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Message From The Editor
Evolving Trends and Technologies in a Changing World
No doubt, we are living in a changing world. We used to say exciting times ahead of us, we may be more prudent in the coming months with a statement like that one. One thing is certain, the customers also live in that changing world and we need to listen to them. But the numbers are really looking good. More financial reports from companies in our industry in this issue confirm that trend. In Canada, wholesale sales grew 1.0% in September to $71.3 billion, the fifth increase in the past seven months. More partnerships, more changes to come. Changing world and really interesting to follow. Good reading!
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Opinion
Electro-Federation Canada Members Commit to Corporate Social Responsibility
By John Jefkins
The electrical sector is a great career destination for many talented skillsets and has a place for everyone to grow, thrive, and give back. Whether you're in engineering, sales, management, human resources, accounting, operations, product development, logistics, and so on, you all are part of a community that powers a changing world and makes a proud commitment to corporate social responsibility. This year alone, EFC member organizations made a more outstanding contribution to corporate social sustainability efforts despite supply chain impacts, rising material costs, and economic slowdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of access to safe and affordable housing since the current housing crisis accelerated. Some of those hit hardest by the pandemic are our most vulnerable populations.
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Best Practices – Distribution
Your Lighting Line-Up in a Changing World
By David Gordon
The lighting industry, known for perpetual change given the rapid adoption of LEDs (think of the frequency of new products let alone new manufacturers) continues to evolve. Consider recent developments of GE Current acquiring Hubbell Lighting as well as the recent LightFair show. An ever-changing market means that distributors need to constantly review their line-up (line card) to determine which lines to support. This is important given that distributors seem to go one of two ways. Either they proactively manage their line card and try to have some discipline, providing direction to their lighting specialists and sales organization while recognizing that there will always be some exceptions as well as lines need to engage with that are specified by the customer, or,
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Interview
Schneider Electric’s 2021 North American Innovation Summit: A Discussion with Canadian Company President Adrian Thomas
By Elle Bremmer
On November 10, 2021, Schneider Electric held its virtual Innovation Summit North America, which was comprised of presentations from industry professionals regarding the summit’s central theme of digitization and a path towards sustainability. Topics included grids, data centres, and buildings of the future; sustainable supply chain operations; and sustainability, among others. Schneider Electric’s Canadian president, Adrian Thomas, hosted a session titled “Leadership and the Climate Challenge: The Path to Net-Zero" where Thomas, along with Frances Edmonds of Hewett Packard Canada and Toby Heaps of Corporate Knights discussed the changes that business is making to head towards net-zero emissions and how these changes impact businesses in the short- and medium-term.
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Best Practices – Human Resources
The Importance of Non-Technical Skills
By Michelle Branigan
Working in the electricity field, we know there’s always something to learn, whether it be a new safety protocol or the use of a new piece of equipment. Technology changes require workers to keep their skills current in order to stay safe and complete work efficiently. But beyond the technical capacity of many electrical roles, it’s the non-technical skills, or, what we at Electricity Human Resources Canada like to call professional skills, that each individual brings to the job that can make the difference in developing an innovative, safe and collaborative workplace. These skills include such things as active listening, critical thinking, time management and collaboration, amongst others.
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Best Practices – Distribution
An Unvarnished Message from Our Customers
By Frank Hurtte
As we conduct voice of customer type activities, one thing has
become obvious: It’s hard to get good unbiased information from every customer type. When an opportunity arises, distributors must be all ears. Sometimes the message brings a smile to our faces, other times… well, it’s a hard pill to swallow. But still, it is the voice of the customer. Listen, ponder, think, and if appropriate, react. Recently, a good friend and client sent me a link to a post from Reddit. My friend is a technical guy, and a distributor, so one post jumped out at him and certainly intrigued me. This should be required reading for every distributor regardless of the product you sell. Why? This post provides an unvarnished view of how customers see distributors. Some of the comments posted in response are painful while others will make you smile, but it must be read.
