Professional Electricians Wholesaler May 2022

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PROFESSIONAL

ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS

MAY 2022

HOME AUTOMATION A closer look at the standard for home and building control

RENEWABLES & GREEN TECHNOLOGY Why electric car charge points will overtake fuel pumps

EDA INSIGHT Test your Distribution, Switchgear and Protection knowledge with the EDA quiz

Plus: News, industry comment, sales support, display solutions and more

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CONTENTS

This issue

PEW MAY 2022 VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3

14 EDA INSIGHT Test your knowledge of Distribution, Switchgear and Protection in this month’s quiz

Regulars 5

VIEWPOINT

6

NEWS

10 WHOLESALER NEWS 12 MOVERS AND SHAKERS 15 CHARITY UPDATE 16 FACE TO FACE 36 PRODUCTS 44 PRODUCTS IN DEMAND 46 CAMPAIGN NEWS 47 POINT OF SALE

Special Report 18 DELIVERING ON DIGITAL The role of eCommerce in the electrical distribution industry 22 PLASTIC MEASURES How manufacturers are supporting electrical wholesalers in achieving higher standards of sustainability 32 RETAIL THERAPY The questions to ask at the start of any retail lighting project 34 PROTECTION PLANNING Managing CO risk

48 SOAPBOX

COMPETITION

HOME AUTOMATION 30 WORLD SERIES Why the channel needs to adopt a worldwide standard for home and building control

20 WIN A £300 VOUCHER Your chance to win a £300 Amazon voucher courtesy of Click Scolmore

SECURITY & CCTV 25 ONE TO WATCH How to take advantage of the growing CCTV market

RENEWABLES & GREEN TECHNOLOGY 28 CHARGING AHEAD Why electric car charge points will eventually overtake fuel pumps in the UK

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VIEWPOINT

Editor Tracey Rushton-Thorpe tracey@pewholesaler.co.uk Advertising Manager Anthony Scott ascott@hamerville.co.uk Assistant Advertising Manager Ian Turner Ianturner@hamerville.co.uk Designer Gemma Watson Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Production Assistant Claire Thwaites Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Managing Editor Terry Smith Professional Electricians Wholesaler is an essential business magazine for those with decision-making responsibilities within electrical wholesalers To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email: circulation@hamerville.co.uk Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd Published by

HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Copyright © 2022

6,309 (Certificate of Average Distribution for the issues distributed between January and December 2021) Image References (Adobe Stock): Page 1 - Smart home technology © kras99 Page 7 - Solar panels © hrui Page 15 - Guidance signpost © PX Media Page 18 - Laptop computer © chiew Page 22 - Save the world © alphaspirit Page 22 - Hand holding recycle symbol © Ourteam Page 32 - Colorful Bright Clothes © Grigory Bruev Page 33 - Interior of clothing store © Dmytro Panchenko Page 33 - Blured supermarket background © 昊 周 Page 49 - Fact checking © Olivier Le Moal

REFURBISH, RENOVATE, RENEW

T

he move towards the creation of energy efficient buildings and homes continues and although there are an increasing number of new-build projects, refurbishment is now a huge part of the overall mix.

This has become particularly apparent in the commercial sector over the last two years as companies evaluate their office spaces and adapt them to meet new working practices.

The Climate Change Act 2008 committed the UK to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions relative to the levels in 1990, to be achieved by 2050. In June 2019, secondary legislation was passed that extended that target to ‘at least 100%’. Many people are questioning whether the 2050 Net Zero target is feasible, particularly if we take into account that we are not currently on track to meet the original 80% target.

The big question is also around where we need to make improvements.

The four highest-emitting sectors are transportation, energy supply (generating electricity from burning fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas), business (commercial use of electricity), and residential (heating homes) which together account for around 78% of current emissions.

So whilst new build is obviously a target, what we really need to consider is the fact that 60% of the commercial buildings that will be standing in 2050 are already built.

This puts the issue of refurbishment very high on the agenda and while it is easy to make a new building energy efficient, it isn’t quite so simple to build this into the plan when you are carrying out a refurbishment.

In the same way that the commercial sector has re-visited its priorities so too have homeowners who are increasingly looking at refurbishment and renovation rather than moving house. But what they are looking for is a refurbishment which will meet their needs now and in the future so the key to achieving success is in looking at the whole life costs.

It’s basically all about minimising the impact and providing a workplace which is flexible and fit for purpose or a home which suits the needs of a growing family.

We do have the technology but your job is to ensure that your customers know about it. It should no longer just be a case of selling what your customer asks for. You need to be more involved at the design stage when your customer first walks through the door because regardless of whether they are working on a commercial building or a home renovation, there will be new products which they don’t know about.

Better planning at the design stage can save a lot of money in the future and will ensure that savings can continue to be made throughout the life of every building. What’s more if you are offering the right advice then you can guarantee that your customer’s will be back when they are working on their next big project. You are therefore a key part in the UK meeting its Net Zero target and it’s a role you need to grasp with both hands.

See you next month

Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Tracey Rushton-Thorpe Editor

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER MAY 2022 5

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NEWS & VIEWS BREATHING BUILDINGS SUPPLIES HYBRID VENTILATION SYSTEM

BREATHING BUILDINGS DELIVERS HYBRID VENTILATION TO OCEANSGATE IN PLYMOUTH Breathing Buildings has supplied a ventilation system to a newbuild office development, Oceansgate, in Plymouth.

Located on former MOD land next to Devonport Dockyard, Oceansgate brings together marine-based businesses in a collaborative environment. Breathing Buildings was specified by the design team to provide a hybrid ventilation system to serve the open-plan office spaces and several cellular offices for each of the three floors. Within the project, 24 Breathing Buildings NVHR 900 units were installed, plus the company also supplied external weather louvres which were glazed into the curtain walling system.

Breathing Buildings worked with mechanical contractors Murch & Baker and the main contractor on the project, Kier Construction, to assist on the design.

The company carried out thermal modelling using in-house design software, 4D-Flo, and Breathing Buildings modelled the design to CIBSE Guide A / TM52 summer overheating criteria, using the typical CIBSE DSY weather file for Plymouth. This helped ensure a comfortable working environment for occupants as well as good indoor air quality (IAQ).

NIGLON JOINS THE EDA Niglon is now an affiliated member of the EDA, which represents around 75% of the wholesale industry – acting as a voice for the sector among policy makers and trade bodies.

Paul Dawson, Niglon’s Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted to have become an affiliated EDA member and to be working more closely with the

organisation going forward.

“The EDA has a fantastic reputation within the industry and offers valuable networking opportunities, campaigns, initiatives and information-sharing.

We’re looking forward to taking full advantage of our membership and to seeing the positive impact this will have on our business.”

“We have been working with Breathing Buildings for over a decade now and so we are well aware of the many benefits that hybrid ventilation brings” explains Paul Murch, Director at Murch & Baker Ltd. “The ventilation systems we have installed at Oceansgate are providing a healthy office environment, that monitors and manages carbon dioxide levels as well as providing good indoor air quality and comfortable temperatures year-round.”

Breathing Buildings’ NVHR units control the indoor air quality by reducing the levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is particularly important during winter when windows are kept shut. Here, the NVHRs constantly monitor the air and bring in just enough fresh air to maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment where CO₂ levels do not rise above 1,000 parts per million.

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ECA WELCOMES RENEWABLES VAT CUT

ECA WELCOMES 0% VAT ON RENEWABLES The ECA has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut VAT on energy efficiency and renewable technologies to 0%.

In line with ECA’s recent calls for Government to take urgent action against rising energy bills, the Chancellor announced that, for the next five years, VAT will no longer be paid on domestic renewable energy installations and energy efficiency measures. This includes solar PV panels, heat pumps, and insulation.

ECA recently joined the Renewable Energy Association (REA), Solar Energy UK, and an unprecedented coalition of organisations calling on Government to

take unprecedented action in the Spring Statement. The Chancellor said that a family with a solar PV panel would see tax savings worth £1,000, and a reduction of £300 per year on their energy bills.

ECA’s Energy and Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor Luke Osborne said: “These are measures that will ultimately boost long-term growth for

the economy, leaving families better-off, and our nation better protected from the impacts of global crises on energy prices.

“However, there is no time to rest easy – the electrotechnical sector must seize this opportunity to focus on delivering the installations and energy efficiency measures that will result in cheaper bills and lower carbon emissions for consumers.”

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NEWS & VIEWS NEW FIRE DETECTION COURSES LAUNCHED

C-TEC LAUNCHES NEW TRAINING COURSES C-TEC has launched a new series of BS 5839-1 fire detection and fire alarm system compliance courses.

Delivered at C-TEC’s state-of-the-art training centre in the North West of England, the courses include both theoretical and practical activities.

Thoroughly covering BS 5839-1 Foundation, Design, Installation & Commissioning and Maintenance, the courses can culminate in a regulated qualification in BS 5839-1 through FireQual, the specialist awarding body for the fire protection sector in the UK.

Brian Foster, UK Sales Manager at the rapidly expanding company, said: “C-TEC is on a mission to lift industry standards and the quality of fire installations across the UK. We’ve always provided free educational CPD-certified seminars and product training to promote best practice and raise awareness but the launch of our BS 5839-1 ‘TRAIN-TO-GAIN’ courses signals our intention to take it to a new level.

“We’re confident the courses will attract a high level of interest as they’re reasonably-priced, centrally-located and specifically designed to encourage people working in the fire industry to embark on a journey to boost their competency, expertise and professional performance – and achieve an industry-recognised qualification in the process.”

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WHOLESALER NEWS

In association with Scolmore

EDA RECOGNISES NEXT GENERATION OF TALENTED INDIVIDUALS

TEN HIGH-PERFORMERS TRIUMPH AT EDA AWARDS Ten future leaders won an Electrical Distributors’ Association Learning Achievement Award at an annual lunch high above the rooftops at London’s iconic The Shard on Friday 4 March 2022.

Now in its eighth year, the Association’s celebration of training excellence brings together talented individuals from EDA wholesaler and manufacturer businesses.

