The ED&I Expo: An Event Not To Be Missed!

As the leading industry show begins to take shape, Farhaan Mirza, head of marketing at the ECA, explains why the Electrical Design and Install Expo (ED&I Expo) is an event to mark in your diary. [caption id="attachment_11826" align="alignright" width="400"] Farhaan Mirza: Head of marketing at the ECA.[/caption] As the main trade association that represents the electrical engineering and wider electrotechnical sector, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has felt for some time that there is a lack of a truly national exhibition and conference that embraces our evolving industry. For those of us committed to developing and promoting our industry, it’s therefore very pleasing that publishing group and event organiser All Things Media (ATM) has launched the forthcoming Electrical Design and Install (ED&I) Expo. This exciting event promises to be the biggest event on the electrotechnical calendar, and I am delighted that the ECA will be the headline sponsor. This really is an event that should establish itself as the de-facto industry event to attend annually and I see it being a part of our industry for many years to come. Watershed moment ATM’s managing director David Kitchener argues that the event “represents a real watershed moment in the electrical sector, allowing everyone involved in the industry to get together, share ideas, unearth new business opportunities and drive the industry forward”. Billed as “the electrical event the industry has been crying out for”, the ED&I Expo will not only be an excellent networking opportunity for all levels of the industry, but is shaped around discovering new technologies and services that will help businesses to improve and grow. It will also offer a unique opportunity to learn about and interact with the latest products and innovations and hear from industry experts. The ED&I Expo is being held on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th September 2017 at the NEC in Birmingham, the UK’s leading conference centre. The NEC is conveniently located, can be accessed from all parts of the UK, and even has its own train station. Given this location, all the ingredients should be in place to deliver this hugely important new industry event. Overall, the event is intended to include more than 200 exhibitors, 300 products, 40 training sessions and over 5,000 visitors over the two days. It’s an ambitious target for the first year of a show, but the initial response from the industry suggests that these numbers are more than achievable. Positively, the show is already starting to take shape. A range of leading manufacturers have been steadily booking up space in the exhibition hall. These include Scolmore (Platinum sponsors), Schneider (Gold sponsors), Electrium, Legrand, Marshall Tufflex, Martindale Electric and CEF. Furthermore, as part of efforts to unite the entire industry – an association hub has been made the centrepiece of the event. In addition to the ECA, this hub includes other leading trade bodies and groups such as CIBSE, Scottish electrical trade body SELECT, the Electrical Distributors’ Association, BEAMA, the Electrical Industries Charity, the Building Engineering Services Association, the Lighting Industry Association, the Joint Industry Board and Gambica. The ECA looks forward to welcoming anyone attending to visit the industry hub, and to stop by for a chat with our staff, who will include experts on areas including the Wiring Regulations, smart technology, health and safety and more. Commercial and social opportunities The show’s comprehensive seminar programme will offer valuable insights into industry opportunities and trends, and the latest on policy and legislation, while an array of industry vendors will showcase their latest industry leading products and services on the exhibition floor. Plans are currently being developed for the seminar programme, which promises to include speakers from right across the industry and beyond into the broader world of engineering and construction. ED&I Expo aims to bring everyone involved in the installation, design, specification, inspection, manufacturing and distribution of electrical products together under one roof. Ultimately, the event is intended to become the 'must attend' exhibition for those involved in the above activities, plus others involved in the industry, such as specifiers, architects, government and training providers. With all the commercial and social opportunities on offer, the ED&I Expo is undoubtedly a date to add to your diary. There will be more updates to follow on a range of other opportunities over the two days, which will help ensure the event lives up to its billing as ‘the show the industry is crying out for’. The ED&I Expo will be held on 6th-7th September 2017 at the NEC in Birmingham. To find out more about the event, please visit www.edandiexpo.com

