Marshall-Tufflex has opened a new Customer Experience Centre in Manchester, creating a dedicated facility for customers and partners across the electrical industry.

The purpose-built centre has been designed as a hub for meetings, product demonstrations and training, allowing the company to host customer visits, CPD sessions and technical presentations. It also provides visitors with the opportunity to explore Marshall-Tufflex’s cable management solutions and discuss applications with members of the company’s team.

The facility showcases a wide range of cable management systems, including Basor metal cable management products such as wire basket, ladder, tray and trunking systems. Visitors can also view the company’s PVC-U cable management range, which includes trunking and conduit manufactured using recycled PVC-U.

Other displays highlight Marshall-Tufflex’s underfloor-to-desk solutions designed to manage power and data connections from raised floors to workstations, as well as GRP cable management systems suited to harsh or corrosive environments.

In addition to product displays, the centre includes meeting and training facilities, featuring a conference room that can accommodate up to 18 guests in a boardroom layout or 35 theatre style. Two breakout rooms, seating four and eight people respectively, are also available for smaller meetings and discussions.

Marshall-Tufflex says the new Manchester facility reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting contractors and wholesalers with practical environments where they can learn more about products, applications and best practice.

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We hear how Basor cable management from Marhall-Tufflex has helped deliver a council building refurbishment in Lincoln.

Marshall-Tufflex’s range of Basor metal cable management has been utilised extensively for the refurbishment of Lincolnshire County Council’s Orchard House. Specialist electrical contractor Brook & Mayo required a robust solution that was competitively priced and, importantly, could be supplied in line with the short project timescales.

Orchard House

The newly opened Orchard House in the centre of Lincoln includes both the city’s new, larger registry office and office accommodation for Lincolnshire County Council staff. Before Orchard House could fulfil this role, the council needed to undertake a refurbishment of the building. A key part of this was installing new cabling to ensure the five floors of 600m2 office space had the power and data connections required, as well as connections for fire alarms and emergency lighting throughout the building.

Brook & Mayo, which received the contract to carry out the electrical installation, looked at the cable management options available. The cables specified included standard Twin and Earth low smoke and fire (LSF) cable, fire resistant cables for the alarms and lighting, CAT6 data cables and Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) submain cable. Therefore, it needed different cable management products to suit the various cables, including heavy duty solutions that could handle the weight of armoured cable. Working with electrical wholesaler LEW in Lincoln, the Brook & Mayo team selected Basor metal cable tray, both medium and heavy duty, and Basor fast fit wire basket. Basor products are exclusively supplied in the UK by Marshall-Tufflex.

Strength and resistance

Stephen Roberts, Buyer at Brook & Mayo, explained: “We only use metal cable management systems on our projects for the strength, durability and simplicity of meeting the fire safety requirements of the Wiring Regulations with regard to the premature collapse of cables. However, on this project we needed quality products that were also priced competitively and could be supplied with minimal lead times to ensure our installation team could complete the work in accordance with the wider refurbishment programme. All these requirements could be met by using the Basor tray and basket from the Marshall-Tufflex range.”

The Basor metal cable tray, ideal for commercial and industrial applications, features a fast-coupling design that allows the sections to be simply bolted together with no need for separate couplers, saving significant time across an installation. For the Orchard House project, Marshall-Tufflex supplied a range of fittings including equal tee, 90-degree flat bend and four-way equal cross sections. The Basor wire basket, suited to lighter cable loads, also includes a fast-coupling system with integral couplers for a simple and easy connection that can be completed in just two steps. The unique rippled design of the basket enhances its strength and resistance to flexing.

Adrian Bryant, Regional Sales Manager at Marshall-Tufflex, concluded: “The Orchard house project highlights the benefits of the Basor metal cable tray and basket products, including the durability and the fast and simple installation process. The tray has a wide range of components and fittings to suit almost any installation requirement, while the basket can be easily adapted based on the needs of the installation area, including complicated changes in direction. As with this project, the Marshall-Tufflex nationwide distribution network means the products can be quickly supplied when and where they are needed.”