Each worthy winner has delivered an outstanding performance in the EDA’s Product Knowledge Programme or in an apprenticeship. The Awards were presented

by EDA President, CEF’s Managing Director, Chris Ashworth, and Michelle McCutcheon from event sponsors EDA Apprenticeships Plus, the organisation which operates the Association’s Apprenticeship Service.

Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA CEO, said “Our winners are the cream of the UK’s electrotechnical sector. Travelling from as far afield as Guernsey to the South, Cork in Ireland to the west, and North Yorkshire and from businesses large and small, but

● ● ● ●

Ltd in Peterborough, part of the Fegime UK buying group; Gary Dowling, Kellehers Electrical, part of Rexel UK Ltd, in Cork, Republic of Ireland; Dean Jones, Alert Electrical Wholesalers in Ilkeston, part of The IBA Buying Group; Alex Bright, Termination Technology Ltd in Bristol; Richard Banks, Deta Electrical Company Ltd, Charlton, Bedfordshire.

For an outstanding performance in an apprenticeship the Learning Achievement Awards went to: they all have one thing in common: each has worked extremely hard to achieve amazing results in their training.”

For an outstanding performance in the EDA Product Knowledge Modules the Learning Achievement Awards went to: ● Sian Alford, Edmundson Electrical Ltd

in Guernsey; ● Joe Sayer, BEW Electrical Distributors

● Shannon Rooney-Sadler, BED (Corby)

Ltd, part of the ANEW buying group; ● Finley Maxwell-Hoff, LAMPS – Lighting

and Mains Power Solutions Ltd in Aylesbury, part of the AWEBB buying group; ● Joshua Craggs, CEF in Ripon; ● Harvey Small, Stearn Electric Co Ltd in Southampton.

CARL KAMMERLING FUSION PROMOTION LIVE ACROSS PORTFOLIO Carl Kammerling International (CKI), the home of C.K Tools, is giving the electrical trade another reason to ensure their customers have access to the best tools for the job through its 2022 Fusion promotion and incentives scheme.

Live now and running until the 27th May 2022, Fusion is offering merchants and wholesalers a welcome profit boost for the first half of the year with 180 products on promotion across the C.K

Tools, C.K Magma, C.K Classic, Avit and Kasp Security brands.

With discounts of up to 65%, CKI is also offering sign up rewards, a new connected reward scheme with its Q4 Magnetic promotion, access to promotion exclusive items and sales driving POS all for an extremely low initial order value, making this the business’ most standout Fusion promotion to date.

Mark Raines, Head of Marketing at CKI, said: “With more than 200 years of

heritage in the trade, we understand the importance to our customers of getting a strong bottom line established in the first half of the year. Fusion is our way of supporting them and ensuring this can be achieved through the perfect promotional mix of proven sellers, core items, full ranges and great value deals.”

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS It’s been a busy few months in the electrical industry, with new appointments and shake-ups across different sectors. Keep up to date with the latest movements here, as we detail who has gone where.

Jim Hutchison, Barry Taylor, Mike Jackson, Kevin Beech SCOLMORE Scolmore has announced a number of new board appointments that have been made from within the existing team of directors.

There are two new appointments to the Scolmore board of directors, with Group Commercial Director Jim Hutchison and Sales Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland Barry Taylor assuming the new board positions. Mike Jackson, current Sales Director for Unicrimp, has been appointed to the Unicrimp board, while Kevin Beech, existing board member and current Sales Director for Scolmore has been promoted to Group Sales Director. Gary Mordue, Scolmore Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are very fortunate to have a pool of extremely talented and experienced individuals within the organisation, and I am delighted to welcome the new members to the board. They will each have a key role to play in developing and implementing the strategies that will help drive the continued growth and expansion of the business.”

Joshua Austin GLOBAL ASSOCIATES If ever there were proof that investing in young engineers is the route to future success it is Joshua Austin who has been appointed as the new Service Manager for Global Associates. Joshua was one of the first apprentices to join the company’s global training academy in 2015 and since then has embraced every aspect of the business and matured into an outstanding engineer with a passion for the building controls industry. Over the past 12 months he undertook the role of Key Accounts Service Engineer where he continued to build client relationships whilst dedicating time not only to his own continued training but also to supporting other apprentices within the business.

Manuela Rubino Courtney SCOLMORE As Scolmore continues to grow, the decision to appoint a Legal and Compliance Manager was seen as a vital step to ensure the business, its employees and its projects comply with all relevant regulations and specifications.

Manuela’s key responsibilities with Scolmore will be to implement a robust Group Company Compliance programme, with the support of the Board of Directors, to ensure that that the business is meeting all legal, ethical and environmental requirements. She will play an active role in steering the business towards achieving ISO 14001.

12 MAY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER

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EDA INSIGHT An update from the Electrical Distributors’ Association

JOIN THE SALES GENER ATION GAME

Generation, Transmission and Distribution Distributing Electricity within a Property Protection and Control Devices Additional Protection Supply and Metering Specialist Applications such as intelligent circuit breakers, surge protection, and modular wiring systems

Double accreditation for your peace of mind A City & Guilds Accredited Programme, the modules harness decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create accessible and practical training for you and your team. EDA Product Knowledge modules are also approved for Continuing Professional Development by The CPD Certification Service.

Q1: What is fault current protection?

Q2: What is the purpose of an SPD? Q3: Who is responsible for allocating the core Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN)?

Q4: What does HRC or HBC refer to when applied to fuses?

Q5: Which three earthing systems are most commonly used on an LV supply?

Q6: Name four types of circuits that can be supplied from a consumer unit.

ANSWERS:

● ● ● ● ● ●

Have a go at this quiz and check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

Q1: The provision of some means of disconnecting the supply by the use of an overcurrent protective device such as a fuse or circuit-breaker.

Q2: A device to protect sensitive equipment and appliances from power spikes or power surges caused by lightning or switching operations.

Distributor of electrical energy in the UK High-rupturing capacity (HRC) or high breaking capacity (HBC).

TN-S, TN-C-S (PME) or TT Lighting, Power, Alarm and Emergency, Critical Power, Data and Control Circuits.

Professional know-how to drive sales Improving your team’s technical know-how through the EDA’s training could unlock additional revenue for your business. In this module you’ll cover:

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Q3: Q4: Q5: Q6:

Distribution, Switchgear and Protection is one of the 12 training courses in the programme, but you choose only the modules your team needs – there is no obligation to study all 12. This module has just been refreshed so the training inside is right up to date.

HOW DID YOU DO? Full marks: Fantastic, your sales must be looking very healthy.

3 - 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

DOWNLOAD THE COURSE DIRECTORY THERE’S PLENTY OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT WWW.EDA.ORG.UK, INCLUDING A DOWNLOADABLE COURSE DIRECTORY, GIVING YOU A SUMMARY OF WHAT’S COVERED IN EACH OF THE 12 TRAINING MODULES. WWW.RDR.LINK/WF001

If you’re a manager looking for a flexible and convenient way to train your team to drive sales, get in touch on: 020 3141 7350 or email: training@eda.org.uk

ELECTRICALDA

www.eda.org.uk

D

Electrical Distributors’ Association

@eda_uk

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CHARITY UPDATE

AUTISM SUPPORT FROM THE EIC

A

utism is a spectrum condition that affects people in different ways. Approximately 700,000 people in the UK are living with autism and it’s typically characterised by challenges with social skills, engagement in repetitive behaviours, or difficulties in speech and communication.

It’s a widespread condition with around 1 in 57 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The EIC is committed to supporting not only those who have been diagnosed with autism or any other mental health condition but anyone who is affected by an immediate family member. An example is Lilly who at 13 years old had seen her mental state deteriorate since her grandfather had passed away in March 2020. She had become

increasingly withdrawn and wouldn’t leave the house, refusing to even go to school.

She was very intimidated by her peers and refused to change her clothes and bathe, communicating thoughts of suicide. Her parents had removed all potential risks in the house, but they were living in a heightened state of anxiety.

Lilly had an initial assessment with the Children’s Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in May 2020 where she was diagnosed with general anxiety and depression.

However, the services said support could only be provided from May 2022. Lilly’s GP and other support services had six therapy sessions with her but discharged her from their care once they learned she was awaiting treatment through CAMHS. Terrified she was going to harm herself, Lilly’s mother obtained

permission to work from home in order to monitor her, but it was impractical to provide this level of supervision 24/7.

Although Lilly had not seemed significantly upset following her grandfather’s death at the time, it appeared to have acted as a trigger for the deterioration in her mental health. Over the summer of 2020, Lilly was in the process of receiving therapy from an NHS bereavement therapist who visited her in her home. At this point, her father John explained that for the last three years, he and his wife had been noticing traits of behaviour suggestive of autism in Lilly. She was highly anxious in crowds, usually wanting to run. She had strained interactions with her peers and her communication was generally awkward and erratic.

At this point, John’s boss got in touch with the EIC to seek support for the family.

As John is an employee of the electrical and energy sector, he was entitled to support for anyone living with autism in his immediate family. As a result, the EIC is currently funding a full assessment for Lilly to get an accurate medical diagnosis.

The help Lilly’s family was able to access is due to the support of the EIC and the powerLottery. It means the family are getting the support they need to get a timely and accurate diagnosis for Lilly and move on to the next stage of treatment.

Without powerLottery, EIC would not be able to offer support to people like John and his family.

TO SIGN UP TO PLAY THE POWERLOTTERY TODAY, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF002

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FACE TO FACE

PEW spoke to Simon Greenwood, Sales Director Trade & Specification at Signify UK & Ireland, and asked him for his views on the lighting industry.

FACE TO FACE SIGNIFY When was Signify established and how did you get involved with the company?

Q

A. Signify (Formerly Philips Lighting) launched its new company name in 2018.

We have led the lighting industry with innovations that serve professional and consumer markets for more than 127 years, so we come with a long legacy of understanding customer needs and responding to them with the right solutions.

I joined the company in 2019 as the Director for the Trade & Specification team. My primary goal is for us to create a strong ecosystem where we work with Specifiers, Electrical Contractors, and Distribution partners to deliver sustainable and efficient lighting projects.

