The Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) has released the findings of its Digitalisation Survey 2023, offering a clear picture of the current state of digitalisation of the UK’s electrotechnical supply chain, with a particular focus on wholesalers and manufacturers and the sale and distribution of electrotechnical products.

The results also provide valuable market information and insight for businesses in the sector to use when developing their company and digital strategies.

Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the EDA said “This important piece of research coincided with a number of major anniversaries in the Association’s work to digitalise the UK’s electrotechnical sector: six years since we introduced the ETIM data standard to the UK; 3 years since the creation of ETIM UK Ltd in partnership with the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF); and 3 years since the launch of the EDATA data pool.

“There is still much to do to create even greater data awareness within this sector, including helping this sector’s workforce improve its operational and strategic data skills.”

Richard Appleton, Head of Digitalisation at the EDA added, “The survey will provide valuable market information for wholesalers, manufacturers and software providers and, most importantly, will guide how the EDA can help and support digitalisation in the sector.

“Wholesalers’ businesses are changing with 35% now having an ecommerce enabled B2B web site.  However, the results of the survey suggest that, to compete successfully with emerging on-line businesses, wholesalers will need to combine the convenience of digital sales channels with their traditional values of product knowledge and customer service.”

PDF copies of the EDA’s Digitalisation Survey 2023 can be downloaded from the EDA website, click here