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A look at the latest display solutions to help increase your in-store purchases.

Marshall-Tufflex understands that every wholesaler has unique point of sale (POS) needs and recognises that one-size doesn’t fit all. As such, the cable management solutions manufacturer offers a varied and extensive range of POS options, as well as the chance to discuss bespoke requirements, all of which can play a pivotal role in boosting visibility and maximising revenue potential.

Marshall-Tufflex’s latest selection, which includes product display boards, outdoor banners, pull up banners and posters, allows branches to showcase and market the company’s comprehensive range of products including underfloor to desk, metal cable management, GRP, wire basket systems and more.

Reinforcing brand presence

Branded Marshall-Tufflex floor mats are a simple way to elevate the counter area, making use of floor space in even the busiest branches. Durable and eye-catching, they reinforce brand presence from the moment customers walk in.

For areas where space is limited, promotional content and animations for television screens are ideal. Marshall-Tufflex can supply video content as a useful way to educate contractors on a wide range of cable management installation solutions.

Promotional merchandise

Marshall-Tufflex encourages wholesalers to get in contact with their local Area Sales Manager who can help with requests for promotional solutions, including any custom requirements. Additionally, a selection of Marshall-Tufflex branded merchandise such as coffee cups, water bottles, pens, notebooks, hats, key rings and coasters are also available to be used for trade events and new branch openings.

Whether you’re refreshing your space or preparing for a trade event, Marshall-Tufflex POS materials are designed to support your branch and boost visibility. Speak to your local Area Sales Manager to find out how they can help bring your counter space to life.

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Terry Adams, Technical Services Manager at Marshall-Tufflex, outlines how wholesalers can help installers to select the correct cable tray, including considerations such as materials, loading capacities, fire safety requirements and installation methods.

Cable trays are an ideal cable management solution for many applications. In busy commercial environments, cable tray can be used to support and route large quantities of electrical cable in a structured manner. They also provide easy access, allowing cables to be added, removed or re-routed. The perforated construction of cable tray also aids ventilation to help avoid overheating.

There is a wide range of cable tray options available, from smaller, light gauge products ideal for less demanding applications to heavyweight options engineered to support large numbers of cables of increased size and weight. Leading manufacturers will also have an extensive portfolio of components including bends, risers, tee pieces, crosses and lids to meet any installation requirement.

However, there are a number of factors that must be considered to ensure the correct products are selected, especially as this can impact the compliance of the installation with the IET Wiring Regulations.

The right material for the job

The first consideration is the type of cable tray that would be most suitable, and the biggest differentiator is the material. Metal cable tray, typically made from pre-galvanised steel is recommended for interior installations such as data centres, warehouses or commercial retail buildings. Usually available as light, medium or heavy duty gauges, metal cable tray is strong and simple to install. Look for systems that interconnect and bolt together without the need for separate couplers to speed up installation times.

PVC Cable Tray is lightweight and ideally suited for installation into environments where Metal Cable Tray cannot be used due to the corrosive nature of the environment. Suitable applications might be water treatment plants or high humidity environments where a non-corrosive installation is recommended.

For outdoor applications or where the cable management will be exposed to more harsh conditions, Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) may be the most suitable. GRP products are commonly used on rail, road, marine, industrial and petrochemical projects. This is because GRP products are highly resistant to corrosion, are UV resistant and effective at temperatures between -80 degrees and 130 degrees. GRP is also a low smoke zero halogen (LS0H) material, has excellent fire performance and withstands contact with many common chemicals. As well as being extremely robust, GRP is considerably lighter than aluminium or steel, making it easy to install and move around site.

Contractors working on transport projects, may also be looking for a supplier who are RISQS verified. RISQS is an independent qualification assessment of a supplier’s products and services.