I bring with myself an extensive knowledge of the lighting industry, as I am backed with over 20 years of experience in different specification and commercial roles.

What advantages does smart lighting offer over more traditional lighting solutions?

Q

A. Lighting is one of the single biggest energy expenses that businesses face.

Replacing halogen lighting with LED lamps offers the potential to reduce electricity consumption by 50% to 80%. Adding in controls and IoT devices, like motion sensors, enable businesses to reduce lighting usage and electricity consumption further - if there is no movement, the lights switch off. With this, businesses can aim at an extra 10% to 30% energy savings, depending on use.

of us, as two thirds of the installed base is still conventional lighting technology. This means that we need to speed up renovation within commercial and industrial sectors, as well as within housing, retrofitting older consumptive systems with more energy-efficient connected LED installations. A fundamental part of this transition is to more than double the annual rate of building renovation to 3% per year.

What should wholesalers consider when deciding which smart lighting products and systems to stock?

Q

Our data suggests that if businesses and cities in the UK switch to LED lighting in the professional lighting market CO2 emissions could reduce by 3.9 million tonnes, this is equivalent to the number of emissions that 175 million trees could sequester in a year. Making the switch would also generate electricity savings of 16.1TWh, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 4.3 million households. This would mean a saving of EUR 3.8 billion on electricity costs.

In the professional space, connecting lighting to a network and introducing sensors and controls enhances the efficiency of the lights, while laying the groundwork for a digital smart building framework that brings together multiple functions and applications. The outlook shows that most opportunity is still ahead

16 MAY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER

A. We are living in a time of rapid technological development, with connected devices and IoT seeming to dominate almost every sector. With the speed of change and the huge number of smart devices being introduced, it can be a challenge for electrical wholesalers to keep up to date with the innovation and trends. Therefore, from my lens, it is crucial that distributors stay up to date and stock products, that solve the customer needs.

For example, wholesalers have a huge role to play in suggesting the right energy efficient products for their customers.

Within our portfolio is a wide range of very simple to control commercial products. Though wireless (Bluetooth & Zigbee) connection, with not need for any control wires a customer can have a fully controllable lighting application. Ease of use is the key, one customer told me “Probably the easiest lighting control system I have every used”.

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How are advances in lighting technology helping to promote healthier working environments?

Q

A. At Signify, we believe that healthy buildings are healthy for people and for the planet, and lighting is a big part of that.

People have always known that light promotes well-being. Through the development of our Innovations, we are really tackling some of the macro challenges facing the our planet. A whole range of 3D printed luminaires provides a sustainable offer allowing customers to recycle the product at end of life. We have seen this most widely used in retail applications, where a customer may refresh the look and feel of their store every 5 – 10 years. By tailoring every product we are also able to “print” downlighters to the specific size required when a customer is looking to upgrade to LED from more inefficient technology.

Connected LED lighting has, in important ways, rivalled the sun when it comes to promoting human well-being, especially indoors. Also, there is no denying that now we spend most of our time indoors. It certainly represents an epochal advance over the capabilities of conventional lighting.

Consider the human-centric illumination capabilities that a smart lighting system makes possible. Users can program luminaires to change their levels of intensity at certain times of the day and in response to daylight conditions, perhaps brightening as dusk approaches on a short winter day. Automation makes the change essentially invisible for occupants, a point that’s as important as it is obvious.

More specifically, users can personalise their lighting by deploying preset scenes appropriate to various tasks.

They can use smart lighting systems to support occupants’ circadian rhythms, boosting blue light levels in offices in the

morning to promote alertness, and lowering them as the workday ends to ease employees into those restful hours that are so important for holistic health.

In addition, smart lighting solutions minimise flicker, strobe effects, and glare, and provide optimal colour visibility and spectral composition. Subtle as they might be these advantages make people feel better. A lighting system is working most effectively, after all, when nobody notices it.

When outfitted with the proper sensors, smart lighting systems can track occupancy and footfall patterns within a building, identifying high-traffic areas that need enhanced cleaning—an especially crucial concern while the COVID-19

Lighting is set for major “technological innovation as it is poised to help in the UK’s green recovery.

”

pandemic rages. Businesses can also advise employees in real time which floors or areas of a building they should use, based on workspace capacity and occupancy levels. Smart systems can even predict demand through occupancy trends over time. With an indoor positioning system in place, employees can find and book safe desks and meeting areas via an app and navigate to their destinations through the least crowded areas. The possibilities are endless.

Then there’s UV-C light. This type of light, provided by special lamps and luminaires, is incredibly powerful for both air and surface disinfection. At a time when building owners are responsible for protecting people from harmful viruses, this technology is proving to be a game-changer.

Q

What does the future hold for the lighting sector?

A. I hope you are as excited about the future of the sector as I am, as lighting is set for major technological innovation as it is poised to help in the UK’s green recovery. With such a dazzling transformation and digitalisation that we are witnessing in the lighting industry now, how could anyone predict what the industry might look like in the next five years, let alone 10 years? However, some of the key technological advancements that are already taking place outside of the lighting industry, will make it central to several organisations strategies for years to come. However, one big trend that will shape the future is the impact of the IoT on the way in which we think about lighting.

We are seeing businesses turn their attention to connected lighting more than ever and I am sure this trend will continue to rise and be optimised to an organisation’s specific needs, as well as being conscious of its energy consumption. I also think that circularity will continue to grow in the sector. From serviceable luminaries like the 3D printed range, to adopting circular components and intelligent systems will gain prominence in the future.

From connected lighting to sustainability, lighting is already positively impacting many organisations, globally. I am sure that the years to come will continue to keep the lighting sector pivotal to solving many challenges, across all industries.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SIGNIFY VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF003

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SPECIAL REPORT

DELIVERING ON

DIGITAL George Brickwood at Schneider Electric discusses the role of eCommerce in the electrical distribution industry

Y

ear on year, people are purchasing and selling more products and services online; between 2020 and 2025, the eCommerce market is expected to expand from 32.5% to 38.1% of total retail sales.

While consumer sales account for a sizeable portion of the market, business-to-business (B2B) eCommerce is expanding. Fast.

As digital technology gains a stronger hold on our lives, the global consumer marketplace influences enterprises, demonstrating the potential of eCommerce. Distributors must adapt to changing business needs and become more technologically aware to remain relevant in a competitive market.

In this article, I will look at the aspects that contribute to a successful eCommerce strategy, with an emphasis on its applications in the electrical distribution industry and the three essential success criteria: technology, people, and processes.

Electrical eCommerce: where are we now?

The electrical distribution industry has been slower to adopt eCommerce compared to other industries. The key challenge is overcoming the level of investment required to develop an online presence and compete effectively. Another issue with the shift online is culture - for small traders in

particular, word of mouth, personal contact and long-term relationships have been fundamental to success for generations.

Shifting operations online can seem daunting and risky. However, threatened by an explosion in online competitors, eCommerce is now critical to sustainable growth in electrical distribution.

Transitional tech for eCommerce success To make the transition to online services, electrical distributors must make digital decisions that enable a streamlined online buying experience that attracts new buyers, and services existing customers.

COVID-19 has further highlighted the need for eCommerce strategies to be robust, scalable, and futureproof.

Any eCommerce model must start with a platform that matches business needs. Mobile capability is critical as it is fast becoming the preferred purchase method for many B2B buyers. From a technical perspective, a mobile-first approach can provide greater flexibility as it is easier to scale and will render more easily across devices.

Any eCommerce model “must start with a platform that matches business needs.

18 MAY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER

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Successful eCommerce in the electrical distribution industry requires analytic technology. Analytics help to understand what a customer wants from a buying experience by tracking their journey across the platform. For the electrical distributors, optimisation of customer experience is crucial for improving the shift from offline to online sales. With so many market competitors, the personalisation that analytics enables can elevate the experience to maintain customers and convert opportunities into sales.

Building a winning team The next critical component of the eCommerce Ecosystem is the people. With the digital economy thriving, so is eCommerce employment, with a 143% growth in individuals hired in eCommercerelated occupations expected in 2021.

Your people are your greatest asset.

Your goals and objectives are delivered by the people you hire, and they are also a reflection of your skillset and company values. While eCommerce success is not attainable through simply employing ‘allrounders’, useful as they are, it is important to understand the critical skills required to build a successful team of eCommerce professionals. If building an eCommerce team is new to you, then bringing in an expert at this stage will be essential.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Your employees are the cogs that keep the company wheels spinning; they are undoubtedly your most valuable asset when it comes to establishing a successful eCommerce strategy, but they must operate in tandem with the corporate culture and leadership team. Adoption of a digital culture across a multiskilled workforce is a sure-fire way for your organisation to run smoothly. A strong leader is the glue that keeps everything together.

The importance of process The third and final critical component to effective eCommerce is process. Whether through adaption or freshly created ways of working, processes should be built with eCommerce at the centre. eCommerce will not function if it is merely grafted onto current processes.

The quality of the product data on offer is crucial for the positioning of a product online, acting as an intermediary between the distributor and the customer. Adopting an “eCommerce first” approach to business in the digital age is now a prerequisite for any organisation looking to better serve their customers online and drive higher conversion.

Companies need to have eCommerce at the heart of it all, ensuring that it’s not just an afterthought.

Online distributors take all the stress out of the ordering process by making information such as stock levels, price, and order status clear and accessible on the site. This allows buyers more control over things such as forward planning for upcoming jobs, and removes all the hassle from purchasing, improving brand advocacy, and encouraging repeat purchase.

One element that can get lost in an online strategy is the personal care received in store as opposed to online.

Therefore, it is important to double down on customer care when adopting eCommerce strategy before, during and after purchase. The simplest solution to this is providing clear and accessible information that customers can reference and selfserve any problems they face. Often, people just want a human at the other end of the line, so it is advised to have a helpline or customer service email to handle any incoming queries.

