UK Van Market Holds Steady In May With 2.4% Rise

The light commercial vehicle (LCV) market remained steady in May, rising 2.4%, as 27,639 new vans hit British roads, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand for mid-size and larger vans grew by 21.5% and 2.0% respectively, helping offset a -21.0% decline in smaller vehicles weighing less than 2.0-tonnes. Pick-ups also fell, with 3,826 registered in the month, down -2.6%. Following five months of fluctuations, 2018 year-to-date performance is down by -1.4% on the same period last year. However, with 145,514 vans and pick-ups registered so far in the year, demand remains a third (34.8%) higher than five years ago. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “It’s reassuring to see a bit of stability in the van market. Variations in buying cycles are a natural feature and, despite the year-to-date decline, it’s important to remember that demand remains at an historically high level. Barring any unforeseen shocks, we expect the rest of the year to follow a similar pattern, in line with forecasts. To drive long-term growth, however, we need the right economic conditions to give businesses the confidence to invest in their fleets.”

LIA & BSI Partner To Support Commercial Lighting Industry

The LIA (Lighting Industry Association) has announced a partnership with BSI, the business standards company. The LIA and BSI have joined together to combine their knowledge and extensive expertise in assurance and testing within the lighting sector. This partnership will see the two organisations collaborate on and develop product testing and certification solutions. To celebrate the partnership, a special event will be held at the LIA offices in Telford on June 27, 2018.The event will be an opportunity for businesses in the lighting sector to find out how the BSI Kitemark for Commercial Lighting can help their business in providing: • Competitive advantage • Access to new markets • Faster product testing times • Fewer risks • Faster ‘time to market’ for new products The BSI Kitemark for Commercial Lighting is a step forward in product safety and quality, which will drive up standards and further reduce the risks of product recalls and returns. It encompasses a wide range of lighting products and of course, includes LEDs. Whilst recognising the achievements of commercial lighting manufacturers that consistently meet the highest possible standards, the BSI Kitemark also provides an important marketing tool for manufacturers of commercial lighting products. Speaking about the partnership, Greg Childs, electrical & gas certification group manager at BSI said, “We’re delighted to be working with the LIA in order to help organisations achieve the BSI Kitemark for Commercial Lighting, as well as developing other product testing and certification solutions. “We’re committed to helping manufacturers deliver lighting products that are highly efficient and safe to use and this collaboration will enable us to continue to help businesses face new industry challenges. “The BSI Kitemark is a symbol that around 70% of the British public Recognise, and one that has given millions of Britons over the last century the knowledge and comfort that the products they come into contact with are safe and reliable.” The use of the LIA Laboratory facility means that BSI is able to provide assurance that products will be tested to the highest possible standards by specialists in their field. Commenting on the new partnership, chief executive of the LIA, Steve Davies added, “Testing to this BSI Kitemark cements the position of the LIA Laboratory as a leading provider for testing and certification within the lighting industry and we are proud to be in partnership with BSI, to support commercial lighting.”  