Loading capacities

It is essential that the specified cable tray can support the weight of the cables installed, especially where heavier armoured cable is being used. It is often the case that cable management systems are overloaded with cables, increasing the risk of failure. To ensure the right product is chosen, installers should calculate the number and weight of the cables using information from the cable manufacturers. This figure can then be compared to the safe working load of the cable tray, again available from the manufacturer, to determine which product is required. Similarly, when providing advice on the support system, it is important to also account for the weight of the cable tray itself.

If the installation is likely to be expanded in the future with additional cables, it is worth recommending that installers select a product that provides a higher loading capacity than is currently required. This will ensure it is future-proofed and reduce the overall costs for end clients over the long term as the cable management will not need to be upgraded later at additional cost.

Fire safety

The correct choice of cable management system plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety of the building in the event of a fire and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the 18^th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. Where cable management systems fail due to the heat of a fire, the falling and fallen cables present a serious hazard to those evacuating as well as firefighters moving into and through the building. In fact, there have been a number of cases of firefighters losing their lives when they became caught in the cables and unable to escape.

In response to this hazard, Regulation 521.10.202 of the Wiring Regulations states that all cables should be adequately supported using non-combustible fixings to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire. This means that cables need to be supported using a material with a melting point of 1000°C for up to 120 minutes.

It is important to note that it requires all cables to be fixed to prevent them falling, rather than just those in escape routes, as was stated in earlier editions of the regulations. Providing they are fixed to a fire-resistant element of the building’s fabric, steel cable trays are an ideal solution to meeting this requirement. The 18^th Edition states that: ‘cables installed in or on steel containment systems are deemed to meet the requirements of this regulation’. This is because, depending on the steel’s composition, it has a melting point of between 1200 and 1500°C.

Where products with a lower melting point are used, such as those manufactured from PVC-U or aluminium, the cables must be securely fixed to the structure of the building using fixings that will not disintegrate in fire. BEAMA has produced guidance on this topic which is referenced by the IET Wiring Regulations. In the ‘Prevention of Premature Collapse: A Guide to the Design, Installation and Inspection of Cable Management Systems’ document, BEAMA provides specific guidelines on maximum distances the cables can move in the event of a failure of the containment. Installers should refer to this guidance to ensure the installation is fully compliant.

Those working in wholesaler branches are ideally placed to help installers select products that will meet the requirement of the current project and ensure the installation is fully compliant with the regulations.

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Marshall-Tufflex has added a new range of metal cable ladder to its comprehensive offering. The new cable ladder from Basor is available in a range of sizes and is suitable for a wide array of applications where higher loads or wider spans are required.

The robust and easy to install metal cable ladder is designed for routing heavy duty cables across large areas. This makes it ideal for industrial applications as well as use in manufacturing facilities, power generation buildings, airports, railways and tunnels. The hot dip galvanised steel cable ladder is available in widths from 100 mm to 900 mm and heights of 75mm, 100mm, 125mm and 150mm.

The metal cable ladders have perforated side panels along their length. This not only provides ventilation when a lid is installed but also makes installation easier when the ladder needs to be cut to size on site as there is no need to drill holes to enable assembly. The cable ladders also feature safety edges that prevent cable damage and injury when installing the product.

The launch of the metal cable ladder follows recent additions of metal cable tray, trunking and strut to the manufacturer’s portfolio.

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Cable management manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex has bolstered its comprehensive portfolio with metal trunking and strut to provide even more choice when it comes to the organisation, protection and support of cabling across a wide variety of applications. These products join metal cable tray and fast fit wire basket to provide a full range of metal cable management solutions.

The IP4X rated metal trunking is ideal for heavy duty installations including manufacturing plants, warehouses, laboratories and other industrial facilities. Manufactured from hot dipped, zinc coated low carbon steel strip to meet BS EN10346, the collection is stocked and available in 27 different size variants. The metal trunking is also supplied with Marshall-Tufflex’s unique hexagonal turnbuckle lid fixings for fast and easy installation.

To celebrate its expanding range of products, Marshall-Tufflex is giving Professional Electricians Wholesaler readers the chance to win a deluxe Virgin Experience Day.

