By the time you read this we will just be a few days away from the start of the 2026 World Cup. Out of mild curiosity I had a look back to the June 2022 issue of this magazine to see if I had referenced the tournament at all on this page. I’m sorry to say I did not – but then even my faintest interest in football did not get off the ground until Euro 2024 – it’s amazing what the possibility of winning a sweepstake can do, although sadly my plucky Albanian team didn’t come through for me in the end.

With varying kick-off times, and subsequently extended opening hours for the UK’s pubs, not to mention the numerous ‘Fan Parks’ dotted around the country, the World Cup is expected to trigger an unprecedented, simultaneous surge in residential and commercial power consumption. It also serves as a timely reminder of how the UK’s electrical trade is one of the essential engines behind modern entertainment and infrastructure. Just imagine the scenario if there was a power cut during a penalty shoot-out – it would be worse than when our Wi-Fi service goes down!

For many of us, sport and other forms of entertainment and leisure are a vital way to have something different to focus on outside of work. Some people might enjoy their work while for others it is something they must endure in order to pay the bills and put food on the table – but rarely is a job easy or stress-free every single day. Whether it’s watching a football match, going to the theatre or a taking a walk in the countryside, we all need that ‘escape’ on a regular basis to clear our heads and take a mental breather.

I am writing this column during Mental Health Awareness Week (11th-17th May 2026), which offers an important opportunity for the UK’s electrical industry to confront a challenge that has too often remained hidden behind hard hats, deadlines and long shifts.

However, attitudes are beginning to change. Across the UK construction and electrical sectors, more employers are recognising that mental health deserves the same attention as physical safety. Toolbox talks now increasingly include conversations around wellbeing, while training organisations are encouraging managers to identify signs of burnout, depression and stress before problems escalate.

A safer industry is not only one with fewer accidents, but one where people feel supported, valued and able to speak openly when they need help.

Enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

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In a wholesaler’s world, ‘resistance’ isn’t something you measure – it’s something you manage. Right now, it’s showing up everywhere: in supplier costs, in delayed shipments, and in customers pushing back at the trade counter. In 2026, running a wholesale operation has become a balancing act where timing, pricing and stock decisions can make or break your margins.

Let’s start with the biggest pressure point: cable pricing. Copper surged earlier this year, briefly topping $14,500 a tonne. When that single material makes up roughly 70% of cable costs, it’s not just a market headline – it’s a direct hit to stock valuation and purchasing strategy.

For wholesalers, this has turned into a constant game of risk management. Buy too early, and you’re sitting on expensive stock if prices drop. Wait too long, and you’re exposed to spikes and supply gaps, resulting in tighter margins, more frequent price updates, and difficult conversations with contractors who are struggling to keep their quotes down.

Despite the pressure, the opportunity is significant. Demand across the sector remains strong, driven by large-scale infrastructure upgrades and the UK’s push toward Net Zero. For wholesalers, this means consistent throughput – but only for those who can anticipate demand in areas like solar, EV charging and battery storage.

Price increases, such as the recent 3.95% uplift in JIB rates, may help contractors offset costs, but they also reinforce the need for wholesalers to remain competitive while protecting margin. The real growth lies in supporting the shift toward greener technologies, where product demand – and margins – are often higher.

For wholesalers, 2026 is defined by volatility. Between extended lead times, fluctuating material costs and evolving regulations, success depends on agility, strong supplier relationships and the ability to guide customers through constant change. It’s no longer just about having stock on the shelf – it’s about having the right stock, at the right time, with the right knowledge behind it.

In this month’s PEW we have special features on renewables and green technology, home automation and, rather timely, outdoor lighting for the warm summer evenings we can (hopefully) look forward to in the next couple of months, as well as some encouraging apprenticeship stories from Ventilux in our Soapbox column.

Enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Editor

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Welcome to the April issue of PEW. News headlines are dominated at the moment by wars and conflicts, whether it’s Russia- Ukraine, Gaza, or the wider Middle East region. Without getting bogged down in the politics – that’s for other channels – I’m sure we can all agree that war is a bad thing, more so for the people directly affected by it but also for the knock-on effects on the global economy.