Schneider Electric Paris Marathon 2017: Greener And More Gender Diverse

For the fifth year running, Schneider Electric is the official partner of the Paris Marathon, the iconic 42.195km race through the capital that will take off on Sunday morning. As the world’s second largest marathon after New York, the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon is expected to welcome 57,000 runners this year, 25% of which will be women. For the 2017 race, Schneider Electric has made a firm commitment to making the marathon more environmentally friendly while also raising focus on gender equality through several innovative initiatives. Offsetting 70% of carbon emissions As a company that is fully committed to sustainability, Schneider Electric has partnered with the marathon organiser, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), to offset 70% of the carbon emissions generated by the event (18,200 tons out of a total of 26,000 tons), through field action. These emissions, equivalent to 26,000 Paris-New York trips, come from the travel of competitors and their entourages to the event, as well as logistics. Having offset 50% of the marathon’s carbon emissions in 2016, Schneider Electric and ASO plan to progressively increase this percentage to achieve carbon neutrality in 2019. Schneider Electric has chosen to act in Kenya, a symbolic country for runners, for this offsetting campaign with the help of Livelihoods Carbon Fund, a coalition of 10 French companies working to restore ecosystems in developing countries. In partnership with NGO Climate Pal, they supplied 60,000 homes with 'Hifadhi' cookstoves that reduce the amount of wood used in cooking by 60%. The benefits include less wood chopped and burned, as well as fewer CO2 emissions for the 30,000 villagers who received the stoves. Schneider Electric will also engage in eight initiatives to replant mangroves and improve farming practices. The first marathon to actively support gender equality and the #HeForShe movement A marathon is one of the rare sporting challenges that women and men compete in together, with an identical number of kilometres and a shared drive to excel. As a #HeForShe Impact Champion, Schneider Electric naturally joined forces with ASO to support the #HeForShe movement, which was launched by the United Nations at the end of 2014. #HeForShe aims to encourage men and boys to take tangible action to promote gender equality, starting by signing a manifesto. Since the launch of the movement, hundreds of millions of men have signed up worldwide. The joint commitment made by Schneider Electric and ASO to promote gender equality involves three proactive initiatives: Ensuring gender parity in the marathon prizes (up to €50,000), with equal rewards for women and men Promoting parity in the media coverage of the prize awards, ensuring that the female and male ceremonies are both broadcast live Raising awareness of gender equality in sport through a #HeForShe booth at Le Salon du Running, which will take place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles during the three days preceding the marathon. Olivier Blum, chief human resources officer at Schneider Electric, comments: “We wish all the participants a lot of fun in the race on Sunday and encourage more women to join and participate next year. We would love that Paris marathon become the most gender diverse event in the world."

Checkatrade Rocks Out In Dorset With The Teddy Rocks Festival

Rock fans in and around Dorset are in for a treat this May Bank Holiday weekend as Teddy Rocks, a three-day music festival, hits the county. Held from Friday 28th April to Sunday 30th April, and this year sponsored by Checkatrade, the music-fest is located at Charisworth Farm, Blandford, its largest venue to date. Growing year on year, the new venue is able to accommodate the increasing number of campers, four stages and guest parking. Headlining the event on Sunday is rock-pop band Scouting for Girls, who have enjoyed chart success with hits including She’s So Lovely and Elvis Ain’t Dead. Joining Scouting for Girls are dozens of other fantastic live acts offering music fans a wide choice of great music from rock to ska, punk to drum & bass. The weekender was founded in 2011 by Tom Newton who tragically lost his 10 year old brother, Ted, to Ewings sarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer. From humble beginnings, (a gig performed to family and friends at The Greyhound Pub in Blandford), the event has grown and in 2015 the festival raised more than £42,000 for Teddy20, a charity supporting children affected by cancer. Sponsoring the main stage, known as the Ted Newton Stage, Checkatrade offers free access to a directory of approved and vetted local tradespeople across the UK and is a keen supporter of a wide range of charities. Speaking of the company’s reasoning behind getting involved with the event, Checkatrade founder and CEO Kevin Byrne says: “Here at Checkatrade we are committed to supporting local communities, something we primarily do by tackling the rogue trader problem which blights many local towns and cities. Also, through the Checkatrade Foundation, we support many great causes, including events such as Teddy Rocks which is a fantastic way to bring people together and raise money for this worthwhile cause.” In 2015 monies raised helped the charity buy a luxury static caravan in Weymouth. The caravan provides an opportunity for those living with cancer and their families to have some much needed respite and a chance to have fun. Along with enjoying great live music, festival goers can also have fun enjoying the many activities on offer, which include a dodgeball arena, climbing wall, silent disco and music workshops. Tickets for this fantastic event are on sale now and hopes are high that this year’s festival will be better than ever and raise thousands for this great cause. Book your tickets now at www.teddyrocks.co.uk/tickets.

