Expand Your Power Tools and Get a Free Makita Battery
Makita has launched an exciting new redemption promotion on selected power tools. Between 1st October and 31st December 2025, customers can claim a free XGT® 2.5Ah battery (BL4025) when purchasing a DK0176G205 XGT® Twin Kit, and a free LXT® 5.0Ah battery (BL1850B) when buying a DLX2549TJ LXT® Twin Kit. Both kits come packed inside a convenient and practical 821551-8 Makpac Type 3 Carry Case. The new DK0176G205 40V Max XGT® Twin Kit includes the TD003G Impact Driver and HP001G Combi Drill, as well as two BL4025 2.5Ah 40V Max XGT® Batteries and a DC40RA Fast Charger. With a brushless motor, the impact driver offers low power consumption and ensures improved dust and water resistance for use in challenging construction site conditions. The combi drill is also ideal for continuous heavy-duty applications with variable speed control and active feedback sensing technology, designed to protect its user. Alternatively, the DLX2549TJ 18V LXT® Brushless Twin Kit comes equipped with a DHP492 Combi Drill and DTD173 Impact Driver. With a maximum torque of 141Nm and a compact and robust design, the combi drill is suitable for demanding drilling and fastening applications, while the impact driver has four impact modes with up to 180Nm fastening torque for precise control. The kit is also supplied with two 5.0Ah BL1850B batteries and a DC18RC fast charger. Finally, the two batteries included in the redemption are high performance options. The BL4025 is part of Makita’s XGT® 40V Max battery system and when paired with a rapid charger, the battery can be fully charged in just 28 minutes. The BL1850B is also ideal for demanding tools and tasks, and has a higher capacity compared to other batteries, making it better suited for extended work periods where uninterrupted run time is critical. Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “For the first time, end users have the chance to claim a free Makita battery with a relevant power tool purchase. The high- quality batteries themselves are ideal options for tools with a high-power consumption. We are really proud of this promotion as it allows end users to expand their kit even further and benefit from excellent value for money.” To be eligible for the promotion, end users must purchase one of the relevant kits from an authorised dealer and register proof of purchase on Makita’s online form within 28 days. On successful application, customers will receive their free battery after 30 days. For more information and to see the full terms and conditions for the promotion, please visit: https://www.makitauk.com/redemptions.
Aylesford Electrical Contractors shortlisted for two Electrical Industry Awards
Aylesford Electrical Contractors (AEC), part of the Metcor Group, has been shortlisted in two categories at the Electrical Industry Awards 2025: Renewable Installation of the Year and Contractor of the Year (turnover of over £5m). The double recognition reflects AEC’s rapid growth, technical excellence and leadership in delivering large-scale, future-proof electrical projects across the UK. The renewable nomination recognises AEC’s multi-site fleet EV charging installations delivered in partnership with BP Pulse, including strategic sites for Royal Mail (Coventry, Sittingbourne) and Currys (Tilbury). The programme combined rapid and AC charging, civil works, power upgrades, smart load management and scalable ducting for future expansion—delivered to tight deadlines without disrupting operations. Chris Porte, Head of EV Charging at AEC, said: “Fleet electrification succeeds when design, civils and electrical delivery work as one. Our team has built a playbook for complex EV rollouts that is safe, scalable and cost-smart—and we’re proud to see that recognised again by the industry.” Shortlisting for Contractor of the Year highlights AEC’s breadth beyond EV: complex emergency-lighting programmes across 40+ sites for global clients, resilience upgrades for data-critical environments (including UPS and generator integration), EICR testing, external lighting and LED retrofits, and control-panel and containment works—delivered with a strong safety culture and on-time performance. Philip Friend, Managing Director at AEC, added: ““This recognition reflects the craft, care and pace our teams bring to every project. Whether we’re delivering power resilience, fleet EV charging solutions or installing thousands of emergency lights, our promise is the same: first-time right, safely, and tailored to the client’s needs.” Visit the Aylesford Electrical Contractors website here.