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New Partnership
ABB Invests in Building Technology Startup Brainbox AI
As part of its ambition to make buildings smarter, safer and more secure while improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, ABB has announced an investment in Montreal-based startup, BrainBox AI. Launched in 2019, BrainBox AI has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions from Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial buildings. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.This investment and strategic engagement allow ABB’s Smart Buildings division to combine its existing portfolio of digital solutions, particularly the ABB AbilityTM Building Ecosystem, with BrainBox AI’s predictive, self-adaptive and scalable cloud-based artificial intelligence.
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Looking Back
Electronics — 50% Growth by 1987 (Quebec)
"The significance of electronics in the electrical distribution business will increase by 50% in 1987," predicted Bob Shapiro, vice-president and general manager of Franklin Electrical Supplies Canada Ltd., Montreal. He added that some distributors had already plunged into electronics while others hadn't even started. He saw no significant growth occurring on the electrical side.
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Survey Says
Most Important Skills for Warehouse Managers
This survey shows what skills are valued among Warehouse Managers.
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Economy
- Investment In Building Construction, September 2021
Investment in building construction declined 0.7% to $17.5 billion in September, continuing a downward trend that started in May. A decrease in the residential sector was partially offset by a small increase in the non-residential sector. On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), investment in building construction decreased 1.5% to $12.0 billion. Residential construction investment decreased 1.6% in September, with Quebec accounting for most of the decline. However, the investment in this component was 21.6% higher than the pre-pandemic value in February 2020.
- Wholesale Sales Continue Growth
Wholesale sales grew 1.0% in September to $71.3 billion, the fifth increase in the past seven months. Sales of agricultural supplies (part of the miscellaneous subsector) and machinery, equipment and supplies generated the gain in September. Lower sales in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and accessories subsector and the building material and supplies subsector partially offset the increase. Overall sales rose in four of seven subsectors, representing nearly 70% of the sector.
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Changing Scene
- Announcing the Ontario 2021 Family Enterprise of the Year Award Recipient: Gerrie Electric Wholesale Limited
Family Enterprise Canada is proud to announce Gerrie Electric Wholesale Limited is the Recipient of the 2021 Ontario Family Enterprise of the Year Award. This honour was celebrated virtually at the Ontario FEYA celebration on November 9, 2021. Gerrie Electric is a family-owned and operated electrical, automation and lighting distributor started in 1957. Ken Gerrie, who is extremely passionate about selling light bulbs, small appliances and electrical products, has become a well-respected name in the industry and community.
- A Defining Moment: GE To Form 3 Industry-Leading Public Companies Focused On Aviation, Healthcare and Energy
GE announced what Chairman and CEO Larry Culp called a “defining moment,” with plans to form three industry-leading, global public companies focused on the growth sectors of aviation, healthcare and energy. “We’re embarking on this exciting journey from a position of strength,” Culp told investors today.
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Changing Scene
- Schneider Electric Advances its AI Strategy with Appointment of Chief AI Officer and Creation of New AI Hub
Schneider Electric is advancing its AI strategy by appointing its first Chief AI Officer (CAIO) and opening a global AI Hub. Having implemented several flagship AI business cases, the Hub will ensure scalability and deliver measurable value to current and future AI projects. The newly appointed CAIO, Philippe Rambach, will be tasked with driving AI innovation at scale, both internally and for customers, to provide greater overall efficiency and sustainability through data-based insights.
- Sean Hanoman Joins Mersen Canada’s Sales Team
Mersen is pleased to announce that effective November 15, 2021, Sean Hanoman has joined Mersen as the Regional Sales Manager for Canada’s Central Region for EP Toronto. He will be located at our Mississauga, Canada office reporting to Tom Arbanas, Vice President, Distribution Sales and Customer Care, Canada.
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Changing Scene
- Graybar Canada Welcomes Scott Greenham
We are thrilled to welcome Scott Greenham as our newest Graybar Canada branch manager for our Sydney, Nova Scotia location! Scott brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge and established connections to our local communities due to his previous work in Atlantic Canada.Scott joined us on November 1st and we can't wait to see what he'll accomplish as part of our team!
