Red Arrows factory and new Logistics Facility opens to new deliveries
Red Arrows factory and new Logistics Facility opens to new deliveries with a focus on their non-corrosion fittings and emergency lighting: Competitively priced for everyday use in a wide range of applications New Weatherguard NCF range is designed for environments where operating conditions may be wet, dirty or suffer impact Emergency lighting range, sentinel, redesigned for more efficiency Reliable, low maintenance, high efficiency Red Arrow is gradually bouncing back from recent difficult months with new deliveries of their NCF product, Weatherguard, and their updated emergency lighting product, Sentinel. Both designed with contractors in mind, the electrical manufacturer and distributor are prepared for the post-pandemic industry. Weatherguard Designed for demanding environments with heavy traffic or for spaces that have tough lighting requirements such as airport car parks and petrol stations, NCFs are guaranteed to last and, when correctly installed, can also increase product life expectancy and light output. Plus, by replacing fluorescent non-corrosive lights with LED NCFs, the end user can expect to yield substantial energy savings of over 50%. Not only saving money but also helping to reduce carbon emissions. Ideal for workshops, warehouses, factories and storage facilities, contractors can eliminate contamination in light fittings and feel confident that Red Arrow’s Weatherguard will perform well in difficult installations. Providing a great source of light for commercial and industrial spaces that are subject to impact and high humidity, Weatherguard is designed for both new installations or to retrofit into existing installations. Weatherguard can be used in a wide range of areas, such as manufacturing plants, plant rooms, car parks, canopies, loading bays, construction sites, showers and changing rooms. And with a full redesign, its full spec includes: Slimline 72mm wide body, plus 103mm wide body Plug and play replaceable LED module Supplied with high-quality, industry-leading stainless-steel diffuser retention clips as standard Improved efficacy of 100lm/W Three-year guarantee (wired for LED tubes 2 years) Choice of 230V mains voltage, 110V site lighting or body prewired for LED tubes Full range of emergency options Sentinel These days, legislation requires all occupied buildings to have adequate escape lighting to allow safe exit should the mains power fail. And in the UK, escape and exit routes must be lit to a minimum of one lux during an emergency. But with a long service life, it’s easy to find the exact size and output desired to balance illumination and energy efficiency with Red Arrow’s Sentinel. Sentinel is a range of emergency fittings suitable for open areas of escape route situations – available in 1W recessed or 3W surface mounted. Full spec includes: Asymmetric lens option for racking or corridor installation 3 w version suitable for high mounting levels or high output applications, such as racking aisles and warehouses 3 year guarantee (2 years for batteries) Advanced LiFeP04 battery technology Latest technology long life batteries, Lithium Iron Phosphate technology About Red Arrow Electrical Distribution Red Arrow Electrical Distribution is a streamlined, quality-focussed manufacturer and distributor of competitively priced lighting and electrical products to the wholesale industry. We are committed to providing an excellent sales and customer service experience, whilst providing a wide range of quality products at very competitive prices. We build strong, long-term relationships with suppliers ensuring quality and continuity of product supply and ongoing product development. Our 100,000 square foot warehouse allows our customers to minimise their stock holding and maximise their profitability. For sales enquiries, please contact Red Arrow: Graham.Lewis@redarrowtrading.com 0114 279 8999
Tradesperson industry is set to be among the least affected type of local business
The tradesperson industry is set to be among the least affected type of local business by a reduction in consumer spending over the next 12 months as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. New research from the personal finance comparison site finder.com found that 86% of Brits plan to maintain or increase their spending on plumbing, building (internal and external), gardening and painting and decorating work compared to pre-lockdown levels. The public were also asked if they planned to make any major purchases for themselves and their family in the rest of 2020, and there is further good news for tradespeople. A fifth of Brits (20%) plan to do some garden renovations (including new patio or decking), while 18% say they will do internal renovations such as fitting new bathrooms or kitchens. External renovations, such as window fittings and roofs, are on the cards for 13% of people. In terms of those who will reduce their spend, only 5% of Brits plan to do this with tradespeople. Across the whole study, 66% of consumers plan to spend less next year, showing how tradespeople are set to be much less affected than some other businesses. To see the research in full and the paper Business loans in lockdown and beyond: How SMEs are funding their future, visit: https://www.finder.com/uk/business-loans-coronavirus#loans-paper Commenting on the findings, Matt Slater, credit and loans specialist at finder.com said: “The last few months have brought a huge amount of disruption to most sectors, and this is reflected in the number of businesses that have sought out the government-backed CBILS and Bounce Back loan schemes. “As many key business sectors start to get back to normal so will the business lending market, but expect a slow and steady approach. The Government’s support for small businesses during COVID-19, in the shape of it’s loan schemes, will have an expiry date and we’ll likely see lenders cautiously return to lending through regular stream albeit in a very low risk way. “For small to medium sized business owners that will require additional funds in the shape of a business loan in the near future, the government-backed schemes are still their best option with CBILS and BBLS being the most likely routes to securing a loan.” Methodology: Finder commissioned Onepoll on 12-16 June to carry out a nationally representative survey of adults aged 18+. A total of 2,000 people were questioned throughout Great Britain, with representative quotas for gender, age and region.
