ESP adds new Sounder Strobe to Espire accessories range

Following the successful launch of its Espire collection of domestic fire and CO alarms earlier this year, ESP, a UK fire and security product specialist, has bolstered the Espire accessories range with the addition of a new Sounder Strobe with Clear Lens. This high-visibility warning device features a transparent diffuser and white LED and it will sit alongside the existing red lens option, providing installers with more choice when it comes to providing dependable fire alarm components that are compliant with industry standards. Designed for reliability and performance, the IP65-rated Sounder Strobe is powered by a mains supply and offers four selectable tones. Its white LED strobe provides a clear visual alert when a property’s alarm system is activated, with an optional audible sounder for enhanced notification. Its IP65 ingress protection rating makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, including industrial, commercial, and harsh environmental settings. The unit is engineered for flexible installation, featuring 2x20mm side-entry and 2x10mm rear-entry knockouts for easy wiring. With an output of up to 83dB, the Sounder Strobe delivers both power and adaptability for comprehensive fire safety solutions. The Espire accessories range now includes RF modules, relay bases, clear lens/red IP65 strobe with selectable sounder, remote control switches, multi-tool (RF pairing and lock-in base release tool), and flame-retardant alarm masking plate. For the full Espire Fire Alarm range, visit the website or download the brochure. For more from Espire, click here.

Ovia launches Inceptor Slate Backlit LED panels with PIR sensor

Ovia, a lighting brand part of the Scolmore Group, has expanded its Inceptor Slate Backlit LED panels range with the addition of a new version that offers an energy-saving PIR motion detector function. Designed to offer improved specification on the existing Inceptor Slate Backlit range, the new panel with integrated PIR sensor delivers an impressive 140Lm/w efficacy and is power selectable between 22W and 30W, as well as CCT selectable between 4000k, 5000k, and 6500k. Ideal for commercial environments, these panels offer a UGR rating of <19 for reduced glare, making them suitable for offices, schools, and healthcare facilities. The built-in PIR sensor (optimal up to 4m install height) ensures that lights are only activated when motion is detected - reducing energy use and operating costs, as well as boosting sustainability. Available to order separately is an advanced remote control - with a 15m range - which allows users to tailor every aspect of the lighting configuration, adjusting lumen output, motion detection range, hold time, and stand-by settings. To ensure a simple installation process and easy retrofitting with existing Ovia panels, the new range of Inceptor Slate Backlit Panels come supplied with an LED driver and pre-wired with a CT101M Male Connector & a CT105-F Fast Fit Female Connector. The Inceptor Slate PIR Backlit Panel offers up to 50,000 hours of use and is backed by a five-year warranty. More information can be found on the Ovia website and on the Scolmore Group app. For more from Ovia, click here.

Ansell launches new outdoor lighting range

Design and manufacturer of luminaires Ansell Lighting’s brand-new outdoor lighting range designed for high-end residential lighting projects, Foliar Connect, has been released. Consisting of three contemporary, spike-mounted luminaires and a centralised control hub, the 24V, low-voltage lighting system is available in either black or natural green finishes. Foliar’s Planter Spike is designed for flower beds and other planting areas, providing low-level lighting, whilst the Mini Flood Spike delivers a wider spread of light in larger areas. The Spot Light Spike has been manufactured to provide more targeted illumination, drawing attention to specific features or architectural details. One attraction of the Foliar Connect range is its plug-and-play setup and centralised control. The hub includes a mounting bracket with a built-in spirit level, whilst the spike fittings can be pushed into the ground and connected to the hub using quick-fit connectors. Two- and four-way splitters are also available, enabling the system to be configured to suit different outdoor layouts. The central hub enables control across all connected luminaires and allows for CCT selection between 3000K and 4000K. An OCTO-enabled version is also available, offering remote access to dimming, scheduling, and other adjustments via smartphone or tablet. All luminaires in the Foliar Connect range are IP66-rated. Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, says, “As its name suggests, the new Foliar Connect range has been specifically designed to complement landscaped environments, and is perfect for subtly lighting up features such as foliage, pathways, and architectural details without disrupting the natural aesthetic. It is also incredibly easy to install and operate, offering users the freedom to change installation layouts and operative settings as required for enhanced functionality.” For more from Ansell Lighting, click here.

