IndustryNews


Baxi partners World Skills to inspire next generation


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axi has reinforced its commitment to the next generation of HVAC engineers with a four-year principal Sponsorship of World Skills UK. The announcement comes on the heels of World Youth Skills Day on 15 July, and builds on Baxi’s existing partnership with not-for-profi t organisation Primary Engineer to bring STEM into the classroom and inspire the next generation of engineers. World Skills’ mission is to use international best practice to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education to enable more young people and employers to succeed. Baxi’s UK sponsorship is funded by the BDR Thermea Foundation, the owner of Baxi’s parent company BDR Thermea Group.


The BDR Thermea Foundation’s Robert van Roijen commented: “The UK is on a clear pathway to decarbonise homes and buildings – of


Toolbank announced as latest EDATA data pool sponsor


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which heating and hot water provision makes a signifi cant contribution. That means new technologies and new skills will be required to replace traditional gas boilers with clean heat solutions, like heat pumps, hybrid systems or heat networks making use of waste heat from industrial processes.”


FireAngel achieves ISO 14001 accreditation F


ireAngel, a leading manufacturer of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide safety solutions, has achieved a BSI-certifi ed ISO 14001 accreditation, reinforcing its dedication to bolstering environmental performance across its operations. This internationally recognised accreditation


refl ects the successful implementation of a robust Environmental Management System (EMS) that supports FireAngel in meeting its legal obligations, minimising environmental impact,


and progressing toward long-term sustainability goals.


By embedding sustainability into everyday processes, including waste management, resource effi ciency, and supply chain oversight, FireAngel is laying the foundations for continuous improvement. The EMS also provides a framework for monitoring performance and engaging the wider team in environmental objectives. Ross Bates, quality compliance manager at FireAngel, commented: “Achieving ISO 14001 accreditation with BSI is a proud moment for FireAngel and a signifi cant step forward in championing a more sustainable future within the business. FireAngel is just at the beginning of its Environmental Management System journey, and we will be continuously striving to reduce our carbon footprint and deliver meaningful change through a variety of initiatives to help protect the environment.”


Also in the news:


 A new report, ‘Apprenticeship Pathways’ recommends the Welsh Government should work with schools, colleges and employers to present vocational courses as a good quality option.


 Three fi nalists have made it to the last stage of the 50th anniversary ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award: Ewan Forsythe from Michael Nugent (ES), Gary Hall from Dalkia Engineering and Jack Hawkins of Camelot Electrical.


 The University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) is urging the government to ringfence its planned Growth and Skills Levy funding of higher and degree apprenticeships, to tackle the rising skills gap impacting engineering employers.


 ETIM North America has announced the appointment of Patrick Knight, President and CEO of the Industry Data Exchange Association (IDEA), to its Board of Directors.


 According to data from MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables such as solar panels and heat pumps, there were a record 170,000 certifi ed renewable installations in the


ew EDA affi liated member Toolbank is the latest leading brand to announce their sponsorship of EDATA, the electrotechnical sector’s data pool which is managed by the Electrical Distributors’ Association.


Toolbank, a tool hardware distributor, joins 28 other industry-leading manufacturers and wholesalers that have pledged their support to the data pool which off ers EDA Wholesalers and branches free access to information and images on hundreds of thousands of products sold through the supply chain.


Stuart Woods, National Accounts Manager at Toolbank, said: “We are delighted to take a leading role in the EDATA data pool and give EDA wholesalers easy access to rich accurate product data that helps them deliver exemplary customer service and increased sales whether that’s across the trade counter, through tenders and submittals, or e-commerce.” Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA, said: “Toolbank’s sponsorship is evidence of their commitment to the wholesale channel. It also means they gain a place on the EDATA Steering Group alongside the other sponsors, giving them a voice in how the data pool evolves. We appreciate their commitment and look forward to working with their team.”


fi rst six months of 2025. This is a 37% increase on the equivalent period last year, and a 33% increase on the previous highest start to a year in 2023.


 RenEnergy has supported Braintree Council with a large-scale 407KW solar panel installation in Essex as part of the authority’s drive to increase effi ciency and reduce emissions from its buildings. Expected to produce over 399MWh of energy annually, the renewable energy specialist installed 983 solar panels on the Witham Leisure Centre, including both solar carports and roof arrays.


ewnews.co.uk


September 2025 electrical wholesaler | 7


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