e-spool flex cable reel with spiral guide ensures more safety for control pendants and assembly areas.
The new e-spool flex from igus moves a single cable or hose safely and stows it away quickly whilst retaining an end-to-end connection. This increases safety at manual workstations and on control pendants. The spiral guide allows quick installation of the cable into the reel and the e-spool flex is ready for use. To use tools and control pendants flexibly in production, they require appropriately long cables and hoses. However, these are often strewn across the floor unprotected and can create a trip hazard. Cable reels with slip rings offer a solution for power transmission but are often only available as a complete package with a custom cable. A further disadvantage is that the fast transmission of data and media can be difficult with slip rings. Therefore, igus has developed the e-spool flex cable reel, which uses a spiral guide instead. The new cable reel will guide a power or data cable or a hose for air and liquids without interruption to the connection. The user can also install an existing cable or hose in the system, which saves on cost. Simply insert the cable or hose into the spiral guide for fast assembly. The guide is then inserted into the outer housing of the e spool flex. This means that the cable can move freely in use and is quickly and cleanly stowed away afterwards. The e-spool flex is available in two versions: a low-cost system with manual winder or an automatic solution with a brake and a spring-driven return mechanism. The e-spool flex is available in three sizes for cables with a diameter of 5 to 11mm and an extension length of 5 to 15m. The cables can be quickly replaced at any time. In addition to using the e-spool flex with an existing cable, igus also offers the cable reel solution fully harnessed with chainflex cables designed specifically for moving applications – all of which come with a 36-month guarantee. For more information about the e-spool flex, please visit: www.igus.co.uk/info/e-spool-flex or call igus directly on: 01604 677240.
Snickers New Stretch Work Shorts – Comfortable and Lightweight
Work Shorts for the flexible working environment – designed to deliver superior comfort and freedom of movement. Fabric, Functionality and Fit are hallmarks of Snickers Workwear, it’s the innovation and fabric technology in the design of the new Stretch Shorts for men and women that really set these new garments apart. These new AllroundWork and FLEXIWork shorts are great for working in the warmer months. Delivering superior flexibility and comfort, these lightweight work shorts come in a body-mapping design and a range of new colours including Hi-vis options. Made from a self-ventilating stretch fabric with Cordura reinforcements for all-round mobility and durability, they’re packed with comfort and functionality and specially designed for the fast-paced professional who’s always on the go for delivering top class work on site. For professional tradesmen and women who rely on their gear in demanding environments, Snickers Workwear Work Shorts are a must for everyone who wants the ultimate in cool comfort this summer. To get more information on what’s right for you in the Snickers Workwear range, visit the website at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk alternatively, email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk or call the Hultafors Group Helpline on 01484 854788.
