Donald W Orr Becomes New Select President

Donald W Orr has been elected as the new President of Select, the trade association for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland. As Managing Director of Unitech Services in Carluke, Lanarkshire, Donald has been a long-standing Select member and serves on a number of committees as well as representing the association externally. He comments, “It is a great honour to be elected as the new President of Select and I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of my distinguished colleagues. “We are all living and working in unprecedented times, but Select has risen to the challenge over the past six months and through its work to assist Members and the wider construction sector, it has led the way in industry cooperation, collaboration and commitment. “I look forward to continuing the association’s excellent work and helping Select and its members successfully navigate the many challenges that lie ahead.” Donald replaces Kevin Griffin, who had been Select President for three years and now becomes Immediate Past-President, replacing Eric Rae. Kevin notes, “My time as President of Select has been eventful to say the least, but throughout it has been a privilege and a pleasure to hold the position. “I wish Donald all the very best in his new role and I know he will help the association to grow and develop further. I feel that I leave Select in good shape, bearing in mind the ground-shaking developments of the past year in particular.” The association also has a new Vice-President in Alistair Grant, who is based in Elgin and is the current chair of its Inverness and North of Scotland Branch. The new appointments were confirmed during Select’s annual general meeting, which this year was held online via Zoom on September 2. Some 30 Members and staff attended the virtual meeting, which also featured a technical presentation on EICR coding by Select’s Director of Technical Services, Dave Forrester. The association also produced an online annual report instead of the usual printed version. Select Managing Director, Alan Wilson, remarks, “I am delighted to welcome Donald and Alistair to their new roles and know they bring invaluable experience and input. There are plenty of challenges ahead for all of us, but with the new presidential team now in place, Select will continue be there to help our members in any way we can.”

CICV Forum To Highlight Key Investment Areas For Wider Economy

In its latest efforts to stimulate and develop Scotland’s building sector, the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has secured significant grant funding to help it explore the most fruitful avenues for expansion. The unique collective has successfully applied for £40,000 of funding from the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), one of Scotland’s unique innovation centres which links business, university experts and public sector providers to create transformational change in the construction sector. The funding will be used to engage with the renowned Fraser of Allander Institute, which focuses on economic research in Scotland. CSIC’s funding – which was awarded through its i-Con Challenge Fund, set up to help the construction sector develop novel approaches to dealing with the challenges brought on by COVID-19 – will allow the Forum to investigate where public bodies can most effectively invest to create the maximum benefit by creating an economic multiplier effect. It will also research the potential impact of a VAT rebate as a market stimulus. Securing dedicated and focused funding is a new route for the CICV Forum, which has fostered a range of initiatives since it was established in March with the aim of bringing the construction sector in Scotland back to full health after the nationwide lockdown. Hew Edgar, Chair of the Futures sub-group of the Forum and Head of UK Government Relations and City Strategy at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), says, “This is an important development for the CICV Forum. Funding of this nature considerably increases our range of options and allows us to identify and highlight the investment areas which will return the greatest social and economic benefits, allowing public bodies to target their limited funds. “Capital spending has a huge knock-on effect on the wider economy and, at £2.94, the construction sector’s multiplier effect is one of the highest in the country. It means that, for every £1 spent on construction output, an additional £2.94 of additional economic activity is generated. “We will also now look at the potential impact of a VAT rebate, and how this could generate revenue for HMRC through increased corporation tax and increased general economic activity.” Douglas Morrison, Director of Operations and Future Skills at Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, notes, “Our role is to drive cultural and transformational change across the construction industry. “Bodies such as the CICV Forum share that vision and, in the short space of time in which it has been operating, it has proved itself to be innovative, focused and determined in its mission to improve the long-term prospects of the sector. “We hope this funding will assist its efforts to identify new opportunities for the industry and to drive change through both commercial and publicly-funded initiatives.” Mairi Spowage, Deputy Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, adds, “The FoA works closely with various partners, including those in business, the public and the third sector and we are pleased to be able to help facilitate the CICV Forum’s important research. “The Forum has assembled a formidable pool of industry expertise since it was established at the onset of the pandemic shutdown and we are confident that this funding will allow it to carry on and expand its valuable work.” The latest funding initiative reinforces the Forum’s reputation for proactive innovation, which has seen it at the forefront of clear and concise information distribution throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Made up of more than 70 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, the Forum has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and making appeals to Government Ministers. In the last month, it has launched a new rebuilding campaign, released its 50th piece of guidance, issued seven health and safety advice documents, updated its operating guidance and reminded construction workers to observe physical distancing in their social lives too.