Maintaining eCommerce biodiversity The consumer should be the entire focus of your eCommerce integration, including the technology you utilise, the people you hire, and the processes you adopt. Electrical wholesalers pursuing long-term business success need to have a digital strategy. However, your eCommerce strategy should reflect your brand and be as human as possible. Putting yourself in the shoes of the customer and walking through the experience with them can help you better understand them, which will help to increase sales, brand loyalty, and set you on the route to eCommerce success.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF004

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COMPETITION WI N A £ 30 0 AM AZ ON V OU CH ER , CO U R TE SY OF CL ICK SC OL MO RE CL ICK MO DE

Scolmore supplies one of the most comprehensive wiring accessories collections currently available on the market - from the Essentials basic range through to the Deco Plus premium decorative metal collection.

However, it is the Click Mode range of white wiring accessories that remains the company’s best-selling wiring accessories collection to date.

The Mode range was conceived and developed as a high quality, flexible and modern solution for virtually any domestic wiring requirement. The smooth, contemporary lines of the Mode accessory plate will fit easily into traditional and contemporary designs alike and the modular design allows installers unprecedented flexibility in creating dedicated wiring solutions to deal with specific wiring needs.

Mode has recently undergone further independent testing - achieving a 99.98% kill off rate against Influenza A

(H1N1) after a 24 hour period. This latest testing further boosts the range’s hygiene credentials. Independent testing previously undertaken has also shown the products to have anti-viral properties against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. This anti-viral testing is in addition to the anti-bacterial testing already carried out. The Mode range is manufactured using Urea Formaldehyde, which has similar inherent properties to antimicrobial additives that inhibit the growth of infectious diseases. When independently tested, all products achieved a 99.99% kill off rate across all four types of the strains of bacteria – MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella Pneumonia.

Wholesalers also have the reassurance that all Scolmore BS1363 products – in particular socket outlets – are third party approved and bear the BSI Kitemark logo, a demonstration of the company’s commitment to the highest standards of quality and safety.

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HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning the Amazon voucher, simply choose the correct answer from the following choices:

Q. Which testing has the Mode range undergone? ● Influenza A (H1N1) ● Anti-bacterial ● Anti-viral ● All of the above

SIMPLY VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/WF005 TO ENTER YOUR ANSWER Deadline for entries 31/05/22 Usual T&Cs apply

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SPECIAL REPORT

PLASTIC MEASURES It’s estimated that five million tonnes of plastic is used every year in the UK, with almost half of this attributed to packaging. As the government’s new Plastic Packaging Tax comes into effect, Chris Burrows, ERA’s Head of Sales for Distribution and Smart Security, discusses how manufacturers are helping electrical wholesalers to achieve even higher standards of sustainability.

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iming to increase the use of recycled plastic in packaging by around 40% (which will equate to carbon savings of almost 200,000 tonnes in 2022-23), the introduction of the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) is the government’s latest initiative to reduce the use of new plastics, whilst simultaneously increasing plastic recycling.

Enforced from 1st April 2022, the tax will impact around 20,000 manufacturers and importers of plastic packaging. Levied at £200 per metric tonne of plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic, the new tax has significant implications for wholesalers who import over 10 metric tonnes of plastic throughout a 12 month period.

Businesses that do not comply will be faced with civil and criminal penalties, if they fail to register, file returns or complete payments. Companies operating under the 10 metric tonne threshold will also need to maintain a record of the frequency and weight of plastic being imported, to evidence to HMRC that they are operating below the tax threshold.

Importance of design and innovation One of the main types of plastic packaging currently being reviewed by manufacturers to ensure it complies with the PPT is the clear clamshell. It has been extremely popular with both manufacturers and distributors for decades, as it enables the product to be visible on both sides and can be displayed in a range of configurations,

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including hung or freestanding. The seal also provides a hygienic and waterproof environment for the product, whilst being cheaper to transport due to its light weight.

Predominantly constructed of singleuse plastic, manufacturers are currently re-evaluating the construction and design of clamshell packaging to ensure it contains a minimum of 30% recycled content to reduce tax liabilities. However, whilst the new tax will be a key consideration for manufacturers and distributors during this design process, it is essential that products will still be visible to potential customers and displayed in an attractive way to help drive sales.

To achieve this, manufacturers like ERA are working in close collaboration with distributors to understand how the packaging is used by both wholesalers and customers to inform how the redesign should look, function and perform.

For example, introducing recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) content into the construction of clamshells significantly increases the level of recycled plastic. It does so without negatively impacting the usability and performance of the packaging, as the product is still entirely visible and can be displayed in a range of formats.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Assessing the bigger picture Whilst packaging that is not predominantly plastic by weight will be excluded from the tax, the introduction of the PPT is an opportunity for manufacturers and distributors to improve the sustainability of all types of packaging and to evaluate the recyclability of every material used, including cardboard.

It is a common misconception that all cardboard is recyclable. In fact, many composite materials found within cardboard are currently unsuitable for recycling within the UK. Printed cardboard packaging is commonplace throughout the industry, as it is an effective method of displaying key product information, branding and promotional messaging.

However, in some instances, the printing process can significantly impact the cardboard’s ability to be recycled.

To address these issues, ERA is currently evaluating the composition of all plastic and cardboard packaging to help maximise the proportion of recycled content and its ability to be recycled. This will not only assist distributors in achieving best practice in this area, it will also help to futureproof stocked ranges from further potential tax and legislative changes.

It is also worth noting that the PPT does not apply to transport packaging used to ensure the safe and secure import of components and products into the UK. However, this is an additional area where ERA is undertaking significant investment to demonstrate best practice and proactively reduce the level of packaging required plus increase recycled content. This includes reducing, or in some cases entirely removing, the requirement for bubble wrap and polystyrene, whilst still adequately protecting stock from damage during transportation.

100% sustainable As part of the Tyman Group 2030 Sustainability Excellence Roadmap, ERA has committed to achieving 100% sustainable packaging by 2026, an obligation it signed up to prior to the introduction of PPT. It has also pledged to eliminate waste to landfill within the same year. The business is also implementing a holistic approach to energy efficiency, including the deployment of renewable energy technologies, in addition to dedicated carbon removal projects for hard-toreduce carbon emissions.

Wholesalers can prepare their business now, by working in partnership with manufacturers who are proactively reviewing and refreshing their packaging options to not only address the immediate tax implications but to also achieve the highest possible standards of sustainability in the years ahead.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ERA’S DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF SECURITY PRODUCTS, INCLUDING ITS SMART HOME OFFERING, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/WF006

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SECURITY & CCTV

ONE TO WATCH With the CCTV market continuing to show strong growth, ESP is encouraging contractors to think big and take advantage of ESP’s growing support services.

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ccording to the Electronic Security Systems and Admission Control Market Report UK 2021-2015 from AMA Research, the market for electronic security products and services grew steadily between 2015 and 2019, before a sharp contraction in 2020 caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the construction sector and on economic activity more generally. The report describes the UK electronic security market as mature, especially in the non-residential sector, in terms of the proportion of premises that have some form of security equipment installed. This means that demand for replacement and upgrades is the key feature of the market and accounts for the majority of end-user sales.

Technological developments have driven the replacement market, with heavy expenditure on R&D a key characteristic of

the market. Leading technological trends include improvements in image quality, thermal imaging, artificial intelligence (AI), deep-learning analytics for CCTV, cloud based solutions for video management systems, and facial recognition and other biometrics for access control. The Covid-19 pandemic has generated further development of specific applications such as management of crowd density and touchless access control.

Following the downturn in 2020, the prospects for recovery in the electronic security market are good. The increased numbers of CCTV cameras and electronic access control hardware devices, higher image quality, and the retention of larger quantities of footage for analytic purposes, will combine to create increased data storage requirements, generating a rise in demand for cloud based data hosting services to reduce capital expenditure on

in-house servers and software.

With CCTV accounting for the largest part of the electronic security sector, there is plenty of opportunity for wholesalers and contractors to take a share of this growing market. For many electrical contractors, installing a CCTV system in an average domestic dwelling will be one of those jobs that they are very comfortable with.

However, when it comes to larger more complex commercial projects, there will be installers who are put off by the size and perceived complexity of the job, believing it to be best left to a specialist CCTV installer.

Partner up This is where it pays to partner up with a supplier who can not only provide a comprehensive range of security solutions to cover a wide variety of project applications, but also has the expertise and experience in the planning, design and

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SECURITY & CCTV

ongoing support that will reassure installers that they will be providing the best possible security solution for their customers.

ESP has been supplying CCTV solutions for the professional installer market for over 25 years and continues to invest in the range to make sure that contractors have access to systems that harness the latest technologies, are quick and easy to install and boast a raft of features and benefits to attract a wider range of clients for installers.

A reputation as a reliable CCTV provider has been established by guaranteeing consistency of stock, with high-end pre and aftersales support. Commercial applications requiring comprehensive analogue or IP POE systems are available to meet a wide range of requirements.

Analogue to IP ESP’s IP CCTV range was developed to satisfy the growing demand from customers and contractors, and to meet the needs of a changing marketplace which is moving from analogue to IP. The IP POE CCTV range is designed to offer superior, reliable and straightforward installation solutions for a range of applications, in particular larger and more complex commercial projects. The range features POE (Power-Over-Ethernet) which enables the camera and power feed to be wired in Cat5e cable up to 100 metres without the need for additional power, which makes installation much more convenient. A single Ethernet cable provides both the power and the HD digital feed, with just one cable per camera and multiple cameras can be installed anywhere on the network that the NVR is connected to. Processing power, an abundance of features, versatility and highresolution IP CCTV all combine to make this the preferred choice for new installs.

There are two distinct IP ranges available; the HDView IP 5 Megapixel range which is aimed at larger applications with a wide choice of NVR and camera selection, and the REKOR IP 2 Megapixel range which has been tailored for the domestic market.

All NVRs are packed with features, such as remote monitoring via the ESP View App, H265 compression, motion record

activation and they are supplied with quality surveillance hard drives for peace of mind.

