On the 31^st of August, Surge Protection Devices celebrated its 20^th anniversary, marking two decades of technical innovation and a continued commitment to advancing electrical safety.

Founded 20 years ago, the company has grown from humble beginnings into a leading UK specialist in lightning and surge protection, with its products now protecting installations around the world. From military bases and historic landmarks to factories, data centres and homes, its solutions provide vital protection against lightning and transient overvoltages.

The company’s growth has accelerated over the past eight years, with enhanced surge protection requirements within the BS 7671 wiring regulations helping to establish surge protection as an essential part of modern electrical infrastructure.

Alongside product development, Surge Protection Devices Ltd has placed knowledge sharing and education at the heart of its work. Through free accredited CPD training and active involvement in British Standards, the company continues to support electrical professionals and help raise industry standards.

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A new independent report commissioned by Klipboard has revealed that late payments have become almost universal across the wholesale and distribution sector, with 98% of businesses reporting overdue customer payments.

Based on a survey of over 300 distribution businesses and 250 trade buyers from across the UK, the research was commissioned to better understand how payment processes are affecting customer experience, operational efficiency and cash flow across the distribution sector.

The results explore the biggest payment challenges facing the industry, the causes and impact of late payments, the most common issues buyers have with payments and the ways customers would prefer to pay.

Key findings

• 98% of distributors deal with late payments
• 56% spend over six hours per week on manual payment admin
• 96% employ at least one person dedicated to payments and credit control
• 94% believe offering multiple payment options boosts customer loyalty
• Just 12% of distributors operate with a single payment provider

The findings suggest late payments remain a near-universal challenge for distributors, placing pressure on cash flow while creating additional work for finance and credit control teams. The issue remains firmly in the spotlight following the UK Government’s announcement earlier this year of new measures aimed at tackling late payments and strengthening protections for suppliers.

At the same time, distributors are under growing pressure to offer customers more choice in how and when they pay. While many businesses have introduced additional payment methods and providers to improve the customer experience, doing so can create disconnected systems, more manual administration and more difficult reconciliation. This ‘payment sprawl’ can make it harder to track and collect payments efficiently, contributing to delays and cash flow challenges.

Lochan Sim, VP of Payments at Klipboard, commented: “The research shows that late payments have become a fact of life for almost every distributor, creating unnecessary pressure on cash flow and placing a significant administrative burden on finance teams.

“The businesses we work with want faster, more efficient ways to collect payments – without creating additional complexity for their teams or customers. Our mission is simple: to give distributors access to modern payment technology that helps them get paid faster, operate more efficiently and make it easier for customers to do business with them. The easier you are to buy from and pay, the more likely customers are to come back and buy again.”

To download a copy of The 2026 Distribution Payments Report, visit: https://www.klipboard.com/payment-in-distribution

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UK-based lighting manufacturer Thorlux Lighting has marked its 90^th anniversary throughout the summer with charity events and the opening of a refreshed visitor centre at its Redditch, Worcestershire headquarters. As the company continues to innovate and works towards a validated net-zero target, its future remains bright.

Founder Frederick William Thorpe first manufactured Thorlux luminaires in 1936. Based in a small factory in Small Heath, Birmingham, the company initially made vitreous enamelled steel reflectors.

This was the beginning of a journey that would see Thorlux grow into a globally recognised manufacturer of luminaires and lighting control systems, becoming the largest company in the FW Thorpe Group.

Thorlux has installed a spinning lathe used since the 1930s as the centrepiece of its refreshed Thorlux Application Centre. The centre also includes an improved Emergency Lighting Experience, providing guests with a realistic, educational power failure escape scenario.

Thorlux remains at the forefront of modern UK luminaire manufacture, with multi-million-pound investments in advanced technology at its Redditch factory. The company still proudly makes over 90% of its products in the Midlands, employing five hundred people locally. Thorlux specialises in energy-efficient, sustainable products, and is working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

Mark Stevenson, Marketing Lead at Thorlux, said: “90 years is a major milestone for Thorlux. As a proud UK manufacturer, it is important to reflect on our accomplishments so far – from pioneering energy-saving controls to relighting the clock faces of Big Ben – while keeping our eyes on the future. The best is still to come!”

