Pro Installer October 2016 - Issue 43 | Page 18

18 OCTOBER 2016 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk Putting Innovation to the test with C.K Magma Understanding the needs of electricians, C.K Magma has enhanced its already popular range of premium tool storage with the new C.K Magma Test Equipment Case - an industry first, allowing electricians to carry diagnostic testing equipment and a selection of essential tools in one handy case. Historically, storage and transportation cases for test meters did not accommodate the additional toolkit also necessary for technicians to carry out diagnostic and final certification testing. Until now, there has been no universal solution on the market for storing and transporting both test meters and toolkits. After conducting extensive research into how electricians store and transport test equipment, C.K Magma noticed this gap in the market,developing the C.K Magma Test Equipment Case as a convenient solution to the problem. The new product is the first of its kind to feature made-to-measure storage for both a test meter and toolkit, removing the inconvenience of having to transport them separately. The case, with an RRP of £59.57, also offers a more lightweight alternative to carrying equipment compared to the heavier plastic cases often provided by the equipment manufacturers. Featuring rubber feet and adjustable padded compartments, the C.K Magma Test Equipment Case provides durable, safe storage for testing equipment, plus a separate top compartment for storing a range of tools and accessories. 27 easily accessible pockets, including a handy business card and documentation holder, mean technicians can now carry all the necessary tools and documents for diagnostic testing without the need for any separate boxes, cases or bags. Recognising the need to keep such expensive equipment safe and secure, C.K Magma has fitted a lockable zip system to the case. With comfort as well as convenience and security in mind, a carry handle and padded shoulder strap have also been added to provide maximum comfort during transportation and use. The shoulder strap allows technicians to carry out equipment testing whilst carrying the case, making the process much more efficient. Charles Whitfield, Product Development Manager at C.K Magma says: “We work closely with a dedicated group of professional tradesmen to create products that meet their working needs. Feedback revealed a need for a single solution to transport a diagnostic testing kit and a small selection of essential tools, without having to carry their full toolkit. The new C.K Magma Test Equipment Case is a direct result of this process and has been well received by electricians.” A product demonstration video is available to download via YouTube and Vimeo. Watch out for Freebie Friday competitions on Facebook andTwitter. For further information please visit www.ck-magma.com or call 01758 704704 Cem S avas, Co-Founder of Plentific.com 13 MILLION HOMEOWNERS FEAR HIRING A TRADESMAN Home improvement marketplace Plentific.com’s latest insight has found that it’s estimated 13 million UK homeowners fear hiring tradesmen to carry out home improvement work. UK homeowners get cold feet when it comes to hiring tradesmen, according to Plentific.com’s survey. 87% of homeowners fear hiring tradesmen, and their key concern seems to be finding a reliable professional. 59% said their biggest hurdle is finding a tradesman that they know for certain can do their job properly. The nation is relatively relaxed about projects sticking to a timeline; homeowners were more keen on getting their projects done to a high standard. A fifth (19%) get concerns about their work being completed on time, with half (51%) fearing that their finished project will not meet with expectations. The region with the most confident homeowners was the South West, with 19% of local homeowners replying that they had no concerns about hiring a tradesman. This is a big contrast to concerned Londoners, of which only 5% said they felt completely comfortable doing so. There was a lot of variation at regional level. The biggest worry in Brighton was getting ripped off, as 74% of local respondents said they feared their job would be unfairly overpriced; a much higher statistic than the national average of 51%. When it came down to trusting tradesmen in the home whilst on the job, the cities with the biggest fear factor were Cardiff (45%), Liverpool (44%) and Manchester (40%), which all showed greater concern than the national average (33%). Age also appeared to divide confidence levels on certain issues, with 68% of homeowners aged 55 and over voicing concerns about the reliability of tradesmen, compared to 45% of respondents under 35. Cem Savas, Co-Founder of Plentific.com, said: “Our survey shows why homeowners may hold back when hiring a Pro without seeing proper verification. These days people need more than just wordof-mouth recommendation, which is why we created Plentific. We’re here to change the way people feel about hiring a trade professional. We provide a transparent marketplace with verified and customer-rated trade professionals, our guarantee and a secure payment service, enabling homeowners to feel confident about getting their job done.”