News
Microgeneration watchdog toughens up to maintain standards
The microgeneration industry’s self-regulating watchdog, the REAL Assurance Scheme, has published details of the enforcement action taken for breaches of its consumer code. More than 2,000 companies have now signed up to the code. During 2010, three companies were expelled from the scheme for non-compliance. Two were suspended but have now been reinstated for a probationary period after acting to correct their non- compliances. A further three companies resigned from the scheme prior to the conclusion of non-compliance proceedings.
Dave Sowden, chief executive at the Micropower Council, commented: ‘In any industry there will be those that chance their arm by bending the rules, so we applaud the REAL Assurance Scheme’s tough action to maintain standards in this rapidly growing industry. Over 1,500 new companies entered the industry in 2010 and, with a third of companies subjected to an in-depth audit every year, these very low rates of non-compliance give clear evidence that the overwhelming majority of companies in the sector are treating customers properly and professionally.’
GOVERNMENT OPENS UP CONTRACTS TO SMES
A radical package of measures to open up the way that government does business, and to ensure that SMEs are in the best possible position to compete for billions of pounds worth of contracts, has been outlined by the Prime Minister. The government has take action to ensure that small firms and organisations, which it considers to be vital to the economy and promoting growth, are no longer shut out of procurement processes because of excessive bureaucracy and petty regulation.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘We are announcing big changes to the way government does business. It will provide billions of pounds worth of new business opportunities. We need to make the system more open to new providers, more competitive between suppliers and more transparent for the taxpayer. This is vital as we get to grips with our deficit – helping us tackle waste, control public spending and boost enterprise and growth.’
Legrand releases faster Salamandre
Legrand has launched a new range of Salamandre trunking that independent tests have proven is 50 per cent quicker to install than its predecessor – a statistic that considerably reduces its total installed cost. The new product was designed following a period of consultation with specifiers, installers and engineers, which highlighted a desire for a solution that was faster and easier to install, had fewer components, reduced on-site man-hours and offered improved health and safety. The new range of Salamandre trunking is also priced at a similar level to the previous version. For further information visit
www.legrand.co.uk/ salamandre or call 0845 6054333.
n See our competition on page 70 of this issue for more details of the new Salamandre system and your chance to win a Sony PlayStation 3, courtesy of Legrand.
PAUL HURT, P&R HURT
Running an electrical business is a tough challenge in today’s market. So, in a downturn, when it feels like the world’s against you, we’re fi rmly on your side.
We know that business will pick up. And when it does, like P & R Hurt, you’ll need to have trained people in place to grab the opportunities as they arise.
The most cost-effective solution is to get a JTL Apprentice on board and reap the benefi ts as their skills and experience grow. And now it makes even more sense.
For a limited period JTL is offering a grant of £1000 to the fi rst 1000 businesses who employ a JTL
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If, like Paul Hurt, you’d like to build a stronger business call 0800 0852308 or visit
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£1000 Grant 1 when you take on an apprentice
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