Drayton launches online training academy

Drayton has launched a new online training academy as part of its installer loyalty scheme, the 9° Network. 9° Know How gives members exclusive access to product training, best practice installation advice, troubleshooting tips and more. The first available training module is focused on Wiser, Drayton’s smart multi-zone heating system, and allows installers to achieve Wiser Approved status from the comfort of their own home. The 30-minute training module is delivered through a series of videos that are simple to follow. These include a product overview, kit selection advice, commissioning and set up guides, and tips for helping customers get the most from their Wiser system. Once the videos have been watched, installers have to complete short multiple-choice tests to achieve their Wiser Approved status. The online training academy is just one of many benefits of being a 9° Network member. Other perks include access to the discounted Drayton shop for limited special offers, five-year extended warranties, as well as listings on both the Drayton and Wiser consumer websites. Featuring on the ‘Find an installer’ section on both these websites will help generate leads to grow the installers business. Clare Stevens, Trade Marketing Manager, says, “Our Wiser Approved training has proved popular with installers who want to become more involved with smart controls and grow their business in this area. We’ve been running face-to-face training sessions for some time, but we know it’s not always possible or practical for installers to attend. 9° Know How allows installers to learn all about Wiser and its benefits, in their own time, at their own pace.” Further training modules covering the full range of Drayton heating control products will be added to 9° Know How in the coming months. To register as a member of the Drayton 9° Network and gain access to the online training academy, visit www.draytoncontrols.co.uk/installers/9-degree-network. Drayton also carries out this training face-to-face as part of its Wiser UK Training Tour that covers multiple locations all over the UK. To book a place on the next available training session, and receive a Wiser Multi-zone kit worth £200, visit www.draytoncontrols.co.uk/wisertour.

Consumer awareness increases demand for energy efficient products

The latest ‘Electrical Accessories Market Report’ from AMA Research highlights the increasing consumer awareness for energy efficiency improvements, supporting carbon reduction and climate change targets. Changes in legislation affecting electrical accessories continue to have a focus on energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and health and safety. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of energy issues and their associated costs, and increasing demand for more energy efficient products which will continue to be a major driver of further innovation and product development. With the national rollout of smart meters, this is likely to generate further use of controls for heating, lighting and other electrical products, which should benefit the electrical accessories sector. The electrical accessories market is largely dominated by low voltage cable systems, followed by circuit protection and wiring accessories. The report states that the product mix has remained fairly stable. The market returned to growth in 2013 and has grown year-on-year since then, with reasonable growth of 5% in 2017. Product development continues to add value to the market and enable manufacturers to differentiate themselves and their products through the creation of value-added features. Product development has primarily focused on energy efficiency, wireless systems, integrated controls, reduced space, quicker installation and higher quality finishes. Renewable energy is also likely to become more relevant as technology develops and costs fall. Although government-subsidised initiatives have been cut in recent years, reducing costs of both wind and solar energy installations have led to industry predictions that renewable energy projects with be viable without subsidy by 2025 in the UK. This may create opportunities for growth of associated electrical accessories in the longer-term. - The information was taken from the Electrical Accessories Market Report - UK 2018-2022 by AMA Research, which is available to purchase at www.amaresearch.co.uk.

Lighting expert to head up new Scolmore lighting company

Ambitious expansion plans by electrical solutions provider, Scolmore Group, will see three major developments come to fruition during 2019 - the launch of a new, independent lighting company; the appointment of industry expert Mike Collins to head up this new enterprise; and the acquisition of an additional 67,000 square foot of head office and warehouse space. In a bid to position the company among the top performing UK lighting solutions providers, Scolmore has made a significant investment to develop a dedicated lighting company – OVIA Ltd - that will allow it to extensively broaden its product offer and operate in a wider range of sectors alongside the mainly residential and light commercial ones they currently service. The company has secured well-known lighting industry operator, Mike Collins, who moves from Ansell Lighting to head up the new OVIA company. Having spent his entire working career within the electrical industry, Collins brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge, garnered during this time working within both wholesaler and manufacturer environments. With OVIA Ltd due to be officially launched later this year, Collins, who joined the company in early May, is focussing his efforts on an extensive research and development programme to create a comprehensive lighting product offer that will meet the requirements of the new sectors the company will be targeting. These include commercial, industrial, utility, amenity emergency lighting and floodlighting. A team of experienced sales reps are being recruited over the next few months to create a network of talent to take the new OVIA Ltd offering out to customers across the UK. The name OVIA is already a well-known name within the industry, having been introduced by Scolmore in 2011 as the umbrella brand for the company’s growing lighting collection. Having enjoyed considerable success with its lighting division, Scolmore recognises the huge market potential that has come with the transformation of the lighting sector in recent years, with the emphasis on energy efficiency and connected systems. Commenting on the new developments for the business, Scolmore Group's Managing Director, Gary Mordue, says, “Whilst operating as a totally separate limited company, OVIA Ltd will have the full backing and support of the Scolmore Group, with the same commitment to only supply through the wholesale channel which is set up to supply and service the professional electrical contract market. This joint partnership will continue to guarantee our wholesale partners a range of high-quality, value-for-money products backed up by excellent local stocks, delivery service and the ability to offer detailed product support via trained staff and installer training, making sure the end user gets the best possible products and solutions for the job. “The investment in somebody as well-known and experienced within the industry as Mike to head up the new venture, demonstrates the significance we attach to the development of this stand-alone company. I feel very confident handing the reins to this new venture to someone of his calibre.” Mike Collins comments, “I am delighted to be joining the Scolmore Group at what is clearly a very exciting phase in its development. The company doesn’t hold back when it sees an opportunity to develop a new product offer that will stimulate growth for itself and its customers. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to head up this new business.  Our aim quite simply is to bring to market - on the back of extensive research with customers, contractors and competitors - a range of OVIA lighting products that will provide contractors with the quickest and easiest to install lighting solutions that will save them time and money on a project and that they can source through the reliable wholesale channel.” It is anticipated that the new OVIA company will occupy the current head office space in Tamworth, Staffordshire, with the existing Scolmore business being relocated to the new  nearby premises which are due to be up and running early next year.

