Electrical Magazine & Events is the only magazine dedicated to providing news and information covering all of Ireland's electrical industry both North and South of the border.
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ISSUE 97 - JUNE/JULY 2023
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CONTENTS
In this issue...
Issue 97 - June-July 2023
9
31
20
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68
News & views 5
Products 38 Innovation meets sustainability Ansell unveils 1,500 new high- performance LED products in latest catalogue, including bulkheads and LED strips. 43 Smart lighting solutions Smart LED solutions from Fantasy Lights brightens up ELECTEX Belfast. 45 Cutting-edge lighting catalogue Forum Lighting Solutions’ latest catalogue showcases advancements in its Zinc outdoor range, featuring an extensive selection of solar fittings.
In focus 41 Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim, Cavan
Recognise exceptional apprentices ECA Edmundson Electrical
Zumtobel and Thorn work with Callaghan Electrical contractors to design a new lighting scheme for Cavan Cathedral.
Apprentice of the Year award celebrates talent with prizes, exposure and professional benefits. 9 TechTalks roadshow hits Ireland CEF and IET showcase electrical standards, emerging tech and NSAI regulations. 12 BS 7671 Corrigendum released IET and BSI release BS 7671
68 James House, Gasworks PMcK Electrical helps revitalise Belfast’s skyline with full electrical installation to refurbished James House. 89 Ireland’s EV transition obstacles Schneider Electric Ireland’s
President discusses how Smart EV charging could create 70% efficiency gains and reduce investment in voltage equipment.
Corrigendum – immediate changes in key areas to ensure safety and clarity.
THE TEAM: Managing Director Karen McAvoy Editor Ana Corradini Editorial Heather Campbell Publication Manager Janice Uprichard Advertising Julie Patterson Production Manager Julie Anne Guiney Digital Creative Manager Jo Hendron Design Tomo Pattison Digital Communications Rachel Freeman Accounts Andrea Simpson Photography Gordon McAvoy Administration Laoise Boyle Printed by W&G Baird
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 3
NEWS
ECA Edmundson seeks top apprentice talent
Does your business employ an apprentice who deserves to be recognised? For over 45 years, the ECA Edmundson Electrical Award has showcased the very best talent across ECA’s Member businesses and raises the profile of electrical apprenticeships. By entering the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year Award, your apprentice could win up to £3,000, a toolkit, a study trip to Austria and two VIP tickets to the ECA Awards dinner. Two runners-up will also receive prizes. The winners’ and runners-up’s employers will be awarded with a year-long licence for Electrical OM software and increased company profile and press coverage, among other prizes. This award is only open to apprentices employed by ECA Member businesses who have passed the AM2 since April 2022 and have completed their apprenticeship. The deadline for entry is 9 June 2023. Sponsored by Edmundson Electrical with the administration and promotion from ECA, the award will be presented on Wednesday, 13 September, at Trinity House, London. For more information and to enter, visit www.eca.co.uk/edmundson
Ireland launches first high voltage electrical systems programme Pictured (L-R): Alan Horan, Mercury Engineering; Maria Kyne Faculty, Engineering and Built Environment, TUS Limerick; Joe Colleran, HV Commissioning Manager, Suir Engineering; David Quinlan, HV Commissioning Lead Kirby Engineering; Frances Hardiman, Faculty of Engineering, SETU; Paul Cremmins, Solas and Edmond Connolly, Regional Skills Forum. Photo: Patrick Browne
Ireland’s first-ever High Voltage Electrical Systems programme has been launched in the South East of the country, developed by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in collaboration with South East Technological University (SETU) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). The 60-credit Level 6 programme is designed to upskill electricians and electrical engineers in High Voltage, with a focus on grid connections, substation maintenance, and switching facilities. The programme also aims to help companies build capacity to
construct and manage high voltage facilities, and win new contracts abroad. CIF’s Specialist Contraction Association collaborated with leading electrical engineering firms in Ireland to design the programme. Paul Cremmins, former Director of Suir Engineering, said, “This is a course that is being set by the contractors in collaboration with SETU and TUS. They have designed a course around our wants and needs,” he said. The one-year, part-time, blended learning programme started in May, with 16 industry employees attending one day per week at SETU Waterford and TUS Limerick.
