There is power in words. And we sometimes give very little thought to the words we use. We spend most of our listening time not hearing what is being said, but preparing our response, likely missing the true message. We tend to be uncomfortable with silence. If a listener is taking time to process, the speaker may wonder if they were listening at all. However, if we understand this new paradigm of active listening we can grow accustomed to this space.
Every time I read an electrical industry magazine, web page or new products review, I always see and read about an LED product...
Read more: LEDs: the Fastest Growing Product/Market for 2015
In 2015, I believe that the electrical industry will again see a substantial number of mergers and acquisitions. Last year was a relatively quiet year for acquisition activity. Especially after the large scale consolidation we saw in 2012/13 — Eaton’s deal for Cooper, ABB’s purchase of Thomas & Betts, Wesco securing EECOL, and General Cable acquiring Alcan Cable, to name a few.
Over the next 20 years, the electricity industry will see the expansion, replacement, and refurbishment of most of the electricity infrastructure, much of which was built 30 to 50 years ago. At the same time, the industry will be challenged by the number of retirements projected to occur as baby boomers reach the average retirement age – which is 58 – for this sector, and that will mean there will be tens of thousands of jobs to be filled by younger employees.
Global Market Analysis and Forecasts: Storage Systems for Energy Cost Management and Grid Management
Distributed energy storage is one of the fastest-growing markets for energy storage globally. In particular, residential and commercial energy storage have far exceeded industry expectations for growth and market volume in 2014 and are poised grow into significant markets. Although there is renewed interest in community energy storage in Western Europe, this segment will continue to lag behind the residential and commercial markets.
A branding partnership between GE and FM Supply’s new Stratford, ON branch demonstrates how manufacturers are starting to work with channel partners, helping them brand their locations. GE has provided FM with a set of dynamic graphic window and counter signage promoting GE alongside FM Supply. Themed “Ready for your next project,” the GE messaging also demonstrates the companies’ abilities in key industrial segments.
A recent survey of international specialists from tip of the distribution reveals the main challenges of the sector. Management of data is ranked the main technical challenge, while energy storage control and integration of decentralized power generation (DER) share second place. Active customer behaviour has emerged as the main challenge of market and business models, and Barcelona is seen as the smart city worth attention.
New Reality… “Keeping up with the Administrations”
By Carol McGlogan
EFC kicked off 2021 with an outstanding webinar featuring Janice Gross Stein, renowned Canadian political scientist, founder of the Munk School of Global Affairs and recipient of the Order of Canada. Ms. Stein has spoken at previous EFC conferences, earning many accolades, and this session was no different as we learned what to look for as the Biden Administration takes hold of the White House.
Our close economic ties to the U.S. means that Canadians must “keep up with the Administrations” to survive. Janice focused her discussions on industrial policy and climate change within an active intervening government.
A Podcast Interview on AFCI Technology with Vladimir Gagachev, Eaton
By Daniela De Marco
When it comes to EFC’s membership, there is no shortage of talent and expertise. The electrical community is innovative and at the forefront of powering our changing world. In 2020, EFC released a call to members for a chance to participate in the recently launched electro|POD — EFC’s Electrical Community Podcast.
Together with Gurvinder Chopra, VP Standards and Regulations, EFC, Rob McIntrye, recently retired Business Sections Manager, expert member Vladimir Gagachev, Manager Codes & Standards, Eaton Industries (Canada), and myself, Daniela De Marco...
Study Measures Digital Intensity and Its Impact on the Canadian Economy
Adoption of digital technologies by Canadian industries is associated with higher labour productivity growth and greater resilience to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2002 to 2019, labour productivity grew 22.1% in digitally intensive sectors — more than three times higher than in non-digitally intensive sectors.
Over the past two decades, Canada has embraced digital technologies at an unprecedented pace and breadth as businesses and individuals have relied increasingly on digital products and services.
Canadian Business Counts, December 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter the business landscape. Some businesses have closed permanently, some have grown and others have been temporarily closing or reopening. In October, for example, the number of business openings (41,910) exceeded the number of business closures (32,420) for the fourth consecutive month.