Wars throughout history have been extensively covered by film and TV, and future catastrophic disasters are also depicted with varying causes and themes – I’m talking about the likes of The Day After Tomorrow, Greenland, Armageddon and The War of the Worlds. Many such films include storylines in which world leaders, scientists or other important figures are hidden away and protected in underground bunkers or secret bases (well apart from Bill Pullman’s President fighting the aliens in Independence Day). It got me thinking, who would be top of the UK’s list for protection should the end of the world become imminent. The Prime Minister and the reigning monarch are top of the list, whatever your views on them they are a given – some other politicians and royal figures might find themselves left behind! Moving on to trades, you have your key workers, in the medical field, food production and law enforcement among others. As much as I’d like to put myself forward as future editor of Nuclear Bunker Monthly, I feel print journalism might be a bit further down the pecking order. You want your bunker’s services to run smoothly and it to remain structurally sound, so construction professionals are of course a shoo-in.

In fact, tradespeople are sought-after in general anyway, without any national disaster. New research from welding specialist Tadweld has revealed the UK’s highest-earning trades for 2026, with bricklayers, carpenters and plumbers all in the top 20 – and electricians proudly top of the pile. It’s no secret that demand for electricians is booming. Between EV chargers, solar installs, battery storage and the general push toward electrification, there’s more work around than ever. The problem? Not enough people to do it. Contractors across the UK are still struggling to recruit qualified electricians, and many believe the industry needs a stronger pipeline of apprentices to keep up with future demand.

Scotland’s largest construction trade body, SELECT, has recently criticised the UK and Scottish governments for policies it says will undermine the electrical workforce of the future, with rising apprentice wages and decreasing financial support for taking on apprentices causing major concern. If the industry can’t bring enough new talent through the ranks, the skills gap could become the biggest challenge facing the electrical trade over the next decade.

One thing’s certain: the sparks are definitely flying in the sector right now.

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Editor

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Welcome back….is what I would say if I was a mid-morning TV chat show host after a commercial break. It does seem kind of appropriate here though as we return to work in a new year, re-engage our brains and start where we left off.

Let’s be honest, January is unlikely to ever win the People’s Favourite Month award, but (I’ve checked) apparently, we’re not allowed to remove it from the calendar year. And even if we could we’d still need a first month to get through, so it would become February, and if we removed that it would become March, and if…well you get the idea.

We all know the first couple of weeks of a new year can take a while to get going and the infamous terms ‘January Blues’ and ‘Blue Monday’ seep into our minds and trigger us to want to do something to cheer ourselves up. Crowds used to flock to the high streets for January sales – although with the rise of online shopping this has declined slightly in recent years. Holiday promotions are also unavoidable – you can’t turn on the television or radio without Paddy McGuiness telling us about those ‘booking geniuses’. Of course, not everybody is in a position to book a week of winter sun or buy a new sofa, but there are other ways to achieve little victories. Starting a new hobby, taking a short walk on a frosty morning, meeting a friend for coffee or lunch, or simply bingeing a TV series are just some of the things we can do to brighten our days and evenings. Inspiration can come in all sorts of forms and lead us down a positive path.

For example, a January de-clutter can start as something quite small, as you pick a couple of things out of your wardrobe that you’ve not worn in years and list them on Vinted. Before you know it your living room floor is covered in old books, shoes and jackets and you’re planning your next DIY project.

So, while December can be a busy time for tradespeople and wholesalers, with a rush of jobs to finish in amongst seasonal shutdowns, office parties, shopping and holiday traffic, January and February can almost feel too slow in comparison. But new projects are never far away and before you know it there’s blossom on the trees and it’s the Easter bank holiday and you can eat chocolate again. See, you feel better again already!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Editor

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Welcome to the October issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

My column in September drew some amusing comments from colleagues, in particular the opening paragraph about my referencing seeing Fatboy Slim and Kaiser Chiefs at the Latitude Festival this summer. The inference from some was that I was only including this information to appear ‘cool’ to my readers. Nothing could be further from the truth of course, but to avoid such accusations I shall avoid any further mention of music festivals – a decision I reached while I sipped champagne at the Burghley Horse Trials.

The weather was warm enough to make us believe that summer was still going strong but a few days later I started seeing Christmas products in the shops and my heart sank just a little – we’ve not even had Hallowe’en yet! I do believe retailers are just trolling us now. We have Christmas adverts playing on the radio and television, so by 1st December you are already sick of the festive songs you used to love – and I’m not sure I can take any more hype about the new M&S, John Lewis or Boots seasonal commercials. It won’t be long before they’re being directed by Steven Spielberg and getting a Leicester Square premiere!

I would be curious to know how early electrical wholesalers decorate their stores, if at all. Sure, you’ll get the odd customer coming in looking for some new fairy lights, but I’m not convinced reindeer-themed workwear or tools wrapped in tinsel will be huge sellers…(famous last words). All this premature marketing must work though and, despite all my ranting above, the date and location for our office Christmas dinner have already been confirmed.