Sheffield’s CLE Electrical Wholesale Moves To New Premises

A Sheffield site which was once the base of the iconic Sanderson Steel Works has become the new home of CLE Electrical Wholesale (CLE) following a 20-year lease deal by property consultancy Commercial Property Partners LLP (CPP). The move sees the electrical wholesaler take immediate occupancy of a bespoke 12,000ft2 trade warehouse and office facility which is situated on the 58 Newhall business park – a site recently regenerated by property development and investment group Strawsons Property. Part of a redevelopment spanning 12 acres, 58 Newhall is located in the heart of Sheffield’s Lower Don Valley region and boasts excellent transport links, as well as easy access to both the M1 and the city centre. Ed Norris, a partner at CPP, says: “58 Newhall is a prestigious new development which offers its tenants easy access to fantastic public transport links, the M1 and Sheffield City Centre. As an electrical wholesaler, CLE is now ideally located to service the needs of its customers. “Furthermore, as a completely new building fitted out with its new occupier’s needs in mind, it is ideally suited both in terms of space and layout to house CLE’s growing team as well as its extensive product range.” Adam Jones of Strawsons Property adds: “We’re pleased to welcome CLE to their new premises at 58 Newhall. Having once been home to the iconic Sanderson Steel Works, we are delighted that the regenerated site will continue to house a thriving Sheffield based business. “We now look forward to securing occupiers on the last few remaining units as we head towards completion of phase 1 and finalise plans for the next phase of the development, which includes Newhall 6, a 150,000ft2 distribution facility.” A business established in Sheffield on Cricket Inn Road in 2003 with a team of just two, CLE Electrical Wholesale now has offices in South and West Yorkshire and employs 15 people delivering to all areas of the UK. Craig Alsop, director of the company, says: “This move into new premises which have been fitted out entirely based on our needs affords us the space needed to meet the requirements of our customers from across the region and further afield.”

New Purpose Built BEW Leicester Now Open At Interchange Birstall

After two years trading under the AMP banner, the BEW team in Leicester have moved to BEW Leicester, a brand new purpose built facility at Interchange Birstall. Easy to access, with an extensive car park and trade counter three times bigger than the previous space at AMP, the new unit has been designed to better support the team’s growing customer base in Leicester. The branch is a huge improvement for the team and their customers, with full disabled access and a new mezzanine in the pipeline, the new unit will be able to hold twice the amount of stock as the old premises. David Shirt, commercial director at BEW Electrical Distributors, comments: “We found our old premises increasingly unfit for purpose, as the space just wasn’t big enough for our customers and the stock we wanted to hold. Not only is the new premises at Birstall bigger, but it’s much easier to get to than the old branch and has ample free parking.” Situated just 2.5 miles from the old premises, BEW Leicester is conveniently located off Birstall Meadow Road. Customers visiting the branch will still find the same great service from branch manager Paul Martin and his friendly, knowledgeable team. BEW Leicester, Unit 15, 16 Meer End, Birstall
, Leicestershire, 
LE4 3EH Tel: 0116 266 6924 
Fax: 0116 266 6133 Email: leicester@bew-elec.co.uk Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am till 5.30pm, Sat - 8am till 12pm

