The digital performance of utilities companies: who has the power?
A fluid customer base, increased media coverage of costs and shifting customer preferences have made digital more important than ever before for utilities companies. With competition high, which of the UK’s Big Six, gas, electricity and water companies have the strongest digital profiles? A new white paper titled Utilities & Power: Digital Marketing Review 2018 by digital marketing agency Mediaworks has found out. Through analysing a series of key metrics over a six month period, including search visibility, domain authority and more, the agency has created a league table of digital performance. You can download the white paper for free from the Mediaworks site, or check out our highlights below: Big Six The Big Six dominate the UK’s energy market but recently, have come under threat from a growing number of smaller companies entering the market. Which Big Six company is dominating digitally? Our analysis places British Gas as the Big Six leader in terms of digital performance. The brand exceeds the category average across all of the metrics analysed—scoring a SEO visibility score of 22,078, almost three times the category average. However, digital performance is strong across all of the companies analysed, with similar scores across metrics. This shows how fiercely competitive the market is. Gas With wholesale gas prices on the up, could digital help more gas providers regain control of an increasingly fluid customer base? Interestingly, no company outside of the Big Six had a search visibility score that exceeded the category average (3,359). The best performing non-Big Six company was National Grid, which had an SEO visibility score of 2,391. The brand also had above average domain authority, page authority, trust flow and citation flow scores. Digital performance varies widely in the sector, with three companies sharing a visibility score of zero. While some have small improvements to make to remain competitive, others have a long way to go. Electricity As switches rise, one in five customers are choosing small- and medium-sized electricity suppliers. Faced with a significant area of opportunity to capture a new customer base, which company has the strongest digital profile to achieve success? Outside of the Big Six, UK Power Networks has the strongest SEO visibility score at 1,443. While they lead the competition, their performance is still just over half the category average (3,600). However, UK Power Network’s online performance could be hindered by their low trust flow score. With areas of improvement across companies, there’s plenty of room for digital growth. Water Regulation changes in April 2017 gave non-household customers greater flexibility with regards to choosing their water and wastewater providers. Perhaps this high level of competition is why so many water supply companies have a strong digital presence. Overall, four water supply companies have a search visibility score that is higher than the category average (1,632). Leading the way, is Thames Water with a score of 3,813, which also has the highest domain authority (68) and page authority (68) of all the suppliers analysed. To view the league tables for each of the utilities companies in full, download the white paper Utilities & Power: Digital Marketing Review 2018 today. Related articles: Clarion Energy and VDE Sign a Global Partnership for Energy Events MyEnergiLTD Winter Warning
You Could Pay The Price For Not Having An Electric Van
The UK’s first ‘Electric Streets’ are now in operation in East London. This groundbreaking scheme places a ban on all petrol and diesel cars on nine designated roads around Shoreditch and Old Street. The only way to avoid the £130 fine is for drivers to use electric vehicles or the latest hybrid and hydrogen models. In an attempt to cut pollution and reduce the dangerous levels of air pollution in Islington and Hackney, restrictions will be in place between 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm on weekdays. Driving an ultra-low emissions vehicle – meaning a vehicle that emits less than 75kg of CO2 – on the affected roads will ensure you remain exempt from the new restrictions. The scheme has been introduced on Blackall Street, Cowper Street, Paul Street, Tabernacle Street, Ravey Street, Singer Street, Willow Street, Charlotte Road and Rivington Street. What are the options for my business? Fortunately, several manufacturers have started developing electric vans to keep your business operations throughout the low emission neighbourhoods that are now in force. You can opt for the Citroën Berlingo Electric or Partner Partner Electric small e-vans which currently have a range of 106 miles. Alternatively, the Renault Kangoo ZE 33 has a much larger range of 170 miles which has been developed in tandem with the 100% electric Renault Zoe car. However, if you want the small electric van with the longest driving range in the class, you will need to look at the Nissan e-NV200. What does the Nissan e-NV200 have to offer? The 2018 electric