New College Durham teams up with DEWALT to grow the trades

New College Durham (NCD), a further and higher education college in County Durham, and DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and American power tool manufacturer, have announced their partnership to support growing skills for tradespeople in the United Kingdom. This partnership is part of DEWALT’s 'Grow the Trades' initiative — a $5 million (£3.65 million) commitment to close the skilled trades gap in Europe by helping provide greater accessibility and resources for trades training. As part of the Grow the Trades partnership with DEWALT, NCD is the first of 10 colleges in the UK to partner with the newly-formed DEWALT Academy, a group of DEWALT product experts who provide hands-on guidance on how to use tools on the jobsite with a focus on trade education, including mechanical maintenance and joinery. The DEWALT Academy is supporting the school’s vocational courses and apprenticeships by providing additional training and free tools for its aspiring trade professionals. “The construction industry alone in the UK is expected to lose 500,000 skilled workers over the course of the next decade due to retirement,” says David Osborne, Vice President of Commercial Excellence at Stanley Black & Decker. “To help fill these critical roles and inspire the next generation of tradespeople, DEWALT, through our Grow The Trades initiative and partnership with NCD, is focused on providing students access to training, high-quality tools, and equipment to empower them with the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in their future careers.” Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham Andy Broadbent shares, “It’s a privilege to be involved in such an amazing new initiative and to lead the way in its launch across the country. We’re honoured to be the sole partner in the North East of England, and to lead the way in bringing this national programme to life at New College Durham. This partnership represents not just an investment in tools, but in people, education, and the future workforce. I am especially excited about the broader benefits this collaboration will bring—from enhanced curriculum development to further opportunities for student and trainee support”. Head of the School Simon Muschamp concludes, “We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to DEWALT for choosing New College Durham to launch this ambitious project. Your commitment to investing in the next generation of joiners, carpenters, mechanics, and engineers is truly appreciated. Our students will gain so much from this programme, and we’re confident it will leave a lasting impact on their learning journey and future careers.” For more from DEWALT, click here.

BRUSH to be acquired by energy investor Greenbelt

BRUSH Group, an engineering solutions provider for UK electrical infrastructure projects, today announced that funds managed by Greenbelt Capital Management have signed a definitive agreement to acquire the company from funds managed by OEP Capital Advisors. A 'true UK success story,' BRUSH has contributed to the UK’s electrical energy infrastructure for almost 150 years and operates from multiple locations across the UK as well as in Italy. BRUSH is a provider of power transformers, electrical switchgear, and engineering solutions for the transition to net zero, and this transaction hopes to see the firm build on the growth it has seen in recent years, with reported revenue of circa £150 million annually. Through its range of engineered products and engineering solutions, BRUSH supports both grid resilience and grid extension, helping to enable infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy integration, and capacity expansion to meet increasing demand. Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH, comments, “This deal represents a brilliant opportunity for BRUSH. From the outset, Greenbelt has liked what we do and they are committed to supporting us as we continue to build on our enviable reputation for engineering excellence and technical know-how. What makes this deal genuinely exciting is that Greenbelt has a wealth of expertise in the energy sector and are experts on growing businesses operating within the energy transition. “On behalf of the BRUSH team, I would like to thank One Equity, who have been transformative for BRUSH over the last four years. We now look to the future with a new partner who are primed and ready to take us to the next level as we continue to deliver ever-more innovative and customer-focused solutions.” Andy Hopping, Partner at Greenbelt, says, “Grid enablement and energy resilience are core themes at Greenbelt. We believe BRUSH plays a vital role in enabling the UK’s evolving electricity infrastructure—providing the equipment and engineering expertise needed to integrate renewables, upgrade aging assets, and meet rising demand. We are excited to partner with BRUSH’s seasoned leadership team and bring our sector experience to help support the company’s next phase of growth.” Speaking on behalf of One Equity, Ori Birnboim, Partner, adds, “One Equity is proud to have supported BRUSH through a remarkable journey of strategic growth since 2021. We thank Nicolas, the entire management team, and all of BRUSH’s employees for their unrelenting commitment to delivering best-in-class solutions for customers while keeping to their core values of safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.” For more from BRUSH, click here.

