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Editors Note/ Contents


EDITOR Tracey Rushton-Thorpe E-mail: trushtonthorpe@datateam.co.uk


ADVERTISEMENTMANAGER Mike Gammon E-mail: mgammon@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699142


SALESMANAGER John Wilson E-mail: jwilson@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699127


PRODUCTIONMANAGER Claire Noe E-mail: cnoe@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699164


CIRCULATION ENQUIRIES E-mail: datateam@capsule-group.com Tel: 0333 577 0801


PUBLISHINGDIRECTOR Hannah Dedman


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FEBRUARY 2014 VOLUME 53 NUMBER 2 www.ewnews.co.uk N


ew product development is something which keeps this industry going and at the same time it is helping us all to manage our energy use and reduce our carbon footprint. But while we are all aware of this do you


actually know which products you should be stocking to keep your customers happy?


As you will see from this issue alone, new product development is once again at an


all time high, and whether your customers are looking for lighting, heating, tools or showers there is a constant progression of new and innovative products finding their way onto the market.


This begs the question of how you are supposed to keep up with the new


developments and this is a question which is on many people’s lips. Perhaps the key to staying in touch lies in training by the manufacturers – something which often gets overlooked in the new product development process.


My advice is that if training is on offer then take it. Contractors face the same


issues as you in keeping up with new product developments and therefore in many cases they are looking to you for some answers.


The smart wholesaler is the one who can provide these answers. It may seem like a


burden but ultimately competition is at an all time high and if you can go the extra mile and provide your customers with the right products for the job then they will be back for more – and everyone knows that it’s easier to retain a customer than to find a new one.


Everyone in the electrical industry is forging ahead


to meet their carbon reduction targets, and at times this can seem like a thankless task. But by working together we can achieve so much more and ensure that this industry continues to stand at the forefront of new product development.


See you next month Tracey NEWS


6 INDUSTRY NEWS Market and industry update


12 INSTALLATION NEWS Case studies from around the industry


FEATURES


17 LIGHTING It’s time to embrace change


21 CABLE MANAGEMENT Product development is key to success


25 FIRE & SAFETY New CO regulations bring opportunities for responsible wholesalers


29 ELECTRICAL WHOLESALER AWARDS Things are hotting up!


30 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Increasing sales and revenue with responsive web design


REGULARS


5 INDUSTRY COMMENT 10 COVER STORY 33 COMPETITION 34 PRODUCT FINDER 39 RECRUITMENT 41 BUYERS GUIDE


February 2014 electrical wholesaler | 3


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