Woodhouse Building Services Rolls Out BigChange Job Management Technology

Cheshire based Woodhouse Plumbing, Heating and Electrical has rolled out BigChange’s Mobile Workforce and Job Management platform across its commercial and residential divisions. The all-in-one cloud based system combines back-office CRM, job planning and scheduling and a paperless mobile App for engineers and real time tracking of vehicles. Rory Woodhouse founded the business in 2007, aged just 22 and working from a bedroom with just one apprentice and a van. Despite starting his business at the beginning of the deep ‘credit crunch’ recession, the operation has grown organically ever since and now services thousands of home and commercial customers with a 16-strong team. The business recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Woodhouse is using a plumbing and electrical specific version of the BigChange system that allows back-office users to plan, manage, schedule and track work effectively including planned maintenance and urgent reactive work. In the back-office, the system is enabling planners to respond faster to customers and is intelligently allocating work orders based on real time engineer availability, skills, live location and parts stock. This is significantly increasing productivity; minimising customer wait time and driving first time fix at competitive cost. The integrated CRM is also providing customers with a joined-up experience, thanks to automated job booking confirmations, service reminders, ETA updates on the day of service and electronic quotation and invoicing. Founder and managing director Rory Woodhouse comments: “My vision was to bring everything together in one single joined-up system, all integrated with our Xero accounting and this is exactly what we’ve achieved with BigChange. It gives independent operators like ourselves access to the same efficiencies and competitive advantage of the ‘big players’. By managing everything consistently, it means we can grow whilst maintaining our high service commitment.” Woodhouse’s team of plumbers and electricians benefit from an easy to use Android mobile App. They start their day by completing an electronic timesheet and vehicle check, before instantly accessing job information. Integrated satnav with live traffic ensures the best route is taken and customers receive proactive updates by text and email. On arrival, the App allows team members to create instant quotes and guides them step-by-step through job specific workflows. Users can search for parts and add them instantly to the job. Proof-of-service is instantly relayed to the back-office and the system generates invoices, custom reports, certificates, legal documents and fully branded job-cards that are automatically shared via a customer’s booking portal or via email. BigChange founder and CEO Martin Port says: “Woodhouse is an entrepreneurial led business that has achieved great success in a short period of time. Rory identified he needed to match the company’s systems with its growth and has made a big change by harnessing our three-in-one JobWatch system. Rory praised our sales, implementation and RoadCrew customer service teams for delivering on their promise of a smooth installation allowing Woodhouse to quickly reap the benefits of change.”

BlueSky Pensions Supports New Challenge For A Cause

The Electrical Industries Charity is working in partnership with BlueSky Pensions to increase awareness of the new Challenge for a Cause campaign which aims to raise £250,000 to transform the lives of the Dickinson family. BlueSky will be promoting the Electrical Industries Charity’s new Challenge for a Cause ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign at its Annual Summer Party 2017. The Electrical Industries Charity’s ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign was set up to help the Dickinson family to look forward to the future and help a mother of three, Caz Dickinson, with her development. By sponsoring one brick at a time, you will have a unique opportunity to have your name/company name engraved on each brick that you sponsor. A personalised brick allows you to put your name on this very special project and serve as long lasting tributes for the Dickinson family while helping them to have a long lasting family home. BlueSky’s Summer Party is taking place at the dazzling Sky Bar in London on Thursday 15th June 2017 at the Grange, St Paul’s in London. Guests on the night will have a chance to enjoy one of the most iconic views in London while learning about BlueSky’s product offerings. The event promises to bring the best entertainment on the night with the award winning comedian Nathan Caton and the soulful singer Lorena Dale. The charity's managing director, Tessa Ogle, says: “We are excited to be working in partnership with BlueSky Pensions who will be helping us on this new challenge to raise essential funds and transform the lives of the Dickinson family.” Alice Moloney, head of marketing at BlueSky, says: “We are delighted to be working together with the Electrical Industries Charity and bringing awareness of such an extraordinary cause. We believe that the ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign is an incredible way to get everyone involved to help the Dickinson family to have a life they deserve and most importantly help Caz with her development.” For further information please contact Vicky Gray: vicky.gray@electricalcharity.org