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has completed its latest ‘Make It Visible’ tour in Ireland, following a successful trip last year. During the tour, the charity promoted a more proactive and preventative approach to the mental health and wellbeing of people in the construction industry – including electricians – and their families. The most recent tour in March involved the Lighthouse Charity’s ‘Make It Visible’ team visiting 23 sites, meeting almost 2,000 people. The team delivered toolbox talks and shared their experiences of poor mental wellbeing. The tour is part of a wider initiative to tackle the barriers to accessing mental health support in the sector. The charity also organises networking lunches and fundraising cycle events such as: Lighthouse Charity’s Summer Lunch on 9 June at Dublin’s Croke Park and a fundraising lunch on 29 September at Belfast’s Titanic Museum – celebrating 60 years of the charity operating in Northern Ireland. www.lighthouseclub.org ‘Make It Visible’ tour promotes mental wellbeing for electricians
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NEWS
Northern Ireland’s electricity network will receive a £3bn upgrade in the next 10 years. The investment made by NIE Networks aims at facilitating climate change targets and should create more than 1,000 jobs between now and 2032. According to the NIE, the upgrade would help its 910,000 customers connect to low-carbon technologies like electric cars, solar panels and heat pumps in an attempt to meet the target of Net Zero emissions in Northern Ireland by 2050. According to the Centre of Advanced Sustainable Energy (Case), the investment would also go a long way to enabling NI to meet the target of 80% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030 which, in turn, could ease the pressure on energy bills. However, the upgrade will cost an additional £10 to £20 a year for NIE customers. “It is important to be transparent with our customers,” said NIE Networks Managing Director Derek Hynes. “It is critical we invest now to avoid higher costs in the future.” NIE Networks to invest over £3bn in NI’s electricity network
Monica Madan, newly appointed Chief Financial Officer for Schneider Ireland and Juliana Moraes who joins the company as Tender Director for the Irish market.
Schneider Electric bolsters leadership team with two new appointments
Schneider Electric has named Monica Madan as the Chief Financial Officer for Ireland. In this role, she will report to Antoine Sage, Finance Vice President and CFO of Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, and will be responsible for supporting Schneider Electric’s annual and long-term financial goals for the whole of Ireland. With over 18 years of experience in providing financial strategy to global Fortune 500 companies, Monica will drive financial strategy and support business growth and development opportunities. In addition, Juliana Moraes has
been appointed as Tender Director to lead Schneider Electric’s pricing of solutions and projects for the Irish market. Chris Collins, Schneider Electric Country President for Ireland, said, “We are a growing team at a crucial time for business and industry to act on the need to deal with the ongoing energy crisis, prepare for the effects of climate change and reduce emissions to achieve Net Zero targets. Monica and Juliana’s experience and expertise will be invaluable in helping us to be part of the solution for our customers.”
ROBUS Lighting achieves carbon neutral status
LED light manufacturer ROBUS has announced it reached carbon neutral status in 2022 – testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability and fighting climate change. To achieve carbon neutrality, the Dublin firm’s Environmental & Social Governance (ESG) team calculated the company’s carbon footprint according to PAS 2060, the internationally recognised specification for carbon neutrality. The team split emissions into three scopes – including direct and indirect emissions – and gathered data from various departments and partners. After compiling these numbers, the ESG team calculated the total footprint, which was 1,594.36 CO2e TTW. ROBUS then offset its total carbon footprint by purchasing credits from the UN carbon offset platform to support three independent hydro power plant schemes. This offsetting was done in line with the self-validation clause of PAS 2060. The company’s keys to achieving carbon neutrality included: board and employee buy-in; a carbon reduction strategy and target; interrogation of the supply chain and partners; detailed calculation of each step; partnering with a verified carbon offsetting scheme and publishing its findings.
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 7
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NEWS
Mitsubishi Electric and its Automation Solution Partner, Ashdale Engineering, are celebrating 35 years of partnership, focused on bringing highly customised, effective automation solutions to a variety of industries in Northern Ireland. Spanning over three decades that featured significant technical innovations, the anniversary marks an occasion to look back at key achievements reached by the two companies and how their relationship has grown. Paul Ford, General Manager at Ashdale Engineering, commented: “We are confident and proud to offer Mitsubishi Electric products as part of our solutions and it is an honour and privilege to work with a partner that values the business relationship so highly.” Adrian Gubbins, Factory Automation Business Unit Manager at Mitsubishi Electric, added: “We couldn’t be prouder to have such a remarkable and longstanding relationship with Ashdale Engineering. The company is a true solution provider, as it goes above and beyond to understand customer requirements and help them benefit from the exact system they need to succeed.” www.mitsubishielectric.ie Mitsubishi Electric and Ashdale Engineering celebrate 35 years of delivering advanced automation projects
Ansell’s Managing Director Mark Abbott, pictured with awarded Panel Pod.
Ansell Lighting receives a King’s Award for Enterprise
Leading lighting manufacturer Ansell Lighting has been honoured with the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. The company has been recognised for its patented Panel Pod product, which converts an LED panel light into an emergency light in less than sixty seconds, without needing a conversion kit or additional ceiling fixture to install. Mark Abbott, Managing Director of Ansell Lighting, said: “Achieving this award is a great honour and testament to the hard work and dedication of
our innovation team and everyone involved in the business. “The design and creation of the Panel Pod was genuinely transformative for our business and continues to contribute significantly to our ongoing success. In the past eight years, we have made it lighter and more discreet and upgraded the battery to Lithium. Now we are working on a reporting capability for it that will be extremely valuable to building managers using emergency lighting.” www.anselluk.com
Mitsubishi Electric and Ashdale Engineering celebrate their 35-year partnership.
