinary volume of our antimicrobial trunking to be manufactured and delivered in a very short amount of time. To be recognised as a Business Hero for our teams outstanding work and innovative new processes is brilliant, and we are honoured." Christie says:, “It has been amazing to see Marshall-Tufflex completely change their production schedules to respond rapidly to the Nightingale projects with an extremely smart solution, introduced to prevent harmful bacteria from surviving. It is a huge credit to the company, their suppliers and the whole team.”

Electricity project helps operators improve LV network efficiency

Following the completion of a £5.5 million, three-year project, the OpenLV project team is presenting its findings to the energy industry on 17 November. This project was carried out to explore how distributed intelligence in substations can directly benefit network operators – and benefit the transition to Net Zero carbon emissions. Join the team at 2pm for an overview of the project and its findings, including the real-life benefits experienced by the network operator. The session will be delivered via live presentations, videos and pre-recorded interviews taking you through the project, and there will be a panel to answer any questions. The project was designed with two purposes. Firstly to prove distributed intelligence improved operational efficiency for network operators. Secondly, to explore the appetite for groups outside the electricity industry to access the data from the Low Voltage (LV) Network, and for WPD to understand how the groups could learn from the data. The webinar will focus on the benefits that distributed intelligence can provide to LV networks. The project saw the installation of LV-CAP technology in 80 substations across the Midlands, South West and Wales. LV-CAP technology is a distributed intelligence solution, which provides visibility of the performance of each substation to WPD. The technology has capability to record, process and respond to network conditions. This includes monitoring the assets to provide information on network load, with a focus on exception reporting and alerts, and ultimately, trial automated control of the network. Roger Hey, DSO Systems and Projects Manager at WPD, says: “The learning garnered from this project has already informed our thinking at WPD. It has fed directly into our Data and Digitalisation Strategy, which has the principles of Open Data at its core.” EA Technology project managed the initiative and working with a team at the University of Manchester and Nortech, developed the LV-CAP technology that facilitated the project. David Russell, OpenLV Project Manager at EA Technology, explains: “The OpenLV trial demonstrated the impact of enabling network operators to have LV network visibility. It allowed them to focus on locations requiring interventions, and seamless visibility has allowed them to discover and optimise cost saving opportunities, using the data to drive the right network decision, at the right time.” To find out more about OpenLV and to sign up for the webinar, ’Electricity Network and Distributed Intelligence’ visit the website www.OpenLV.net.

Electricians earned 5.6% pay rise in October

Self-employed electricians earned an average of £1,074 a week last month - the equivalent of a £52,000 annual salary. Hudson Contract, the construction industry’s biggest payer of subcontractors, said earnings increased by 5.6% during October. It was the fourth consecutive month in which weekly pay was above the £1,000 threshold. Electrical contractors in Yorkshire and the Humber saw the strongest growth in October (up 31.7%) followed by their counterparts in the East Midlands (up 24.3%) and the North West (up 10.8%). Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson, states: “Our clients are telling us they have full order books and that demand for skilled trades continues to outstrip supply. Our clients say it will be business as usual up to Christmas in spite of the new lockdown. “We welcome the extra clarity from ministers that construction workplaces should stay open during the next four weeks. “They have confirmed that builders’ merchants and estate agents will continue to trade, and tradespeople will be able to enter homes. “There is plenty of work around. The government has committed to a lot of infrastructure spending and new projects are being announced every day. “Looking to next year, the end of free movement will cause disruption but countering that is reduced demand in January and February. Construction could struggle as stimulus packages like help to buy and the stamp duty holiday come to an end around March/April.” Hudson Contract delivers accurate indications of pay trends across the sector, publishing the average pay for a spectrum of 17 different trades split across 10 regions in England and Wales.