New cabling infrastructure for Coventry library

Multi-compartment trunking from cable management specialist, Unitrunk, is being used to provide the new data and electrical cabling infrastructure for an upgrade to the library at Coventry University. Designed by Birmingham-based practice, Associated Architects, the £2.1 million library upgrade includes a new entrance, reception and café for the library, along with refurbishment of some of the study areas. To enable the library to remain open for use throughout the project, the electrical installation will be delivered in two phases, with the new build elements due to complete in June and the phase II refurbishment programme due for handover in August. Unitrunk’s trunking has been used in two sizes to connect all electrical, LV and data services from the existing risers in the newly constructed and refurbished areas. All the trunking is being installed in the ceiling void, and power and lighting cables will be installed in one compartment, while the other compartment will be used to contain data, fire alarm and LV cabling. The electrical installation is being carried out by Whittaker Brothers, who are working closely with the university and the other delivery partners on the project to manage the challenges of an occupied building and temporary access, particularly during the busy exam season as Phase I nears completion. Kevin Rollason, from Whittaker Brothers, comments, “Multi-compartment trunking is an obvious choice for a complex project like this, where new build and refurbishment is being carried out in a live library environment. It means that we can install all the infrastructure for the cabling on a single type of containment, saving time to ensure the project is fully completed on schedule, ready for the new academic year in the autumn. “Unitrunk’s multi-compartment trunking is a standard specification for Whittaker Brothers because it’s robust and easy to install. Thanks to Unitrunk’s UK manufacturing and national depot network, we also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we can have what we need delivered to site quickly, ensuring our installation schedule remains on track.”

