WAGO opens new Houlton headquarters

Electrical technology specialist, WAGO, has opened the doors to a new eco-friendly headquarters and warehouse facility in the West Midlands as it prepares to grow in the UK. The company’s new purpose-built 62,000 square foot offices and warehouse are constructed to a BREEAM Excellent standard and use WAGO’s patented electrical connections throughout – including more than 600 ‘221’ connectors and 24,000 metres of UK-produced WINSTA cabling. Situated in the town of Houlton – the site of the first low frequency radio mast and the world’s largest radio station – the new WAGO building puts connectivity at its centre. Built following a four-year construction period, the new building comprises an office and a warehousing facility that will provide employment for 105 people, with space to accommodate around double this number as the firm grows. The company has had a presence in the West Midlands for many years and distributes to wholesalers and direct customers all over the UK from its warehouses. Darren Hodson, Managing Director at WAGO UK & Ireland, says, “WAGO has exciting plans for growth in the UK and we are really excited to be opening the doors to our new purpose-built home in Houlton. Houlton itself has connectivity at its heart – the site has borne witness to some of the most important radio connectivity developments of the last century, making it a fitting home for a company in the business of connection. “The new building has been designed to be as eco-friendly as possible, and its BREEAM Excellent certification puts it in the top 10% of buildings in the UK in relation to sustainability. We are making use of everything from harvested rainwater which is used for wastewater in toilets and sinks through to air source heat pumps and solar power to reduce the building’s carbon footprint. “Our new headquarters stands as a testament to our commitment to sustainability and innovation. By integrating cutting-edge automation solutions with environmental responsibility, the facility sets new standards for industrial architecture and sustainable operations.” Officially opened by WAGO CEO, Jürgen Koopsingraven, and Zone President for Northern Europe, Richard Beighton, at a ceremony on 31 March, the new site comprises a 28,000 square foot office space including a training space, café and fitness area, and a 34,000 square foot warehouse and assembly line. It is located in Houlton, a new town in Rugby which will include 6,200 new homes along with schools and a train station. For more from WAGO, click here.

JTL Apprentice crowned SPARKS Learner of the Year 2025

JTL electrical apprentice, Frankie McCall, has been named the SPARKS Magazine Learner of the Year 2025, after winning the prestigious national final in Birmingham. The second-year apprentice is completing his electrical apprenticeship with JTL, a training provider for electrical apprenticeships in England and Wales. Portsmouth-based Frankie, who is employed by Cardinal Electrical and undertakes his training at South Hampshire College Group (Eastleigh Campus), saw off tough competition from across the country to take home the top prize in this year's skills competition. The SPARKS Learner of the Year competition is a national showcase of the UK’s most talented Level 2 and Level 3 electrical learners. Organised annually by SPARKS Magazine, the contest begins with six regional heats held across the country. Frankie secured his place in the final by winning the South East heat in February. The grand final, held on 2-3 April at JTL Birmingham, saw the six regional winners go head-to-head in a live practical installation challenge. Over the course of two days, apprentices were tested on their technical skill, accuracy, and ability to work under pressure, with Frankie emerging as the overall winner. Dan Hatton, JTL Training Officer and mentor to Frankie, says, "A fantastic achievement by Frankie. He was recognised by his tutor at an early stage and has done brilliantly to live up to that potential. Winning against more experienced apprentices is a testament to his quality of work. Big thanks to Paul from Eastleigh for nominating Frankie and to Cardinal Electrical for supporting his development and participation. A fantastic result for all involved." Frankie McCall, the winner of this year's contest, comments, “It’s been a great experience competing in SPARKS Learner of the Year, and to have won the competition is an incredible feeling. I’m in my second year of my apprenticeship with JTL and I know this is the industry I want to be in, using my skills to create a lifelong career. “I’m really grateful to my training officer, Dan Hutton, for all his support, and to my tutor and everyone who is supporting me." JTL’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent in the electrical industry is at the heart of its training programmes, with Frankie’s win the latest in a series of recent student achievements. For readers interested in following in Frankie’s footsteps, applications for JTL apprenticeships are currently open with the organisation expecting to fill thousands of apprenticeship places across the country. Head to JTL's website for more information. For more from JTL, click here.