HellermannTyton extends its HelaTape family of superior electrical tapes
Cable management specialist, HellermannTyton, is extending its family of HelaTape electrical insulating tapes to include the highly versatile HelaTape Flex 13. Designed to provide long-lasting insulation – as well as tasks such as bonding, bundling, marking and sealing – of wire harnesses and cable joints, this high-performance portfolio of tapes reinforces HellermannTyton’s dedication to maintaining customer satisfaction no matter the application. The newest member of the range is the HelaTape Flex 13. Suitable for the primary insulation of splices up to 600 volts, it consists of a superior PVC film which is coated with strong adhesive to provide optimum electrical and mechanical protection. It also offers resistance to oil, moisture, acid and corrosive chemicals while also providing protection against dust, moisture, dirt and more – and is suitable for use in temperatures from -10 up to +90 degrees. Nathan Bennett, Product Manager for HellermannTyton, said: “It is tough to beat the efficiency, speed, durability and safety that you get from taping or sealing work with the HelaTape range. The Flex 13 is highly reliable, it will stay in place once applied and it is extremely resilient meaning that it won’t break no matter how much users require it to stretch. With the HelaTape family, our customers have the peace of mind that their installations will be safe and secure for as long as they need.” The HelaTape family is particularly useful for electrical contractors, panel builders, designers, maintenance teams and renewable energy installers and can be used for tasks such as repairing electrical wires and cables, sealing connection points, and even used for identifying cables using the wide range of colours available. A reliable solution, the HelaTape family consists of various ranges to meet the needs of a wide range of applications. The Tex range is a high-quality cotton tape used for bundling, fixing and identifying cables. The Protect range is an excellent polyester fabric tape perfect for cable harnessing even in wet environments while the Shield range consists of self-amalgamating tapes manufactured to suit high and low-voltage applications perfect for sealing and cable repair. “As a business, we are committed to making the lives of our customers as easy as possible. By further expanding our HelaTape family of electrical tapes we can extend this commitment to even more of the industries that we work with,” continued Nathan. The Flex 13 is also chemical resistant, flame retardant and is available in a variety of colours, making it the ideal solution for your tape requirements. To learn more visit: https://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/competences/electrical-tapes-helatape
Technology and innovation: Sorgenia’s combined cycle power plant in Lodi, Italy
Sorgenia, one of the leading players in the Italian electricity market, now serves over 1 million customers. Its combined cycle power plant in Bertonico-Turano Lodigiano operates 24/7 and plays a key role in the energy transition by providing power and ancillary services even when renewable sources, which are inherently intermittent, cannot meet grid demands. To make its operations increasingly reliable, Sorgenia has equipped certain components of the plant with systems that allow it to complement traditional maintenance methods with others based on the operating data of each component. Vincenzo Checola, Deputy Plant Manager at Sorgenia, said: “Combining data-driven maintenance with traditional methods ensures maximum effectiveness in increasing the reliability and operability of the upgraded components.” Unlocking uptime with predictive power Data is at the heart of even smarter maintenance that minimizes downtime. To reduce downtime as much as possible, Sorgenia turned to ABB’s digital maintenance solutions, shifting to a data-driven strategy. This suite of digital monitoring solutions includes ABB Ability™ Asset Manager for Transformers (TRAFCOM) – ABB’s latest monitoring system for power and distribution transformers. The technology provides remote, real-time visibility into equipment condition, enabling early detection of anomalies, anticipating and avoiding electrical failures, and significantly reducing the need for maintenance and downtime. “The integration of TRAFCOM with Sorgenia’s existing monitoring equipment was remarkably simple. The transformer was offline for only 15 minutes to commission the magnetic sensors, and ABB’s Electrification Services team completed the integration during our maintenance window,” said Alberto Pecorari, Electrical Maintenance and Instrumentation & Control Manager at Sorgenia. Thanks to ongoing data-driven insights, the Sorgenia team can now anticipate failures before they occur and schedule targeted maintenance interventions. ABB’s SWICOM diagnostics system provides real-time insights into the mechanical and electrical health of equipment. A single SWICOM unit can monitor the entire switchgear system, offering data access anytime, anywhere, even remotely. For Sorgenia, this has meant the ability to anticipate and prevent unexpected outages, enhance operational flexibility, boost efficiencies, and maintain a digitalized electrical infrastructure. Building long-term resilience Thanks to ABB’s digital solutions, Sorgenia has been able to significantly reduce its maintenance costs. Mirko Rota from ABB’s Electrification Service team said: “For a power plant like Sorgenia, unplanned outages are a critical issue. With ABB’s digital monitoring solutions, the company can anticipate and prevent failures.”