Ongoing Issues & One-off Events Slow Engineering Services Growth, Says Research

Almost one in three (28%) engineering services firms say turnover decreased during the first quarter of 2018, according to new findings from the quarterly sector-wide Building Engineering Business Survey, sponsored by Scolmore. The survey covers a membership turnover of around £12 billion. This is the highest reported percentage fall in turnover since Q1 2016, when 33% of respondents reported a fall in turnover since the previous quarter. However, the overall outlook for the current quarter (Q2 2018) is positive, as 86% of businesses said they expect turnover to increase or remain the same, compared to Q1 2018. Ongoing issues, such as poor payment practices (60% of commercial work was paid later than 30 days after completion), and one-off events, such as unusually adverse weather conditions (34% said this had impacted productivity), likely served as contributing factors to some of the slowdown in growth. ECA deputy director of business policy and practice Rob Driscoll said, “So far, 2018 has been characterised by continual uncertainty as we awaited the output from the Grenfell enquiry, continued in the shadow of Brexit, saw Carillion fall and powered through a prolonged period of extreme weather. “It was therefore no surprise that the first quarter of 2018 showed some decline, but despite higher operational costs and ongoing issues surrounding protracted payment, our sector has historically proven its resilience and has a positive outlook as demand is expected to increase during the second quarter.” SNIPEF Chief Executive Fiona Hodgson added, “The adverse weather conditions produced additional work for some of our members, with an increase in call-outs for boiler breakdowns and servicing, but others faced a lack of work as a result of site closures. In addition to the continued rise in cost of materials, our members are now facing increased labour costs associated with a shortage of suitably qualified operatives. “These factors, together with poor payment practices and a squeeze on profit margins, mean that while there is hope that the volume of work is beginning to increase it is a precarious and uncertain time for many businesses.” The survey, run in partnership by engineering services trade bodies BESA, ECA, SELECT and SNIPEF, received 316 responses from companies across the multi-billion pound industry mainly regarding their performance in Q1 (January 1 to March 31 2018).

CEF Goes The Distance For Macmillan Cancer Support

This June, CEF will be going the distance to raise £54,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support by walking the 290 mile Macmillan Way in just 17 days. With the aim of raising enough money to fund a Macmillan nurse for a year, over 70 members of the CEF team will be joined by friends, family and suppliers for different stages of the walk, which stretches from Boston in Lincolnshire to Abbotsbury in Dorset. Participants will walk between 13 and 28 miles each day along a route that follows footpaths, bridleways and byways, from 1st June until 17th June 2018. Andrew Moseley, commercial director at CEF, comments, "One in two people born after 1960 in the UK are expected to be diagnosed with some sort of cancer during their lifetime and almost 360,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year. Macmillan Cancer Support is CEF’s corporate charity partner and plays such a vital role in supporting people living with cancer by providing advice, assistance and nursing. "The Macmillan Way walk is a fantastic opportunity for us as a business, with our colleagues, family and suppliers, to show our support and we’re incredibly proud of the money – and awareness – we’ve raised together." The Macmillan Way walk is the latest in a long line of CEF charity events to support Macmillan. CEF team members across the network have been taking part in 'Go Mad, Go Green' days, with fund-raising activities ranging from sky dives to ultra-marathons raising over £23,000 so far. CEF is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support as its chosen charity partner as part of the CEF Cares programme. To find out more about the walk and those taking part, please visit CEF Cares’ Just Giving page.

What's Next For UPS?

There have been many rumblings of late that centre around the demise of traditional standalone UPS systems and the market longevity of these. It is undeniable that the market is saturated when it comes to centralised UPS. Technology seems to have plateaued and the performance delivered from different manufacturers has become fairly ubiquitous. This has meant that manufacturers are now having to compete on cost and subsequently, judging from the latest industry figures, are making less profit. Despite this slightly glum outlook, demand for critical power goes on, albeit in a slightly different vein. The requirement for medium to large sized UPS systems is diminishing and is being replaced by more modular and easily scalable options, fuelled by not just economic circumstances but also the need for rapid infrastructure development. The adoption of, and reliance on technologies continues to grow, which coupled with increasing power shortages means that the need for emergency power shows no sign of abating. According to experts, the market will continue to grow at a steady pace and is expected to reach in excess of £4.5bn by 2020. Much of this growth will come from the uptake of modular UPS solutions. When it comes to the deployment of new UPS systems within large infrastructure settings, the outlook for the immediate future will see many adopt a ‘repair and make do’ attitude. Power Control Ltd’s solutions director Rob Mather says, “We believe that the focus will be very much on the maintenance and replacement of existing UPS systems, particularly in more sizeable facilities. “With regards to modular UPS growth, I don’t disagree with industry speculation that the market will grow – I have no doubt that it will. However, I do question the speed in which this is anticipated. With global economic uncertainty, it is inevitable that consumers will be even more cautious with their spending. “Our position within the industry means that we are ultimately responsible for driving growth and ensuring clients make intelligent investment decisions. This will come with helping them realise true TCO (total cost of ownership). “Unfortunately, there are very few power protection organisations out there that can offer genuine technical guidance attune to all the varying industry sectors and applications. I am proud to say that Power Control is a business built on technical knowledge and as such, we are one of the most highly sought after service and support companies for UPS systems. “The shift in market attention from centralised units to modular UPS systems, the need to appreciate TCO and the requirement for a greater understanding of the true potential of existing solutions plays into the strengths of our business perfectly.” It would be fair to say that unless those involved in the power protection field take the time to understand and react appropriately to the market shift, we could see many reputable organisations perish. Some forward thinking businesses, like Power Control, have already embraced new market thinking and are already fully focused on the importance of TCO, scalability and practical financial investments. The UPS market still has huge growth potential as long as it is driven by expert power protection specialists who are willing to adapt to the ever evolving consumer needs.