LEW Electrical Distributors Secures Mansfield Branch

LEW Electrical Distributors has expanded its network of branches having signed up to a 4,000ft2 warehouse at Old Mill Lane, Mansfield, in a deal brokered by property consultancy agency Commercial Property Partners LLP (CPP). The electrical wholesaler’s new premises is one of 21 speculatively built units on the park, which has been developed by property development and investment group Strawsons Property. This latest property acquisition sees LEW Electrical Distributors add to its existing nine-strong branches with sites strategically positioned across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire. A spokesperson for the company said that Old Mill Lane - located close to Mansfield, Nottingham, Worksop and Newark, with easy access to both the M1 and the A1 - presented the ideal solution to the business once it identified that the company’s next phase of expansion would be to open a Mansfield branch. [caption id="attachment_12179" align="alignnone" width="640"] Old Mill Lane - located close to Mansfield, Nottingham, Worksop and Newark, offers easy access to both the M1 and the A1.[/caption] Other occupiers in the immediate vicinity include Royal Mail, Volvo and FCC Wholesale. Andy Johnson, managing director from LEW, which has signed a five-year lease deal on the property, says: “Old Mill Lane is centrally located with excellent access to major transport routes and some of the region’s major towns and cities, making it an excellent option for us during this time of rapid growth and expansion.” Adam Jones of Strawsons Property adds: “Our investment in this project may have been seen as a leap of faith 18 months ago when we started construction but demand at Old Mill Lane has been really strong. “We are really pleased to welcome LEW to Old Mill Lane and the many other businesses who have been attracted to the development. We now look forward to securing planning consent for a number of other exciting developments in and around Old Mill Lane over the next 12 months.”

Electrical Industries Charity Provides Essential Support For Young Talent

The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) recognises the importance of the essential support network for young talent in the electrical industry and launched the Apprentice Support Programme to help apprentices to create a career they deserve. Apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity for a young person in the electrical industry to earn and learn while gaining invaluable training and life skills. Although there are a lot of young people in the electrical sector who are trying to build their career, for some, this is not an option due to unforeseen circumstances in their lives. The Apprentice Support Programme provides young adults with the right level of support with many issues including financial, emotional, health and family factors that may be in the way of pursuing a dream of starting a new career. The charity’s programme provides services including career development and transition assistance, debt advice, financial assistance, legal advice, apprentice scholarships and bursary scheme, financial grants and assistance, and support for carers. The programme aims to make it easier for young people to reach their potential and has already helped many do just this. In a recent example, 20 year old Billy was diagnosed with bone cancer in the final year of his apprenticeship, which was extremely aggressive and required a life saving amputation. To regain his independence and complete his apprenticeship, Billy needed a prosthetic limb. His family, together with the support of the EIC’s Apprentice Support Programme and the local community, were able to raise the money for the limb and have enabled Billy to continue his career. Billy’s story is one of many examples that outline the difficulties that the future stars of our industry are facing in order to reach their goals, and defines the benefits of being part of the Apprentice Support Programme. Tessa Ogle, managing director of the EIC, says: “Every so often, no matter how young or old you are, we all need a support network to help us reach a goal. We have launched the Apprentice Support Programme to ensure young talent in our industry has this support to build the career they deserve.” For further information visit: www.electricalcharity.org