version of the Nissan NV200 van boasts a range up to 187 miles which is a 60% increase over the 106-mile range offered by the outgoing version. With a new 40kWh battery (upgraded from the previous 22kWh model) mounted under the load area floor, you can now go even further in this best-selling van. The increase in battery size doesn’t impact the van’s physical capabilities. The battery itself hasn’t got any bigger; the increase in range is a result of increasing the battery’s density so it’s able to hold more electricity than before. In terms of load space, 2018 e-NV200 has the same 4.2m³ load area as the previous model and the conventional NV200 diesel version, so there’s still space for two Euro pallets. The load area dimensions also remain unchanged, but there is an increase in payload from 678kg to 705kg. How long does it take to charge the Nissan e-NV200? The speed of recharging an electric vehicle depends on the charger you’re using and how depleted the battery is. The longest possible time it will take is 21.5 hours if you’re trying to get a full charge from empty using a domestic 13-amp three-pin plug. This is not the advised method for recharging your electric van. Instead, a 32-amp ‘wallbox’ home charging station is recommended to be installed at home (or at your offices) to greatly reduce recharging time to just 7.5 hours. By plugging your van in every evening and charging it overnight, you’re ready to drive off with a full battery every morning. Occasionally, you might find that you need a little boost while you’re out and about to see you through to the end of the day. When this happens, you can utilise a rapid charging station, which can deliver up to an 80% charge in just 40 minutes. Could more ultra-low emissions roads appear in London? Successful motoring policies in Greater London are often rolled out elsewhere across the capital, so there is every chance that the initial ‘Electric Streets’ in East London are just the beginning. In fact, the City of London Corporation is planning to launch a similar trial in April which will limit the access to Moor Lane, near Moorgate, to ultra-low emission vehicles. And let’s not forgot about the new Ultra-Low-Emission Zone (ULEZ) coming into force from April 2019 which will run 24/7 and on top of the existing Congestion Charge. Loads of Vans in North Cheam, Surrey currently have stock of Acenta and top of the range Tekna Nissan e-NV200 vans from just £19,999. Call 0203 846 3903 or email vans@wilsons.co.uk for more information.
How vehicle tracking is sparking improvements in the electrical industry
The electrical industry has always been a highly-charged marketplace. Numerous companies compete for the same projects, the market is subject to constant regulatory changes, and a shortage of skilled workers often results in companies having to carry out more work with less staff. All these places additional strain on internal resources which, in turn, has a negative impact on impact customer satisfaction due to late arrivals, cancellations, poor “first time” fix rates and a host of other issues. In order to overcome these issues, more and more electrical companies are turning to technology for assistance. Vehicle and fleet tracking is one of the most readily available technologies that businesses can employ to lower internal costs and improve working efficiency. Here are three main ways that vehicle tracking can improve your organisational efficiency: Lower overhead costs Using fleet tracking hardware & software to monitor activity and performance online is a proven mechanism for significantly reducing fuel overheads and insurance costs, as well as improving vehicle and asset utilisation and driver productivity. All of which has a direct impact on the bottom line. Back-office teams can easily locate and track vehicles in real time, giving them the visibility required to optimise driver itineraries, avoid traffic congestion, allocate drops and task more effectively in order to reduce journey durations, time spent idling, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Real time, in-cab coaching systems that alert drivers to harsh or intemperate driving behaviour also have an incremental effect on running costs. Extensive research has demonstrated that the addition of an in-cab coaching device can reduce fuel consumption by an additional 5-6%. Develop customer service Telematics solutions provide accurate fleet data that can be leveraged to improve customer service. Fleet data enables companies to provide accurate arrival times and live updates to help keep customers happy! Apart from the obvious benefits, this can also boost your brand’s reputation and improve customer retention. Improve business productivity Fleet managers can pinpoint the location of any vehicle at any time and can even track how long is spent at each stop-off point. This level of precision allows fleet managers and dispatchers to prioritize work based on driver proximity, skill-level and kit on-board, whilst keeping an eye on the time spent at one job can help maximize productivity and working efficiency. These data-led insights offer the ideal solution to maximise output, whilst maintaining top-level customer service, especially in a the highly competitive industry