ESP has also recently expanded its RekorHD (2MP) range into a comprehensive analogue CCTV range. Analogue CCTV remains a popular choice with installers and end users who are impressed with the image quality and functionality that it provides and the new additions will meet the increasing demand for a comprehensive analogue CCTV range.

Also available through ESP are essential accessories such as license free remote viewing software, POE extenders and switches for extended cable runs, deep camera bases for convenient system connections and simple to use test monitors for set-up and troubleshooting.

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Technical support With access to a comprehensive range of CCTV systems as well as the support of a highly experienced technical team, contractors can now also take advantage of ESP’s specialist design service. A team of dedicated design engineers will work with professional installers to assist with specifying the right system for project based applications.

For CCTV projects that require larger systems and specific cameras, ESP believes that pre-planning is vital and that producing and working to a professional design will mean the best possible system is specified to get the best results on site. The design service is able to generate computer generated models of a system’s live view from the cameras, a useful tool to ensure a client will have a good understanding of the camera angles and views before committing to the system. As well as providing computer generated previews from the camera locations, the service will provide recommendations for the total amount of cable required for installation, suitable hard drive capacity and will also highlight the record duration, resolution and ESP camera part number required - making specifying an installation simpler.

TO DISCOVER MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF007

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RENEWABLES & GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Jordan Reynolds, CPO of EV-comply, explains why electric car charge points are set to overtake fuel pumps in the UK.

CHARGING AHEAD

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he number of electrical vehicle charging points will reach 300,000 by 2030 under government plans but motoring groups say the rollout isn’t fast enough.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed its EV Infrastructure Plan, which includes a £450m fund that local authorities can use to expand charge point provision in their areas. Under the new plans, operators will need to ensure drivers can compare prices and pay by contactless card. The RAC said the charge point target “might sound impressive”, but it is concerned the number is “not going to be sufficient” for growing demand.

The local authority fund, along with the £950m Rapid Charging Fund which supports the rollout of 6,000 high powered chargers across the motorway network, are both elements in a previously announced government investment package totalling £1.6bn.

It should mean drivers have access to around 300,000 public chargers by 2030, the DfT claims, a number that’s five times the number of fuel pumps in UK filling stations. In its statement announcing the plan, the DfT said the government’s aim is to expand the UK’s charging network so it’s robust, fair and covers the whole country.

“No matter where you live - be that a city centre or rural village, the north, south, east or west of the country, we’re powering up the switch to electric and ensuring no one gets left behind in the process,” said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

As part of the new plan, the DfT has also announced that it will become mandatory for charge point operators to provide real-time data about their charge points and prices, as well as accepting contactless payments and meeting a 99% reliability standard.

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No national direction for charger rollout There is, however, no national direction over how the rollout should be implemented, with the DfT leaving local authorities to develop individual schemes.

As a result, the Society of Motor Manufacturers has renewed its call for a nationally coordinated infrastructure campaign, including binding targets that would match the targets the government has placed on car makers to end the production of internal combustion engined cars. “If industry and consumers are to have the certainty they need to invest, commensurate and binding targets must be set for infrastructure provision,” said

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RENEWABLES & GREEN TECHNOLOGY

SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.

“Deployed nationally and at pace, this expansion would give drivers confidence they will be able to charge as easily as they would refuel, wherever they are.”

Under the government strategy, there is a commitment only to provide an online ‘knowledge hub’ setting out all its current guidance to support local authority installations. The DfT is also earmarking up to £50m of the new £450m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund for councils to hire staff to help with strategy and planning. The rest of the money is to be spent on ‘projects such as EV hubs and innovative on-street charging, so those without driveways don’t miss out on cleaner transport”, the DfT says.

The strategy has been cautiously welcomed by the AA. “The government does appear to recognise that ease of use, reliability, slow rollout for those without home charging and improving charging on motorways, are all essential,” said

spokesman Edmund King. “We would like to see urgent action in all of these areas plus we have also called for more focus on charging solutions in rural locations, improvements to the customer experience in terms of safety at charge points in dark, isolated areas and accessibility for disabled drivers.”

SMMT called for government leadership on charging Just one day before the DfT’s charging infrastructure announcement, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) had called for a “universal right to charge” as the ratio of public charge points to electric vehicles dropped by half in the previous 12 months. There is now one charge point for every 32 plug-in vehicles, compared to one for every 16 cars in 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON EV CHARGING VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF008

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HOME AUTOMATION

WORLD SERIES PEW hears from KNX on why the channel needs to adopt the worldwide standard for home and building control.

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generation ago, the controls industry could already see the writing on the wall - that there ought to be a common standard for communication in the digital world. To its credit, the big players were quick to act, and different companies worked together to collaborate on a project that has benefitted us all: the development of the KNX standard.

We’ve come a long way since then, with systems based on the open KNX communications protocol available for project of any size, anywhere in the world and over 500 manufacturers on board. Why settle for less when looking at how to win your share of the smart installation market?

The underlying premise of KNX is that

smart home and building automation doesn't have to be difficult. It simply requires a system that does away with the all the problems and inefficiencies of having lots of isolated devices by ensuring that all of them can communicate via one common language. Then the type or brand of device you want to use doesn't matter anymore. You can choose from thousands of devices to create the system you need.

Whether control of lighting, shutters, security systems, energy management, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning systems, signalling and monitoring systems, interfaces to service and building control systems, remote control, audio and video control ... all these functions can work together, with devices from different

manufacturers managed via the single KNX open-source software tool.

KNX brings everything together, from lighting and heating to security and entertainment, with devices communicating via data bus cable or internet, even RF (Powerline and TP are also options). This common digital language allows everything from visible wall panels, detectors, lights and heaters to behind-the scenes power supplies, timers and switches to work in harmony, offering endless possibilities to design the right systems for integrated control and efficiency.

Whatever the customer asks for, with KNX the answer will almost certainly be yes. KNX takes automation and personalisation to the next level.

KNX brings everything “together, from lighting and heating to security and entertainment.

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HOME AUTOMATION

No complications Integrating KNX is not complicated, and the depth and breadth of both products and support from suppliers, stockists and training providers in the UK makes it the logical route to more profitable smart installation. You can expect more of your customers to be adopting it. There are tens of thousands of qualified KNX integrators around the world already.

Skilled installers already have the core skills they need to design an integrated system. More good news is that choosing the KNX automation platform it doesn’t mean wiring running to a rack from every device (and there could be hundreds or thousands of devices). Instead, they simply connect each device to a single data cable that runs around the building and carries all the signals needed, adding or upgrading as the need arises. What about Wi-Fi you ask?

Yes, Wi-Fi devices have a place in smart control, and can be part of an overall KNX solution, as can voice control.

For larger and commercial projects, bus-mounted gateway devices will interface with multiple protocols such as DALI lighting control and BACNET heating control, giving you the option to continue to use them while integrating them with the overall building control ecosystem by using KNX as the overarching master control system. That said, KNX can provide all the functionality they offer.

Get smart Installers do need to become proficient in using ETS, the software tool for configuring a KNX system. That, like most software tools in the mid-21st century has become

progressively more straightforward over the years and the latest release, ETS6 has an intuitive visual interface and multiproject management capabilities that match the way smart installers work.

Maintained by the non-profit KNX Association, the software is continuously updated to take advantage of new technologies and keep ahead of users’ cyber-security concerns. There are several training centres in the UK offering inperson and hybrid online/attended options, so there’s no barrier to more of your customers adopting KNX. And KNX UK, the national association of KNX integrators, manufacturers, stockists and support services, provides a Code of Conduct helping them to manage more complex projects and an Onboarding Pack with schematics and solid advice to help them with their early projects.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.RDR.LINK/WF009

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SPECIAL REPORT

RETAIL THERAPY What products are on display?

The type of product on display should always influence your lighting design.

Fresh food, for instance, will look better under a different light colour profile to, say, designer handbags. Likewise, larger, standalone products like cars, household items or technology are going to need a very different lighting setup to smaller products that are stacked in display cases and on shelves, like books or stationery.

Interestingly, there are psychological reasons that certain colour and tone can impact sales of particular products – for instance, a study found that blue tinged light can make food less appealing, or that overhead lighting in fitting rooms can negatively impact shoppers. However, creating the right lighting design for the product is really about common sense, and having the right conversations with the client about product and purpose at the start of the project.

right lighting design “canThemake a retail environment easier to navigate.

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Can good retail lighting increase sales? The intensity, positioning, colour and tone of retail lighting can certainly have an impact on customer experience. Red Arrow outlines some of the most important questions to ask at the start of any retail lighting project.

What mood are you trying to create?

Nothing sets the mood like lighting, and it’s important to establish this with the client right at the start of the project. Do they want to create a relaxed browsing environment, where people feel they can take their time (particularly important for high-value retail items)? Or do they want people to feel energised and make their way through the store quickly? This should have a big influence on the colour and tone of the lights that you choose.

Does the design make the space easy to navigate?

The right lighting design can make a retail environment easier to navigate. You can draw attention to key facilities, such as the checkout or fitting room entrance. You can use light to guide foot traffic around the store, creating clear walkways either with ground level lights or well-placed

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overheads. Or you can highlight specific areas or zones: for instance, creating a different light profile in a luxury goods section, or emphasizing a key customer ‘destination’ such as a core product selection or special offer display.

Can you improve energy efficiency?

As we’ve all heard, energy prices are rising – and everyone is feeling the impact, retailers included. How can you improve your installation’s energy efficiency without impacting on the customer experience?

Switching to high quality, reliable LEDs (if the client hasn’t already) is the first step, but there are other measures, such as introducing automations and sensors.

These can be creatively deployed in a retail environment, particularly in larger stores: rather than a simple on/off function, you could enhance illumination when a display is approached (either by dimming

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SPECIAL REPORT

Case study: RETAIL LIGHTING FOR A LEADING UK CHARITY The Project: This well-known charity needed an efficient, attractive lighting design for one of their brand-new retail outlets.

or via a secondary light source), or have certain lights activate when natural lighting starts to ebb. Done well, this can optimise the experience for the customer as well as saving on energy costs, but it needs careful planning. Get this element wrong, and you risk creating dark spots that fail to attract footfall. Another option is to simply give staff greater control of the lighting, either with multiple dimming or switch points or app-based lighting controls.