Get more details at: www.thorlux.co.uk/

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Snickers Workwear has announced a new charity partnership with Band of Builders, reinforcing its commitment to supporting people working across the UK construction industry.

The partnership will see the two organisations collaborate on a range of fundraising and awareness initiatives, while Snickers Workwear will also supply free workwear to hundreds of Band of Builders volunteers undertaking charitable projects across the country.

Band of Builders provides practical, financial and wellbeing support to members of the construction industry and their families facing illness, injury or other life-changing circumstances. Through its nationwide volunteer network, the charity delivers projects and assistance designed to make a lasting difference to those in need.

The collaboration also aims to raise awareness of the challenges affecting tradespeople, both on and off site, while highlighting the importance of supporting the industry’s workforce.

Ben Stacey, UK Sales Manager at Snickers Workwear, said: “The construction industry is built on teamwork, resilience and looking out for one another. Band of Builders embodies those values every day through the incredible support it provides to people facing difficult circumstances. We are proud to name Band of Builders as our chosen charity and look forward to working together on a range of initiatives that will make a real difference to construction workers and their families.”

Gavin Crane, CEO of Band of Builders, added: “We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Snickers Workwear, a brand that is trusted and respected by construction workers across the UK. Our mission is to ensure people don’t have to face their challenges alone through practical projects, financial assistance and wellbeing support.”

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Bobcat Safety Footwear has secured a trio of major stockists just months after its launch.

Among the latest additions is MacGregor Industrial Supplies (MIS), one of the largest independent industrial suppliers in North Scotland – serving the industrial, construction and engineering sectors across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire. Selected Bobcat boots and shoes are now available through MIS’s extensive branch network and online platform, with 24/7 trade account ordering and daily delivery services. To celebrate the launch, MIS is offering complimentary footwear from the Bobcat range with every Bobcat equipment purchase or hire.

Versatile Equipment, the UK’s number one Bobcat dealership serving London and the South East, has also added Bobcat Safety Footwear to its offering, providing customers with easy access to the brand’s innovative boots and shoes alongside its construction and industrial equipment.

Safety-Shoes.co.uk, an leading online safety shoe supplier, further expands Bobcat’s national footprint, making the range accessible to customers across the South of England.

This follows a growing network of PPE and workwear specialists across the breadth of the country now stocking Bobcat Safety Footwear, greatly increasing availability and accessibility for customers across the UK.

Peter Lawson, Brand Manager at Overland Shoes, the footwear powerhouse behind Bobcat Safety Footwear launch, commented: “Since introducing the Bobcat Safety Footwear range just months ago, the response has already surpassed our expectations. Clearly, the market has been crying out for a range that combines standout style, all-day comfort  and uncompromising protection – and Bobcat delivers on all three at a mid-market price point. Quite simply, there’s nothing else like it today.

“It is therefore incredibly exciting to have such highly regarded stockists on board. This is another step forward in expanding our national reach and delivering trusted products that combine comfort, protection and reliability.

“We encourage any merchants or distributors interested in stocking our products not to delay and to get in touch today, we’ll be happy to help.”

For more information please visit www.bobcat-footwear.com

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New industry research from test equipment specialists Martindale Electric has revealed that 86% of electrical professionals have experienced an ‘electrical incident’ at work and it’s just part of a wider picture of many electrical incidents and near misses among UK electrical professionals.

Martindale Electric has published new research showing the true scale of electrical incidents experienced by professionals working with electricity every day. An ‘electrical incident’ or ‘near miss’ includes minor electric shocks, arc events and unexpected energisation.

The findings, based on a survey sent to tens of thousands of electrical contracting professionals, were gathered to better understand real-world experiences of electrical safety, electrical incidents and incident reporting across the industry.

Among the key findings, Martindale Electric found:

• 86% of electrical professionals have personally experienced at least one electrical incident while working
• A massive 78% of those who responded have had a ‘near miss’
• 64% have witnessed an electrical incident involving another electrician on the job
• Over half of electrical professionals stated that the most recent incident or near miss they experienced or witnessed was not reported formally.
• 86% of electrical professionals say they are very familiar with Safe Isolation Procedures but only 55% always follow it in full before starting work
• If the Safe Isolation Procedure has not been followed fully before starting work, the most common reason given was ‘confidence the circuit was dead’ (46%), followed by ‘Time pressure’ (25%).