Research Reveals Extent of Vehicle Theft and Misuse

Vimcar, the fleet management software for small and medium-sized companies, has released new research into vehicle theft and misuse in the electrical services sector. The survey of more than 1,000 UK firms identified a clear need in the sector to have greater control over its fleet, with vehicle misuse costing the industry thousands each year. At a time when businesses across the sector are seeking to control costs in order to bounce back from lockdown, it’s reassuring to see that 75% of the employers we spoke to in the electrical services sector have measures in place to restrict vehicle use. This safety-first approach could be due to the fact that one in three businesses admitted to having had a vehicle stolen in the past, with 32% of electrical services businesses now restricting company vehicle use to business purposes only. Despite this air of caution, it’s surprising to learn that more than half (51%) of the respondents did not have a system in place to track whether their vehicles were being used properly - although 62% said that they would like one. Ronald Clancy, UK Country Manager, Vimcar comments, “SMEs in the UK are currently facing numerous economic and market challenges, and vehicle misuse threatens to add to these. This issue is costing the electrical services industry thousands in terms of extra fuel, HMRC fines, and unnecessary maintenance expenses. In addition to this, across all UK industries vehicle theft costs businesses more than £16,000 per year. For the two out of three participants who would consider buying or have bought a telematics system, a GPS fleet management system that includes features such as live tracking, geofencing and data exportation would be the best way to curve vehicle theft and misuse.” - Vimcar surveyed more than 1,000 electrical services businesses in July 2020.

Drayton Launches Search For UK's Most Sustainable Installer

As part of its ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future, Drayton has launched its search for the Drayton Eco Installer 2020. Throughout ‘Sustainable September’, Drayton is looking for heating engineers and electricians to share their sustainability picture diaries to show how they’re making small changes to tackle the climate crisis.  The more eco-actions an installer shares, the better the chances of being crowned the Drayton Eco Installer 2020 in October and winning the £5K prize bundle – including an all-expenses paid eco-friendly holiday in the UK. Remi Volpe, Managing Director at Drayton, comments, “Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. Each year people are encouraged to make small changes to make a difference and #MoveTheDate. “This September we want installers to share photos of their sustainable actions in both their work and personal lives. It could be driving your electric van to work, recycling the packaging from controls you fit or installing an energy saving heating system. Or it could be taking the kids camping, recycling your plastics at home or using compostable rubbish bags. We want to see it all, and the more you post, the greater your chance of winning this coveted title.” As part of the prize, the winner will also get Eco Installer branded workwear and a VIP visit to the Drayton factory in Plymouth to learn more about what sustainable changes Drayton are making and walk away with a bundle of personalised products. To take part, installers must simply share their photo diaries of actions they are taking to help pave the way to a more sustainable future and #movethedate – no matter how big or small, Drayton want you to share it all. Installers can enter by posting on either The Drayton Community Facebook group or on Twitter, making sure to tag in @DraytonHeating and use the hashtag #MoveTheDate. To take part in the competition and for the full T&Cs, join The Drayton Community Facebook Group here www.facebook.com/groups/TheDraytonCommunity/ or follow @DraytonHeating on Twitter.