Electrical Manufacturers Stock Up Amid Growing Demand and Shipping Delays
UK electrical manufacturers are responding to shipping delays and rising demand for goods by tactically building stock levels as they approach the final quarter of the year. New figures show that small and mid-sized firms generated £341,301 in sales in Q2 2025 – a 164.42% jump on the same period last year but a 4.80% drop on the previous quarter. At the same time, lead days rose from 16 to 23 days QoQ and the number of purchase orders (POs) jumped by 113.56% YoY, and increased significantly QoQ, from 184 to 252. The figures appear in the latest manufacturing report from inventory management specialist Unleashed. Unleashed is an inventory management software platform popular with small and mid-sized electrical equipment manufacturers. Its quarterly report is based on data from more than 600 UK firms using the software, across manufacturing categories such as food and beverage, clothing and fashion, and construction. The report shows that electrical and electronic component manufacturers are now building stock levels in a bid to maintain product availability and service levels in the face of longer lead times – which increased by seven days from Q1 to Q2. The surge in purchasing corresponded with an increase in the value of excess stock, which more than doubled QoQ from £38,360 to £81,300. Profitability – measured as Gross Margin Percentage (excluding wages) – also dropped marginally by 0.53 percentage points QoQ and 0.96pp YoY. Joe Llewellyn, GM of ERP Small Business at The Access Group, the parent company of Unleashed, said the move towards ‘cautious buffering’ should help firms weather any further supply challenges over the coming months. “The rise in POs and stock levels marks a tactical pivot for electrical manufacturers, with cautious buffering designed to mitigate the risk of delays and stockouts before year-end. “In many cases, this isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to market conditions but a measured response. As manufacturers become more data driven, they’re able to improve their forecasting capabilities and reduce the risks associated with stock purchasing decisions. “Looking ahead, there are promising signs that manufacturers will end 2025 in a good position. Sales are healthy, while separate figures show that business confidence has risen steadily every quarter this year. The Bank of England has also cut interest rates from 4.25% to 4%, while inflation is expected to fall below the 2% target. Taken together, this could contribute to margin recovery and selective growth.” This pattern was mirrored across all manufacturing sectors, with average sales reaching £365,565 in Q2 2025 – a 47% jump on the same period last year and a rise of 1.9% QoQ. Like the electrical industry, there was also a rise in POs, excess stock value and lead times QoQ. Food saw the biggest jump in sales revenue at 60% QoQ, while beverages saw the sharpest rise in POs at 250%. Lead times jumped most dramatically in sports and recreation (175%), while the value of excess stock grew fastest in electronics and telecommunications – more than tripling from £24,743 to £94,034. View the full Unleashed Manufacturing Health Index report.