This gap between knowing the procedure and following it every time is where accidents happen. Martindale Electric developed ALIVE, a memorable five-step framework designed to make safe isolation second nature for anyone working on or near electrical systems:

A is for approved kit (equipment must meet legal safety standards)

L is for lockout ( point of isolation should be identified, locked out and tagged)

I is for initial prove (voltage indicator should be tested against a proving unit)

V is for voltage test (electricians must confirm there is no dangerous voltage in the circuit)

E is for ensure (the voltage indicator must be re-tested against the proving unit before starting work)

“These figures show that electrical incidents and near misses are still far too common on-site and that too many go unreported,” said Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric.

“It is positive to see that almost every respondent to our research recognises the Safe Isolation Procedure, but recognising it and following it fully every single time are clearly two different things. We really want to encourage everyone working around electricity to maintain their awareness of electrical safety procedures and use the resources available to keep their knowledge up to date on the latest safety practices and guidance.

“Our ALIVE acronym is a simple, five-step routine that takes the guesswork out of staying safe and we’d encourage every electrical professional to make following it second nature, every single time.”

The Martindale Electrical Safety in the Workplace Survey 2026 was conducted between June and July 2026 to gather original insight from professionals who work with or around electricity. More than 100,000 electrical professionals were invited to participate in the survey.

For more detailed information relating to this survey, visit: https://martindale-electric.co.uk/electrical-safety-in-uk-workplaces-original-industry-research/

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Sync Energy has unveiled a new all-electric Roadshow Van designed to bring its range of EV charging and home energy solutions directly to electrical wholesalers and contractors across the UK.

The mobile showroom is visiting wholesaler branches, trade counters, customer sites and industry events, giving installers the opportunity to explore products first-hand, speak with technical experts and learn more about the support available from the Sync Energy team.

Designed as a practical demonstration space, the van showcases products from across the Sync Energy portfolio, including domestic and commercial EV charging solutions and home energy technologies. Visitors are able to see product features in action, discuss installation requirements and take part in live demonstrations and CPD sessions.

The roadshow has been created to make it easier for busy contractors to engage with the brand, access technical guidance and stay informed about the latest developments in the renewable energy sector.

Chris Green, Marketing Director at Luceco Group, said: “The Roadshow Van gives us an excellent opportunity to meet the contractors and wholesalers who work with our products every day.

“It’s about more than displaying products. It allows us to demonstrate how the solutions work in real-world applications, answer questions face-to-face and provide practical support directly to installers.

“We know contractors value products that are reliable, easy to install and backed by knowledgeable support, and this roadshow enables us to deliver that experience directly to them.”

Selected roadshow events will also feature CPD opportunities, product promotions and interactive activities.

For more information and to see where the Roadshow Van will be visiting next, click here

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It’s been a busy few months in the electrical industry, with new appointments and shake-ups across different sectors. Keep up to date with the latest movements here, as we details who has gone where…

Laurie Wilson, Jean-Baptiste Praud, Gary Groves & Kath Kearns

CMP PRODUCTS

CMP Products – has announced a strategic restructure of its UK and Europe sales team.

As part of the new structure, Laurie Wilson has been promoted to Regional Manager (UK, Ireland & Europe and Central Asia), recognising more than a decade of contribution to the business. Jean‑Baptiste Praud has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager (Europe), while Gary Groves joins CMP as Regional Sales Manager (UK and Ireland) from Riello UPS. Jean‑Baptiste and Gary will report to Laurie, who in turn reports to CEO Vince Patterson. In addition, Kath Kearns will transition into a Key Account Manager (Europe) role, further strengthening support for strategic customers across the region. With nearly 39 years at the business, she has played a key role in driving growth and building strong, lasting relationships with customers across Europe, and her new role ensures continued focus on these key relationships.

Connor Mavers & Declan Shaw

ELUCIAN

Elucian has strengthened its regional sales team with the appointment of Connor Mavers as Area Sales Manager for the South-Central region, and Declan Shaw as Area Sales Manager for the South Yorkshire & East Midlands region. Connor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the electrical sector to the Elucian team. His background includes roles in quality and control, where he supported product testing and development, and contributed to achieving LIA‑accredited status for photometric testing. He has also worked in business development, broadening his commercial insight and strengthening his understanding of customer needs.