Recolight To Host Third Online Webinar

The third Recolight webinar in the Lighting and the Circular Economy series is scheduled for 15 September at 11am. It will look at the next steps the lighting industry needs to take to move towards a Circular Economy. This will follow on from the presentations and discussions during the first two webinars. In the first webinar, Defra, Lighting Europe and Recolight presented new regulations and standards for lighting. In the second, presenters challenged lighting producers to be more sustainable and presented solutions to enable this. Introducing and chairing the webinar series is Ray Molony, Online Editor for LuxReview. Ray, a strong advocate of moving towards a sustainable industry. He says, “It’s vital that the industry has a meaningful dialogue with its customers and other stakeholders about how we play our role in fixing our wounded planet. Inevitably, there will be extra costs associated with sustainable and circular economy measures, and we need to address these honestly and holistically.” Helen Loomes, Business Development Director at Trilux Lighting, will present Repro-light - a European research project that aims to support the European lighting industry in moving towards a more sustainable and competitive future. She comments, “As part of the global community, we all have to look very seriously at our legacy and adjust how we live now. We aim to inform ourselves of the very best way to a sustainable future, so research is a key factor here. When we truly investigate, without prejudice or assumptions, the results can be surprising. We want to share this information and work with the whole community to jointly make a difference.” Michael Grubb, Creative Director, will share the success of his studio’s Re:lit project. A project that since 2014 has taken second-hand lighting equipment that would be sent to landfill and put them in a new environment to be used. Owain Griffiths is Head of Circular Economy Strategy at Oakdene Hollins. They support organisations and policy makers transitioning to a circular economy. He will discuss the size, barriers, and opportunities to deploying a Circular Economy model. William Skeates, Senior Compliance and Sustainability Manager at Sky will share their sustainability governance and objectives. The Circular Economy model is just one enabler of Sky’s business goal to be carbon zero by 2030. Nigel Harvey, Recolight CEO, says, “Recolight had originally planned to run a one day Circular Economy workshop in London. But lockdown meant that had to change, and we took the decision to run webinars instead. More people have been able to attend. Lower costs meant we could make attendance free of charge. And no delegate or speaker travel significantly reduced our carbon footprint – so vital in the current climate crisis. The result has been excellent – thanks both to our speakers, and particularly to the direction provided by Ray Molony.” The Webinar concludes with a panel discussion addressing the end user; their expectations, requirements, and how the lighting industry should position themselves with a Circular Economy model. The webinar is free to join. To register, click here.

ECS Check In The Spotlight

ECS Check, a free-to-use digital system from the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme, allows the ECS card status of electrotechnical workers to be verified in real time throughout the supply chain. Here, Andy Reakes, Head of Operations, Employment and Skills at JIB, explains the system’s benefits for contractors and clients alike. Where would we be without electricians? Whether you’re at home, in an office, factory or warehouse, the chances are there is something in your eyeline right now that has been installed by an electrician. The modern world relies on electricity for pretty much everything, and for it to do that our electrical installations, including everything from a power socket in a small house to a complex building controls system in a large commercial project, need to be installed competently and safely. So, if you’re a project manager, employer or a homeowner, you want to be confident in the knowledge that the electrician working for you possesses the required qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills. The Joint Industry Board (JIB) is an impartial organisation that sets the standards for employment, welfare, grading and apprentice training in the electrical contracting industry. Our work is targeted at improving the industry, its status and productivity. For over 50 years, the JIB has verified applicants’ qualifications in order to issue them with a card and grading. ECS now has more than 175,000 valid cardholders who have been assessed in line with the standards set out by industry. Identifying competence and raising the bar The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) is the scheme of choice for the electrotechnical industry in the UK. The JIB administers the ECS scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the Scottish JIB administers the scheme. The quality of an electrical installation depends on not only the electrical contractor’s company registration but, crucially, the person carrying out the work. We have now introduced ECS Check, a free online system that allows clients, contractors and others to verify the ECS card status of electrotechnical workers. Via the ECS Check app for smartphones or tablets, clients or contractors can conduct their own audits to verify the electrotechnical personnel on site meet these requirements. So not only does the system inform client or contractors who will be on site, but also allows monitoring to be undertaken quickly and simply. It complements the ECS virtual card which is available to all card holders and can be accessed free of charge via a smartphone app. Confidence for clients Clients, main contractors and project managers can have confidence in the identity and quality of the electrical workforce on their projects through ECS Check’s online portal, which allows users to validate the electrical workforce on site and produce electronic summaries for auditing and reporting. The system can also be used to promote apprenticeships, for example, by setting required numbers or proportions to be met for apprentices or trainees on a project. This workforce management platform helps identify and encourage social and best value in procurement as well as allowing clients to specify the expected levels of qualification and competency. Benefits for businesses More and more contractors are recognising the benefits of ensuring they have qualified workers on their jobs and raising standards to achieve competence. Using ECS Check, businesses can verify that ECS cardholders are qualified to the required level for the job and prevent individuals slipping through the net using fraudulent or forged certificates. ECS uses a specially designed computer program to verify qualifications directly with awarding bodies like City and Guilds and EAL, so companies can have confidence in the process as well as helping to digitise this onboarding process. Mace, a global consultancy and construction company, has been enjoying the system’s benefits, as Nigel Jones, Senior M&E Manager, explained: “Mace look to continuously improve to remain that one step ahead of our competitors with innovation and the search for a better way - we were therefore delighted to be using the new ECS Check service. Mace teams will be able to satisfy themselves that the electrical operatives on site are qualified and experienced, giving confidence for both Mace and their clients that that their works should be carried out safely by these highly skilled operatives.” ECS Check is recognised as a Licence to Practice system in Northern Ireland under Procurement Guidance Note 01/16 and is helping to avoid unnecessary duplication of work by providing a free to access, online system which gives real time access to the ECS database. This means no requirement to rely on emailed photos of cards or certificates and this can all be accessed through one online portal. The system is also being used as a means to verify elements of the competence framework recommended by the Competence Working Groups (as part of the Hackitt Review) and will be increasingly important for electrical, fire, emergency and security systems installers in high risk residential buildings. In helping to promote a safer working environment and raise employment standards, ECS Check plays an important role in establishing the highest levels of on-site competency in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Visit www.ecscard.org.uk/ecscheck, email ecscheckni@ecscard.org.uk or call 01322 661622 to find out how you can take advantage of free access to the system.