Companies outsourcing solar maintenance, survey reveals

A growing number of companies across Europe and the US are strategically outsourcing solar equipment maintenance, driven by a critical shortage of specialised skills and resources within their organisations. This trend, highlighted in a recent survey by Fluke Corporation - a specialist in industrial tools and integrated software - underscores the increasing challenge of building in-house expertise to support the rapidly evolving solar industry. The survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Fluke, reveals that 55% of OEMs, technicians, and installers across the US, UK, Germany, and Spain, are outsourcing more than half of their solar maintenance activities. Notably, in the US and Spain, 54% of companies are strategically turning to external partners for their solar maintenance, highlighting a widespread reliance on third-party expertise in the face of growing skill gaps. In Germany, this figure rises to 58%, while the UK reports 48%. The Fluke survey highlights significant regional differences in the future outlook for solar maintenance, with Germany consistently leading as the largest outsourcer. Looking ahead, the trend of outsourcing maintenance is poised to accelerate, with 75% of companies across the surveyed countries planning to continue or expand external partnerships While 72% of US companies expect to continue outsourcing in the coming years, nearly 90% of surveyed businesses in Spain and Germany are expected to be at the forefront of this trend. In contrast, the UK lags behind with just 58% of companies anticipating continued reliance on external providers, signalling a potential gap in the adoption of this strategic approach. “This survey clearly exposes the global skill and resource gaps in solar maintenance, underscoring a critical challenge for the industry,” says Alex Chillman, Fluke Vice President of Innovation. “Outsourcing maintenance has become the norm, and our findings show that this trend is not only widespread, but is set to continue as the preferred approach for the majority of companies. What stands out is the strategic divergence between countries, each adopting different models for maintaining solar infrastructure. "This underscores the need for a region-specific, forward-thinking approach to talent development and resource allocation, focusing on streamlining workflows for maintenance staff and supporting the growth of new technicians as they progress in skills and specialisation." In order to reduce downtime and improve reliability, a little under 60% of companies surveyed say their main focus would be to train technicians on the use of advanced diagnostic tools. Similarly, more than half (53%) of companies indicate that implementing predictive maintenance would be a solution, while just under half would prioritise on-site diagnostics and streamlining data collection tools. In the UK, focusing on data collection protocols is deemed to be the most important issue in reducing downtime and improving reliability for 56% of companies, with training a fraction lower at 52%. In the US, the priorities are reversed, with 60% of companies especially eager to train more technicians and just 46% looking to focus on data collection protocols. This option is particularly low in Germany at 38%. The Fluke survey sought the view of more than 400 OEMs, technicians and installers across the US, UK, Germany, and Spain. Of those surveyed, 45.6% were technicians, 36.5% OEMs, and the rest installers. Nearly 63% were based in the US and just over 12% in each of the UK, Germany and Spain. Respondents in companies with 100 to 249 employees were the biggest group represented in the survey at 33%, followed by 25% with between 50 and 99, and 21% with 250 to 500 workers. The rest were evenly split with either one to 49 employees or more than 500. For more from Fluke, click here.

Scale new heights for EIC with Port of Leith charity abseil

On 10 May, fundraisers will have the chance to experience a heart-racing challenge – an abseil down the world’s tallest distillery, the Port of Leith Distillery in Edinburgh, all in support of the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). Why take part? The EIC has supported the electrical and energy industries for over a century, helping individuals and families navigate difficult times. With demand for the charity's services at an all-time high, fundraising events like this help the EIC continue to provide vital financial aid, mental health support and crisis assistance. Event details: 📍 Location: Port of Leith Distillery, Edinburgh 📅 Date: 10 May 2025 💰 Registration Fee: £120 💰 Fundraising Target: £120 By taking part in this EIC charity abseil, you’ll be making a direct impact on the lives of those in need while enjoying an adrenaline-fueled challenge like no other.  Sign up today and be part of something incredible. Can’t take part? You can still support the cause by donating here.