Is the lighting design flexible?

There are some stores that display only one type of product, in the same shelving/display layout, all year round: bookshops, car dealerships, etc. Yet others – such as fashion, homeware and department stores – may need a more flexible approach, allowing for seasonal changes, shifting display areas and even the occasional full floor-plan renovation.

For these retail premises, a full lighting refurbishment for every new product display isn’t going to be practical, not to mention cost-effective. Consider installing directional lights that are easy to move, and choosing lighting options that allow the client to easily switch between colours and tones (such as the Stellar 3CCT LED downlight).

Is emergency lighting taken care of?

Unlike other ‘nice to have’ lighting additions, emergency lighting is a legal requirement. If your client has already had emergency lighting installed, be careful to maintain it within your design. If they haven’t, make sure you’ve taken into account the key emergency lighting specifications, including exit signage and escape routes.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF010

The Brief: The charity requested an average light level of 750 lux, with emergency lighting that could be adapted to suit the ever-changing layout, while ensuring a safe route of escape. As a retail premise, they needed lighting that could showcase a variety of products while creating an upbeat experience for shoppers. Red Arrow worked with the charity to provide a solution.

The Products: Red Arrow supplied products from their COMHB range of high bays, along with LF292E twinspots for emergency lighting and EBMLED exit boxes to highlight the final exits.

The Results: Based on the success of the installation, Red Arrow have since completed projects for six more of the charity’s stores across the UK.

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SPECIAL REPORT

PROTECTION PLANNING Research has identified a significant increase in the number of dangerous appliances being installed or poorly maintained due to the repercussions of Covid-19. Steve Boggis, Trade Business Unit Director for FireAngel, and Craig Drinkald, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) lead officer for Carbon Monoxide (CO), discuss how every area of the industry can work together to ensure the highest standards of protection.

Steve Boggis: NFCC recognise that although many organisations collect information relevant to CO safety, there is an incomplete picture of CO risk, exposure and response in the UK. How is NFCC working with Fire and Rescue Services across the UK to change this?

Craig Drinkald: Current legislation doesn’t mandate fire and rescue services to manage CO safety. However, we want and feel we have a responsibility to provide, where possible, a supportive role as part of our remit and commitment to prevent harm to people in homes and workplaces.

This includes proactively working with fire and rescue services to support them if they can install CO alarms, where required as part of home safety visits. This also includes ensuring staff are able to educate individuals on the potential dangers and how they can stay protected.

We are concerned there may be an under-reporting with regard to the number of people killed and seriously injured by CO poisoning each year, which is why we are working in partnership with industry bodies including the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, Gas Safety Register and CO Research Trust to help improve the data around CO incidents.

We are working to identify if and how we can collect and analyse the necessary data we require to gain a real understanding of how many people across the UK are being impacted by CO poisoning and the measures that need to be implemented to successfully protect them.

Steve Boggis: The government recently announced future amendments to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and Approved Document J. What was the NFCC’s response to this and what further changes

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Steve Boggis

Craig Drinkald

to legislation would the NFCC want to see, to help achieve consistency across the UK for the fitting of detection?

Craig Drinkald: NFCC recently welcomed the announcement on 23rd November to future changes to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. These include the requirement for CO detection in social and private rented properties with fixed appliances.

Future changes to Approved Document J will also require CO alarms to be fitted when new appliances such as gas boilers or fires are installed in any home – this includes owner occupied. NFCC responded to the Domestic Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Proposals to extend regulations, setting out our position and this is an area we had campaigned for over a number of years.

It is vital we achieve consistency of CO prevention across the entire UK and upgrading legislation is the only way we can truly achieve this. However, it is our combined responsibility, including Fire and Rescue Services, fuel appliance manufacturers, professional installers and CO detection manufacturers, to ensure we are doing everything we possibly can to improve the standard of CO safety throughout British homes.

Steve Boggis: Ensuring people have adequate alarms that meet their specific requirements is crucial. For the most vulnerable groups in society, what actions should be taken to ensure each individual’s needs are successfully met?

Craig Drinkald: NFCC’s person centred approach to prevention supports fire and rescue services in identifying the potential vulnerabilities of every individual. Working in collaboration with partners, such as adult

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SPECIAL REPORT

social care services, fire services can support people to get the levels of support, advice and protection they need to ensure they are safe in their homes.

Unlike a fire, which creates its own warning factors, such as an increase in heat and the creation of smoke, CO is completely invisible. It cannot be seen, tasted or smelt, so individuals have no way of knowing if they are at risk of CO poisoning, unless they have a working CO detector.

Individuals such as those living with disabilities or people with socio-economic difficulties, can often be placed at greater risk. A prime example of this is the current increase in energy prices further accelerating fuel poverty throughout the UK, with many families having to choose between eating or heating their homes.

This, combined with latest research identifying many appliances may not have been serviced throughout the pandemic, is placing individuals at real potential risk of CO. That is why it is so important that every aspect of the industry works together to undertake a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to CO that adequately informs all individuals, particularly those most vulnerable, on the potential dangers, whilst actively encouraging the installation of CO alarms.

For professional installers who are fitting, maintaining and servicing appliances, sharing information and advice on the potential sources of CO, the symptoms it creates and the correct places to install a CO alarm to ensure proper detection are extremely important to achieve the highest standard of protection for all individuals.

Steve Boggis: How important do you think interlinked systems are to provide the highest standards of CO and fire protection for all domestic property types and should the rest of the UK be following the guidance of the updated Scottish Tolerable Standard?

Craig Drinkald: Many fuel burning appliances, such as boilers, are located in

garages or utility rooms that may be quite a distance from frequently occupied rooms, such as bedrooms or living rooms.

The ability for interlinked alarms to achieve the earliest possible warning of a potential CO event, as all devices sound at the same time, is providing a completely revolutionary approach to both CO and fire protection.

NFCC encourage people to consider the use of interlinked alarms in the home.

However, whilst detection is the first part of protection, information is the second. There have been really exciting developments in detection technology.

Some products can facilitate remote monitoring direct access to essential data regarding the potential risk level throughout a property.

From an accident reduction perspective, working with partners to provide such data can enable Fire Services to apply resources in the most appropriate way by effectively analysing this information to understand the potential level of risk and apply the necessary measures to adequately respond. So this is an area which we have an interest in.

Steve Boggis: Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the sector throughout 2020 and 2021, with this latest research highlighting the dangers of not gaining physical access to properties to conduct essential servicing and maintenance. Can you please share your thoughts on how the industry has adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and how this will shape CO and fire safety measures in the future?

Craig Drinkald: Throughout 2020 and 2021, the fire and rescue services had a responsibility to not only protect their own workforce but to ensure the safety of their communities. NFCC provided support and guidance to help fire services continue to provide support and advice. As with other sectors fire did have to adapt to new ways of working and engaging with communities.

To achieve this, different techniques were implemented, including telephone and virtual home safety checks. Many individuals may not have realised they were at risk and made assumptions, simply because they don’t realise the potential risks within their home. For example, an appliance such as a boiler may be heating water, but this doesn’t mean it is working as it should and could be emitting CO as a result.

As a result of the pandemic, NFCC recently made available an Online Home Fire Safety check tool which fire and rescue services can in England implement for their communities, if they don’t already have this provision. Underpinned by the person centred framework this allows people and partners to undertake a virtual home safety check providing tailored advice to individuals but also identifying the most vulnerable who may then need a home visit. This also frees up resources for community work to identify and help higher risk people.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MAINTAINING AND TESTING CO ALARMS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF011

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER MAY 2022 35

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

GRIPPLE

SUSPENSION SYSTEM

TIMEGUARD TIMERS

A prefabricated suspension system solution that brings great versatility for the housing of cabling and pipes, has become an important tool in driving efficiencies and increasing flexibility in installations.

Fast Trak is fast becoming a system of choice in the construction sector because of the speed and ease it brings commercial projects. Further innovations have been made to the vertical track and horizontal bracket system to increase flexibility and efficiencies during the installation process.

The new bracket innovation can be used in any orientation. Allowing use of standard channel products and accessories as well as its unique quarter turn accessories to increase flexibility. There is a suspension point guide, providing faster and safer alignment of brackets as well as a pioneering four-way latch which can be used in any orientation, it negates the need for tools and provides a much faster and simpler installation and quick adjustment.

Timeguard has introduced a Wi-Fi controlled version of its popular energy saving fused spur timers.

This smart device is fitted with a 13A replaceable fuse so it is ideal to be wired in as direct replacements for the basic fused spurs that are already installed alongside the big energy guzzlers in the home. They continue to provide essential fuse protection as well as offering a full range of time control options.

The FSTWiFiTU is operated using the global TuyaSmart App, as used across the Timeguard Wi-Fi range of smart home controls and half a million other devices from manufacturers all over the world. As you would expect, working with Alexa and Google Home come as standard, and the App is free to users.

As well as basic on/off programming, the Timeguard FSTWiFiTU offers countdown and boost functions, all at the touch of a button directly through the Tuya App.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF012

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF013

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

KIDDE SAFETY EUROPE WIRELESS ALARM SOLUTIONS Kidde Safety Europe has extended its range to include wireless radio frequency (RF) enabled alarm solutions. The latest products further enhance Kidde’s portfolio of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to offer greater flexibility and choice for residential system installations.

Kidde is a part of Carrier Global Corporation and the new products follow Carrier’s acquisition of Danish alarm manufacturer Cavius. The Cavius range of smoke, heat and CO alarms will be offered within Kidde’s fire safety portfolio to provide installers with even more choice for residential applications, alongside its popular Firex and Slick product collections.