SECTT and ESF team up to deliver 650 free lockout kits

The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) has once again teamed up with Electrical Safety First (ESF) to give free lockout kits to Scotland’s trainee electricians. In its 12th year, the partnership sees SECTT training officers visit colleges and training centres to give more than 650 kits to 3rd Stage apprentices and adult trainees, observing social distancing. Worth £30 each, the kits save lives, ensuring that electricity is turned off – and stays off – until work is completed. This process, known as safe isolation, is essential in preventing serious or fatal electric shocks. Among the recipients were trainees at Ayshire College and Perth College UHI, with other apprentices presented with their kits at 21 SECTT Approved Centres. Anne Galbraith, CEO of SECTT, says: “Adopting safe working practices and procedures is essential and embedding the right approach at the start of an electrician’s career is key. “Everything we do at SECTT is safety critical, so as an organisation we are proud to do everything we can to support this.” Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of ESF, adds: “It’s vital that safe working procedures are undertaken, but to be effective they need to be established at the start of an electrician’s career. “These free kits don’t just provide essential safety equipment that will make safe isolation a habit, they make the difference between life or death.” Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, states: “This handout demonstrates the industry’s ongoing commitment to safety and skills. Ensuring the next generation of electricians are educated in safe isolation is essential and sits alongside measures to ensure we have a properly trained and qualified workforce, such as the current consultation to introduce regulation of electricians.”  

ECA calls for tougher action on fair payment

Electrotechnical and engineering services trade body ECA has called on the government to further ramp up measures against late payers in the private sector supply chain. In its response to a government consultation on proposed changes to the Prompt Payment Code, ECA stated that Code signatories should commit to pay 95% of invoices from smaller businesses within 30 days. Furthermore, the ECA’s submission also calls for this approach to be backed up by an enhanced monitoring and reporting process. The ECA believes that those frequently breaching the Code should face fines, which could help drive compliance due to their own financial performance being impacted. The ECA also supports the use of a Prompt Payment Code logo by those following the rules, to highlight their responsible business culture. Rob Driscoll, ECA director of legal and business, states: “The introduction of a new 30-day requirement for payments to smaller business could represent a fundamental shift in the balance of power and liquidity of SMEs, who form the backbone of the UK construction industry. “A reformed Code will transform it to becoming a champion of small business and fair commercial behaviour in these challenging times.” Meanwhile, the Cabinet Office recently announced that contractors must be able to demonstrate that at least 85% of payments are made within 60 days, or be barred from bidding for contracts. The rules, coming into effect in April 2021, increase the current payment provision threshold of 75%, with a view to increasing it further over time, up to 95% – although no timeframe has been given for this. Steve Bratt, ECA CEO, says of the announcement: “While tightening the payment requirements is a positive move and is to be applauded, let’s not forget that the law already requires payments on public contracts to be made within 30 days. “Prompt and fair payment is essential to ensure the health of the construction supply chain, particularly in the current commercial environment, and 30 days should be the aspiration.”

It’s a £25,000 cracker!

With Christmas events cancelled across the country, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has just the thing to lift the spirits of your employees, suppliers and sub-contractors. Many companies already opt for an e-card or ‘charity cards’ but this one comes with the opportunity to win a share of a £25,000 prize pot! With many people working from home, there seems little point in sending conventional cards or gifts by post this year and the Christmas cracker e-card is also environmentally friendly. What better way to spread some Christmas cheer amongst your employees, supply chain contacts and subcontractors than by giving them the chance to win a top prize of £10,000 whilst raising much needed funds for charity. Cards cost just £1 each and you can choose from five great designs. Or if you’d prefer your own design then you can simply choose a plain ‘cracker’. You will then receive your e-card with your personalised greeting, company logo and unique reference number. Forward this to your contacts and all they have to do is register the card for a chance to win top cash prizes. The prize pot consists of; 1 prize of £10,000 1 prize of £5,000 5 prizes of £1,000 10 prizes of £500 Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity says, “We know that many companies have already moved away from sending conventional Christmas cards, but we wanted to add an element of fun and excitement into the mix. Our e-Christmas cards not only spread seasonal cheer, they also give organisations the opportunity to support our charity whilst getting the opportunity to win some fantastic cash prizes! If we can sell 350,000 e-cards then we can replace the funds that we’ve lost as a result of having to cancel our hugely popular fundraising Christmas events across the country. Now, more than ever, we need to continue our vital charitable support to our construction community and ensure that no worker or their family is alone in a crisis.” The draw will take place on 18 December 2020 at 20:20hrs and it promises to be a party atmosphere too, so don’t miss out!