Click Scolmore launches Elucian IP65 Rated garage board

Click Scolmore has added a new IP65, 5-way garage board to its growing Elucian consumer unit range. Designed to withstand tough environments and deliver reliable performance, the new Elucian garage board offers a robust solution for both internal and external areas where electrical systems are exposed to the elements. It is engineered to provide dependable power in areas where weatherproofing is essential. Constructed from high-quality die-cast aluminium, the garage board guarantees superior strength, corrosion resistance, and long-lasting durability for any installation. Its advanced design ensures the IP65 rating is upheld, with a gasket around both the front cover and main body, plus an additional seal around the devices that compresses when the lid is shut for added protection. Additionally, the unit is designed to accommodate a security wire, preventing access to the internals even if unlocked. For ultimate flexibility in installation, the unit includes optional 20mm gland knockouts for easy cable entry. For larger cable entries such as M25 and M32, a hole saw can be used to create a custom fit using the guide grooves. Prioritising security, the board also features a pre-fitted lock that prevents unauthorised access and tampering, offering peace of mind to both installers and end users. The Elucian IP65 Garage Board comes offered in in two contemporary finishes — White and Anthracite Grey — and is also available in three different versions to suit varying electrical requirements: - 5 Way IP65 Garage Unit unfurnished (5 Free Ways) - 5 Way IP65 Garage Unit with 100A MS (3 Free Ways) - 5 Way IP65 Garage Unit with 63A RCD (3 Free Ways) A comprehensive brochure outlining the product features is available on the official Elucian website, as well as on the Scolmore Group app. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmaRgJ-OXek[/embed] For more from Scolmore, click here.

Longevity Power to deliver green energy to commercial properties

Energy and sustainability consultancy, Longevity Power, has partnered with all-in-one energy platform, Renewabl, to drive uptake of clean renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions in the commercial real estate sector. With this partnership, Longevity Power’s real estate customers gain access to Renewabl’s advanced energy procurement platform, enabling them to secure real-time matched renewable energy across their entire portfolios with an unprecedented level of accuracy and transparency that is required for sustainability reporting. Unlike traditional energy procurement methods, 24/7 time-matched renewable energy ensures every megawatt-hour consumed is backed by clean generation at the exact time of use. This means property owners can go beyond annual offsets and demonstrate true decarbonisation, meeting the highest sustainability standards with confidence. Commercial property owners and managers can use the Renewabl platform to easily procure renewable energy and monitor energy demand across their portfolio. They can also prove that the energy used is renewably sourced through clean energy certificates. The partnership solves the challenge of aligning renewable energy generation with real-time consumption, whilst offering commercial property firms a data-led solution to their decarbonisation efforts. Commenting on the partnership, Anthony Maguire, Managing Director at Longevity, says, "Landlords and commercial property owners can no longer afford to treat electricity procurement as an afterthought. The days of relying on bundled green tariffs with questionable environmental credentials are over. “Real estate owners must embrace credible alternatives, and time-matched energy attribute certificates represent a crucial step forward for the commercial property sector.” The partnership between Longevity and Renewabl comes at a time when the real estate industry is under growing scrutiny across Europe to demonstrate genuine sustainability results. According to the UK Green Building Council, real estate contributes 40% of all global emissions. The partnership gives real estate investors the ability to deliver measurable sustainability results in a sector that is currently plagued with misleading green claims. Anthony continues, “Our work with Renewabl enables property firms to make informed decisions and ensures their renewable energy investments deliver genuine results and contribute in a meaningful way to a sustainable net zero future. “The combination of Renewabl’s technical capabilities and Longevity’s industry expertise and policy insights means property firms can draw on guaranteed renewable energy that is available around the clock, supported by in-depth sustainability consultancy.” JP Cerda, co-founder and CEO at Renewabl, adds, “Partnering with Longevity Power enables us to support the commercial property sector in reducing its significant carbon footprint by providing data-driven tools to monitor and cut emissions from the electricity they use. In so doing, they can meet investor expectations and avoid criticisms of greenwashing. “24/7 renewable energy is a game-changer for commercial real estate managers. Pair this with improved operational efficiency and cost savings, and it’s obvious why property firms should invest in green energy solutions. “Our partnership with Longevity Power allows real estate investors to take meaningful climate action: help reduce their sector’s carbon footprint: and cut costs and boost their bottom line by using affordable renewable energy.”

