Electrical Contracting News (ECN) May 2017 | Page 8

INDUSTRY
NEWS
CHALLENGE FOR A CAUSE TEAM MAKES IT TO
THE TOP OF MT KILIMANJARO
The Electrical Industries Charity’s team of nine enthusiastic
trekkers successfully made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in
February.
Nine adventurers joined Tessa Ogle, managing director of the
Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) for the Challenge for a Cause
trek and made it to the Uhuru peak of the highest free standing
mountain in the world. They include Johanne Stimson of Heat
Mat; Andrew Dykes of SES Engineering Services; Mike Smith of SES Engineering Services and senior vice president of the ECA;
Denise Hillier of Spring Electrical; Mark David Ward of Power 1 Group; Dave Gilbert of SCV Electrical, Rosemary Phillips of
RDM Electrical and Mechanical Services and Joseph Hogg of Edmundson Electrical.
Tessa Ogle commented afterwards, ‘Our first Challenge for a Cause was a great success that required a lot of mental and
physical strength but together we made it to the top and raised a tremendous amount for the Hendrie family. I would like to
thank all of the trekkers who took part in this incredible challenge and to everyone that has donated so far.’
The team joined forces and climbed the tallest free standing mountain in the world to raise money for the Hendrie family.
It is not too late to show your support and help the Hendrie family to look forward to the future by donating today.
To make your donation please visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/EICChallengeforaCause
EDA LAUNCHES PLANS
TO OVERHAUL PRODUCT
DATA FOR THE UK
The Electrical Distributors’
Association (EDA) has launched its
ETIM-UK campaign, designed to
transform the quality of technical
product data flowing through the
electrical installation supply chain.
The EDA’s vision is for
all UK manufacturers and
distributors to adopt ETIM’s
global standard for classifying
technical products, bringing us
in line with key markets across
Europe, the USA and Canada,
where millions of products have
already been classified using the
long established and centrally
maintained ETIM standard.
Simon Barkes, managing
director at BEMCO and EDA
president, explained, ‘The reason
for ETIM is clear; currently the UK’s
manufacturers and distributors
have each developed their own
standards and structures for
capturing and publishing technical
product data, whether that data
is intended for back office stock
control systems, customer facing
printed catalogues or websites. The
result is a confusion of Big Data
which differs hugely in terms of
content, format and quality. At one
end of the spectrum customers
can access fully comprehensive
and highly technical product
information, but at the other end
the data is patchy and inconsistent.
‘By adopting one standard
across the sector, product
information can be served up in
print and online with minimal work
arounds. Potentially, businesses
can make savings in terms of the
technical resources and labour
needed to maintain the current
mix of data sets and structures,
and the end customer will benefit
hugely. Contractors will be able
to access comprehensive and
consistent technical information to
accurately compare products like-
for-like, ensuring they buy the right
product for the job, first time.’
8 | May 2017
MARSHALL-TUFFLEX MARKS 75TH BIRTHDAY WITH
CAREERS HELP FOR TALENTED YOUNGSTERS
Hastings employer Marshall-
Tufflex is marking its 75th year
in business with a renewed
drive to raise awareness of the
career opportunities across its
manufacturing business.
The cable management
manufacturer is committed
to assisting young local job
seekers and has already
supported five apprentices
through relevant NVQ
Level 3 Advanced Modern
Apprenticeships.
Hastings school children touring
the Marshall-Tufflex factory.
And, as in previous years,
the company has announced
its attendance at a number of careers events for 2017.
‘Marshall-Tufflex is committed to Hastings and we really want to nurture
and “grow our own” talent to the benefit of both our business and the town,’
said chief executive Paul Hetherington. ‘Over the last two years we have been
actively promoting engineering and other career opportunities in the company
to primary and secondary school students. We want to continue to develop local
talent, keeping skilled workers in the town and inspiring young people to consider
engineering – and Marshall-Tufflex – as a future career, much as we have done
over the last 75 years.’
Marshall-Tufflex will be attending a range of careers events, including local
jobs fairs, school career programmes, engaging with the Enterprise Advisor
Network, activities coordinated by the Education Futures Trust and those
arranged by STEM/STEAM Sussex. All of these aim to support the development
of careers and increase awareness, helping the next generation with entering
the world of work.
CONTRAC LIGHTING ANNOUNCES MERGER
WITH HIGH TECHNOLOGY LIGHTING
UK lighting providers Contrac Lighting and High Technology Lighting have offi