UK EV charging point market set for 29% annual growth despite COVID-19 impact
Delta-EE, the specialist new energy market research consultancy, has released its UK electric vehicle, EV charging forecast, which shows the market is set for 29% year-on-year growth in charge point sales through to 2030, despite COVID-19’s impact on new vehicle sales. “We expect a significant drop in new vehicle sales in 2020 due to COVID-19 – as much as a 30% reduction. But we believe charge point installations will continue to grow across all segments, backed by renewed government funding. As we know, availability of charge points is one of the key barriers to widespread EV adoption. We’re all eager to see the transition to electric happen as quickly as possible, but if more emphasis is put on the infrastructure behind it, we could see an accelerated EV uptake in line with the government’s vision,” said John Murray, Head of EVs at Delta-EE. Yet the research reveals the share of charge points installed in public locations versus home and workplaces will stay relatively level, with rapid chargers still only accounting for less than 2% of on-street chargers by 2030. Rapid chargers in destination locations such as shopping malls and hotels, will move from a market share of 18% of destination chargers today to 6% in 2030 due to an expected growth in the number of slower chargers being rolled out. Murray comments: “BP recently revealed through research in France, Germany, Spain and the UK that the availability of charge points was second only to price as the most significant barrier to EV adoption. They also stated ultra-fast charging will be key to EV uptake with the public. The private and public sectors will need to collaborate on and implement policy that is necessary to make this a reality” In addition, the research sheds light on the dynamics of the UK’s burgeoning EV charging market. By 2030, the majority of charge points will still be installed at home – 71%. However, this will have decreased by 5% over the decade as an increasing number of EV owners will not have access to off-street parking. Delta-EE expects the biggest growth in workplace charging (7% growth) by 2030, as it acts as a substitute for home charging. “While workplace charging currently looks set for the biggest growth, COVID-19 may also have a lasting impact on working practices and mobility habits. The reality is that for people with EVs, and no access to off-street parking, they will need to charge their vehicles somehow, and workplace charging will still play a very important role in this. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this will impact the makeup of the charging landscape in the next few years,” adds Murray. To access Delta-EE’s research and insights on the electric vehicle click here.
Being able to be who you are should not be a choice, but a given.
We all understand that it is important to be able to be who you are no matter who that person is. As our society evolves and perceptions change, the idea of being able to be who you want with no fear is now a reality for a lot of people. Although being part of the LGBTQ+ community is more commonplace than ever many individuals still struggle trying to find their own identity and establish who they are. The Electrical Industries Charity are beginning to receive more and more calls from those who may be struggling with their self-identity or from family members who are adjusting to a child, brother, sister or partner who is trying to establish who they are. Reaching out to the Electrical Industries Charity is the best first step you can make to change your life and your relationships. Caroline, a power station employee, contacted the Electrical Industries Charity after attending a Mental Health Awareness Training session hosted by the charity at her workplace. Upon speaking to our welfare team Caroline raised concerns about her daughter, Rachel, who had begun to dress in a more masculine manner and had cut her hair short. Caroline had contacted Rachel’s school to understand if her daughter had been behaving differently within schooltime. The school informed Caroline that Rachel had asked to be referred to as ‘Ben’ during school and had asked her peers and teachers to use masculine pronouns. Rachel had begun to live as Ben throughout schooling hours and had now started to become Ben at home too. As Rachel became more comfortable with her identity and chose to be Ben, Caroline was very accepting and approached the charity for support and a listening ear. As well as providing a shoulder to lean on the welfare team also signposted Caroline to the NHS Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) website. The GIDS site is aimed at parents and carers of individuals who do not feel comfortable with their gender. The Electrical Industries Charity work alongside partnership organisations and other charities. Often, the charity can point you to a team or a resource which can help you more effectively if they cannot assist directly. The most important step is to reach out and establish that first line of contact with the charity so they can be that crutch of support and point you into the right direction when you need it most. Not only did the charity support Caroline with external information they also sourced and funded a Gender Identity Specialist Therapist to help Ben feel more comfortable and understand his own feelings more. Alongside Ben’s therapy the Electrical Industries Charity supported Caroline and spoke with her frequently. Caroline was very accepting of the fact that Ben’s