NICEIC and ELECSA announce Electrical Apprentice Competition 2019
NICEIC and ELECSA’s 2019 Electrical Apprentice of the Year Competition is now open for entries. The competition, run in partnership with The Scolmore Group, measures the technical skills of electrical students across the UK. It consists of three different stages and regularly attracts more than 500 entrants. Technical Development Manager for NICEIC and ELECSA, Darren Staniforth said: “Over the past three years, we have seen the standard of applicants improve each time so we are looking forward again to welcoming a new batch of contestants. “As the most recognised names in the industry, NICEIC and ELECSA have a responsibility to work with, encourage and promote apprenticeships and careers in the electrical industry to the next generation.” The competition is not only an opportunity for students to prove their knowledge and abilities but also a chance to win some fantastic prizes – all generously supplied by competition partner, Scolmore Group. Eight finalists will each receive a brand new iPad, with a £2,000 holiday voucher being awarded to the overall winner. There will also be two runner up prizes of a £750 holiday voucher and a £250 holiday voucher. Each finalist will also receive a Scolmore Van Pack, Trophy and NICEIC and ELECSA Goody Bag. Every college that enters 20 or more students into the competition will qualify for a College Pack from Scolmore, featuring: 25 Double Sockets, 25 Switches, 25 6″ Pendants and 25 Batten Holders. The College that produces the eventual winner will also receive £1,000 worth of Scolmore products. Marie Parry, Group Marketing Director for Scolmore Group said: “The competition continues to gather momentum and gain recognition throughout the industry. Students, lecturers, trainers and employers all recognise the opportunity and value it brings. “We understand the importance of supporting the next generation of electricians. We have a number of directors currently working in the business that started out as electrical apprentices and through hard work and determination; they have worked their way up to the boardroom. “This competition recognises the important role apprentices play within our industry and we look forward to working with them once again.” Last year saw 650 candidates whittled down to eight finalists before 21-year-old Zach Swift from North Star Electric, Glasgow, was chosen as the 2018 Apprentice of the Year. Zach said: “When my name was called out as the Apprentice of the Year I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised. I never thought I would even pass the first stage, let alone win the overall title. The quality of work that the rest of the guys were producing was fantastic so when I heard my name called out, I was staggered. “The competition is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your ability. It doesn’t cost anything to apply and I would say to anyone who is thinking about entering to just go for it. “ The competition consists of three stages and registration for Stage One is open now. Students can enter the competition and complete the first stage by visiting www.niceic.com/apprentice.
Advanced Maintainer course from the qualification pathway re-released
The Fire Industry Association has re-launched the fire detection and alarms Advance Maintainer unit of the qualification pathway, which is available to book now. This unit forms one of the specialist units of the new qualifications that are designed for those working in the fire detection and alarm sector. The FIA provides nationally recognised qualifications for fire detection and alarm. Those studying the Maintainer unit as part of the qualification pathway will be awarded the FIA AO Level 3 in Fire Detection and Alarm Maintenance, Theory, and Regulatory Requirements. In order to gain the full qualification, learners must take and pass four units: Foundation course Health and Safety Environmental Advanced Maintainer Before taking the Advanced Maintainer unit, learners need to have taken and passed the Foundation course first so that they can build on their knowledge and go on to specialise in maintenance. The Foundation course is the entry point for the qualification, and the other units can be studied in any order. “As a not for profit organisation, our main aim for these new qualifications was to provide a high level of education for those in the industry, and to raise the bar and the standard of professionalism. Overall, by giving our technicians and engineers the opportunity to study and walk away with a qualification, we are giving employers more knowledgeable staff, and end users more confidence in the skills they are purchasing,” commented Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA. “We’ve invested heavily into these courses with a range of new technology for the assessment and booking processes, and into the