BASEC approval for Cleveland Cable Company

Cleveland Cable Company has become the first cable distributor in the world to be awarded Registered Stockist certification status. The new industry certification scheme has been designed by the British Approvals Service for Electric Cables (BASEC) to raise quality standards in the industry throughout the supply chain. The Middlesbrough-based company has worked closely with BASEC, an organisation that partners with the worldwide cable manufacturing industry providing testing and certification services. Cleveland Cable Company piloted the assessment programme and provided valuable insight of their experiences during implementation, across UK and Ireland operations. By meeting the stringent assessment process, Cleveland Cable Company has become accredited under the Registered Stockist scheme, validating its internal quality programmes, procedures and traceability lines. Cleveland Cable Company regularly undertakes quality assessments to verify cable design and electrical properties to ensure they meet the required standards. This includes in-house testing of cables held in their own stock. The company also regularly visits the overseas factories of its suppliers, to undertake audits and to ensure professional quality management systems along with production line and test facilities meet the high standards required by Cleveland Cable Company and the UK market. The BASEC Registered Stockist scheme forms part of the company’s established Market Surveillance initiatives to drive the improvement of cable quality and safety throughout the supply chain and industry, with rigorous certification, factory auditing and testing.  Previously, the body only awarded certification to manufacturers of cable products, by providing them with independent and comprehensive testing to include electrical, mechanical, material, chemical and fire, CPR (Construction Products Regulation) to measure performance characteristics. An important feature of the Registered Stockist Scheme sees BASEC conducting audits at cable distributors’ facilities and taking random product samples for independent testing at the BASEC laboratory. This is another step towards ensuring that the product that reaches the market is of the highest quality and safety. As the UK’s largest cable stockist and one of Europe’s longest standing cable distributors, with eight operations across the UK and Ireland, Cleveland Cable Company provided BASEC with the opportunity to trial the new scheme. As part of the review, which focuses on companies’ procurement, selling and compliance practices, BASEC rigorously inspected and audited Cleveland Cable Company’s management systems, as well as undertaking a testing programme of cable samples from its stock. The audit confirms the quality of products at its facility are consistent with recognised standards and, importantly, with the specifications of cable products manufactured at source. Alastair Powell, Managing Director of Cleveland Cable, says, “We are exceptionally proud to become the world’s first cable distributor to hold the BASEC Registered Stockist status.  We are at the forefront of the drive to deliver increased quality among cable stockists and distributors, which has now been recognised through the awarding of Registered Stockist certification by BASEC. "The status also demonstrates to the market our working relationship with BASEC, and our backing for the company’s commitment to exceptional standards in our industry, while also providing verification of our processes and the quality of the products we supply.” Tony Lioveri, Chief Executive Officer at BASEC, notes, “BASEC approvals previously only applied to manufacturers, but we have now extended our registered stockist scheme to encompass the end to end supply chain; with a focus on improving our market surveillance of products from source to end user. Cleveland Cable is the first member of our Registered Stockist scheme, showing great commitment to driving higher levels of quality and safety for cable products, through rigorous approvals, before they enter the market. We have a close ongoing relationship with Cleveland and by becoming the first approved, they can give their customers confidence in the approved BASEC products that they supply, and of the quality of their operation. “We hope through their leadership in supporting the scheme that they set the benchmark for others in the market to follow, with a common end goal of improving cable quality and safety.”

Recolight Board appoints new Chair

Recolight, the leading WEEE compliance scheme for lighting, has announced the appointment of Maurice Spee from Signify as Chair of the Recolight Board. Spee, Director for Collection & Recycling at Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), has been with the company for almost 20 years. He has substantial experience in WEEE across a number of European countries, and sits on the board of several other European WEEE compliance schemes. Spee replaces Martin De Jager of Signify, who is retiring from Signify and the Recolight board. Maurice Spee comments, “I am delighted to be joining the Recolight board. The company is entering an exciting new phase in its growth, as domestic luminaires came into scope at the beginning of 2019. I look forward to contributing to Recolight, as the company responds to the challenge of the expanded scope." Recolight Chief Executive, Nigel Harvey, adds, “Recolight is pleased to welcome Maurice Spee to the board as Chair. His knowledge of lighting and WEEE across Europe is invaluable to us. His experience will support the growth of Recolight, and the standards on which our reputation is based. The board is grateful for the support of Martin De Jager, who has served on the Recolight board for over eight years. Other directors of Recolight are Andreas Adam, Senior Director of LEDvance, who joined in 2016; Bridget Anderson, Financial Controller of Feilo Sylvania, who joined in 2014; and Glen Christie, Product Line Leader of Tungsram, who joined in 2018.

CEDIA CEU accreditation for Hamilton training courses

Hamilton Litestat has been approved by international home technology trade association CEDIA to become a CEDIA Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Provider. Hamilton’s training course ‘Essentials in Smart Lighting Control and Audio Systems’, which is run at its facilities in Mere, is now a CEDIA-endorsed training programme, contributing 4CEUs towards this training requirement. CEDIA-certified professionals are required to obtain at least 30 CEUs within three years. “As the authority on custom-installed home technology, we’re thrilled to have received approval from CEDIA for our ‘Essentials in Smart Lighting Control and Audio Systems’ training course,” says Gavin Williams, Hamilton Litestat’s Head of Marketing. “This accreditation recognises the investment Hamilton has made in its training courses and educational efforts, particularly around smart controls, as well as ensuring our product range is suited for simple through to complex smart control requirements. We look forward to working even closer with the custom installer industry following this esteemed recognition, and hope to add further courses to the CEU programme to demonstrate our commitment to training and best practice.” Hamilton became a member of CEDIA earlier this year. The trade association brings together over 3,700 companies and 30,000 industry professionals around the globe that design, manufacture and install technology for the home. For more information about Hamilton’s ‘Essentials in Smart Lighting Control and Audio Systems’ training course, visit: http://www.hamilton-litestat.com/training-courses. Completion of the course by CEDIA members can be registered by entering Course Code: CEU829 in the CEU portal: www.cedia.net/education/submitceu.

