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 to the March issue of PEW! I have been working from home for the last two weeks and am now in recovery mode having had my old bathroom ripped out and a new one put in. While at home I did manage to catch bits of the Winter Olympics and see what new and creative ways they had managed to come up with to hurl people down an icy slope as quickly as possible.

Out of curiosity I started delving into the history of the Winter Olympics. First held in Chamonix in 1924 and made up of five sports (bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, Nordic skiing and skating), it has evolved over the years with new subdisciplines introduced, categories dropped and others modernised – for example military patrol eventually became the biathlon event. There have also been some surprising sports that, while never introduced as an official event, were showcased as demonstrations at various Olympics, such as skijoring (being towed on skis behind a horse or dogs), acroski (ski ballet), and speed skiing – where athletes descended a steep, straight course in a tight aerodynamic tuck at speeds of up to 130mph! Unsurprisingly, concerns about safety prevented that from ever becoming an official event.

So yes, the Olympic Games, both summer and winter, have evolved but at their core remain the key values of excellence, respect and friendship which have helped the games to endure for so long.

“Where are you going with this?” you might ask. Well, Theben’s journey began just before the first Winter Olympics. The topic of ‘sustainability’ might be considered a very modern movement but the thought process behind it goes back a long way. At Theben, as explained in this month’s Soapbox column, it was precision engineer Paul Schwenk who started developing time switches in 1921, with the principle that buildings don’t need to run at full tilt all the time. Fast forward about 100 years, with a lot of innovation and progress in between, we are living in the age of smart buildings.

Evolution runs throughout the built environment, including the electrical wholesaler, ever since G. Binswanger and Company, later to become the General Electric Company, first started selling electrical components over the counter in London in the late 19th century. In the 21st century traditional distribution methods are being challenged by rapid changes in customer expectations (especially digital buyers), sustainability requirements, and broader shifts in the energy and construction sectors. To evolve and thrive, wholesalers are rethinking their business models across technology, operations, sustainability and customer experience. In fact it’s evolving faster than an average curling match seems to take.

Enjoy the issue!

– 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 December issue of PEW. As another year hurtles towards its conclusion I am writing this at home while my early Christmas present – a new bathroom – is fitted. As I occasionally wander from office to kitchen, passing said bathroom and checking the installers are OK for drinks, I try and steal a moment and observe them going about their craft with meticulous pride. It rekindles memories of WorldSkillsUK events I have attended in the past.

WorldSkills supports young people across the world via competitions based training, assessment and benchmarking, with members’ national teams ultimately testing their ability to achieve world-class standards in the biennial ‘skills olympics’. The UK National Finals took place in November this year at various locations across Wales and while I could not attend this time around my role as a trade journalist has given me opportunity in the past to speak with WorldSkills finalists and champions. As I alluded to earlier, there is something magically mesmerising about watching professionals go about their chosen trade, whether it’s aircraft maintenance or graphic design, culinary arts or hairdressing, and feeling their passion (and competitiveness) shine through at these events is inspiring to witness.

While I am championing young people and their various trades, however, it would appear that electrical apprenticeships require a boost, as the latest ‘Apprenticeship Gap Report’ (Industry News) has found that the electrical trade faces the most severe deficit across all sectors analysed, with a 227:1 ratio representing a gap of just over 9,600 unfilled positions. This of course adds to the problem of the widening skills gap and the industry as a whole has work to do in 2026 to promote trade industry jobs in the electrotechnical sector if we are to establish a workforce sufficiently equipped for the years ahead.

Let’s end the year on a positive and celebrate the work of you – the wholesaler. Christmas is a pivotal time for this sector, as demand surges not just for decorative lighting but also for the infrastructure that keeps commercial spaces running through extended trading hours. Contractors rush to complete last-minute projects, and wholesalers must balance festive goodwill with the logistics of tight supply chains, fluctuating demand and staff holidays.

So, as the lights go up across towns and cities this December, we raise a glass of mulled wine to the wholesalers keeping the current flowing. Your work may be behind the scenes, but without you Christmas simply wouldn’t shine as brightly.

See you next year!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Editor

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Welcome to the November issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler. I’m writing this at the end of a hectic few weeks which culminated in three days at an industry tradeshow in London – and a pop concert – but more on that later.

Tradeshows are always useful networking events and provide the chance for a variety of industry professionals to get a close up view of the latest products on the market, as well as catching up on the major talking points, particularly in the seminar theatres. One talk I did manage to get along to was a panel discussion on the changing dynamics of the modern workplace. The Covid-19 lockdowns were obviously a massive gamechanger as people realised they could achieve a better work/life balance by working from home. This has driven the increase in flexible working in organisations where it’s practical to do so. However, while a senior figure may have a large house and family to look after, and therefore may have a greater need to work from home some of the time, this will not be the case for everybody. A younger panellist raised the very good point that many graduates might be living in flatshares where personal space is limited and they need a dedicated workspace provided by their employer. Equally important was the personal workplace interaction with their seniors to help them develop and grow in their careers, which is much harder to achieve while hunched over a laptop while sitting on their bed.