Swansea Engineer Completes Kilimanjaro Challenge For Charity

An engineer at Swansea based RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services has been recognised for her efforts after completing an immense challenge for the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). Rose Phillips, an engineer with the award winning electrical contracting and engineering company, was given the opportunity to represent the firm through taking on the ‘Challenge for a Cause' Mount Kilimanjaro trek with the charity. With only three months’ training, she took on the challenge that aimed to raise £100,000 to support research into a rare form of cancer and help the Hendrie family to rebuild their lives. Christopher Hendrie, a fellow member of the engineering community, sadly lost his battle to cancer, and so the sector has been pulling together to do what it can to support his family. The EIC is the national charity for all people from the electrical, electronics and energy industries. Phillips, aged 29 from Gower, took on the 10-day Lemosho Route as part of the EIC expedition, which is widely considered to be the best route on Mount Kilimanjaro. [caption id="attachment_12092" align="alignnone" width="640"] Rose Phillips was given the opportunity to represent RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services through taking on the ‘Challenge for a Cause' Mount Kilimanjaro trek with the Electrical Industries Charity.[/caption] Rose says: ”I’ve always been someone to take on a challenge, especially something a bit extreme. Mentally, the climb didn't faze me but it did hit me when we arrived what I had ahead of me. "The journey was gruelling and it was freezing during the nights. The ascent with all the weight in my backpack was tough and I really felt it on the first day. But finally reaching the Kilimanjaro summit and standing at the top with the team was amazing. It was over eight hours to the summit but it was timed so we reached the top for sunrise. With the glaciers and the view, it was stunning. "Coming back down from the summit was the hardest part. I was exhausted and we had to walk through loose shale, which made it feel like I was sinking. All I wanted to do was reach camp and sit down as I was absolutely shattered. "The challenge for a cause was one of the most testing experiences I've ever been through, but knowing we were completing it for such an important cause made it all worthwhile. We were given a letter of thanks and support from the Hendrie family, which just showed what it meant to them. The whole experience was very rewarding and I'm really glad I was a part of it thanks to RDM." David Kieft, ECA national president and director of RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services, adds: "We are really pleased we provided this unique opportunity to Rose, who we are incredibly proud of for successfully completing the Kilimanjaro trek, which raised money for our industry's leading charity. "We are dedicated to offering support to our engineers no matter what challenge they decide to undertake, and Rose deserves full credit for her efforts. Her willingness and determination to represent RDM to raise much needed funds for Christopher's family and show our support to a fellow member of the engineering fraternity is truly admirable."

ECA And BESA Launch Engineering Services Manifesto

Leading trade bodies issue industry manifesto ahead of 8th June poll An engineering services manifesto has been launched by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), ahead of the upcoming general election on 8th June. The five-point industry manifesto, which adds to a recent submission by the ECA and BESA on the government’s industrial strategy consultation, calls for the following: Connecting the output of construction and operation of the UK’s built environment, and making it a strategic priority, to enable the sustainable delivery of economic, social and environmental benefits. Engineering Services is uniquely positioned as a cornerstone of both sectors and has a central role in delivering these benefits throughout the lifetime of built assets, and, as a key enabler, should be selected by government for a ‘sector deal’. Ensuring that SME apprenticeship training is fully funded for the entire parliament. At present, there is significant concern that firms that are not required to pay the new apprenticeship levy may not be able to access the support they need to develop engineering and other technical skills. Ensuring government is a smart client and smaller businesses have stability of cashflow and payment. A key request is for a digital payment platform in the public sector, linked to digital procurement processes. This would give greater transparency and speed to supply chain payment, and lower supplier risk. Making energy, heat and carbon efficiency a real sustainable delivery priority within the next parliament. Achievable energy efficiency goals, backed by government, need to be fulfilled if we are to meet our emissions reductions targets in the lowest cost way, as well as offering a way for businesses to improve their productivity. Improve productivity through action to enhance employee engagement. Government should introduce additional requirements in the procurement process to help mitigate against false self-employment and other tax avoidance schemes, and facilitate improved employer-worker collaboration, resulting in enhanced productivity. ECA CEO Steve Bratt and BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin comment: “The next government has a great opportunity to deliver an investment and regulatory climate in which industry thrives and where buildings and infrastructure support UK growth and productivity. “Our five-point manifesto would support business, by delivering highly skilled apprenticeships, giving SMEs the opportunity to grow, and ultimately, improving UK productivity.” According to the government’s industrial strategy consultation, the UK lags behind other developed nations including Germany, France and the United States, in terms of worker productivity. BESA and ECA members have combined annual turnover of £10bn, spanning building, infrastructure and maintenance activity. Engineering services fulfils 90% of the costs associated with buildings and infrastructure, compared to just 10% for initial building costs.