Thorn Raises The Standards At Stockport Office Building

Thorn has supplied the lighting for 2 Stockport Exchange, a new six-storey office building that has been constructed next to Stockport’s mainline railway station. Thorn’s Beta 2, Katona and Voyager luminaires were chosen for their ability to address the exacting design criteria and ensure a high quality lighting solution with low total cost of ownership for the Grade A office development. The Stockport Exchange development will deliver 375,000 square foot of office space and 28,000 square foot of commercial floor space and is part of an ambitious regeneration programme that is transforming Stockport town centre. 2 Stockport Exchange is the second phase that follows on from 1 Stockport Exchange and provides 61,502 square foot of Grade A office space with a BREAM excellent rating, comprising large open plan offices with floor plates of up to 11,400 square foot. Thorn’s design team worked in close collaboration with KNG Building Services and after submission of various samples and on-site trial mock-ups, were able to devise a scheme that addressed the exacting criteria and achieve the energy efficiency rating of A and LG7 standard for office lighting. Suspended Rectangular Beta 2 LED luminaires illuminate the office spaces, providing low glare (UGR 19<) ensuring comfortable ambient light. Thorn’s slim, square Katona E3D LED luminaires have been installed in the stairwells. The smooth aesthetic design of Katona helps to reduces dust and dirt accumulation, is easy to clean and lowers maintenance requirements. The E3D version provides three hours self/addressable test and comes with a Lithium-ion battery with three levels of protection. All floors within the building feature Voyager Fit self-contained emergency recessed luminaires. Voyager Fit uses easy to adapt interchangeable lenses and offers the most flexible optimised illumination for escape, anti-panic and spot lighting. Carl Nielsen, MD for KNG Services, comments, “We have worked with the Thorn team on numerous projects, and their flexibility and wide product range allows multiple options to be provided to meet the projects design aspirations, quality and cost. The Beta 2 provided all this, supplementing the exposed services installation, to provide the look and feel specifically to this project”.

Knightsbridge Rewrites The Script With New Blockbuster Catalogue

Knightsbridge, one of the UK’s leading brands of wiring devices, accessories and lighting, has published its new 2021 catalogue, which will be made available to the trade on September 1. The handy A5-sized, full colour publication is packed from cover to cover – over 2,500 products across nearly 400 pages – with new range developments, impressive innovations, and lots of inspiring ideas. Divided into easy-to-reference sections, the catalogue provides full product details along with high quality lifestyle and detailed product images. It features a new Smart section comprising a comprehensive range of commercial, domestic, and outdoor Smart products that are easy to use and all controllable via one simple app, ‘SmartKnight’, which is available from Google Play and the App Store – no gateway hub is required for these devices to work. The app allows users to control all their lighting and wiring, and it works with Google Home and Alexa. Some new introductions reflect the ever-changing tastes of consumers – a polished chrome finish added to the popular rounded edge range of switches and sockets, a selection of new under cabinet lighting, and additions to the range of LED lamps. For outdoors, there’s plenty to choose from: an innovative new range of weatherproof wiring accessories featuring robust, easy-to-operate switched sockets and fused spur units; a selection of stylish 20AX outdoor switches; and new outdoor enclosures. New wall lights and bollards are a great way of transforming patios, yards, and gardens, however big or small, into areas that can be enjoyed in the evenings, and all year round. For commercial work, there is a comprehensive new range of self-test emergency lighting products – they put safety first while requiring minimum manual intervention post installation, therefore keeping costs down. Of course, the catalogue lists all the traditional favourites too, across a wide range of categories and applications. To get your copy, visit https://www.mlaccessories.co.uk/catalogue-request or give Knightsbridge a call on 01582 887760.