Kilimanjaro Challenge To Help Beat Muscle Wasting Conditions

An adventurous team of five colleagues from R&B Star Electricals Wholesalers, based in London and the South East, are gearing up to spend nine days in Tanzania scaling the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest freestanding mountain at 5,895m (19,341ft) above sea level, in order to raise thousands towards Muscular Dystrophy UK’s work. Sarah Revell, Dan Kenward, Aaron Felton, Adam Felton and Elspeth Robertson, will join a group of 12 others flying to Tanzania to tackle the six-day fundraising challenge in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK. The charity gives emotional and practical support to 70,000 children and adults in the UK living with muscle wasting conditions, and funds ground breaking research into treatments. The managing director of the company they work for has a rare type of the condition and is now a wheelchair user. Muscular dystrophy causes muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasingly severe disability. People living with the condition may struggle with the everyday actions others take for granted, from walking and climbing stairs, to blinking and smiling. For some, their heart and vital breathing muscles will weaken, cutting their lives short. Each trekker needs to raise a minimum of £4,000 each for the charity and have already planned a series of fundraising events to help them hit each of their fundraising targets. Sarah Revell says: “Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will be a whole different ball game – it is a pretty scary physical challenge! We are going to have to put some serious work into getting fit. We are hoping to raise £20,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK between us, and have plans for a dragon boat race, a 5-a-side football tournament, poker and BBQ night and much more. I really hope that people will support us; the development of potential treatments that the charity is funding could help to change thousands of lives.” Anneke Liefting, Muscular Dystrophy UK’s South East regional development manager, says: "The team have a gruelling challenge ahead of them, including months of training and fundraising. It is going to be hard work for our trekkers but every hard earned mile is going to make an impact. By taking on a major fundraising challenge like this, the team alone can fund four months of pioneering research into muscle wasting conditions. We hope people will show them their support.” To donate to the team and read more about their epic trek, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RBStarTrekkers To find out more about Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Kilimanjaro trek visit: www.musculardystrophyuk.org/events/climb-kili/

Government Approves Chago Smart Chargepoints That Release Energy Balancing Potential Of Electric Vehicles

A range of smart electric vehicle chargepoints from Ensto Chago, that can communicate with each other through cloud software to share available power between vehicles plugged-in at the same location, has been approved for grant support by OLEV (Office for Low Emission Vehicles). Chago charging units limit the need for electricity supply grid upgrades, as electric vehicles increase in popularity. They also pave the way for vehicles to store energy and feed it back to the grid in times of peak demand. This potential for balancing energy use with electric vehicles is an important part of the UK's emissions reduction strategy. Lightening the impact that electric vehicle charging has on existing supply infrastructure also reduces the cost of installations, encouraging much needed uptake around buildings, car parks, offices, retail and public spaces. James O'Neill, Ensto Chago UK director, says: “We are delighted to receive accreditation from the government. Our focus now is to work with businesses, city planners, architects and local authorities to deliver sustainable and economic charging solutions to ultra low emission transport.” [caption id="attachment_11748" align="alignright" width="300"] Chago chargepoints are now approved under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)[/caption] Chago chargepoints are now approved under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), providing companies with up to £6,000 towards costs, and the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which provides private individuals with up to £500. The schemes were introduced by the government to encourage adoption of plug-in vehicles, as part of a range of funding measures budgeted through to 2020. There are around 90,000 plug-in vehicles on UK roads today. However the annual rate of sales is more than 20 times greater than conventional vehicles, meaning that a UK car park of one million electric vehicles could be realised within six years. Charging infrastructure that locally balances energy loads between vehicles is significant because it reduces overall peak demands on the national grid network, as electric vehicles approach mass adoption.

Rolec’s EV Charge Online Network Goes From Strength To Strength

Rolec EV has announced that several hundred EV charging points are already forming part of its new ‘revolutionary’ EV Charge Online network since its launch at the end of 2016. A large number of these in-situ EV charging points have been installed for leading companies such as Next, Aldi, Taylor Wimpey, Symantec and the NHS among others. Rolec confirmed that many more EV charging points are currently in production and will expand the network even further across the country in the near future. Rolec’s EV Charge Online network is proving extremely popular in the public facing arena due to its ethos of ensuring the EV driver only pays for the charge advertised on the charging point, without having to pay any other costly fees. Managing director of Rolec EV Kieron Alsop comments: “EV Charge Online is the ‘true’ open EV charge point network, launched in response to the growing number of UK EV drivers who were feeling frustrated by the heavy financial burdens placed on them by many of the current national EV chargepoint network providers. “With recent developments in the EV charging industry resulting in even more driver and host fees being applied, demand for our EV Charge Online network has hugely increased. “EV Charge Online allows each and every EV driver to simply pull up to a chargepoint on the network and pay securely on the spot via their mobile phone for its use. No need for any RFID cards or commitment to joining any specific charging network - therefore avoiding unnecessary annual subscription fees, monthly membership fees and costly ongoing connection charges. “In effect the EV driver is now only paying for the charge which is, we believe, as it should be.” Alsop continues: “EV Charge Online can be incorporated into our entire EV charging product range, including the AutoCharge pedestal, which is our public facing charging solution, as well as our recently launched EV charging street light. “Just as important is that we are able to easily retro-fit the EV Charge Online system into existing public facing charging pedestals that have been manufactured and installed by others.”