A key highlight of the new range of alarms offered by Kidde is the introduction of smoke and heat alarms featuring RF technology for wireless connectivity. Providing installers with fire system flexibility and ease of installation, alarms featuring this function can wirelessly interlink with other compatible alarms from the Cavius collection within a property. If one smoke alarm detects fire, all alarms will activate, providing occupants with a greater chance to be alerted to the fire threat and escape, regardless of their location in the building.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF014

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

ESP

AXIOM SITE ELECTRICS

EMERGENCY LIGHTING

INDUSTRIAL ACCESSORIES & SITE LIGHTING

The Duceri emergency lighting range from ESP offers installers and designers a comprehensive range of independently tested products which combine high performance with ease of installation.

The four in one maintained slimline exit box is manufactured from polycarbonate to offer a compact and lightweight alternative to the traditional steel exit boxes and it is supplied with all directional PVC legends (up, down, left and right). It features a 3W LED lamp, with 45 lumen maintained light output and 34 lumen emergency output and offers a viewing distance of 29m. In addition, the fitting has a separate LED lamp on the base of the unit to illuminate the area immediately below for extra light distribution.

Also available in the range are four in one exit signs – four in one maintained exit sign and four in one hanging exit sign, which are both supplied with interchangeable, double-sided directional legends to assist with installation and stock considerations.

Axiom Site Electrics combine comprehensive ranges of both industrial wiring accessories and site lighting, with each having recent significant new introductions. Starting with accessories, there are portable transformers, extension outlets and leads plus industrial plug convertors and connectors and now, a new range of yellow 110v, blue 240v and red 415v industrial plugs and panel sockets. Available in three, four and five pin options with IP44 splash proof protection, ratings run from 16A to 32A. Axiom site lighting features tripod worklights, anticorrosive fittings, tripod and portable rechargeable floodlights and worklights, inspection lamps and a USB floodlight. Recent new additions include slim 110v 50W and 100W portable floodlights, 18W and 36W IP54 LED uplights with tripods and finally, LED festoon lighting.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF015

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF016

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

MEGAMAN LED LIGHTING

Niglon has announced the release of a new product catalogue this April. The fourth generation familyrun and family-owned Midlands company supplies more than 4,500 products to wholesalers across the UK, spanning eight core categories.

These categories are circuit protection, wiring accessories, installation essentials, industrial accessories, cable management, lighting control, fixings and tools, and control and automation. The new catalogue is available online or a printed copy can be requested by emailing sales@niglon.co.uk or calling 0121 711 1990.

Megaman has launched two distinct LED fixture ranges: Performa and Essentials.

Integrating existing solutions with some of its latest product launches, the two ranges have been designed to provide a flexible lighting portfolio for various indoor and outdoor applications.

For adaptable, high-performance fixture solutions, Performa combines quality materials with added value features. With motion sensors, emergency compatibility, dual beam technology (DBT) and colour change technology (CCT), performance is paramount for all products in the Performa range. For cost-effective, everyday products, Essentials should be the go-to for contractors and wholesalers alike. Providing reliability over innovation, Essentials solutions deliver in terms of cost and results for both retrofit and new-build installations.

The two ranges feature integrated LED downlights, battens, high bays and bulkheads, as well as floodlights and panels.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF017

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF018

NIGLON CATALOGUE

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

SCOLMORE PROTECTIVE DEVICES Scolmore continues to expand its Elucian consumer unit range to provide electricians with the broadest possible range of units and protectives devices. New to the range are Time Delay RCDs, higher rated RCBOs and a retro-fit locking device.

Time Delay RCDs - a new range of Type S 2 Pole 100mA Time Delay RCDs are available in 63A, 80A & 100A options.

Time delay RCDs provide residual circuit protection against short circuits but also provide the correct level of co-ordination when two RCD devices are used in series on the same circuit.

RCBOs - the RCBO protective devices range has been expanded to offer new, two-module (36mm wide) Type A Double Pole True 6kA B Curve and C Curve 30mA Trip RCBOs which are available in higher ratings of 45A, 50A & 63A. Locking device – a new retrofit locking device has been added to the Elucian range, providing the means to secure the consumer unit against unwanted interference.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF019

TIME LED LED DOWNLIGHTS When selecting lighting for a kitchen or bathroom project, it’s advisable to look for solutions that are cost-effective over time and consider the total cost of lighting a space, rather than focus on the initial cost per component. The TIME LED Prestige Pro 8W LED CCT Fire Rated Downlight has a 950lm output, whereas seemingly identical cheaper products may only have a 300lm output. The number of Prestige units required to achieve the same lighting effect will be significantly reduced, lowering the project's lighting costs.

The downlight has four colour temperatures that are easily controlled by a front-mounted switch and consumers can use this feature to compare the various colour temperature options during installation. This will allow the consumer the opportunity to see the true effect of the different lighting styles so that they can feel completely confident in their final decision.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF020

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

CK TOOLS CRIMPERS & WIRE SRIPPERS C.K Tools is continuing its promise to produce high quality tools that meet the most demanding needs of trade professionals, with new offerings and updates across its crimpers and wire strippers.

The hand tool specialist’s new Pass-Through Modular Crimper 8P (T3853), Automatic Wire Stripper Pro (T3943) and improved two-component handle across both products and their accompanying ranges, will ensure every trade professional has the highest-class product for the job, with improved comfort and control. The biggest headache when working with 8P Modular Plugs? Getting extremely thin wires cut to the correct lengths and inserted in the correct sequence to ensure no missed connections at the point of crimping – and a poorly designed crimper never helps the situation.

Not only do C.K Tools’ new crimpers include a deadlock system and high compression for easy, safe and precise crimping of 8P Pass Through Modular Plugs, they also cut, strip and trim wires making them the perfect multi-tool for the job. With extended stripping capacity and automatic adjustments from 0.05-8mm², the Automatic Wire Stripper Pro now also features C.K Tools’ new two-component handle for fatigue-free wire stripping.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF021

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

BRADY LABEL PRINTERS Brady Corporation's new M211 label printer is a lightweight, sturdy and wearable device that prints both pre-sized and continuous labels to identify cables and components. It can create even complex labels that can all be designed, printed and previewed from your phone.

The new M211 Label Printer can easily be clipped to any belt. It connects seamlessly to smartphones via Bluetooth and is driven by Brady's Express Labels app. The app allows to quickly design, preview and print labels and to integrate data from spreadsheets.

Quite unique for an entry-level portable label printer, is the M211's ability to print on both continuous and pre-sized labels. Brady offers M211 users 90+ different label cartridges to choose from. Brady has technical data sheets with label test results that evaluate adhesion to various types of flat and curved surfaces, and label print resistance to humidity, abrasion, heat, cold, weathering and other influences. The new M211 Label Printer prints up to 300 labels on a single battery charge.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF022

KNIPEX PLIERS The robust Knipex Alligator range of water pump pliers offer much more than comparable pipe wrenches. They are the well-established industry standard for Water Pump Pliers and the Knipex 88 01 250 provides all the benefits in one tool. The 88 01 250 pliers provide a large number of grip widths due to the nine step locking adjustment: pipes up to 50mm (two inches) and nuts up to 46mm, which is 30% more than with standard water pump pliers.

The box joint makes the wrench very stable, but also means all models are significantly lighter than conventional pipe wrenches. The gripping surfaces have specially hardened teeth to enable continuously reliable performance, and the special self-locking jaw geometry is designed to grip pipes and nuts, allowing all energy to be used to rotate the workpiece; also, painful hand injuries are prevented by the anti-pinch design of the handle area.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF023

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PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

HAMILTON WIRING ACCESSORIES Hamilton’s new Verve white plastic range, with its subtly tapered top and bottom plate edges, creates a slick, modern curved look that better reflects today’s contemporary interiors.

A traditional box-fix design with an ultra slim profile, the face plates come with white screw cap covers to give a sleek, screwless appearance. 13A single and double pole switches and sockets come as standard, plus traditional TV/sat/data media plates. And, for higher load installations, the range now includes 50A double pole one and two gang switches with neon options.

Micro-Grid switch plates are available from one to six gang and the switch module fits snuggly between the moulded recess of the face plate and is held in position with a top and bottom locating screw. A New addition is a 45A Double Pole Cooker Control Switch plus an additional 13A Switched Socket, with rocker switches in white.

The ability to charge USB smart devices has become an everyday-essential and Verve doesn’t disappoint. The range includes a double switched socket with ultra-fast dual 2.4A (4.8A) USB-A charge ports, all clearly marked for the end-user.

Where dimmer switches are concerned, a Rotary 100W LED trailing/leading edge push on/off dimmer is based upon the popular LEDIT-B100 dimmer unit. Also within the range is a Rotary Resistive leading edge push on/off dimmer – both are available on one to four gang plates.

DISCOVER MORE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF024

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PRODUCTS IN DEMAND

PEW takes a look at the most sought-after products from recent issues of Professional Electrician & Installer magazine to give you an insight into your key customers’ buying behaviour.

HAMILTON

VERVE WHITE PLASTIC RANGE Hamilton’s new Verve white plastic range, with its subtly tapered top and bottom plate edges, creates a slick, modern curved look that better reflects today’s contemporary interiors. A traditional box-fix design with an ultra slim profile, the face plates come with white screw cap covers to give a sleek, screwless appearance. 13A single and double pole switches and sockets come as standard, plus traditional TV/Sat/Data media plates. And, for higher load installations, the range now includes 50A double pole 1 & 2-Gang switches with neon options. No surprises, the switch module fits snuggly between the moulded recess of the face plate and is held in position with a top and bottom locating screw. Euro Modules are also included, with a comprehensive range of 20AX switches with printed words or symbols for the appropriate appliance or function identification.

VIEW THE RANGE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF025

D-LINE

FLOOR PROTECTORS D-Line has made it possible to cover any length of a trailing cable, by including friction-fit connector pins with every length of medium duty floor cable protector. The pins can be pushed-in to longitudinal holes along D-Line lengths, to enable an effective join to additional lengths. This means D-Line lengths could be linked infinitely, if required! To disassemble, the pins can be easily pulled out, ready for future use. This patent pending development for cable protection, that also addresses common cable trip hazards, is available in both 1.8m and 9m lengths.