To view the full range of cable management solutions available from Marshall-Tufflex, please visit: www.marshall-tufflex.com

HOW TO ENTER

To be in with a chance of winning the Virgin Experience Day, simply choose the correct answer from the following choices

Q. What is the total number of size variants within Marshall-Tufflex’s new metal trunking range?

A) 7

B) 17

C) 27

Simply fill out the form below and tell us your answer for the chance to WIN!

Deadline for entries 31/10/24

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Marshall-Tufflex has added a new collection of metal strut and trunking to its extensive portfolio.

The new products provide contractors with even more choice when it comes to the organisation, protection and support of cabling across a wide variety of applications.

The latest additions to the range underpin Marshall-Tufflex’s efforts to build upon its core PVC-U range to further incorporate a wide choice of cable management systems manufactured with different materials that suit a wide range of installation needs. As such, the company now offers everything from metal trunking and strut to GRP ladder and trays, as well as underfloor to desk and fast fit wire basket systems.

Marshall-Tufflex’s new IP4X rated metal trunking is ideal for heavy duty installations or applications where there is high risk of combustion, such as engine rooms or oil and gas works.

Manufactured from hot dipped, zinc coated low carbon steel strip to meet BS EN 10346, this new collection is stocked and available in 27 different size variants. Notably, it also includes two and three compartment variants as part of the standard range.

The new metal trunking is supplied with Marshall-Tufflex’s unique hexagonal turnbuckle lid fixings, designed to make installation quick and easy. Six turnbuckles are supplied for each three-metre length.

Furthermore, the metal trunking comes with a wide range of accessories, including gusset bends, end caps, reducers and crossovers, allowing contractors to adapt to a variety of cable types and set ups.

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Jon Chamberlain, Managing Director at Marshall-Tufflex, doesn’t just want to talk the talk, he wants to walk the walk too.

Under his leadership, the team at the cable management manufacturer have been making significant strides to elevate its already well established, environmentally responsible product credentials, to mitigate the impact of its entire operation on the environment. Here, Jon discusses some of the initiatives that the company has undertaken over the last year to support this ambition.

Recycling and reducing waste aren’t new to us. For almost 30 years, we have been using thousands of tonnes of recycled material, originating from PVC-U window frames in the production of our cable management products. Last year, this totalled an average of 60% recycled content across all of our PVC-U systems.

We are, of course, immensely proud of our achievements in this, but one manufacturer alone cannot save the planet. We can make an even more significant change if manufacturers, contractors, wholesalers and distributors also support the production and use of recycled products. At Marshall-Tufflex, we want ALL PVC-U cable management products installed in buildings to be manufactured with recycled material and we would like this to be a reality by 2028. This can be achieved with the support of the entire supply chain to stock, specify and install PVC-U trunking solutions with recycled plastic content.

We recognise that, to call on the industry to follow our lead, we need to demonstrate that we are truly living those examples throughout our business, not just via the products we sell. So, reviewing our own environmental impact and taking a proactive approach to reducing our carbon footprint and aligning our business practices with environmentally friendly initiatives across our entire operation was a natural next step for us.

We officially launched our ‘Journey to Net Zero’ last year and our strategy is to Measure, Reduce and Offset residuals. To achieve our Net Zero goal, we are reviewing three different kinds of carbon emissions and this is already changing the way we work, whether it be the fleet we utilise, the energy we use, our gas and fuel consumption, and how we manage waste and our supply chain.

Positive change

We believe in the fundamentals of positive change, no matter the scale – whether that be small, incremental adjustments, through to larger scale policy renewals – it all makes a difference. For example, we are constantly seeking ways to reduce waste across our entire operation and now have dedicated facilities to recycle paper, cardboard, polythene, wood, metal, print cartridges and aluminium cans.