TrustMark council to identify home improvement challenges

A new independent Consumer Protection Council (CPC) of consumer experts has been formed by TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality scheme for tradespeople, to identify common challenges faced by consumers in the home improvements sector and to recommend ways to reduce detriment and enhance protection. The CPC aims to share knowledge, views and insight about the main problems experienced by consumers when employing traders to carry out work in and around their home. It also seeks to define good practice in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI), energy efficiency and retrofit sectors and considers ways that TrustMark could provide solutions and minimise consumer detriment. Chaired by TrustMark’s Non-Executive Consumer Director, Julie Hunter, the CPC consists of stakeholder experts representing a broad range of independent consumer organisations. Together they bring a wealth of knowledge, proficiency and views and will focus on each stage of the consumer journey, from information and advice when choosing a tradesperson to agreeing a contract and price, incorporating dispute resolution and consumer complaints. Julie Hunter, Non-Executive Board member of TrustMark, says, “The creation of the Consumer Protection Council aims to provide fresh knowledge and insight about the consumer experience, to inform TrustMark’s work at a strategic level and to drive improvements across the sector for all consumers. CPC members from across the consumer landscape will work together to identify common challenges and achieve shared objectives. We have a fantastic team who are passionate about consumer protection, and by working together, we are in a stronger position to influence positive change.  Consumers have a right to expect the best when employing tradespeople to work on their property – TrustMark continually strives to achieve this and ensures that consumer protection is at the heart of its vision and service delivery.” Laura McGadie, Head of Advice for the Energy Saving Trust and member of the CPC, says, “Energy Saving Trust believes it is crucially important to place consumers at the heart of the design and delivery of services. We are therefore pleased to be a member of the new Consumer Protection Council and working with TrustMark to help ensure energy efficiency improvements in people’s homes are of the highest quality and standard.” Arnold Pindar, Chairman of the National Consumer Federation and member of the CPC, notes, “The establishment of the Consumer Protection Council will further strengthen the consumer voice, ensuring that TrustMark meets the challenges faced by consumers in the home improvements market. The Council is broad-based and puts consumers where they should be, at the heart of the scheme’s aims for a steadily improving and truly trusted home improvements business sector.” The Consumer Protection Council is one of several councils being developed to support the TrustMark Board with the strategic direction of the organisation, as well as providing strong collaborations and developments to serve the industry and consumer.

ECA Power Players initiative returns for 2019

Leading younger people from across the engineering services sector now have a new opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for their achievements, following the launch of ECA’s Power Players initiative. Power Players opens today (May 15) to entries from anyone aged 39 or below who has achieved innovative or impactful activity in their careers so far. The initiative is open until September 17, 2019. To enter, individuals simply need to submit a short video at www.powerplayers.uk.com The industry-wide initiative is being supported by headline sponsor, Schneider Electric. In addition, Power Players is being backed by numerous organisations within the industry, including the Electrical Industries Charity, FETA, Select, BEAMA, EDA, and others. Power Players is a completely digital initiative, aimed at those in the younger generation who have already made a strong start to their careers. Those entering are required to send in a short entry video, which can be made on a smartphone, about their innovative or inspirational work. Steve Bratt, ECA CEO, comments, “I am delighted to announce that the second iteration of our popular Power Players initiative has formally opened to entries from across the industry. We look forward to receiving the entry videos from high performing young people who are seeking recognition for their achievements.” There are a range of top-quality prizes for the two most impressive entrants, including the opportunity of a lifetime of a business and networking trip abroad, to be announced in due course. Other prizes include a mentoring lunch with business guru Sir John Parker, former chair of global mining firm, Anglo American. See below for an introductory video. For more information on how to enter and the prizes on offer, visit www.powerplayers.uk.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH5URV2tBC4&feature=youtu.be

NICEIC and Select issue joint statement

Select and the NICEIC have issued a joint statement supporting new regulations to help consumers and competent qualified electricians. The long-running campaign for Recognition of Electricians as a Profession has been endorsed by Kevan Parker, Managing Director of NICEIC (pictured right), and Alan Wilson, Managing Director of Select (pictured left). The joint statement says that new regulations such as Protection of Title will provide an important step forward in protecting the safety of those who use an electrician, as it will give assurance that the business undertaking any work is assessed as competent and only uses electricians who are suitably qualified and competent. Furthermore, it will enhance the profession itself, as it will ensure that only those who can prove that they have appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience are accorded the respect that is due to such an important and safety critical profession. Alan Wilson of Select says, “As well as introducing new regulations, we recognise that consumers contract with businesses, and it is that which gives consumers safeguards such as access to complaints processes and warranty mechanisms. “Therefore, there needs to be a searchable database for consumers to allow them to find suitable electrical businesses which employ competent qualified electricians. This also needs to be supported by ongoing campaigns to raise awareness.” Kevan Parker of NICEIC adds, “Both NICEIC and Select are committed to improving consumer safety and protection. We look forward to working with those across the industry, and others with an interest in this important area of safety, to deliver what is best for consumers without adding additional burden to businesses and individuals in the industry.”