ECA welcomes 'Modern Industrial Strategy'

ECA, the Electrical Contractors' Association representing electrical contractors and companies across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has welcomed the publication of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The long-awaited strategic plan for the next decade, which promises to bring down industrial electricity costs, ensure projects receive timely connections to the grid, and support small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by tackling late payments from large firms to SMEs. Rob Driscoll, ECA’s Director of Legal and Business, comments, “Tackling the culture and practice of late payments within the industry has been a cornerstone of ECA’s advocacy for a number of years. We welcome the Government’s commitment to unlock growth and go further, faster, solving this pernicious issue, and look forward to working in partnership with them to end poor payment practices.” ECA’s Blueprint for Electrification calls for improving grid connections and removing barriers to planning in order to speed up electrification. “The Industrial Strategy – Clean Energy Industry Sector Plan outlines a commitment to growing Britain’s electricity network supply chains, so clean power projects can connect to the grid,” says Jane Dawson, ECA’s Head of External Affairs. “We see this as a positive step to speeding up the energy transition, as outlined in the Blueprint for Electrification. ECA Member firms will also welcome the promise to remove planning barriers, an often-cited obstacle to new projects.” Andrew Eldred, ECA’s Deputy CEO, adds, “An electrical career provides high-quality jobs and good career progression opportunities. To match the demand of accelerating electrification outlined in the Industrial Strategy, the industry, just in England, needs 12,500 new entrants each year (5,000 more than current levels of apprentice recruitment). Procurement reforms need to prioritise growing the workforce by mandating apprentice ratios and other industry-endorsed skills targets in contracts.” While ECA says it welcomes the reduction in the price of industrial electricity for selected businesses, it continues to call for a review of historical taxation on electricity which would reduce the price of clean energy for everyone. For more from ECA, click here.

Espire Dual CO and Heat Alarms from ESP

ESP, a UK fire and security product specialist, is raising the bar in home safety with its Espire Dual CO and Heat Alarms – developed specifically for spaces where the risks of both fire and carbon monoxide are present. Ideal for kitchens, utility rooms, and garages, this multi-sensor unit simplifies protection with advanced, dual-threat detection in one compact device. The Espire CO and Heat Alarms incorporate independent sensors for carbon monoxide and heat detection, allowing each threat to be monitored and managed separately. Certified to BS EN 50291-1 and BS 5446-2, the alarms are third-party approved and backed by a five-year warranty. The Espire Dual CO and Heat Alarms are to be installed in accordance with BS EN 50292. Installers can choose from two power options to suit varying project requirements: • Powered by mains with a sealed tamper-proof 10-year lithium battery. • Powered by a sealed tamper-proof 10-year lithium battery. Both models feature ESP’s signature lock-in base, hush function, auto sensor self-test, and 24-hour alarm memory. Installers can also benefit from optional RF-Link modules alarms for enhanced coverage. Supplied in ESP’s recyclable, eco-friendly packaging and built to last, the company says its Espire CO and Heat Alarms deliver on reliability, versatility, and sustainability – making it the ideal solution for today’s homes. More information can be found on the Espire website and on the Scolmore Group app.

Elucian Type B RCCB for enhanced electrical safety

Designed for maximum safety in an evolving energy landscape, the Elucian Type B RCCB offers comprehensive protection against all types of earth fault currents - AC, pulsating DC, and smooth DC - making it ideal for use in today's demanding applications. It provides high reliability and advanced protection for installations with equipment that may produce continuous DC currents, such as solar inverters, electric vehicle charging stations, and other specialised electronic systems. With the growing use of electronics that produce smooth DC residual currents, conventional Type A or AC RCCBs are no longer sufficient. The Elucian Type B RCCB ensures full-spectrum protection, safeguarding people and property in today’s increasingly complex electrical environments. The new Type B RCCB is available in multiple current ratings and sensitivities to meet diverse installation needs. 2 pole and 4 pole - 25A 30mA (Type B) RCCB 2 pole and 4 pole - 40A 30mA (Type B) RCCB 2 pole and 4 pole - 63 A 30mA (Type B) RCCB For the full range of Elucian single and three phase distribution boards and the comprehensive range of protective devices go to www.elucianuk.com. For more from Elucian, click here.