- Mario Mongrain as National Sales Manager at Delta Transformer
With nearly 15 years of experience at Delta Transformer, he has held various positions and has risen through the ranks brilliantly. With his determination and his methodical and rational mind, Mario will undoubtedly be able to meet the new challenges that await him.
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Changing Scene
- Liteline Appoints A.M.G. BAYTECH
Liteline Corporation announced the appointment of A.M.G. Baytech as their newest agent representing us in East Central Ontario as of November 4th, 2021. A.M.G. Baytech is a Lighting and Controls focused agency based in Oshawa and will be covering everything from Ajax to Belleville, calling on all market segments including distributors, contractors, specifiers, end users and municipalities.
- Graybar Acquires Steven Engineering
Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Steven Engineering, Inc. Headquartered in South San Francisco, Calif., Steven Engineering provides advanced automation, motion control and pneumatic solutions to a wide range of market segments.
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Changing Scene
- Continued Growth in Canada Indicates Bright Future for Industrial Automation Sector
Schneider Electric Canada announced a new partnership with OptiMach, a Quebec-based robotics company. The partnership will support both organizations in expanding their operational commitments, enabling OptiMach to provide customers with automated and robotic solutions tailored to their exact needs.
- Siemens awarded Canada’s Volunteer Award by Government of Canada
Siemens Canada is honoured to be among this year’s recipients of the federal government’s Canada’s Volunteer Awards, announced recently by the Ministry of Families, Children and Social Development. The company, with offices and employees across Canada, is the Ontario winner in the Business Leader category for its commitment to planting trees and helping to restore natural urban spaces in communities across the country in partnership with Tree Canada.
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Changing Scene : Financial Results
- LSI Industries Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2022 Results and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
LSI reported strong year-over-year increases in both net sales and profitability for the fiscal first quarter, driven by a combination of organic growth in both its Lighting and Display Solutions segments, coupled with the first full quarter of financial contribution from the JSI Store Fixtures acquisition (“JSI”) completed in May, 2021.The Company reported first quarter net sales of $106.4 million, an increase of 52% versus the prior year period.
- Eaton Reports All-Time Record Quarterly Results
Power management company Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) announced that earnings per share were $1.57 for the third quarter of 2021. Excluding income of $0.13 per share related to acquisitions and divestitures and charges of $0.25 per share related to intangible amortization and $0.06 per share related to a multi-year restructuring program, adjusted earnings per share were an all-time record of $1.75, up 30% over the third quarter of 2020.
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Changing Scene : Financial Results
- WESCO International, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results
WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC), a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions, announced its results for the third quarter of 2021. “We had another exceptional quarter and again delivered outstanding results across the board. Early in the second year of our transformational combination of WESCO and Anixter, the substantial value creation of the new WESCO is building,” said John Engel, Chairman, President and CEO.
- First Nine Months Of 2021 Results Strong Rise in Financial Results for Legrand
Benoît Coquart, Legrand’s Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Sales for the first nine months of the year were up +15.0% year on year, i.e. +5.7% over two years. This performance included a strong +16.0% organic rise year on year, with a +4.4% increase over two years, confirming Legrand’s continued capacity to improve its competitive positions on its markets as pressures built on supply chains. In the first nine months of 2021, adjusted operating margin came to 21.4% and net profit rose by +42%, or +12% over two years.
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Changing Scene : Financial Results
- Earnings Release and Financial Results Q4 FY 2021
Orders climbed 26% to €19.1 billion, driven by double-digit growth in all industrial businesses, and revenue rose 18%, to €17.4 billion, for a book-to-bill ratio of 1.09. Orders increased 16% and revenue rose 10% on a comparable basis excluding currency translation and portfolio effects, primarily the acquisition of Varian Medical Systems, Inc. between the periods under review.
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Careers
Time for a Change? New Job Openings
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