TechTalks visit Republic of Ireland
A huge hit in the UK, the TechTalks roadshow visited the Republic of Ireland for the first time in March. The cherished series of presentations is promoted by City Electrical Factors (CEF) in partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Electrical experts and dynamic duo Darren Staniforth and Dave Austin brought attendants in Sligo, Limerick and Dublin up to speed with Ireland’s electrical standards and changes in the industry. The free events focused on emerging technologies such as EV charge point installations and battery storage systems, and how I.S. 10101:2020 is asking for this new equipment to comply with the national rules for electrical installations. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was also present, so attendants were able to get answers directly from the people who write the regulations. Several key industry manufacturers exhibiting the latest products and services were also present in the three days. www.cef.co.uk
TechTalks’ dynamic duo Darren Staniforth and Dave Austin in action in ROI.
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 9
NEWS
Launch of €25,000 travel fund for international standards- related work
Jenna White, Management Accountant at Catalyst utilising the new EV charger on her electric car at Catalyst’s Belfast site.
Catalyst installs 30 EV charging points across sites
Catalyst, a technology hub in Northern Ireland, has installed 30 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across its Belfast and Derry sites as part of its goal to achieve carbon Net Zero by 2040. The £400k investment includes solar panels installed at the Innovation Centre in Belfast, which will reduce the company’s purchase of external energy by 10%. The ChargePoint equipment is now in operation, doubling the
amount of EV charging points in Belfast to 60. Catalyst has already achieved a carbon output three times lower than the European Environment Agency’s benchmark. Catalyst Director of Property & Community, Mervyn Watley, said that the installation of the charging points is a step towards Net Zero. Catalyst has also implemented energy-saving measures such as LED lighting and building management system controls.
NSAI is partnering with Engineers Ireland to offer its electrical engineer members funding towards international travel associated with standards-related work. The €25,000 fund is now open for applications from engineers that are planning to attend international technical committee meetings in 2023 which are organised by a recognised standardisation body (such as IEC, CENELEC, CEN and ISO). Successful applicants can use the funding towards vouched expenses incurred, such as flights, hotel stays, meals and transportation. The current call for applications closes on Friday, 30 June 2023 and applications must relate to an international meeting taking place in 2023. A further call for applications may take place later in the year, subject to funding still being available. NSAI is Ireland’s official standards body and is responsible for developing and publishing national, European and international standards for products, processes and services. Download your application form here: https://www.nsai.ie/about/news/call- for-applications-to-fund-international- travel-with-standards-work/
Offshore wind projects to benefit local communities
Ireland’s first offshore wind auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1) has delivered outstanding results, with over 3GW of capacity procured from four offshore wind projects, providing over 12TWh of renewable electricity per year. The auction has surpassed expectations, with a highly competitive average price of €86.05/MWh, which is expected to save Irish electricity consumers hundreds of millions of euros per year. This marks a major breakthrough for Ireland’s offshore wind future, as it is the largest volume of renewable energy Ireland has ever procured at auction, equivalent to over a third of Ireland’s entire electricity consumption this year and over a quarter of projected 2030 electricity demand. The success of ORESS 1 has encouraged Ireland’s Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Communications to develop
further offshore wind auctions to achieve the country’s energy-independent future. Successful ORESS 1 offshore wind projects will pay local marine and coastal communities over €24m annually up to 20 years after it begins to produce renewable energy.
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 11
WIRING REGS
MORE CHANGES TO THE WIRING REGULATIONS IN THE UK WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON 15 MAY TO CORRECT MISUNDERSTANDINGS, REMOVE PERCEIVED BARRIERS AND ENSURE THAT PEOPLES’ SAFETY COMES FIRST… IET and BSI publish Corrigendum to BS 7671:2018
T he Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) announce the release of a Corrigendum to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. The Corrigendum will make changes to five areas of BS 7671 and will come into effect immediately when published on Monday, 15 May, 2023. It will be available for free to download from the IET and BSI websites. The areas that will be affected by the changes include: • Regulation 422.2 has been amended to clarify the scope of the provision. • Indent (ii) of Regulation 443.4.1 has been removed. The term safety service, formerly included in Regulation 443.4.1 (ii), encompassed a wide range of systems. The provision, therefore, had unintended consequences for improvements to fire safety
systems within installations. • Table 443.2 and the Note to Regulation 534.4.1.1 have been amended to remove examples of equipment. • Regulation 701.1 has been amended to remove the reference to birthing pools. • A new Regulation, 710.422.2.201, has been included in order to modify requirements in Regulation group 422.2 for protected escape routes in healthcare facilities. Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET, said, “The IET is the authority for electrical installations in the UK and ensures that the National Wiring Regulations Committee carefully considers all necessary updates to the Regulations to ensure they best meet the needs of the industry. This Corrigendum is intended to correct misunderstandings, remove perceived barriers and ensure that
peoples’ safety comes first.” Dan Palmer, Associate Director, Committees at BSI, commented, “BSI is proud of our longstanding relationship with the IET to support high standards of safety for the benefit of all. We have been partnering with them on the Wiring Regulations for more than 30 years and recognise the importance of keeping them updated.”
For more information on the Corrigendum, please visit: www.theiet.org/updates T: +44 (0)1438 313311 E: postmaster@theiet.org
“BSI is proud of our longstanding relationship with the IET to support high standards of safety for the benefit of all.”