New technology adopted to reduce power cuts in ‘UK first’

UK Power Networks, a distribution network operator for electricity, is adopting new technology for overhead line reinforcement, enhancing the resilience of its electricity networks across the South East and East of England. In a UK first, the electricity firm is investing in innovative pole-support technology, aiming to bring security and resilience to existing overhead power lines. The new steel support trusses are driven six feet into the ground, hugging the side of the pole and strengthening it against prevailing winds and third-party damage. UK Power Networks, which delivers electricity to 8.5 million homes and businesses across London, the South East, and the East of England, uses more than 45,000 kilometres of overhead lines across rural areas. Over time, wooden poles can decay and get damaged by debris during storms - if they move, it can cause power cuts for local communities. The new support trusses can be safely installed while the network is carrying live electricity, compared to replacing a whole pole, which needs the electricity to be turned off so operators can work. The trusses can withstand more than half a tonne (around 6,456 kilograms per square metre) of pulling force, compared to 100mph winds (around 125 kilograms per square metre). In addition to the sheer strength, there are environmental benefits in the supply chain because they reduce the need to replace wooden poles. An overhead line team can also install multiple pole supports a day, compared with spending one day on average replacing a wooden pole. The supports can also be re-used with new poles when required. So far, around 8,000 pole supports have been installed in locations including Luton, King’s Lynn, the Norfolk coast, and in rural Kent as part of an ongoing investment in upgrading 70,000 poles, more than 10% of the electricity network. Ian Young, Asset Strategy Manager at UK Power Networks, comments, "In a UK first, we’re tackling the challenge of deteriorating wooden poles in our overhead line network by supplementing a replacement programme with the introduction of steel pole supports, which are a faster, more sustainable alternative to full pole replacements. "This approach not only boosts our resilience, especially in occasional events such as storms, but also helps us maintain service to local communities without needing to de-energise the network. "The supports, which have been used in the US for decades, can see up to eight installations completed in the time it takes for one traditional replacement, whilst reducing our environmental impact and reliance on imported timber. Power supplies are already 99.9% reliable and this solution enhances our repair toolkit, improves customer service, and supports our sustainability goals.” Commercial and Business Director of AUS, which makes the pole supports, Richard Brown says, “Recently acquired by Osmose Utilities Services, AUS is exceptionally proud to have partnered with UK Power Networks to successfully introduce and install our steel trussing solutions to extend distribution wood pole asset life. “The results delivered are now leading to numerous partnerships with other DNOs throughout the UK and Ireland to offer similar network benefits.” For more from UK Power Networks, click here.

Carhartt launches new summer range

Long days in the sun call for more than just standard work gear. The summer range from Carhartt, an American workwear company, has been designed with soaring temperatures, hard work, and the demands of the job site in mind. This means UV protection, breathable fabrics, and flexibility. A typical cotton T-shirt only offers around UPF 5, which means harmful UV rays can still reach and damage the skin. Carhartt says its Force Series Sun Defender Short-Sleeve Logo T-Shirt has UPF protection, alongside 'FastDry sweat-wicking technology' and anti-microbial properties. Shorts-wise, Carhartt has developed several options. The Denim Utility Shorts are made from hardwearing cotton with reinforced pockets. Sitting slightly below the waist, the company claims these shorts are tough but comfortable. The Rugged Flex Duck Double Front Shorts are made for movement, with built-in stretch, reinforced tool pockets, and a durable construction. The Rugged Professional Series Cap, available is khaki, navy, or black, has a breathable mesh back and an anti-odour Force Series sweatband with FastDry. The Canvas Cap also has an anti-microbial Carhartt Force Series sweatband and is available in seven colour options with a faux-leather patch on the front. For women, there's the TENCEL range. TENCEL fibres, the company claims, are naturally moisture-wicking, soft on the skin, and breathable. It says they hold colour well and resist pilling, making them practical for repeated wear and washing. The Loose Fit Lightweight Crewneck T-Shirt is one example and comes in a variety of colours including Soft Rose and Wisteria. The Rugged Flex Canvas Work Short is built with micro-sanded stretch canvas, a flexible waistband, reinforced pockets, and durable belt loops. There is also the Canvas Embroidered Graphic Cap available in colour-of-the-season undyed ecru or Carhartt brown, complete with a mesh back, anti-odour sweatband, and branding. For more from Carhartt, click here.