Screwfix Trade Apprentice semi-finalists named

Three aspiring electricians are in with a chance of winning Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2025 after being selected from more than 2,000 applications to compete in this year’s semi-final. They all will now compete against the other semi-finalists from the UK and Ireland, who are currently completing apprenticeships across various construction trades. The semi-final stage will see them face a tough interview with Screwfix before finding out if they have made the final. Just 10 semi-finalists will be selected to compete for the title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2025 at the two-day final of the competition in May. Not only will the winner receive a prize bundle of technology, training and tools worth £10,000, but their college will also receive £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers to spend on workshop equipment, helping to upskill tomorrow’s trade professionals. They were all shortlisted for the semi-final for their passion, dedication, and ambition – which shone through in their applications. Charlie Holder, 18, who is studying Electrical Installation at Tungsten Training Centre, says, “I’m really excited to have been shortlisted and I’m proud to be representing Lancing in this national award. I love my trade, and I have a real passion for installing renewable solutions such as solar panels, battery storage systems, EV charging points and even heat pumps.” Ashton Bull (pictured above), 18, who is studying Electrical Engineering at JTL Ashford Training Centre, adds, “I genuinely love to learn, and I’m committed to perfecting my trade so I can run my own electrical company in the future. My passion for the trade continues to grow, and I enjoy being challenged by the work I do.” Callum Peggs, 17, who is studying Electrical Engineering at Steve Willis Training Centre, remarks, “Working in the trade has provided me with so many opportunities, and I’ve really fallen in love with the electrical industry. I’ve even started making video content to showcase my work and inspire more young people to consider an apprenticeship in the trade.” Jack Wallace, Marketing Director for Screwfix, notes, “Screwfix Trade Apprentice is a fantastic way to recognise the hard work and dedication of today’s apprentices who are undertaking intensive, on-the-job training and qualifications to create tomorrow’s workforce of skilled tradespeople. “This competition highlights how vital apprenticeships are in addressing the current skills shortage. We are committed to championing trade apprentices, the colleges that teach them and the employers that nurture them. “Every year we are consistently amazed by the applications from trade apprentices across the UK and Ireland who are passionate, dedicated and committed to excelling in their chosen trade. To make it through to the semi-finals is a fantastic achievement. I wish this year’s semi-finalists the very best of luck in making it to the final.” To find out more about the Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition, click here. For more from Screwfix, click here.

Luceco launches new LED Tempus Extra bulkhead

Engineered for industrial environments such as warehouses and factories with high ceilings, the new LED Tempus Extra Bulkhead from Luceco provides emergency illumination for up to three hours, delivering 800 lumens to high-risk areas where enhanced lux levels are essential. Due to its innovative interchangeable optics, the spacing between units can be increased, reducing the number of wiring points, leading to substantial time savings for installers. The LED Tempus Extra Bulkhead is self test as standard, ensuring consistent performance and reliability. Its slim, IP65-rated polycarbonate housing guarantees durability and protection, making it ideal for industrial settings where robust construction is essential. By optimising spacing and reducing installation complexities, the LED Tempus Extra Bulkhead can  redefine emergency lighting solutions. Whether retrofitting an existing space or integrating into new commercial builds, this product provides a smarter, more efficient way to meet emergency lighting requirements. Luceco Lighting is part of the Luceco Group of companies. It has over 80 years of industry experience and is internationally recognised as an expert in all key electrical products. Earlier this year, Luceco also unveiled its latest innovation in downlighting technology, which you can read about in our archives by clicking here. For more from Luceco, click here.