experimentation with his gender may or may not be permanent and knew the charity would support her with either outcome. It was clear, much like many parents, Caroline just wanted Ben to be happy regardless of his gender. Ben attended a block of therapy sessions on his own and Caroline joined him for an additional block of sessions, with an aim for the pair to build an open relationship in which Ben could feel comfortable knowing that Caroline would be supportive of him no matter what. Without the support of the Electrical Industries Charity Caroline and Ben would have not built the much-needed bridges in their relationship. Ben and Caroline continued their therapy sessions and Caroline explained since the specialised therapy Ben had been feeling much happier and much more confident with himself and with Caroline. Since the charity funded therapy Ben has become more comfortable with who he is and in turn feels as if he can make discoveries about himself without pressure or fear. Ben has since begun to be more feminine in his choice of clothing and has been wearing a small amount of makeup as well as letting his hair grow longer. Caroline remains very accepting of Ben and who he is regardless of how he chooses to live and express himself. The Electrical Industries Charity have been pivotal in Caroline and Ben’s relationship flourishing through adversity and the changes in their personal and home life. Charity sourced and funded therapy is just one of the many support avenues the Electrical industries Charity has available to those within the energy and electrical sector. Their dedicated and confidential welfare help line is open 365 days a year and is free for anyone within the industry no matter their struggle or circumstance. Being able to be who you are should not be a choice, but a given. If you or someone you know needs support to help them understand who they are then please get in touch with our welfare team on 0800 652 1618 or support@electricalcharity.org www.electricalcharity.org
Red Arrow: lighting up the retail industry
When Red Arrow were tasked with creating a comfortable shopping experience in the retail industry for both Trespass and The Company Group, lighting designer Paul Yarnell and the team worked tirelessly to deliver effective and energy efficient commercial installations Project one: Design and supply Canterbury and Chesterfield Trespass stores with commercial lighting The brief: With 200 branches across the UK, Trespass has been in business for over 70 years – and Red Arrow has worked by their side with several new shop openings. Their most challenging installations include their Chesterfield and Canterbury branches, both requesting different designs and products. The installations: Red Arrow were required to create an on-brand look that was comfortable for consumers, while also providing accent lighting designed to highlight the merchandise. But when presented with different building structures and designs, the team had to work with various luminaires to suit the separate requirements for each branch. At Chesterfield, the brief was to provide an energy-saving fitting that was both high performance with a high lumen output, while also remaining aesthetically pleasing for a commercial setting. This was achieved with Red Arrow’s LED Linear Hi-Lo Bays, which offer a daylight and motion sensor accessory that adapts to the changing available ambient light – ideal for retail stores open from morning till night. Equipped with an opaque diffuser to reduce glare, these luminaires were perfect for this project. The Canterbury branch’s brief, on the other hand, was slightly different. ‘The team at Canterbury wanted to update their lighting design and create a high light output with minimal glare for their shoppers. But the structure of the ceiling caused limitations on where we were able to recess the fittings,’ says Paul. ‘Working with Commercial Lighting Systems, we supplied surface-mounted Bastion 600×600 panels, which produced a good level of uniformity. And circular wall washer shop lights – these could be aimed to create feature lighting on each side of the store. Collectively, these products achieved 600-700 lux approximately.’ Products supplied: Bastion 600×600 LED panels Circular Wall Washer shop lights End result: With a surface mount conversion kit, Red Arrow’s Bastion LED panels can be easily used as either fully recessed ceiling fittings, or as surface mounting lights. By using the same fitting for each use, the resultant light appearance remains the same, making them ideal for multi-purpose applications. Both branches were pleased with Red Arrow’s design and installation, creating a shopping experience that is both comfortable, but also fit for purpose. Project two: Design and supply new warehouse and store lighting for The Company Shop Group, Grimsby The brief: For five decades, The Company Shop Group have been creating a new kind of supermarket for the UK’s biggest retailers, manufacturers, food service and logistics providers in the country. And when they approached Red Arrow to improve the lighting quality in their Grimsby store, while avoiding any additional electrical work and building alterations, the team were ready for the challenge. The installation: After surveying the site to assess the customer’s requirements of upgrading both the store and warehouse fittings, Paul decided on two different solutions for each area. By adapting and replacing the existing lighting with LED fittings in the store area, Red Arrow were able to achieve better lighting without increasing the