These shifts in working patterns have also forced companies to reassess their building’s usage, with staff occupancy levels becoming more fluid and driving the need for tighter control on the building’s energy usage, for example ensuring lights are not kept on in unoccupiued areas. This is where lighting controls come in, which is one of the main topics covered in this issue. By allowing users to adjust light levels based on occupancy, daylight availability, or specific tasks, lighting controls help reduce unnecessary energy consumption and lower utility costs. Automated systems such as motion sensors, dimmers and timers ensure that lights are only used when needed, which not only conserves energy but also extends the lifespan of lighting fixtures. In commercial and industrial settings, this translates into significant operational savings and supports sustainability goals by minimising the building’s carbon footprint.

Back to the topic of work/life balance, the night before the aforementioned tradeshow I did allow myself the luxury of attending a Katy Perry concert at the O2 with some industry colleagues. It was a spectacular performance but I mention this not to brag, but rather to highlight a comment from one colleague who said, “You know you’re getting old when you’re admiring the stage hydraulics and lighting just as much as the performance itself….”

Enjoy the issue!

– 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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Well here we are. I was getting quite used to the warm weather and long sunny evenings and here I am writing the editorial for September.

Is it just me or is time speeding up? I was at a music festival in July watching Fatboy Slim and a band I still thought of as being quite new before realising that Kaiser Chiefs released their first album, Employment, 20 years ago! While we’re reflecting on the summer it would be remiss of me not to mention the incredible Lionesses – who went one better than the men did in last year’s football European Championships and defended their title against Spain.

That’s enough looking back, however, it’s time to look forward in terms of business and trade with the recent publication of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Described by the government as a ‘new approach for a new era’, it provides a robust and strategic 10-year plan to make the UK the best country to invest in anywhere in the world. Success of course doesn’t happen overnight, but it also doesn’t happen if you sit around waiting for it. If my ‘Kaiser Chiefs’ timeline is anything to go by, the next decade will pass in the blink of an eye, so with this Strategy in place let’s hope it can deliver on its promises. It has been widely welcomed in industry quarters, including the electrotechnical sector, because of the potential support it will bring to SMEs. You can see the ECA’s response in News & Views on page 6.

Also in this issue we’ve got a Face-to-Face interview with Simon Cranton of Doepke UK, as well as special features on Lighting, Home Automation and Tools. I’ve taken delivery of several new tools and gadgets recently as I’ve embarked on various DIY projects at home in the last few months. But as any tradesperson will tell you, as you accumulate more tools they become more difficult to transport from job to job. On page 27 KNIPEX highlights the importance of a practical and durable tool bag. Rounding off the issue in Soapbox on page 48, Stuart Burns from The Lighting Industry Association explains what the 10th Edition of IEC 60598-1 means for the lighting industry.

Enjoy the issue!

– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Editor

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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 June issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler. It creeps up on you doesn’t it? One day you’ve still got your heating on and the next you’re looking for your floor-standing fans to cool you down.

This time last year we were looking forward to the Euro 2024 football championships – where has that time gone? I say ‘we’ when my own real interest only extended as far as whether my team in the office sweepstake – Albania – could maybe win me some money. It turned out that outcome was about as likely as Danny Dyer being named as the new Pope.

So it’s safe to say that tournament didn’t exactly light a football spark in me that I never knew existed and I’ve been quite happy living in blissful ignorance of the sport since then. Well until recently, however, when former England footballer Stuart Pearce was announced as the new Patron of the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). “Odd choice”, some people might think. “Why does an ex-professional footballer have any interest in our industry charity?” Well, as many of you will already know, Pearce started out as an electrician before signing his first professional football contract and he has continued to be a great ambassador for the electrical trade, speaking at industry events and highlighting how useful a working knowledge of a trade can be in life.

Reading up on him a little bit more, he did continue with his ‘second’ career even after turning professional, doing jobs for teammates and famously advertising his business in matchday programmes. Now, I’m not going to turn this column into a “How many of today’s millionaire players would do that?…” kind of rant – as I’m sure you can do that yourself!

It’s a fantastic appointment for the EIC as it continues its amazing support for people in the electrical industry who have suffered or are suffering personal hardships.

Stuart Pearce’s ‘sliding doors’ moment, in terms of his career at least, got me thinking about our own paths we’ve taken, and what our alternative lives might have looked like had we followed a different route. In the extended team in just our office alone we’ve got staff who have previously worked in other areas that could have led them in a different direction. One is a former motor racing journalist, another was a stage manager in the West End, while a third enjoyed a brief stint at the BBC with Top Gear, (no, they weren’t The Stig.)

Personally I wanted to be a fighter pilot – but I wasn’t allowed as I was too small!

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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