Moving on, October is also when we see the weather really begin to turn, and I start wondering how long I can survive before I give in and switch the heating on. From a personal and selfish point of view, yes I want to be warm and comfortable but I also want to keep my energy bills down. With my professional hat on, and as someone who has spent years writing about the built environment – I am also thinking about my environmental impact. Energy efficient heating systems are going to play a crucial role in the UK’s decarbonisation journey and we are likely to see the emergence of systems once considered niche, like electric radiant heating, into the mainstream. Schwank’s article on page 22 goes into more detail about the benefits radiant heating can bring to large premises like factories and warehouses.

Also this month, Knightsbridge highlights some current trends in wiring accessories on page 27, and we learn about Tridonic’s plans for sustainability and Net Zero in Soapbox on page 48.

Enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

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Welcome to our combined July/August issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler. I’m writing this editorial the day before the summer solstice and although my memory might be hazy it looks like we’re getting the weather it deserves this year for the first time in a while.

In recent years I’m sure it has felt like the ‘longest day’ has come and gone with a whimper as it’s been so overcast but this year the forecast at time of writing is 30°C for 21st June!

No, I’m not going to be one of those people who say it’s too hot, but such temperatures do make you more appreciative that most modern cars come with air-conditioning as standard these days. I remember a time when it only came in more luxurious cars and the only way to try and stay cool was to have to have all your windows down, and that only felt like you were being blasted with a hair dryer. As well as air-conditioning we’ve seen a range of in-car innovations over the last few decades such as electric windows, assisted parking, built-in satnav and Bluetooth. The engines powering our cars, however, have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.

Now the tide is definitely starting to turn. In this column 12 months ago I mentioned that electric vehicles (EVs) were around as far back as the 1830s. Now, the ‘hum’ of EVs is almost as common as the ‘brrrum’ of petrol and diesel cars on our streets. It does make me wonder what noises toddlers will be making with their toys in years to come, but I digress…

The transition to EVs in the UK is accelerating. In 2024, a record 381,970 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold – an increase of 21.4% from 2023 and a 19.6% market share. Looking ahead, the government has set a target that requires 80% of new cars to be zeroemission by 2030 and 100% by 2035. More than 80,000 EV charge points are already available in the UK and a further 100,000 have just been pledged by the government in the coming years. While ‘range anxiety’ and affordability remain obstacles for many potential customers, the UK’s EV transition does appear to be well underway.

In this issue we have feature articles from CTEK and Eclipse, which discuss the problems of widely misunderstood messaging surrounding smart EV charging, and also how the information generated by EV charging can help meet the energy demands of Artificial Intelligence. We also have a Face to Face with Paul Ruddick of D-Line who talks about the latest developments in cable management, and a Soapbox column from David Barnes of KNIPEX who explains how responsible toolmaking can shape a better future.

Enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

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Welcome to the May issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler. The clocks have changed, the sun is shining and the evenings are lighter and so we can all enjoy being outside doing whatever it is we all love doing outdoors.

For some that might be going for a bike ride or run, for others it might be sipping a glass of wine on the patio. Sport of course can also result in injuries (so can drinking too much wine but I won’t get into that now) and various team members here at PEW have experienced their own fair share in recent times, myself included.

At the Annual Luncheon for the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) in April our guest speaker, former sprint and hurdling athlete Colin Jackson, shared stories from his career, including the frustrations that injuries can bring to professional sportspeople. Their potential successes and livelihoods can disappear in a flash with an awkward fall or slip. Our jobs at PEW are a bit more ‘desk-orientated’, however there are occasions when we do have to venture outside and lift the odd heavy box (back straight, bend your knees etc) and personal injuries can throw the odd spanner in the works.

We’re a pretty small group at PEW, which I find much more preferable than working for a large organisation. Everybody knows and talks to each other and the ‘left arm’ of the team generally knows what the ‘right arm’ is doing and vice-versa. Problems only arise when one of the arms becomes incapacited for whatever reason, like, I don’t know being pole-axed by an angry teenager in a five-a-side football match. Unlike the Pep Guardiolas of the world, we don’t have an array of substitutes to call upon when this kind of thing happens. I sometimes wish we could skip forward a few chapters in the advancement of Home Automation – one of our special features this month – and deploy robots to cover staff absences, but then I wonder if I’ve been watching too much Black Mirror!