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THE EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER BIG NAMES OF THE INDUSTRY FOR A NIGHT OF GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AND RAISED MONEY FOR TWO LOCAL CHARITIES…
Great evening at the ECA NI Dinner 2023
T he traditional Electrical Contractor’s Association Northern Ireland Annual Dinner was held on 24 March at the Culloden Hotel & Spa Resort in Belfast with 120 members, sponsors and guests in attendance. The event was hosted by TV presenter Adrian Logan and the entertainment of the evening was guaranteed by talented impressionist and internet sensation Al Foran. ECA members and sponsors got together to welcome the new NI Chairman Richard Megarity, operations Director for Irwin M+E, and ECA National President Steve Murray, who presented an overview of the past year in the association. Richard highlighted the difficulties and challenges
faced by the local industry, especially the skills shortage. Sponsors present included Electrical Magazine, Edmundson Electrical, Crane, City Electrical Factors (CEF), Knightsbridge, Rexel, Atkore International, G4S and Malone Lighting. The evening also raised a whopping £1,700 for two charities: the Make a Wish Foundation, which grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illness, and the mighty Belfast Trailblazers, Northern Ireland’s powerchair football team. Alfie Watterson, NI Regional Manager T: +44 (0)7971 141911 E: alfie.watterson@eca.co.uk www.eca.co.uk
(L-R) Steven Murray, ECA National President and ECA NI Chairman Richard Megarity.
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ECA NEWS
Pictured: One of the sponsors of the evening, Malone Lighting.
(L-R) David Lee, Honeywell, Simon McCarthy, Knightsbridge Lighting and Andy Oldcroft, Rexel.
ECA members Vaughan Engineering Services.
ECA members Stothers M&E.
ECA NI Chairman Richard Megarity (centre), pictured with colleagues of Irwin M&E.
Austin Long, CEF Bangor (centre), pictured with Amy Long and Beth Long.
(L-R) Matthew Carson and Stephen McCarry, EEL Coleraine, John Boyd, WSM Portadown, Paul O’Brien, Managing Director, Edmundson Electrical, Colin Lewis, WSM Portadown, Gareth Holden and Scott Dornan, Electrical Equipment.
Steven Murray, ECA National President and wife Nicky.
(L-R) Ivan Murray, Joanne McAuley, Gary White and Kyle Blakely, Rexel Belfast.
Staff and guests, ECA members NUGENT.
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 15
COMPANY NEWS
VERSO ELECTRICAL’S PRODUCTS ARE DISTRIBUTED EXCLUSIVELY BY WES IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE COMPANY IS READY TO TAKE ON THE LOCAL MARKET WITH ITS PASSION FOR QUALITY… Tried and tested innovation
V erso Electrical innovative circuit protection products and wiring accessories are now distributed exclusively in Northern Ireland by Wholesale Electrical Supplies Ltd (WES) at the wholesalers’ two sites in Belfast and Bangor. Based in Cardiff, the company is part of the Premspec Group and established the distribution partnership in January 2022. Managing Director William Winter called it “a match made in heaven.” “They basically work as our hub for NI and have a great number of electrical
contractors as clients, so it works well for us, for them, and for the local market. The WES team is very attentive and deals with any issues right away, and we have heard nothing but good things from the contractors that contacted us about their distribution,” William commented. “We also
interest in the designing and manufacturing side of the industry,” he commented. The MD is proud to say he
it enhances their abilities within the industry but also adds an extra layer of protection for people’s homes where these products are installed,” William commented. The goal at Verso is to ally quality and affordability. “We concentrate on putting the best product possible in the market, but also on making them as affordable as possible for the everyday spark. Circa 80% of the profit goes back into the business for R&D and enhancement, so we can keep the product competitive,” William explained. “In a rising-cost market like the one at the minute, we are one of the most competitive brand products in the market. Add our certification and testing processes to the equation and there is no comparison.”