Switch To Electric Before Brexit Comes Into Force, Say Mr. Electric & Low Carbon Workspaces

Businesses in the Black Country need to take action now and apply for electric vehicle (EV) funding before Brexit comes into force, urge Mr. Electric and Low Carbon Workspaces. Mr. Electric is an authorised installer from the government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), and is helping commercial customers to apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme grants towards the upfront cost of the purchase and installation of EV charge points. This offers up to £300 per socket (up to a maximum of 20 sockets) for business properties. An additional grant of up to £5,000 is now also available for small and medium sized businesses in the Black Country to help deliver or pay for the installation of electric and plug-in hybrid electric fleet vehicles. Low Carbon Workspaces, a funded project by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and provided by Ngage Solutions, is working in collaboration with Mr. Electric to urge businesses to take up these grants so they can not only improve their energy resources, but also reduce their fuel costs and save money and the environment. “The switch to electric vehicles is vital if the UK is to succeed in its aim to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040. An automotive revolution is happening across the UK, led by a huge increase in popularity for electric vehicles (EVs) – the number of EVs on our roads has risen 20-fold over the past three years alone," Jeff Longley, director of Mr Electric Birmingham North, explains. "By 2050, it’s predicted they will account for two-thirds of all vehicles on the road. We also have a corporate social responsibility towards the environment, and as we move into the future, we fully support the growing demand for sustainable green transport technology and aim to be at the forefront of this sector. We encourage businesses to take advantage of the funding now as it is only available for a limited time. Let’s embrace these emerging technologies together.”  The Low Carbon Workspace grant is available to eligible organisations looking to install energy and resource efficiency measures to reduce their energy, waste water and fuel costs, such as LED lighting, voltage optimisation, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, solar panels and renewable technologies.  

Take On The Great Wall Of China Challenge With Electrical Industries Charity

Do you think you have what it takes to conquer thousands of steps of the Great Wall of China? The Electrical Industries Charity is looking for participants for its Challenge for a Cause – the Great Wall of China trek 2018 to help Raise the Roof for the Dickinson family. The Great Wall of China (also known as Changcheng) trek is part of the charity’s Challenge for a Cause campaign, which aims to raise £250,000 for the Dickinson family and help Caz Dickinson with her development and care. Throughout the challenge, you will have a chance to experience the breath-taking scenery of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and gain an insight into a rich culture and history. You will also have an opportunity to combat thousands of steps through terraced farmland, beautiful hills and mountains in remote areas of north Beijing. Over the 10 days, you will also venture along the contours of the world’s longest defensive fortification, which was built in the 5th century BC by the Qin Shi Huang and the Ming Dynasty and stretches up to 6,000km across China. This incredible experience is taking place between September 13-22, 2018. All you need to do to take part is to sign up and raise £3,150. To book your place or for further information, please contact Sema Gornall at sema.gornall@electricalcharity.org