In this issue we are also taking a look at Renewables & Green Technology. With the 2030 phase-out date of new petrol and diesel cars recently being confirmed by the government, this is going to be a crucial sector of the industry in the next five years and beyond.

I’m off to cover the PEW team in bubble wrap – enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

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After the cold and grey of February the first week of March brought with it some much needed sunshine. It felt like just reward for us all getting through the post-Christmas gloom. Of course we’re not helped by smug social media posts from people boasting about completing ‘Dry January’ or giving up chocolate for three months – chocolate was invented to get us through this spell, people! (I might fact- check this later…). We’ve moved into that part of the year when we have the heater on in the car first thing in the morning but need the air-conditioning on by lunchtime.

We’re also emerging out of the other side of a busy run of glitzy awards ceremonies, where we’re indirectly told what films and tv shows we should be watching by way of the Golden Globes, Oscars and BAFTAs, and what music we should be listening to at the Grammys and the BRIT Awards. The biggest one of all, however, was on 6th March at the Intercontinental Hotel on London’s Park Lane. I am of course talking about the EDA Annual Awards and Dinner – the flagship event of the year for electrical distributors across the UK. Sadly I was unable to attend myself but PEW was able to dispatch a reporter to witness proceedings on the night (we’re basically like the BBC here at PEW HQ, only slightly smaller).

Colin Murray, the former radio DJ, sports presenter and current host of Countdown was the evening’s special guest and threw his heart and soul into proceedings, enjoying himself enormously and doing his best to ensure everybody in attendance had a good time as well. This included an electrical-themed Countdown conundrum game, and concluding the night by leading guests in a rousing rendition of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline – I really wish I could have been there!

Continuing with the ‘word’ theme, I’ll finish off with a bit of fun. With it being Easter this month I have listed below industry-related words or phrases that start with each letter of the word ‘Easter’.

E – Electricians – well who else is going to install all the amazing technology you dispense?

A – Accessories – as in, cabling accessories and one of our special features this month.

S – Safety, a fundamental cornerstone of the electrotechnical and wider construction industry. Also, software solutions, another of this issue’s special features.

T –  Tools, or test equipment – you can go with your own preference here.

E – Emergency lighting – rather conveniently our third special feature in this issue.

R – Renewable technology – an essential part of our mission to Net Zero.

Can you do better? Probably. See you next month!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

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Welcome to the March issue of PEW! It feels good writing that even though I’m actually writing this in February, the cold, dark nights of January and February are coming to an end. When I walked into the bathroom this morning I thought I’d left the light on, before realising that it was actually sunlight streaming through the window, happy times ahead!

I always do my best to steer clear of politics on this page as there are already enough opinions out there and this page really just serves as a friendly introduction, linking real life with topical industry subjects. I am even more reluctant to stray into American politics, but when President Trump delivers such a gift of a talking point for the construction industry then it is very hard to ignore.

Headlines such as ‘Freedom to choose lightbulbs’ and ‘Trump reignites the lightbulb wars’ might once have been dreamt up in the writers’ room of a satirical comedy but in 2025 it is in fact reality, as the 47th (and 45th) President of the United States has declared war on LED technology and vowed to bring back the traditional lightbulb.

Of all of Trump’s many gripes with the world I didn’t think LED lighting was going to be up there but he has indeed signed an order dubbed ‘Unleashing American Energy’, designed to remove ‘burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations that have impeded the development of [natural] resources’. In an ironic moment of self-awareness he also stated during his first term that “you look better with incandescent lights”, adding, “of course being a vain person, that’s very important to me.” With lines like that the future of satire really is in danger!

Such is the nature of American politics, the ‘lightbulb wars’ have been a thing ever since George W. Bush started the transition to LEDs in 2007 when he signed the Energy Independence and Security Act. Barack Obama kept things going in the same direction, before consecutive reversals occurred in the Trump/Biden/Trump era.

Given the advancement and widespread popularity of LEDs in today’s market it remains to be seen how successful Trump will be in his quest to bring back the incandescent lightbulb, and I can’t speak for all Americans so all we can do for now is watch with interest from afar.

Back on this side of the Atlantic, Recolight continues to carry out sterling work in its mission to deliver a circular economy for lighting. On page 26 Chief Executive Nigel Harvey explains how electrical wholesalers can play their part, and we’ve also got features from Ovia and Ansell Lighting making up our special feature on Lighting, while in this month’s Soapbox column you can find out how Zumtobel Group is advancing its sustainability journey.

If you’re reading, Mr President, enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

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