Arc Faults Can Trigger £31,900 Average Downtime Costs In 24 Hours

Research by Eaton estimates the cost of production downtime alone in an average factory could reach £31,900 within 24 hours of an arc fault. Then there is the threat to life safety posed by the initial explosion, the potential for reputational damage and the cost of replacement assemblies and parts to consider. These can be catastrophic consequences, particularly in power critical environments such as process plants and hospitals. As such, the power management company has launched a campaign to highlight the risk of arc faults arising from low voltage electrical distribution panels in commercial and industrial buildings. White paper The estimated costs of downtime are contained in an Eaton white paper, written by European electrical safety expert Alfred Mörx and available at Eaton WorkSafe. He points out that even organisations meeting the minimum requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC61439 standard remain vulnerable to arc faults. The whitepaper, ‘Safety and Risk in Electrical Low Voltage Installations’, recommends that power critical operations apply higher standards of safety than those outlined in IEC61439 in order to minimise the risk to personnel, production schedules and building infrastructure.   According to Mörx: “When planning and implementing low voltage switchgear assemblies and the low voltage installations supplied from them, it is in many cases necessary from a technical protection point of view to examine whether the minimum requirements specified in the generally accepted technical standards are sufficient for actual operation.” Recovery costs In the event of an extreme incident, a power outage can last days or even weeks, leaving businesses facing mounting recovery costs. Eaton’s white paper provides a detailed economic assessment of the damage that can be caused, including shutdown, downtime and restart costs as well as additional costs such as any penalties imposed for failing to meet client delivery dates. In some countries, companies could even face legal action despite meeting regulatory requirements. Chris Pack, product field manager at Eaton, comments: “The impact of arc flash incidents can be truly devastating for commercial buildings where power supply is critical to daily operations. In extreme cases, they can significantly disrupt the security of electricity supply, leading to an outage that can last days or weeks if not longer. Switchgear can be damaged beyond repair and businesses will soon find themselves facing substantial costs. Eaton has carried out extensive research to develop solutions that not only can reduce the risk of arc faults but can also minimise the damage to switchgear in an incident so that businesses can protect employees and resume normal service quickly without escalating costs.” Low voltage distribution panels play a decisive role in supplying electrical power but even if equipment is planned, built and tested to meet the standard, they are frequently modified and added to over time. Eaton contends that this can result in an arc flash incident. These hazardous events can also be triggered as a result of human error while working on the switchgear, through contamination, condensation or even by small rodents or insects damaging the electrical system.

Electrical Contracting Businesses Shortlisted For Prestigious Small Awards

An Orpington based electrical contractor and a small husband and wife run electrical testing business based in Halifax have been named among the shortlisted finalists in the UK’s inaugural Small Awards in association with Facebook, which has been established to recognise the achievements of small and micro-businesses. Husband and wife team Susan and Ian French started Total Electric Solutions in 2007 from a bedroom, before moving into the garage and then employing their daughter to help with admin. As the business grew, the company invested in offices, and employees now also include Susan and Ian’s two sons, two nephews and niece. The business, which also subcontracts to Susan’s brother and several of Ian’s cousins, has now been named as a finalist in the ‘Legacy’ category in this year’s Small Awards. This award recognises the distinctive characteristics, challenges and strengths of family run small businesses, especially those that demonstrate involvement and contribution from family members as well as business success over a period of time. Meanwhile, Circuit Electrical Testing, which lists Greater Manchester Police, South West Yorkshire NHS Trust, 90% of Welsh councils through the Welsh Consortium and Emcor – the biggest facility management company in the world among its clients – has grown from employing three people in 2007 to 35 today. The company, which has also diversified into thermal imaging and hazardous area testing, also took the leap from renting an office to buying a whole building and turning it into serviced offices, helping reinvigorate the local business scene in the process. Circuit Electrical Testing has now been named as a finalist in the ‘Supply Chain Champion’ category, which is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans, in this year’s Small Awards. Both businesses will find out if they have won an award at a special ceremony in London on 25th May, hosted by comedian and television personality Sue Perkins. “A family business is a positive thing and we continue to invest heavily in training both family and not family members so that our business has the skills to allow it to continue to grow in the future,” explains Susan French of Total Electric Solutions. “Our clients know we are a family business and that it is in all of our interest to get it right. But we treat all of our staff equally as individuals and members of one big family and since starting the business we have employed six apprentices, as training the young generation is essential to continued growth. Vicky Nolan (pictured), who owns Circuit Electrical Testing with her husband Brian, says: “We have worked hard to build a business which works with large organisations, but that still feels like a small, friendly business for our team.” The Small Awards in association with Facebook will recognise the achievements of small businesses in 10 categories across multiple sectors and areas of activity, including high street businesses, family businesses, start-ups and business-to-business companies, as well as those that export, and even companies that contribute most to their community. One of the individual category winners will also be named overall Small Business of the Year. Facebook will give that business £1,000 worth of free advertising credit. The judges for this year’s Awards include the former Business Secretary Sir Vince Cable; 2014 Apprentice winner Mark Wright, who now runs SEO and PPC agency Climb Online, and former Digital & Culture Minister Ed Vaizey. For further information visit: www.thesmallawards.uk