Join NAPIT For Solar & Storage Live UK 2025
Join NAPIT for Solar & Storage Live UK 2025, the UK’s largest solar energy exhibition. NAPIT will be attending Solar & Storage Live UK 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham from 23rd to 25th September. Meet the NAPIT technical experts at stand A74 and see our solar PV, electric vehicle and battery storage training rigs on display. NAPIT Technical Commercial Manager, Steve Humphreys, and NAPIT Head of Compliance, Lindsay Hague, will be appearing at sessions during the event, and they’re not to be missed! Lindsay Hague will be taking part in an MCS panel discussion, Redeveloped Installer Scheme Speaker Session with CBs, alongside Alex Hughes, MCS Head of Scheme. This will take place on September 23rd 11:30 am to 11:50 am at the Residential Theatre. Steve Humphreys will present How to Choose the Right Solar Technology for the Home on September 23rd 11:50 am to 12:10 pm, located in the Residential Theatre. On September 25th, Steve will join a panel discussion alongside Alwyn Thomas from Statkraft, Jason Howlett from Energy Storage Association (UK) and Saloni Kapoor from Grant Thornton UK LLP. The panel discussion is titled Where is the UK Storage Market Heading? This will take place in the Storage Theatre from 11:10 am to 11:50 am. There will be an opportunity to access exclusive discounts on renewable training courses, NAPIT publications, and to become a NAPIT member. Commercial and Compliance Director Stephen Melton said, “We’re excited to bring our new and improved NAPIT stand to Solar & Storage Live UK 2025 and look forward to connecting with industry professionals in the renewables sector. “Skilled installers are necessary to meet the increasing demand for renewable technologies, and attendees can connect with NAPIT technical experts who will be there to answer questions and share information with new and existing installers.” You can visit the NAPIT website here: https://www.napit.org.uk/
Mates’ Rates: The Financial Toll on UK Tradespeople
Whether it’s rewiring a socket on a Saturday, assembling a flat-pack wardrobe, or lending a hand (and a van) to help someone move house, being a tradesperson can come with some expectations from friends and family. But just how often are they helping out, and what is it costing them? To find out, temporary business van insurance experts Tempcover commissioned a survey of 500 tradespeople to uncover the scale and impact of “mates’ rates” across the UK’s trade community. Always on Call: How Often Tradespeople Are Lending a Hand Trade-related favours for friends and family are a regular part of life for many in the industry. According to the data, over two-thirds (70%) of tradespeople say they help out at least once a month, with 18% doing it weekly and 8% even more often than that. Just 1% say they never do favours related to their trade. The True Cost of a Favour It’s clear tradespeople aren’t in it for the money when it comes to helping out friends and family. In fact, only one person out of the 500 surveyed said they usually charge their full rate for favours – the rest either give a discount (28%), work for free (26%), or accept a meal or small gift in return (45%). But the generosity comes at a price. When asked to estimate how much income they lose each year through unpaid or discounted favours, the average is £552, with one in six (17%) saying the cost exceeds £1,000. Beyond the money, many tradespeople say there’s an emotional cost too: Despite this, 46% say they’re happy to help and 39% say they don’t mind if it’s quick or easy. It’s Not Just Their Trade – It’s Their Transport Too Beyond their trade expertise, friends and family also ask for support with another asset: their van. Over half of tradespeople (52%) say that they are asked to help out at least once a month because they have a van, with nearly one in 10 (9%) being asked weekly. Online Marketplace Pickups Are the Most Common Favours When asked what kind of favours their family and friends often ask of them and their van, picking up bulky items bought from online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace took the top spot (51%). Reason for Favour Percentage Pick up bulky items bought from online marketplaces (e.g. Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree) 51% Help someone collect an item they bought in-store (e.g. appliances, flat-pack furniture) 50% Help with house moves 50% Transport large DIY or garden materials (e.g. wood, soil, tools) 43% Take rubbish to the tip 38% Give someone a lift because they needed space (e.g. bikes, suitcases) 34% The Cost of Being Designated Driver A quarter of tradespeople say they never ask friends or family to contribute when they help out with their van, leaving many out of pocket. On average, respondents spend £30.66 on petrol per favour, and report losing over £400 in income over the past 12 months due to van-related favours for friends and family. While over a third (36%) say they are happy to help, and 26% enjoy being useful, 18% feel awkward saying no and 14% say they feel pressured to say yes, even when it’s inconvenient. Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary business van insurance expert at Tempcover, adds: “Many tradespeople feel an obligation to help because they own a van, even when it’s inconvenient or costly. But the fact that over a third (36%) would be open to letting others drive their van with temporary insurance highlights a demand for practical solutions that ease this pressure. Temporary business van insurance also provides a way for tradespeople to offer support without risking their no claims or sacrificing their time too.”