development of the courses themselves to suit the needs of learners and employers, and we are constantly reinvesting so that we stay at the forefront of development.” Those studying the Advanced Maintainer unit as part of the qualification will learn about legislative requirements, codes of practice such as BS 5839, necessary documentation, maintenance methods, false alarm management, and waste management. “By studying with us, learners will gain an extensive knowledge and understanding of what they need to know as a fire detection and alarm systems maintainer. This unit builds on what learners will have been introduced to in the first unit of the qualification pathway, the Foundation unit. The Advanced Maintenance unit develops that knowledge and takes it further and deeper into the subject of maintaining a fire alarm system – discussing things like what you do to fix specific problems, how to test, and to understand a variety of common problems that may occur,” said Ian Moore. The Advanced Maintenance unit is available to book now to those that have already taken and passed the Foundation unit of the qualification pathway. Book now: https://www.fia.uk.com/training/training-course-browser.html
Back to school – Pupils pose the questions in new NICEIC advert
NICEIC have launched a second TV commercial promoting the use of registered electricians. Kids Questions features NICEIC’s Senior Technical Presenter Darren Staniforth giving a talk about electricity to a group of schoolchildren. The children put Darren under pressure with a series of curious questions about electricity before the tagline ‘With Electrics we are all children – always use a registered electrician’ appears at the end. Darren commented: “It was a real fun advert to make as the kids’ questions were all unscripted. “That made it difficult for me as I just had to react and provide an answer as best I could. “And that is the message we want to get across. When it comes to dealing with electrics some people might think they know a little bit, but in reality they don’t have all the answers. That is why it is always best left to the professionals.” The 30 second advert is set to feature on a number of online sites throughout September and October including: ITV’s Video on Demand Sky Go YouTube Pre-roll With more and more people now choosing to watch TV online at a time and date of their own choosing the clip is expected to be seen by more than 10 million viewers. Darren added: “We are committed to promoting our contractors in new and innovative ways and this commercial is just the next step “The advantage of this platform is that viewers are obliged to watch the commercial for the full 30 seconds before they can watch their favourite programme, so we felt it was a great platform on which to promote our registered contractors. “We want to promote the benefits of using an NICEIC registered electrician to homeowners and help our contractors win more work.” You can view a copy of the commercial here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw31haNcmWo The film is the second TV commercial produced by NICEIC. The first The Cage, appeared on prime TV in 2016 and was viewed by more than 13 Million people.
Containment Giant Secures String Of High Profile Projects
BAKS Cable Management maybe new to the UK market but the containment giant’s well-known branding has always been associated with innovative quality products offering a complete solution for Projects and Contractors around the Globe. The Companies impressive portfolio of High profile projects has expanded once again with the addition of Cardiff’s new HMRC regional office block deemed to be wales largest office construction project, itself gathering a tremendous amount of publicity. Freshly appointed Commercial Director, Mr Tony Harris, speaks out on his team’s success and highlights the company’s future growth plans. “This is just one of a long line of projects that BAKS are securing across the country and goes to show how diverse we are as a cable containment manufacturer. The industry hasn’t really changed over the years and a fresh approach to Fast fix metal containment has long been overdue, but our product is only part of the story, service plays a huge role, next day availability across 90% of the country is a major benefit, With a growing number of stockists and distributors were becoming a favorite amongst contractors, adding to the mix our excellent sales and Technical staff ensure a tailor made service which helps us stand out in the market place, We already have plans to increase the number of regional distribution centers and greatly increase our core lines which contribute to our impressive offering of 27,000 products.”. For more information on projects such as Apple HQ, Aston Martin, 02 Arena London, Network Rail or Hinkley point Visit their website www.baks.com.pl/en or Search “Baks” on social Media. Contact their Sales team on 01327 770167 for details on Contractor Supported Prices, becoming a distributor, Trading Partners or info on their fast fix tray, Basket, trunking and Ladder.