EI Live! Provides New Revenue Opportunities For Electrical Contractors

Taking place at Sandown Racecourse, Esher, Surrey, 10th-11th May 2017, event organisers say EI Live!, the UK’s only trade show for the smart building market, offers lucrative opportunities for quality electrical contractors working in the domestic and commercial sectors. EI Live! delivers the opportunity to access this expanding market so electrical contractors can expand their portfolios and offer customers everything from multi-room music systems and other entertainment experiences, networking products, smart metering and automated control of lighting, HVAC and security. Many of the distributors and manufacturers that operate in this area are looking to expand their customer base and experienced electrical contractors already have many of the skills and the customer base needed to be successful. Distributors and manufacturers offer full and often free training to get companies started, or can expand your offering if you already operate in this area. The UK’s only smart building show EI Live! is the UK’s only smart building trade show offering a vital opportunity to meet with suppliers and find out more about the market. With stands showcasing hundreds of brands and thousands of products, services and innovations, electrical contractors can be sure there is something that will suit their customers and offer a chance to either enter for the first time or increase their footprint in one of the most dynamic markets in UK infrastructure. As well as the main show floor, El Live! will provide a comprehensive series of training seminars in the Learning Zone and other less business orientated experiences such as the show’s Formula One racing challenge. There are also many launches and special offers that can only been seen at this event. This ranges from automation products controlling lighting and other building utilities, easy to fit entertainment experiences, networking products and full building automation platforms. Technological advances mean many of these products are easy and straightforward to fit and deliver serious margin to those companies that get involved. Many electrical contractors have already made the transition to include smart products, and show organisers explain that exhibitors are on the look-out for new accounts in particular from the electrical contracting sector. Entry to the show is completely free and access is easy via the venue’s large car park, which is also free for the whole day. In order to take full advantage of this two-day event, visitors have access to dozens of reasonably priced hotels near the site. To register for free and get all the information needed to make a trip to EI Live! visit www.essentialinstalllive.com or call the show team on +44 (0)1634 673163.

Super Rod And Klein Tools Back Local Racing Drivers

Super Rod and Klein Tools have sponsored two south Wales based racing drivers, as they gear up for Mini Se7en racing success. Drivers Leon Window and Ashley Davies, who race in cars prepared by the Abergavenny race team SMG Motorsport, have previously achieved success in the Mini racing series securing first place in the Novice Championship and the 2016 National Championship respectively. The pair are hoping for another successful season in 2017 thanks to the support of Super Rod and Klein Tools. [caption id="attachment_12013" align="alignnone" width="640"] Mini racing is still popular with racers and spectators alike.[/caption] Leon says: “The support of our sponsors, coupled with a very encouraging pre-season testing day, is a huge boost for the coming season. A lot of hard work has gone into the build, and without our sponsors Super Rod and Klein Tools, none of this would be possible.” Leon Window is the owner of Select Security, which started out in 2010 to deliver security systems to rural and agricultural clients. The company has since branched out to provide hi-tech systems for industrial, public sector and commercial clients, as well as high end bespoke systems for residential customers. Malcolm Duncan, managing director at Super Rod, comments: “When we were approached about sponsorship for Leon and Ashley, we were more than happy to help. It’s great to know what our customers get up to at the weekend and to be in a position to support them in their endeavours outside of work. We wish them all the very best of luck in the coming season.” The first Formula Mini Se7en race was held at Brands Hatch in 1966. Fifty years later, Mini racing is still popular with racers and spectators alike. The series offers an affordable entry level formula, which combines a high level of on track competition with a friendly, club atmosphere.