BROWSE THE D-LINE TRADE BROCHURE AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF027

XCITE UNICRIMP

NON-CORROSIVE LUMINAIRE

Unicrimp has added a range of metal cable cleats to its growing QFire portfolio of fire-rated cable accessory products. The new metal cable cleats meet BS 7671 (18th Edition) requirements and are designed to prevent cables from premature collapse during a fire and in doing so, to keep emergency services and the public safe. Unicrimp’s fire-rated black metal cable cleats are available in 14 different size options suitable for cable sizes from 5mm up to 50mm. The key feature of the product is an oval fixing hole which allows for cable diameter tolerances. To install the metal cable cleat, the electrician just needs to bend the cleat around the cable and fix in place to the designated wall.

Combining durability with performance, practicality and ease of install, this robust offering from xcite covers all bases for todays’ customers. The non-corrosive luminaire is a lighting solution that’s ideal for industrial spaces, covered car parks, and plant rooms. This weatherproof fixture has an IP65 rating, ensuring water and dust ingress protection required for such installations. In addition to delivering a powerful solution for end users, the non-corrosive is also designed to achieve an easier installation for contractors.

Simple stainless steel fixing clips are attached directly to the mounting surface, allowing the unit to be snapped directly and securely into place. The product utilises high quality LED modules, achieves up to 131 lm/W, provides a 30,000 hour lifespan and comes with three years warranty, offering both value and performance. It is also available with three hours emergency and microwave movement sensor options for additional use in safety/emergency escape lighting applications.

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF026

GET MORE PRODUCT DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF028

METAL CABLE CLEATS

44 MAY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER

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PEW looks at some of the latest advertising campaigns featured in recent issues of Professional Electrician & Installer magazine which are helping to create awareness and pull-through sales opportunities at your trade counter.

CAMPAIGN NEWS PROTEUS SWITCHGEAR

PROTECT AGAINST FIRES WITH ARC FAULT DETECTION This latest advertising campaign from Proteus focuses on the fire protection capabilities of the latest AFDD technologies, including the single module device that forms the focus of this particular message. With combined earth leakage, short circuit, overcurrent and arc fault detection, the product offers a complete circuit protection solution.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF029

DEWALT

POWERSTACK – THE NEXT DIMENSION IN POWER

MARTINDALE ELECTRIC

SAFE ISOLATION SAVES LIVES

Billed as ‘the next dimension in power’, the 18V XR Powerstack compact battery is the focus of DEWALT’s end user campaign. The product is the first in the world to leverage pouch battery cell technology for use in construction tasks, with a revolutionary design that makes this compact battery the lightest and most powerful delivered by DEWALT to date.

Martindale has long been a champion for the need to safely isolate electrical circuits and its latest marketing campaign, backed by a quality range of products and supporting literature, spells out the need to stay ‘ALIVE’. This advertisement takes the opportunity to remind end users of the five failsafe steps to ensure safe isolation and why it is such an important practice.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF030

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF031

46 MAY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER

AICO

BECOME AN AICO EXPERT INSTALLER Aico is concentrating on increasing its Expert Installer network in this latest selection of marketing materials. Aico’s free Expert Installer training scheme is FIA CPD accredited and is designed to make sure installers have all the information they need to install domestic home life safety systems. The more the network increases, the more installers, end user customers and wholesalers will benefit.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF032

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A look at the latest display solutions to help you increase your in-store purchases.

A POSITIVE DISPLAY FROM GREENBROOK

I

f you follow GreenBrook across the various social media channels you will see the regular images of the latest wholesaler’s counter the company has branded. GreenBrook is working hard with its nationwide network of wholesale customers to highlight the importance of an appealing product display. Gone are the days where wholesalers’ shelves were packed with bland, plain packaging. These displays help the wholesalers to positively promote the GreenBrook products and to sell through their stock. Informative displays help the counter staff to ensure all the specification benefits of the products are considered – even if counter staff have had no training on the products. A more retail approach offering a clean, wellstructured display has been proven to increase sales. Both parties benefit as a successful display increases sales of those products and creates more brand awareness – and it makes a trade counter a nicer place to be.

In order to be more environmentally friendly, GreenBrook is reducing the amount of plastic it uses in its packaging and will be re-packing all clammed products into boxes.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A STOCKIST OF GREENBROOK PRODUCTS OR WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE WITH A GREENBROOK DISPLAY, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/WF033

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER MAY 2022 47

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As a leading supplier of products to the professional electrical contractor sector, and an innovator in its field, Scolmore regularly has to deal with fake versions of its products entering the market. Now, with claims of like for like products being marketed out there, Kevin Beech, group Sales Director with Scolmore Group, is keen to highlight the importance for contractors and wholesalers to be on their guard against false claims and to always scrutinise the quality and provenance of the products they are purchasing.

S

colmore has always been an innovator in its field. This has always given us a competitive advantage. When you are an innovator, some will always seek the ‘easy’ option of copying you. Others will make claims that the products they supply are like for like for some of yours, only cheaper. What’s the catch? When faced with a choice of products that ‘look’ the same, here are some key things to consider:

If a product does not “carry a BSI Kitemark, customers purchasing that product will not have the reassurance of its quality or safety.

”

BSI Kitemark – does the product have a kitemark? BSI Kitemark stands for quality, safety and trust. First registered in 1903, the highly recognised quality mark confirms that a product or service has been thoroughly tested and checked, time and again, and proven to meet a recognised industry standard or need. The BSI Kitemark™ is a quality mark owned and operated by BSI. It is one of the most recognised symbols of quality and safety and offers true value to consumers, businesses and procurement professionals. BSI Kitemark certification gives a product or service immediate status – hard earned through rigorous tests at a BSI centre of excellence, or through rigorous assessments. If a product does not carry a BSI Kitemark, customers purchasing that product will not have the reassurance of its quality or safety.

48 MAY 2022 PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER

All Click Scolmore BS1363 socket outlets bear the BSI Kitemark and the company has held this certification for over 25 years – a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to adhering to the highest standards of quality and safety of the products it supplies to the professional electrical market.

Product quality – ask questions about the materials used. Take our Click Mode switch plate for example. If a similar product is being offered that is cheaper, it usually means critical materials have been replaced with inferior and inadequate alternatives. For example, instead of brass components, copper has been used, or where brass has been used it is thinner and therefore of inferior quality to our products.

At Scolmore we pride ourselves on many things when it comes to our products innovative designs, quality materials, rigorous testing. As a business we believe honesty, transparency and integrity are among the key values that drive our relationship with our customers.

That is why we would never make claims about our products - or where they are manufactured - if these claims were not true. We have been working closely with a small number of select overseas factories for many years now and have built up a mutually respectful

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relationship with them. We have invested in these factories to ensure they have the best equipment, technologies and people in place to manufacture our products to the highest possible standards. All our products are designed in house in Tamworth by our specialist teams. Our partner factories work closely with the designers to work the designs up to samples and then finished products ready for market. We make regular trips to the premises and have regulated systems and procedures in place to ensure that they operate safely and to our exacting standards.

These factories operate on an exclusive basis with Scolmore, only producing products for our group of companies. Anyone who claims that their products are made in the same factory as ours, makes the implication that their products are of the same quality, have been subject to the same rigorous testing and approvals processes, when in fact they may not be, and in that way, they are misleading their customers and

Wholesalers and contractors need to have the “assurance and the proof of the origin of the products that are being supplied to them. ” end users. Wholesalers and contractors need to have the assurance and the proof of the origin of the products that are being supplied to them.

Managing misinformation Nobody wants to be taken in by misinformation which, by definition means false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive. People want to do

business with companies that are trustworthy, that are impressive, that deliver on what they say, that are innovative thinkers, and that are both genuine and responsible in all their interactions. Scolmore prides itself on adhering to these principles.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SCOLMORE BY VISITING: WWW.RDR.LINK/WF034

PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIANS WHOLESALER MAY 2022 49

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ADVERTISEMENT INDEX Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information Aico Ltd .......................................................................... (page 9)

LGA Europe Ltd ............................................................. (page 7)

www.rdr.link/WF100

www.rdr.link/WF113

C-TEC Ltd .................................................................... (page 42)

Martindale Electric ...................................................... (page 19)

www.rdr.link/WF101

www.rdr.link/WF114

Carl Kammerling ........................................................ (page 23)

Metrel UK ..................................................................... (page 31)

www.rdr.link/WF102

www.rdr.link/WF115

CED ............................................................................. (page 38)

Ovia Lighting .............................................................. (page 36)

www.rdr.link/WF103

www.rdr.link/WF116

Cee Norm UK .............................................................. (page 29)

Schneider Electric Ind ........................................... (page 2/IFC)

www.rdr.link/WF104

www.rdr.link/WF117

Cylnder Cables Ltd ....................................................... (page 8)

Scolmore ....................................................................... (page 4)

www.rdr.link/WF105

www.rdr.link/WF118

Deligo Limited ............................................................... (page 3)

Scolmore ..................................................................... (page 24)

www.rdr.link/WF106

www.rdr.link/WF119

Elex ...................................................................... (page 51/OBC)

Sevadis .......................................................................... (page 11)

www.rdr.link/WF107

www.rdr.link/WF120

Elite Security Products Ltd ........................................ (page 39)

Stearn Electric Co Ltd ................................................. (page 21)

www.rdr.link/WF108

www.rdr.link/WF121

Forum Lighting Solutions Ltd .......................... (page 52/OBC)

Switchtec Ltd .............................................................. (page 40)

www.rdr.link/WF109

www.rdr.link/WF122

Hylec .............................................................................. (page 6)

Unicrimp Ltd ............................................................... (page 43)

www.rdr.link/WF110

www.rdr.link/WF123

Intalite .......................................................................... (page 13)

Wago ............................................................................ (page 41)

www.rdr.link/WF111

www.rdr.link/WF124

Lawson Fuses Ltd ....................................................... (page 37)

Wiska UK Ltd ............................................................... (page 27)

www.rdr.link/WF112

www.rdr.link/WF125

NEW STYLE ELEX MAG AD 289 PEW_Layout 1 23/03/2022 10:23 Page 1

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