We have also taken a number of steps to reduce our emissions, including the installation of EV charging points at our head office and ensure that any new machinery aligns to specific energy saving requirements. For example, we recently invested into a new fleet of electric lithium-ion battery forklift trucks and new robotic machinery to increase production rates and packing times.

A further milestone for us is becoming Planet Mark certified, which not only provides third-party verification on our environmental credentials, but actively encourages us to do better. To re-certify, we must reduce our carbon emissions by at least 2.5% every year. Being part of this organisation also helps us identify areas for improvement, where we can set credible carbon emission reduction targets and take meaningful steps towards our Net Zero goals.

Our holistic approach to reducing our environmental impact also includes our new packaging charter, which continually looks for ways to use environmentally friendly packaging or to minimise packaging whilst ensuring that our product is well protected and delivered in excellent condition. New product packaging is due to be introduced this year which utilises 100% recycled cardboard and is 100% recyclable.

Going for gold

To support our objectives and provide partners with increased insight into our sustainability performance, we have been assessed by EcoVadis. We are proud to have been awarded the silver rating for our ongoing commitment to sustainability and are now working towards gold.

EcoVadis allows us to get a deeper understanding of our supply chain and means we can share key sustainability metrics with electrical wholesalers.

Our achievements have been made possible thanks to the collective effort and support of all our employees and the initiatives that have been led by our Net Zero Team, who ensure we remain focused on, and accountable to, the standards and goals we want to achieve. The team is headed up by Ketlyn Silva, who is our Quality and R&D Manager and since joining Marshall-Tufflex in 2021, she has championed this movement and has been instrumental in helping to engrain the philosophy in our culture and daily operations,

We know that we can’t achieve Net Zero on our own, and that’s why we’re calling on our customers and partners to join us. We all have an impact, no matter how small. By stocking and promoting sustainable products manufactured from recycled materials, wholesalers can help stimulate a real step change across the industry.

The construction industry is the UK’s largest user of natural resources and the largest producer of waste, as well as being a huge contributor to carbon emissions. To reduce this impact and to achieve real results, the whole supply chain needs to work together to foster positive change.

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Marshall-Tufflex has expanded its range of underfloor to desk solutions with the launch of the modern and versatile Icon Desktop Module, ideal for small offices, home offices and educational facilities.

The new Icon Desktop Module, available in black and white, contains two individually switched UK power sockets and integral USB A and USB C charging ports as standard. In addition, there is the option to purchase the Icon module with two Category 6 data ports, Category 6 and HDMI ports or with blanks, if data and multimedia connections are not required.

The Icon Desktop Module has been designed with an angled face surface to allow easy access to the sockets and ports and is fixed securely to the desktop using the G clamp supplied with the product. The Icon Desktop Module also includes resettable thermal fuses and complies with the BS6396:2022 standard.

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Marshall-Tufflex has expanded its range of underfloor to desk solutions with the launch of the modern and versatile Icon Desktop Module, ideal for small offices, home offices and educational facilities.

The new Icon Desktop Module, available in black and white, contains two individually switched UK power sockets and integral USB A and USB C charging ports as standard. In addition, there is the option to purchase the Icon module with two Cat-6 data ports, Cat-6 and HDMI ports or with blanks, if data and multimedia connections are not required.

The Icon Desktop Module has been designed with an angled face surface to allow easy access to the sockets and ports and is fixed securely to the desktop using the G clamp supplied with the product. The Icon Desktop Module also includes resettable thermal fuses and complies with the BS6396:2022 standard.

The latest product joins Marshall-Tufflex’s underfloor to desk portfolio which includes a comprehensive range of flexible underfloor cable management and prefabricated wiring solutions, as well as power and data modules for both desktop and under-desk mounting.

Commenting on the launch of the new product, Martin Russell, Group Product Manager at Marshall-Tufflex said: “The stylish, modern and compact Icon Desktop Module is an important addition to our range as it provides an option for an even wider variety of applications including the small office/home office (SOHO) market. With different options available for data and multimedia connection the Icon Desktop Module can meet various customer requirements.”

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