Forum Lighting Solutions Unveils Revamped Product Catalogue
Forum Lighting Solutions is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new product catalogue, featuring new smart lighting controls and trend-setting ranges. The latest edition 11. packs a punch visually with a stylish and contemporary front cover and beautiful lifestyle images to showcase products in real-world applications, helping electricians visualise solutions. Putting usability first Listening closely to electricians and consumers, Forum Lighting Solutions has introduced a range of improvements to make it quick and easy to find key information -ensuring the catalogue is a practical day-to-day tool: “We wanted to create something straightforward, functional, modern and inspiring – and that’s exactly what we’ve delivered,” said Steve Kaye, Marketing and Sales Manager at Forum Lighting Solutions. “Embedding QR codes into the catalogue is something we have never done before, but we believe that the inclusion of this – along with modern lifestyle photography and the range finder pages – has moved it on to something electricians will find easy to navigate. “We have improved usability for customers, whilst streamlining the catalogue. This new edition will not only save time for electricians, but will also support wholesalers in helping their customers make more informed choices.” Edition 11. features the full Forum Lighting Solutions range with new products taking centre stage, including: Kinetic These wireless, battery-free switches taking a starring role in the brochure. As Forum’s best-selling product, electricians will be pleased to know that the range now has push fit connectors, as well as cable clamps built into the receivers. Professional kinetic receivers, integral electric to kinetic wall switches and kinetic switch starter kits all feature. The Professional kinetic receivers are now 1000W compared to 300W – making them three times more powerful. For the first time, Ikonects Smart Home by Forum features in the catalogue. This smart light switch allows any home to be quickly and easily turned into a smart home. It has been designed to be retrofitted into any home and is extremely simple to wire due to a removable connector, saving electricians time. There is a wide range of new products which boast style and durability and come in different finishes to appeal to all. Electricians can find popular Forum designs in different sizes with the ability to change the level of brightness and colour temperature; trend-setting ribbed glass shades; new guide lights and downlights. The catalogue has a large and comprehensive range of new 24V professional LED tape. This commercial quality LED tape is multi-functional for both domestic and commercial situations. The LED tape comes in different colour temperatures, is dimmable, with a range of drivers and can be paired with smart homes systems so you get the best functionality out of the tape. The catalogue shows off beautifully the wide range of new, stylish pendant lights – ideal in kitchens or above dining tables. Stunning lifestyle photography brings the range to life from single ceiling pendants to multiple light diner pendants. The new catalogue is on the counters of electrical wholesalers from Monday September 15th and a digital version can be accessed online via www.forumlightingsolutions.com
Cable Services Group Announces South East Expansion
Cable Services Group, the UK’s leading specialist distributor of cable and cable accessories, has strengthened its presence in London and the South East with the opening of a new distribution facility in Guildford. This latest strategic investment complements the group’s existing site in Swindon and reinforces its commitment to delivering a highly responsive service in the region. The new facility includes an 8,000-square-foot warehouse, which will significantly increase stockholding capacity and provide customers with greater product availability and faster response times. London and the South East continue to see strong demand for electrical supplies, driven by infrastructure upgrades and industrial projects. This investment positions Cable Services Group as a responsive, reliable and adaptable supplier. Having a local facility reduces lead times for urgent orders, whether time-sensitive projects or emergency repairs, and enables shorter delivery routes, supporting both sustainability and efficiency for developers and contractors. Commenting on the expansion, Ian Hill, Operations Manager for Cable Services South, said: “This investment allows us to work even more closely with our customers in London and the South East. We have developed tailored stock profiles to meet their specific needs, and our commitment to best-in-class customer service remains unwavering. By bringing our operations closer to our customers, we can deliver even more reliable, responsive and flexible support.” Cable Services Group is renowned for its commitment to high-quality products backed by agile, responsive service. Operating six branches across the UK, the group serves a wide range of commercial and industrial organisations across markets such as oil, gas, and petrochemicals; power generation, transmission, and renewables; utilities; rail; and EV charging. Visit their website here.