As a result, the number of active businesses in October edged up 0.6%. Despite the slight increase, the number of active businesses was down 6.7% from February 2020.*
In This Together — Manufacturers and Reps
By David Gordon
Gene Biben, formerly President and CEO of Biben Sales, joined Channel Marketing Group earlier this month. Gene’s avowed desire is to “give back” to the industry, to help people work together. He will help reps achieve their goals and manufacturers optimize their performance, and relationship, to and with manufacturer reps. He’ll additionally support Channel Marketing Group clients’ research needs.
While Gene is well known by many manufacturers, we thought it would be interesting to ask him to consider changes he has seen over the years.
Ticket to Learn: The First Year as an Electrical Apprentice
By Darci Spiteri
This past month marked one year since stepping onto a job site and starting my electrical apprenticeship. Little did I know 2020 would throw in some curveballs, but it was a pretty fantastic year for self-development when I sit back and reflect.
Enter Pandemic, worldwide lockdowns, and my Jobsite shutting down for a month. Losing hours was a downside and with my apprenticeship being based on the number of hours worked, moving onto my second year will take a little extra time.
Changing Scene
Service Wire Co. promotes Kerith Richards to Regional Sales Manager – Canada and expands Seth Cook’s sales territory to better serve the commercial and industrial markets.
Kerith Richards will serve as Regional Sales Manager based out of Service Wire’s corporate headquarters, where she will be responsible for commercial and industrial sales in all provinces. In addition, Richards will continue her role as Sales Representative for Saskatoon, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Guillevin International Acquires Wesco's Canadian Datacom Business
Guillevin International has announced the creation of a new division, Guillevin Datacom, which will be dedicated exclusively to various network infrastructure products. To support this new division and ensure its success, Guillevin acquires the Canadian Datacom business of WESCO International, whose team will join Guillevin's Canadian operations.
"We have targeted the WESCO business to launch our Datacom division because of the team's agility, expertise and in-depth knowledge of products from the industry's leading suppliers", said Luc Rodier, Guillevin's President and CEO.
Osram Appoints Ingo Bank as Chief Executive Officer
At its February 23 meeting, the Osram Supervisory Board appointed Ingo Bank as CEO until the end of April 2023. As announced, he will take over the role in addition to his position as Chief Financial Officer of majority owner ams.
The Supervisory Board also appointed Babette Fröhlich as Labor Director and thus to the Management Board of OSRAM Licht AG. The 55-year-old is to head the Corporate HR departments of Osram and the future combined company after the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement signed with ams comes into force.
Integrated Marketing Presentation from Anton Morrison of Appnovation
On February 24th EFC conducted their Marketing Network meeting with a guest speaker Anton Morrision from Appnovation presents on the topic of “Integrated Marketing”, . EFC also shared information on EFC programs.
EFC also introduced Meena Bajwa, Schneider Electric as the new Marketing Network Chair and thanked Tom Mason, Sonepar, for his leadership, dedication as Chair and congratulations as he moves onto a new role at his organization.
IMARK Group Unveils New Public Website
Website visitors to the freshly designed IMARK Group website will learn about all of the benefits that accrue to members and suppliers in all IMARK divisions (Electrical.
HVACR, and Plumbing/Irrigation) as well as Luxury Products Group which supports decorative showrooms and IM Supply which is a national account sales solution for IMARK Group members. The website features videos from group leadership as well as an introductory video on the home page.
Peers & Profiles
David Nathaniel: A Talent for Still Being There at the Right Time — Part 2
By Line Goyette
Six years ago in February 2015, I interviewed David Nathaniel and called the profile I wrote “A Talent for Being There at the Right Time.” We met again this past February, this time virtually (without a cup of his wonderful expresso coffee). What follows is a summary of our conversation — “A Talent for Still Being There at the Right Time — Part 2.”
My first question to David was, what has happened in those six years? “Everything,” he said, and he started to laugh. “Obviously, we faced a lot of disruption from LED technology.
A Human-Centred Leader in a Highly Technical Field: EHRC Leader of the Year Stephanie Smith
By Blake Marchand
“It was quite surprising,” said Stephanie Smith of being named EHRC’s Leader of the Year. “Leadership in 2020 has certainly been a challenge for everybody in the world let alone the nuclear industry or the electricity industry.”
An engineer by trade, Smith spent the majority of her career with Ontario Power Generation (OPG). She was the first woman to be certified by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station where she served as Plant Manager and was recently named the first President and CEO of CANDU Owners Group. Smith is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.