took part in the ELECTEX Belfast show in partnership with WES and received brilliant feedback.” Verso offers an exceptional range of MCBs, RCBOs, Type A RCCBs and a new line of surge protection solutions. All accessories are interchangeable. Building a legacy Verso Electrical products may still be new in the Province, but William started the company in 2012 – and, in true entrepreneurial fashion, from a local Starbucks coffee shop! The Verso brand was established in 2016 with switches and sockets and the consumer units were added to their range in 2021. William has an engineering and business background and started his career in aerospace. He took on the electrical route working at Edmundson Electrical. “Working at a wholesaler sparked my
has designed every single Verso product and does not hide his passion for the business, “There are many companies that are built up to eventually be sold, but not us. We are quite proud of the work we do and want to build a legacy.” Certification and testing Another big item on Verso’s agenda is having their products certified and tested. Their range is independently certified to the highest standard by TUV in Germany and every single unit is individually tested and goes through not one, but seven testing processes during the production, post-production and pre-packing stages. “That is great not only for the electrician as
T: +44 (0)28 9070 5686 (Belfast) +44 (0)28 9147 8060 (Bangor) E: Sales@wesni.co.uk www.versoelectrical.co.uk
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COMPANY NEWS
I rish tool manufacturer Pro-Tray’s website has received the Professional Services in Business Category and the Overall Winner categories at the Carlow Web Awards 2023. The event is organised by the Carlow County Council and its Local Enterprise Office to acknowledge and promote Carlow-based SMEs that have developed digital and web marketing platforms as part of their product offering. “I was blown away to receive not one but two awards on the night,” said Director Tony Kelly. “The help of the Carlow Local Enterprise office has been instrumental to Pro-Tray’s success. I would advise anyone out there who is looking to start a business or may think they have the solution to a problem to approach their Local Enterprise Office. They will advise you on how to get started on the same road to success as Pro-Tray has had with our patented designed products.” According to Tony, having an online presence is essential. “The website has given us a great platform to advertise upcoming events, as well as to sell our products. We have a strong social media presence too, and this has been instrumental in growing the brand to where we are today. Our strong red and black branding makes us stand out.” Pro-Tray is no stranger to this accolade. In 2022, the company won the Best Export Website at the Carlow Web Awards, which rewards the website that best promotes its business to export markets. Everything at hand As an exhibitor at the ELECTEX Belfast trade show, promoted by Ireland’s Electrical Magazine, Pro-Tray launched a new product, the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)/Alloyed Tower Scaffold (ATS) Tool Tray. The product went from concept to design in just a couple of weeks and was created with the end-user in mind. The Tool Tray allows the installer to have all hand tools, battery-powered tools and nuts and bolts within reach and at working height. It features tethering points for working at height, avoiding manual handling issues and the need to stoop down all day. It also allows the user to remove any trip hazards within the MEWPs or ATS. The new Tool Tray can also be used on a mobile stand IT IS ALL HAPPENING FOR PRO- TRAY THIS YEAR! THE COMPANY WAS THE OVERALL WINNER AT THE CARLOW WEB AWARDS 2023 AND HAS OTHER EXCITING UPDATES ON THE WAY, INCLUDING NEW PRODUCTS AND PARTNERSHIPS… Pro-Tray on the rise
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“The Tool Tray allows the installer to have all hand tools, battery-powered tools and nuts and bolts within reach and at working height.
Pro-Tray at Tool Monster Now Tony plans on growing the online presence and offering the Pro-Tray Range on other platforms like Amazon, but the company has big plans for their products in local merchants as well. At ELECTEX Belfast Pro-Tray also secured Tool Monster as a stockist and brand ambassador. According to Tony, securing Tool Monster as a stockist has been instrumental to the growth of Pro- Tray and brand awareness. They have seen massive growth in sales through the Tool Monster online store. “This is why we take part in the ELECTEX trade shows: it gives us the marketing platform with some of the top names in the business,” he concluded.
for workshop floors and building sites. “We had great feedback from large companies about the Tool Tray at ELECTEX Belfast. This new product is much needed within our industry and is being pushed through its final stages of safety testing at the moment. It should be in the market by July,” Tony explained. However, Pro-Tray is already taking pre-orders. Another Pro-Tray product that keeps the necessary materials for installations at hand is the Cable Dolly. It comes with various combinations of cable drum set up and fully adjustable drum mounts, ranging from a height of 300mm to a 515mm drum bar. The Cable Dolly is already available at Pro-Tray stockists. Pro- Tray put its name on the map with the launch of the M6 Roofing bolt socket set in 2015. The product was designed by Tony out of pure necessity and ingenuity, as there were no appropriate tools to fix cable management systems down to a uni-strut or strut channel bracketing system.
Where to find Pro-Tray
The full Pro-Tray product range is available on www.pro-tray.ie and at the stockists below: • Eastern Electrical Wholesalers in Ballymount (Dublin), Mullingar, Dundalk and Little Island. • Edmunson Electrical in Glasnevin, Manchester and Middlesbrough. • Universal Industrial Supplies in Ballycoolin (Dublin). • EEW in Enniscorthy and Carlow. • Tool Monster
ELECTRICAL CONTAINMENT TOOLS
T: +353 (0)85 741 1506 E: info@pro-tray.ie www.pro-tray.ie
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TOOLS
THE TWIN & EARTH CABLE STRIPPER AND GEN II LEVER WIRE CONNECTORS SPEED UP INSTALLATIONS WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON QUALITY…
New IDEAL tools for faster electrical installations
I DEAL Twin & Earth cable stripper for stripping LSF T&E cable is now available from Demesne Electrical. Engineered and manufactured in Germany, the robust, ergonomic tool has been designed specifically for use with twin and earth cables. The self- adjusting blades offer an unlimited stripping range for fast and accurate removal of the insulation. Capable of removing the outer sheath in one swift operation, then stripping the inner cores
with a second action, the tool speeds up installations without compromising on quality and consistency. The ergonomic design makes the Ideal Twin & Earth Stripper easy and comfortable to use, with minimal pressure required to complete a clean cut for any flat cables between 0.75 and 2.5mm 2 and up to 12mm wide. Users simply insert the required length of cable into the tool and squeeze the handles together. The open-throat design allows an unlimited strip length for both the outer sheath and the inner wire sheathing. The tool’s specially hardened and tempered steel blades ensure an accurate cut and an extended service life, making it an excellent investment. It is available on its own or as part of kit including the popular Gen II Lever Wire Connectors, which have been developed for use in all applications up to 32 Amp, for lighting, access control, radial and ring circuits. The IDEAL Gen II Lever Wire Connector range is suitable for joining solid, stranded or flexible conductors. Available in two-, three- or five-port models, they are re-useable and allow the use of multiple wires of different sizes and types within the
same lever connector. Cables can be secured in place in seconds, with no screwdriver or crimping required, using a simple strip, push, connect action. All Gen II models can be used with solid, stranded or flexible wires up to 4.0mm 2 . Each connector features a built-in wire strip guide to enable installers to check the correct stripping length and, if using with solid wire, once the wire has been stripped, it can simply be pushed in with no need to lift the lever. Mike Cullom, Northern Europe Sales Manager of IDEAL Industries explained, “The Gen II Lever Wire Connectors have been developed following extensive research with electrical professionals as part of our commitment to designing products that are tailored to the needs of our customers on site. “For example, the levers have been designed to open in the opposite direction to the insertion port, locking the cables into position to prevent any accidental loosening or pull-out, ensuring a safe and secure connection throughout the lifecycle of the installation.” For local stockists, please contact Demesne: www.demesne.ie
• Faster and accurate stripping • Ergonomic design • Extended service life Benefits:
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 23
COMPANY NEWS
(L-R): Andrew Jamison, Laura Hart, Chris Simmons, Lesley Forward, Dominic Muldoon, Vincent Sweetnam and Brian Coffey.