Declan brings over a decade of sales experience to the role, including several years within the electrical industry. Having worked for a national electrical wholesaler as an Account Manager before moving into manufacturing, he has developed a strong understanding of both sides of the industry and the challenges faced across the supply chain. This combined experience has helped him build strong customer relationships and develop a customer-focused approach to supporting accounts.

Harry Charalambous & Sean Mullan

UNICRIMP

Unicrimp has announced the appointment of Harry Charalambous as Area Sales Manager for the London, Reading and Oxford region, and Sean Mullan as Area Sales Manager for Northern Ireland.

Harry brings more than seven years of experience within the electrical sector. He spent six years in branch management roles with leading electrical wholesalers across London, where he built strong customer relationships and developed a deep understanding of the trade. Most recently, he served as an Area Sales Manager for a recognised lighting manufacturer, further expanding his technical knowledge and commercial expertise.

Sean joins the business with a strong background in branch management and customer-facing roles, bringing experience from both the electrical wholesale and motor industries. Most recently, he has worked within electrical wholesale as a Business Development Manager and Branch Manager, developing his understanding of the sector and building strong relationships with customers. Prior to this, he held branch management positions within the motor industry, where he gained valuable experience in sales, operations, and customer service.

Catch up on previous months ‘Movers and shakers’ articles here

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CMP Products is evolving its approach to community engagement in 2026, expanding its support to five carefully selected charities across the North East.

In recent years, the Cramlington‑based manufacturer of cable glands, cleats and accessories has supported a Charity of the Year, enabling focused fundraising and awareness activity. While this approach has been successful – including raising £20,000 for Anxious Minds last year – the company has chosen to broaden its support as part of its continued growth and commitment to making a more meaningful impact.

Under the new approach, CMP will support a small number of organisations whose work closely reflects the causes its people care about most and aligns with the company’s Vision, Mission and Values.

The organisations CMP will support are:

• FACT Cancer Support – Providing practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer across the North East
• Hope Centre (Cramlington) – A social ministries hub offering community support services including food and uniform banks and grief support
• Azure Charitable Foundation – Supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities, enabling greater independence through employment training and workplace partnerships
• Anxious Minds – Delivering early intervention and sustained mental health support for individuals and families
• Local dog and cat shelters – Helping care for and rehome animals in need within the region

This broader framework allows CMP to build deeper, longer‑term partnerships while giving employees more opportunities to contribute – whether through fundraising, volunteering, making donations or raising awareness.

Leanne Branfoot, Human Resources Advisor and Culture Champion at CMP, said: “Supporting our local communities has always been important to us. As CMP grows, we want our community impact to grow with it. The Group made the decision to expand beyond a single charity to enable us to reflect the passions of our people and respond more thoughtfully to different needs across the region.

“It’s about supporting each organisation in the way that matters most – and ensuring our contribution is both meaningful and sustainable.”

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City Electrical Factors (CEF) has announced a new charity partnership with WellChild to support children with complex medical needs and their families through fundraising, volunteering and practical community projects.

The partnership will see CEF support WellChild’s programmes, including Helping Hands, which transforms outdoor spaces into safe and accessible environments for children and their families. CEF volunteers have already completed three Helping Hands projects, with further transformations planned across the UK this year.

Alongside volunteering, CEF team members will raise funds to support WellChild’s wider services, including the Better at Home programme, which helps children leave hospital sooner and receive care safely at home by providing specialist training and support for parents and carers.

One recent Helping Hands project enabled two brothers who use wheelchairs to safely access their garden for the first time, following a transformation completed by CEF volunteers.

Connor Dalton, Director of Sustainability, Health & Safety at CEF, said: “We’re proud to support WellChild and the incredible work they do for seriously ill children and their families across the UK.

Giving back to our communities is part of who we are, and partnering with WellChild allows us to contribute with real and lasting impact.”

Matt James, CEO at WellChild, said: “We are excited to begin this partnership with CEF.

“Our shared values, commitment and passion will have a positive impact on the lives of children and families across the UK, helping to create a lasting legacy of care for years to come.”

The partnership was selected following feedback from CEF team members and forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities as it celebrates 75 years in business.

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