Switchtec’s cost effective Ethernet switches provide storm protection for industrial users
Available from specialist distributor Switchtec, Kyland’s Opal series industrial Ethernet switches meet the growing demand for smaller, smarter control panels that need to communicate with external devices and systems in the industrial environment. Available in 5, 8, and 16 port variants, the versatile Ethernet switches are unmanaged types, and as such require no setting up, they are plug and play. An unmanaged switch allows Ethernet devices to communicate with each other automatically using auto-negotiation to determine parameters such as data rates and whether to use half-duplex or full-duplex mode. Kyland’s Opal series Ethernet switches are supplied with dual/redundant power inputs, and beingmulti voltage they are able to work on 18 to 30VAC, and 12 to 48VDC powered systems. The switches are DIN rail mountable and are of a compact design, the smallest OPAL 5 measuring just 115 x 68 x 30mm in size. Supplied in a rugged aluminium DIN rail mount housing the switches are rated to IP30 and have an operating temperature range of -10 to +60 degrees C. For ease of use in deployment, the switches feature full LED Link/ACT indication and dual LED power supply indication. Kyland’s Opal seriesEthernet switches feature selectable storm protection. A broadcast storm occurs when a network system is overwhelmed by continuous multicast or broadcast traffic. When different nodes are sending/broadcasting data over a network link and the other network devices are rebroadcasting the data back to the network link in response, this eventually causes the whole network to go into meltdown and the failure of network communication.So being fitted with selectable storm protection, the Ethernet switches protect the network from this potentially dangerous problem. The Opal series is manufactured in accordance with FCC CFR47 part 15 and EN55022/CISPR22 Class A for EMI, and IEC61000-4-2/3/4/5/6 and IEC60068-2/27/32 for EMS. And providing confidence for the specifier or buyer, the all-important approvals are cULus, UL508 class1 Div 2, Atex zone 2 IECEx, FCC and CE approved. Further, each Kyland Opal Ethernet switch is supplied with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. For use in control panel systems for building management systems (BMS) integration, the switches will find favour with panel builders, equipment manufacturers, OEMs and those directly involved with BMS integration. They are a cost-effective product providing a compact, easy to install and set up solution that is fully approved and manufactured to internationally recognised standards. www.switchtec.com
Can Online Directories Help Give Your Business the Edge?
With rising competition in the trade world, it can be hard for smaller traders to compete against large organisations. Marketing and brand building can help significantly, but with a limited budget and resources, this can seem like an almost impossible task. The rise of online directories has given sole traders, small organisations and larger groups of traders the opportunity to raise their profile and be seen among a host of other traders. But, how effective are online trade directories, and are they worth the investment? The fact is, not all trade directories are equally good. We explore why Trust A Trader is a good investment for traders of all sizes and industries. Investing in Your Reputation As an electrician, are you tired of underqualified people or over-chargers giving your trade a bad name? So was Gary McEwen. Trust A Trader is built on the premise that a trader’s reputation is his (or her) livelihood. The vetting system has been created to ensure that registered traders stand out from the rest, and to help customers to choose reliable local traders with peace of mind. Personalised Profile Technology may have come on leaps and bounds, but people still want a friendly, reliable and personal service. Most online directories allow you to create your own profile. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your work. Trust A Trader will provide you with a template; simply update your details and watch the customers roll in. You can also set up instant links, which allow prospective clients to text or email you by clicking a link on your profile: you get the benefits of being online without the expense or hassle of doing it yourself. No Commission, No Monthly Fees When margins are tight enough, traders worry about investing in opportunities such as online directories. All forums vary but Trust A Trader doesn’t charge you commission. What’s more, you can take card payments via the website without incurring monthly fees. This means that, following a minimal initial investment, your profits are yours to keep. Multi Media Marketing One of the biggest problems facing small organisations and sole traders is that they don’t have the time, resources, finances or experience to invest in effective marketing. They may be able to afford a few words in local websites and papers, and a bit of their own social media work, while larger companies pull out the stops and invest heavily in television, radio and online marketing. When it comes to advertising, it is David vs Goliath. Online directories can give David the boost that he needs, helping him to compete against the industry giants. Be Part of The Elite A bit of healthy competition is great, but you don’t want a flooded market. Trust A Trader limits the number of traders per industry per location, so that customers will have enough choice, without being overwhelmed. When chosen well, online directories can help traders to stand out. Members will get all of the benefits of marketing, reputation building and online presence, without having to invest heavily to achieve them. Trust A Trader continue to invest heavily in its traders. The site currently has 4,000 traders registered, and over 1,000,000 visits a year. It is the foremost traders’ directory, targeted at skilled local traders and discerning customers. If you think you could fit the bill, get in touch.