BENDER, A GLOBAL PROVIDER OF SMART ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS, IS EXPANDING ITS TEAM IN IRELAND TO SUPPORT GROWING DEMAND FOR RESILIENT ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE… Bender Ireland strengthens presence with expanded team and major hospital projects
B ender, a leading provider of recently expanded its team in Ireland to better support new and existing customers. In Ireland, Bender has a team dedicated to supporting new and existing customers with sales, engineering, project management, maintenance and technical support, primarily in the delivery of turnkey projects for the hospital sector. The team, innovative solutions for smart and safe electrical infrastructures, has operating across NI and the ROI, is a dedicated business unit of Bender UK based in Cumbria, England. Growth and enhanced capability of the team have been boosted by new staff appointments and expansion, with additional contracts awarded across the region.
Chris Simmons, Regional Director at Bender Ireland explained, “There is a huge appetite for Bender technology across the ROI and Northern Ireland, and it has fuelled substantial growth year-on-year over the past decade, and that looks set to continue. We have demonstrated an innovative approach, tailoring technology to meet the needs of our clients, in collaboration with our team based at the headquarters in Germany and in the UK. “Bender Ireland has a strong team with fully qualified engineers and project managers who are experts in their fields and administrative support to deliver a responsive service for customers,” said Chris. “The expansion of our business unit here means we can maintain growth in a manageable way, continue to provide
exceptional service and build on the strong relationships we have created thus far.” Innovative solutions Bender is a globally recognised provider of innovative solutions aimed at making electrical infrastructures smarter and safer. With a presence in 15 countries worldwide, Bender is always at the forefront of design and new technology in sectors ranging from hospitals to data centres to electric vehicles. The company is renowned for its ability to deliver high-quality, resilient electrical infrastructure for hospitals. This includes the design and delivery of medical IT power and battery back-up, to ensure safety for patients and staff, by guaranteeing a continuous supply
“There is a huge appetite for Bender technology across the ROI and Northern Ireland.”
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COMPANY NEWS
of power to acute medical areas. The company is also a leading provider and installer of operating room equipment, including touchscreen theatre control panels and third-party clinical pendants, surgical lights, operating tables, and PACS consoles for viewing patient scans, x-rays and other data. In addition, the Bender Ireland team supports more than 100 hospitals with annual 24/7 maintenance contracts, rapid response call-out and repair services, ensuring theatres and critical areas do not suffer from downtime or interruption to services. Bender is also designing components for electric vehicle charging technology, which is a rapidly expanding sector. Alongside the EV market, Bender continues to offer products designed to ensure resilient electrical supplies for industrial applications. Bender Ireland supports hospital projects of all sizes from turnkey upgrades to equipment supply, including clinical products and UPS systems. They recently partnered with Mercury and BAM Ireland to provide critical power protection for the new Children’s Hospital in Dublin. Other projects include upgrades at The
Beaumont Hospital and equipping new operating theatres at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork and Merlin Park University Hospital in Galway. Chris added, “With support from Bender UK and the new depth of expertise and experience within our team, we are confident that we can deliver a class- leading speed of response and range of supporting services for clients across Ireland.” Meet the team Bender UK’s Ireland business is led by Regional Director Chris Simmons, who has been in charge for nearly 10 years. Chris leads a highly skilled team that focuses on providing electrical safety guidance and assistance to Ireland’s healthcare network. They also supply and commission operating theatre equipment such as theatre control panels, operating lights, services pendants and AV systems. Operational Lead Brian Coffey is a qualified electrical engineer and has been with Bender Ireland for almost five years and previously worked as an electrical and UPS service engineer and project manager. Service and Project Engineer
Andrew Jamison, a qualified electrician, joined the company almost two years ago. He has extensive experience working with UPS systems in data centres and industrial locations. Medical Power Sales Manager Dominic Muldoon, a qualified electrician, joined the team in February 2023 and works with M&E consultants to design compliant systems for healthcare and industrial sectors. Commissioning/Project Engineer Vincent Sweetnam, is the latest addition to the team. He has over 20 years’ experience in commercial, industrial and domestic electrical AC and DC systems and also served in the Irish Naval Service, rising to the rank of Petty Officer Electrical Artificer. The team also includes Business and Planning Administrator Lesley Forward, who has worked for the company more than two years, and Business and Sales Co-ordinator Laura Hart, who joined the team in September 2022. Lesley supports the team and liaises with customers to plan visits and support service contracts. Laura provides administrative support for the team in the field and manages service contracts.