MCS now an approved scheme for Clean Heat Market Mechanism

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has been announced as an approved certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM). The CHMM launched on 1 April and is designed to support the adoption of heat pumps by requiring boiler manufacturers to increase their share of heat pump sales. All heat pump installations under the scheme must be registered on the MCS Installation Database (MID). This is to provide assurance that the installations are genuine and to mitigate the risk of them being counted multiple times. The requirement for heat pumps to be registered on the MID also means that installations are MCS certified. This provides an additional layer of assurance that they are being installed to industry-recognised standards, by certified installers who are using certified products. Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, says, “As the heat pump market continues to grow, we need to ensure that consumers are protected. This is crucial in ensuring everyone has confidence in home-grown energy. The best way to achieve this is through high-quality installations and by providing strong consumer protection in case anything does go wrong. “We therefore welcome the move to approve MCS as a certification scheme for the CHMM, and look forward to working closely with government, manufacturers, and installers on this key step towards achieving net zero.” For more from MCS, click here.

CES targets business sectors looking to transition to clean energy

Midlands contractor, Collison Electrical Services, is targeting growth in 2025 with new investment aimed at supporting UK businesses looking to transition to clean energy. The strategic move will see the company become CES, tapping into a renewable energy market expected to see significant growth through the Government’s net zero drive. Director Joe Collison (pictured above) says the company’s ambitious growth plan is more than just a name change, thanks to its growing reputation for expertise in sustainability projects. Joe explains, “We’ve built a great reputation in recent years for our electrical work on medium to large scale solar projects across the UK, and this investment in our future growth will help us capitalise on this. “Our technical know-how has delivered significant value for businesses looking to both switch to clean energy, but also solve challenges around advanced energy storage and grid capacity. “The UK has set out a blue print for clean energy transition. It has set a goal of 100 million solar panels to be installed across the country, and the Industrial Strategy will deliver in tandem with the new Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. “CES’s goal is to assist businesses in adopting energy systems that not only reduce environmental impacts but also improve their efficiency and lower their costs.” Based in Ford, CES has an established track record in installing and managing complex electrical projects, including the installation of solar systems up to 700 kW which address grid capacity issues. Heidi Vaughan, Operations Manager at CES, adds, “This is an exciting next step. Although we are now CES, we are the same experienced team delivering brilliant projects and our expertise spans a variety of sectors, each facing unique energy demands. “From manufacturers and agricultural businesses across the Midlands and Wales to hospitality and leisure facilities in the Highlands needing remote access and control, we provide solutions that simplify the transition to renewable energy.” CES has recently completed several notable renewable energy projects, highlighting its expertise and commitment to integrating sustainable practices across various sectors across the UK. In Somerset, CES successfully installed a 121kWp solar PV system at a new flagship DAF dealership in Bridgwater. The project serves as a pilot, setting new standards for dealership specifications and demonstrating the synergy between commercial transport and renewable technology. In another ambitious project, CES installed a 86kWp solar PV system for McFour, a specialist groundworks contractor based in Shropshire. The green initiative supports McFour’s strategic goals of bolstering their environmental credentials for competitive HS2 project tenders and transitioning to electric vehicles and construction equipment. These projects are a testament to how renewable energy solutions can enhance a company's operational sustainability and possible tendering prospects in large-scale infrastructure projects.