ECIS Hosts Mental Health First Aid Workshop

Learning how to identify and support staff members with mental health issues was the focus of a recent workshop held by EC Insurance Services (ECIS), in conjunction with Mental Health First Aid England and ECA. Electrotechnical professionals and ECA staff attended the event, which provided the foundations to create ‘mental health champions’ in their organisation. Delegates learnt how to spot the symptoms of mental health issues, offer initial help and guide a person towards support. The day provided information on the various mental health issues employees may experience and tackled the delicate topic of suicide. There were several interactive sessions that enabled the delegates to work together to think about the best way of dealing with different situations. “Being able to spot when someone might need mental health support, and knowing how to act when issues arise, is becoming increasingly important in today’s workplace,” said Vicki Leslie, client relationship manager at ECIS. “The workshop was extremely helpful in arming delegates with the tools and knowledge they need to start such conversations. ECIS want to support ECA members and the construction industry as a whole to tackle this subject and help ensure that advice and support is there for businesses and employees when needed.”   Lee Hawkins, managing director of Hawden Associates, commented, “As an employer, you recognise most occasions when staff might feel pressured or under stress, but this event really helped me to realise some of the symptoms of stress that I have, to date, missed. I’ll be using the practical tools from the workshop back in the office with my team to look more closely at what might affect their mental health and how we can help them.”  Following this initial pilot event, the ECA plans to work with ECIS to hold further workshops around the country for its members. Through ECIS, electrical contractors can access healthcare services that includes comprehensive support and treatment for mental health as well as physical wellbeing. 

90% Decrease In Industry Accidents Since 2001, Says JIB Survey

The latest JIB Survey of Accidents at Work has shown that the 2017 accident incidence rate (AIR) for RIDDOR-reportable accidents is less than 10% of what it was in 2001. This impressive statistic highlights the continuing commitment from electrical contractors to reduce accidents in the workplace, following the JIB, ECA and Unite the Union’s major industry-wide ‘ZAP’ safety initiative which launched 17 years ago. JIB and ECA members contributed to the survey, which covered a sample size of almost 12,000 operatives. Of the 17 reportable injuries, there were no fatalities and none of the injuries were due to contact with electricity. However, 11 were the result of falls or trips at height or at ground level. According to Paul Reeve, ECA’s director responsible for health and safety, “These excellent safety statistics are the lowest ever recorded in our industry. Even so, it’s clear that accidents linked to work at height and housekeeping remain the main site safety issues. "ECA, working with industry partners and Unite, is currently chairing a working group (part of HSE’s recently-constituted ‘Managing Risk Well’ Group) that aims to reinvigorate concise, good practice advice on work at height. We aim to produce practical outputs that will help designers, clients, managers, supervisors and operatives to tackle the causes of this persistent category of site accident.”

SELECT Calls On Scottish Government To Follow UK Example

SELECT has called on the Scottish Government to adopt the new measures announced at Westminster which are designed to encourage small businesses to apply for government contracts and to ensure that there is a mechanism to punish contractors who don’t pay their suppliers on time. While accepting that Holyrood has made some progress on public sector procurement, SELECT argues that following the tough new changes promised south of the border would help SMEs if also implemented in Scotland. At the root of the UK proposals is the potential exclusion of suppliers from major procurement contracts if they cannot demonstrate fair and effective payment practices with their subcontractors. This 'yellow card/red card' protocol has worked effectively in Northern Ireland for a number of years. SELECT has campaigned vigorously for several years on payment practices in Scotland and has contributed to procurement reform in the public sector, which buys £10bn of goods, works and services each year. Newell McGuiness, SELECT managing director, said, “The Westminster measures have very worthwhile aims – ensuring that smaller firms are given a fair opportunity to supply goods and services to the public sector. “Public sector procurement is a huge market in Scotland and it must not only be transparent but it should be open for as many businesses as possible to compete in a robust but fair environment.” SELECT is being backed by the Specialist Engineering Contractors (SEC) Group Scotland, which has contacted Paul Wheelhouse, the minister for business, innovation and energy, to push the case for these changes. The UK measures allow sub-contractors greater access to buying authorities to report poor payment performance and suppliers must provide the government with data showing how businesses in their supply chain are benefiting from their contracts with central government. The Prime Minister has also written to members of her Cabinet to nominate a small business champion minister in each department to ensure that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are given a fair opportunity.