T: +44 (0)1229 480123 - T: +353 (0)1 506 0611 E: chris.simmons@bender-uk.com www.bender-uk.com
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PRODUCT NEWS
New pattress mount kit added to Elucian range
Essential fire system accessories from ESP
Leading supplier of fire protection products ESP reminds installers and wholesalers of some of the essential fire system accessories. The fire isolator switch provides a secure method of isolating the mains supply feeding a fire system control panel and is crucial for fire system maintenance. ESP offers a product that meets the requirements of the BS5839 Part 1 standard. ESP’s fire safety A4 logbook will ensure system records, including test procedures, frequencies of service and maintenance requirements, are maintained in accordance with BS5839-1. ESP’s wall-mounted A4 document box is designed to keep vital documents safe from potential damage. It is suitable for fire, emergency lighting and CCTV system documents. Further information at www.espi.com
Scolmore continues to expand its Elucian by Click consumer unit range to provide convenient and easy-installation solutions. The latest addition is a rear and side wiring consumer unit pattress mount kit. With the pattress mount secured to the wall and attached to the back of the consumer unit, the electrician has space to neatly feed cabling from the trunking through the rear knockouts. As the mounting kit comprises two separate parts, it can be used across any size of distribution board and is compatible with the full Elucian consumer unit range. A template is supplied to facilitate the correct positioning of the mounts according to the board’s size. See the full Elucian by Click range at www.scolmore.com
Pathfinder from Ovia is an extensive range of powerful and robust, metal LED floodlights which provide a modern solution for retrofits and new installations. The range comprises standard floodlights and versions with Photocell and PIR sensors, with 40 floodlight options from 10W – 300W. Fittings up to 50W are available in black and white finishes and in Warm White and Cool White temperature options. The range features high-quality LEDs, offering 30,000 hours (L70) lifetime and 100,000 switching cycles. All standard Pathfinder floodlights are IP65-rated, while those with sensors are IP44- rated. The more industrial 100W to 300W range is IK07-rated. The standard range can be used with PIRs, microwave sensors and smart control systems. www.ovia.ie Pathfinder - the powerful floodlight range from Ovia
OB1 – the no. 1 sealant and adhesive from Unicrimp
Leading cable accessories supplier Unicrimp is the exclusive distributor of the original, multi-surface sealant and adhesive brand OB1 at UK electrical wholesalers. OB1 stands out thanks to its versatility, flexibility and 24-hour full curing time. It provides an alternative to mastics, wood and PU adhesives, silicones, acrylics and butyl rubber sealants. The product is capable of bonding and sealing an extensive range of materials including aluminium, wood and MDF, plastic, metal, steel, mirror, lead, concrete, glass, tile, polycarbonate, PVC and felt. OB1 also works in damp conditions and even under water. It can be applied on wet surfaces, painted or moulded. It also features a very high bond strength with resistance to fungal and bacterial growth. www.unicrimp.com (UK) or www.litehouse.ie (RoI)
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CORK BRANCH: SALES EXECUTIVE REQUIRED
THE ROLE: Due to growth of our business in Cork we have a requirement for a Senior/Experienced Sales Executive. The successful sales candidate will join the sales team and will report directly to the Branch Manager. The core objective of this role is to support the business in achieving the primary goals of customer satisfaction and business growth. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Ensure a thorough understanding of customer needs are met through proactive communication with the customer and key internal stakeholders. • Deliver excellent customer experience on every interaction by evaluating, analysing and resolving enquiries and providing service information. • Work closely with the sales team on customer proposals and quotes to grow the business. • Manage existing client accounts. • Processing quotations and sales orders. • Reviewing outstanding order reports on a daily basis and liaising with customers. • Providing customer service on all queries i.e. products, pricing and lead times/deliveries. • Reviewing, analysing and reporting on stock levels to management. REQUIREMENTS:
• Good written and verbal communications skills • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite • Strong interpersonal and organisational skills • Hardworking, honest with strong desire to succeed. • Must be a team player. • Minimum experience of 5 years in the electrical wholesale sector. • Must have a full clean driving licence. SALARY: Commensurate with experience.
