Editor’s Note / Contents


EDITOR Deborah Eales Email: deales@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01354 461430


SALESMANAGER John Wilson Email: jwilson@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699127


BUSINESSDIRECTOR Carl Hearnden Email: chearnden@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699128


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£70m growth for electrical wholesalers market in 2018 A


new market report from MTW Research reckons that the electrical wholesalers market will grow by £70m this year, with


sales rising by £320m in the next four years. Based on 70% of the electrical wholesale market, the report is good news for electrical product manufacturers, identifying a number of growth opportunities for electrical wholesalers in 2018, despite challenges for the market in terms of profitability. And while some electrical wholesalers had experienced slowing growth in some areas, more than half had exhibited growth in the last 12 months. The report identifies a potentially seismic market shift beginning in 2018, as UK manufactured products steadily gain share of the electrical wholesale market and offer good opportunities for differentiation. According to MTW director Mark Waddy,


electrical wholesalers are increasingly recognising the opportunities of UK manufactured products, which can be perceived as higher quality and offering enhanced margins. He adds that ‘On-shoring’ is likely to become


increasingly relevant for electrical wholesalers, with weaker Sterling and declining corporation tax making UK manufacturing increasingly competitive. A post Brexit UK economy is likely to


increasingly focus on growing UK SME & ‘niche NEWS


5 INDUSTRY NEWS Market and industry update


12 INSTALLATION NEWS Inspirational case studies


14 PRODUCT NEWS The new B.E.G. DALI light sensor


18 PRODUCT NEWS C.K VDE Interchangeable Screwdriver Set


21 INDUSTRY UPDATE Consumers in the dark over halogen lamp ban


REGULARS


SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 57 NUMBER 09 Electrical Wholesaler is


proud to support the Electrical Industries Charity


10 COVER STORY 30 COMPANY FOCUS 50 COMPETITION 52 PRODUCT FINDER 56 RECRUITMENT & BUYERS GUIDE


manufacturing’, according to MTW, which may also provide further opportunities for electrical wholesalers to offer a range of perceived higher value, UK manufactured products. Sectors identified by MTW as the most likely to exhibit growth from this trend include the panel building market, HMI products, renewables and manufacturing automation amongst others. MTW forecasts growth of more than £300m


each for the total lighting and security and fire markets in the next four years alone, with electrical wholesalers continuing to grow sales of these products, despite ongoing threats in the market. The report identifies a shift in focus away from


competing on price and a growing appreciation by electrical wholesalers of enhancing service delivery to boost margins. This has enabled electrical wholesalers to grow share in some key product sectors and develop differentiation tactics to deal with the growing threat of internet retailers and trade counters. It’s great to have some encouraging news


for our sector, amongst all the Brexit doom mongering. Enjoy this month’s issue.


Deborah Eales Editor


deales@datateam.co.uk FEATURES


15 ELECTRIC HEATING Factoring in safety adds value for wholesalers and end users


18 OUTDOOR LIGHTING Making the most of outdoor space


20 ELECTRIC HEATING Heating the UK’s transforming property landscape


23 WIRING ACCESSORIES Embracing the smart technology revolution


27 WIRING ACCESSORIES Choosing a brand you can rely on


32 CASE STUDY CP Electronics lights up cutting edge cancer unit


35 EMERGENCY LIGHTING Putting the spotlight on emergency lighting


38 FIRE & SAFETY Hispec Fire & Safety products


40 SPECIAL REPORT The shocking truth about installer safety


42 ELECTRIC HEATING Focus on electric wet central heating boilers


44 SMART HOMES The predicted growth in smart home technology


47 FIRE & CO LEGISLATION Are you up to date?


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