Marshall-Tufflex Appoints Paul Mitchell as Managing Director

British cable management manufacturer, Marshall-Tufflex, has announced the appointment of Paul Mitchell as its Managing Director. Paul brings with him an in-depth knowledge of the industry, having spent 30 years at the company and will continue to champion the use of recycled materials in manufacturing PVC-U cable management. Since joining Marshall-Tufflex in 1990, Paul has immersed himself in the disciplines of engineering, production and distribution, as well as taking on the duties of Operations Director for the business for the past 13 years. During this time, Paul has been instrumental in revolutionising the company’s manufacturing processes in developing the use of recycled material within production. With his proven track record in PVC-U manufacturing and varied experience at Marshall-Tufflex, Paul is well positioned to continue to build on the company’s reputation for creating sustainable solutions and commitment to changing the industry. “For over 75 years, Marshall-Tufflex has been pioneering plastic extrusion in the UK and leading the way in areas of product research, development and innovation, especially when it comes to using recycled material,” says Paul. “I’m looking forward to building on these foundations, to continue this message, to drive the business forward and to facilitate change within the industry towards a circular economy.”

Vantrunk To Provide Cable Management For Nuclear Power Station

Hinkley Point C (HPC) on the Somerset coast will be the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK in over 20 years and will provide enough low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes. HPC, situated adjacent to the existing Hinkley Point A and B stations will be the first, European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) built in the UK by EDF. Humphrey Cadoux Hudson, Managing Director, Nuclear Development at EDF, comments, “Nuclear is crucial if the UK is to achieve Net Zero. It provides low-carbon electricity irrespective of the weather or time of day and will allow the system to operate without fossil fuels.” HPC will mark a significant milestone in the UK’s revitalisation of the nuclear power industry and the move to reducing carbon emissions. The electricity generated by its two reactors will offset 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year over its 60-year lifespan. HPC has appointed Vantrunk as the sole supplier of the complete cable containment package including cable ladder and cable tray. The substantial contract will be supplied over a three/four year build period and will be managed by the MEH Alliance which consists of Altrad, Balfour Beatty Bailey, Cavendish Nuclear and Doosan Babcock. Vantrunk is the specialist arm of the Unitrunk Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative cable management solutions, with over 50 years’ expertise in the cable containment industry. The longstanding industry giant is headquartered in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, with a second manufacturing facility in Warrington, England and also comprises a network of eight sales and distribution depots throughout Great Britain and Republic of Ireland. While HPC will be the first power station of its type in the UK for some time, it will not be the company’s first foray into the energy sector. Vantrunk is known globally for providing expert solutions and innovative products to the Global Energy, Oil & Gas, and Industrial Processing Sectors. With major international projects under its belt - such as BP West Nile Delta (Egypt), Gorgon LNG (Australia) and Shah Deniz (Azerbaijan) - Vantrunk was a natural choice for a project of this scale and significance in the UK. Alan Campbell, Group Projects Director at Vantrunk, comments, “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected as the sole supplier of cable management systems at Hinkley Point C. It is a landmark project and an important step in the UK’s move towards establishing a NetZero future. “As a team, we have put a large amount of time and effort into the HPC project over the last number of years and to see it finally come to fruition is hugely rewarding. Securing a contract like this will provide job security to both manufacturing facilities in the coming years which is a huge bonus in the current climate.” Alan continues, "We appreciate that there were a number of contenders for the substantial cable management contract; however, we believe that our ability as a group to offer an all-encompassing cable management solution saw us emerge as the sole preferred supply partner. When you also factor in our proven track record of major project execution, our highly skilled design team capable of providing innovative and bespoke solutions and our impressive manufacturing and distribution network we believe we are the perfect partner for such a prestigious project.”