If you are interested in this position and in working for an expanding and progressive Irish owned business in Cork, please e-mail your CV to careers@trade-electric.ie
TRADE ELECTRIC GROUP ASSOCIATES
Congratulations to Trade Electric Group on the opening of their new Cork Branch
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TRADE ELECTRIC GROUP - CORK
WITH OPERATIONS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, IT WAS TIME FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTING DISTRIBUTOR TO MAKE ITS MARK IN THE CITY… TEG opens 10th branch in Cork
I rish-owned electrical and lighting distributor Trade Electric Group (TEG) has recently opened its 10th branch in a carefully chosen location: Cork, the second largest city in Ireland. “We had been looking for the perfect premises for the past two to three years and have found it at last,” commented Managing Director Fergal Costelloe. “There is a booming market in Cork to service and our nearest branches are to the West, in Killarney, and to the East, in Waterford,” added Paul Gilligan, Operations Manager at TEG. Paul was responsible for getting the premises fitted and bringing the stock into the 12,000sqft self-contained unit at the Vantage Trade Centre. The building features a trade counter, modern offices and meeting rooms, a canteen and other facilities for the staff, and a mezzanine deck. There is also space to add a second
floor, if necessary. The Cork branch is also championing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) IT system, as it is the first store in the group to use the new software to manage its stock and consult product availability in other branches. “It has been a big task to do the physical build, set up the new IT system and train the staff before the soft opening in March, but it is beginning to get busy as we have been very well-received,” Paul commented. “We are really getting the value of the customers now. They are doing business with other competitors in Cork, but also opening accounts with us.” According to Paul, the staff in Cork have been fundamental to the branch’s success at such an early stage. “Bryan O’Brien and Chris Nason have a world
of context and knowledge between the two of them, and service is the real philosophy of this company,” he said. “We have a genuine team spirit here and we are nicely structured, so there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to pitch in and grow the business”. Fergal explained the company wasn’t actually planning on opening the branch right away, but the staff were keen to get started. “We choose to empower our employees to make their own decisions and to support them. At the end of the day, they are the ones who make it happen in TEG and we have confidence in their talent to manage the branch,” he commented. As part of the strategy to establish themselves in the new address, TEG is planning a grand opening for the summer, as well as investment in local advertising.
CORK NOW OPEN BRANCH
Unit 1, Vantage Trade Centre, Pouladuff Road, Cork, T12 XF74 T: +353 (0)21 471 8030 - E: cork@trade-electric.ie www.trade-electric.ie
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TRADE ELECTRIC GROUP ASSOCIATES
We would like to wish Trade Electric continued success!
E: sales@interk.ie W: www.interkonnect.ie
Best wishes to TEG on the opening of their new Cork Branch
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TRADE ELECTRIC GROUP - CORK
Pictured L-R: Paul Gilligan, Eammon Finn, Chris Nason, Bryan O’Brien, Kevin Murphy, Brendan Murphy and Anne-Marie Cronin.
LED BY AN EXPERIENCED MANAGER, THE STAFF AT THE TEG CORK BRANCH SHOW GREAT PROMISE IN PROVIDING OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ESTABLISHING THE COMPANY IN THE NEW LOCATION… A wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm
T he TEG Cork branch may be new, but the team cherrypicked by Managing Director Fergal Costelloe and Operations Manager Paul Gilligan, brings many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge in the industry to this latest operation. The staff’s priorities now are to grow the business, get people through the door, guarantee they have the products installers are looking for and provide a great customer experience. Bryan O’Brien – Branch Manager
promotes great communication, which contributes to decisions being made quickly as a result.” Chris Nason – Sales Chris has been friends with Paul Gilligan for a long time and, after 15 years working for a competitor, he didn’t have the intention to leave but ultimately decided to make the move. “We have always had a great working relationship and I was ready for a new challenge,” Chris said. The sales frontman commented it has been great to develop the branch with the new team, “Everyone has worked hard and got the branch up and running quicker than expected, everyone chipped in.” Chris also highlighted how the staff has the freedom to make decisions, “The management trusts the team, so there is no need for someone to be watching over our shoulder.” Brendan Murphy - Trade counter and sales The sales specialist worked for 12 years at another wholesaler on the North side
of Cork before deciding to start over as an apprentice electrician. Unfortunately, Covid put a halt to Brendan’s plans, as there was a three-year waiting list. “But I was more than happy to come back to the industry,” he commented. “I find working for TEG a pleasure and an honour. It is a very productive company and everyone is down to earth and supportive.” Kevin Murphy - General Operative This is Kevin’s first time working in the industry. His previous job was in Amazon’s fraud protection division, and his experience working in TEG has been very positive. “All the staff have been very cordial and welcoming independently of their position, everyone has been very accommodating,” he explained. “My favourite part has been the freedom to make my own decisions on certain in-house matters, which is much appreciated considering I am new in the business.”
The new branch’s manager brings 22 years of experience in electrical
wholesalers. Before joining the new TEG team in Cork, Bryan worked at another wholesalers as an administrative manager. “TEG is a positive, family-oriented, solid business and it has been a great career move,” Bryan commented. “The company is expanding and is full of promise of opportunities for people in different areas.” The branch manager also highlighted the great communication in the company. “TEG is very proactive and
CORK NOW OPEN BRANCH
Unit 1, Vantage Trade Centre, Pouladuff Road, Cork, T12 XF74 T: +353 (0)21 471 8030 - E: cork@trade-electric.ie www.trade-electric.ie
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