Checkatrade's Charity Jailbreak Will See ‘Escapees’ Hit The Streets

Checkatrade, the online resource which helps homeowners source a reputable tradesperson in their local area, has launched its annual Charity Jailbreak held in partnership with leading West Sussex radio station Spirit FM. Held on Sunday 7th May, the fake fugitives will compete in teams of four, meeting at Fontwell Park Racecourse where they will be handcuffed together, board one of the coaches (donated by Richardson’s) and sent to the slammer. However, these jailbirds can forget any ideas of digging a tunnel or cakes with files in; help will appear in the form of the prison warden – a double agent who will help competitors escape – dropping them off at a secret location. With no phone, no money and only their wits to help them, the escapees will have to find their way back to the hideout – blagging help along the way. Dressed to impress, jailbreakers are encouraged to don their best fancy dress for the event, which in the past has seen competitors dress as fairies, traffic cones and, of course, jailbirds. Provided with a swag bag packed with hints and tips on making it to the hideout, along with help from social media through #jailbreak, teams are set to have plenty of fun as they escape from the long arm of the ‘law’. The event is being held to raise funds and awareness for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, a charity which provides practical care and emotional support for 69 local children with a life threating or terminal conditions. This isn’t the first time Checkatrade has been involved with the Charity Jailbreak event. In 2016, through Checkatrade’s support, the event saw almost £7,000 raised for the charity. Through its charity work, Checkatrade supports a wide range of charitable causes. The foundation’s fundraising manager, Claire Allen, says: “Events such as the Checkatrade Jailbreak not only raise funds, but bring communities together – all while having fun! We are delighted to once again be able to support The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, which provides essential help and support for families when they need it most.” Places are filling up quickly; one coach is already full, so those wanting to attend are encouraged to register their team soon. Listeners to Spirit FM can also keep up with all the runaway action on the day as the station follows teams and reports live on their progress. For more information on the event, including how to sign up, visit http://jailbreak.checkatrade.com/.  

The Electrical Industries Charity Calls On Industry Members To Take On Tough Mudder Challenge

The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) is calling on the electrical and energy industries to take on a life changing challenge by participating in one or all of the charity’s sporting events this summer. The EIC has a wide range of events to choose from: Participants are invited to challenge their physical strength and mental grit while completing the Tough Mudder 2017 obstacle course. [caption id="attachment_11068" align="alignright" width="215"] Tessa Ogle: MD, Electrical Industries Charity[/caption] At the Tough Mudder, participants will have a chance to step outside of their comfort zone in order to overcome more than 20 obstacles. The mud run is taking place at various UK locations between 13th May 2017 and 24th September 2017. If that doesn't appeal, those thinking of participating may want to consider a game of volleyball instead, where they will compete against industry rivals alongside members of Team GB. Those wanting to join can sign up a team of six players for £800, as of today. EIC Volleyball 2017 is taking place on Thursday 29th June 2017 at Richmond Volleyball Club, Teddington Beach Courts, Richmond. The charity’s managing director, Tessa Ogle, says: “The charity has an event for anyone who wants step out of their comfort zone, get fit and have fun this summer. Together with family and friends, you can help the charity to transform the lives of colleagues in need. So, join one or all of our sporting events and have a summer to remember.” For further information or to book a place, please contact Charlotte Laurent: charlotte.laurent@electricalcharity.co.uk or visit www.electricalcharity.org.