quantity of luminaires. And in the warehouse space, the replacement of high intensity discharge lamps with LED High Bays resulted in a reduction of power consumption by more than 150W per fitting. This was further enhanced by the use of microwave and daylight sensors, allowing the fittings to only turn on when required, without any manual intervention. Products supplied: Store Bastion 1200×600 LED panels Warehouse 100w compact LED High Bays Microwave detection sensors Daylight detection sensors End result: Different products and designs were used in the store and warehouse spaces to achieve the light levels briefed for each space. This resulted in 300 lux in the store and 200 lux in the warehouse, creating a pleasant shopping experience and a comfortable working environment for The Company Shop Group’s employees. The project also resulted in another project for Red Arrow – working with AB Electrical for Middleton’s Company Shop Group, based on a like-for-like replacement. About Red Arrow Electrical Distribution Red Arrow Electrical Distribution is a streamlined, quality-focussed manufacturer and distributor of competitively priced lighting and electrical products to the wholesale industry. We are committed to providing an excellent sales and customer service experience, whilst providing a wide range of quality products at very competitive prices. We build strong, long-term relationships with suppliers ensuring quality and continuity of product supply and ongoing product development. For sales enquiries, please contact Red Arrow: Graham.Lewis@redarrowtrading.com 0114 279 8999
The Impact of Controls on the Energy Efficiency of Buildings
The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has released a new Technical Guide to add to its portfolio of online Guides available to download. The new Guide, entitled “The Impact of Controls on the Energy Efficiency of Buildings”, focuses on the British and European standard, BS EN 15232-1:2017, which assesses the cumulative impact of building automation and controls – commonly referred to as BACS – on the energy efficiency of buildings. Terry Sharp, President of the BCIA, said: “It is a well-documented fact that buildings account for over 40% of global energy consumption, and buildings rarely perform as well as their designers calculated. BCIA member companies use the BS EN 15232 Standard as a guiding light for control system design and operation, so we have released this Technical Guide to help manufacturers and systems integrators understand the Standard better and improve the performance of the buildings they work on.” The BCIA’s Technical Guides are designed to help members and those in the building controls and BEMS industry work more effectively. All Technical Guides can be downloaded from the “Resources” section of the BCIA website. www.bcia.co.uk
Mental Health Awareness Week: Bradford partners with mental health UK
Independent builders’ merchants will be working with the charity to offer support for tradespeople Bradfords Building Supplies, the oldest builders’ merchants in the UK and number one builders’ merchant in the South West, has announced a partnership with the charity Mental Health UK to help promote the support available for those working in the industry. News of this new partnership coincides with the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental Health UK supports people affected by mental health problems across the UK, bringing together over 40 years of expertise from its four national founding charity partners to improve understanding and provide vital care. Alarmingly, according to the Office of National Statistics, male site workers in construction are three times more likely to die by suicide than the average UK male. Bradfords has pledged its support to the charity and will help to promote its work to tradespeople who may be struggling with their mental health. Giles Bradford, Communications & Engagement Manager at Bradfords Buildings Supplies, said: “The shocking mental health statistics from our industry are a vivid reminder of the difficulties faced by many working in construction every day – not least during the current pandemic where tradespeople are under incredible amounts of stress carrying out important work.’ “As a family-owned business, people are at the heart of what we do and we know that many of our employees and customers are likely to be impacted in some way by poor mental health. This partnership will help us to do more to tackle the stigma that still exists and provide guidance to help support our amazing legion of customers across the region. This year marks our 250th anniversary and with it being Mental Health Awareness Week, we couldn’t be more proud to begin this new partnership.” Bradfords’ partnership with Mental Health UK also aims to help change the industry’s perception of mental health and provide people with the confidence to have open conversations about mental wellbeing. Brian Dow, CEO of Mental Health UK, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Bradfords Building Supplies. Our partnership will help to support colleague wellbeing and raise vital funds for Mental Health UK. With the construction industry particularly impacted by mental health problems and during a time where Bradfords colleagues have been continuing essential work throughout the covid-19 crisis, it’s more important than ever to stay not just physically safe but mentally healthy. We look forward to working with Bradfords and their colleagues to transform the perception of mental health, one conversation at a time.”
