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Message From The Editor
Market data and the impact of COVID
While we are happy to see things returning to normal, we can see that we have learned many things during the pandemic. One of these is the success of relevant and inclusive online conferences, as evidenced by Electrofederation Canada's most recent annual conference. Another is that the pandemic has heightened our awareness of labour scarcity and the serious mental health issues identified during this health crisis. In this edition, research results and also solutions to recruit and retain a skilled workforce. New tools have been developed in marketing; they must be used effectively. See the article by our colleague David Gordon. Our publisher, John Kerr, invites distributors to do a thorough analysis of the market and the partners around them. Our contributor Swati Patel shares my optimism about the recovery, but urges a clear understanding of the emerging markets. Good reading!
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Market Insights
The Answers Are There. You Just Need to Dig for Them…
By John Kerr
EFC’s recent conference was full of great information on so many fronts. I was lucky enough to speak at a session on benchmarking and best practices. From that session I welcomed numerous questions after the meeting, and I thought I might share some thoughts on the topic. The reality is most distributors and their teams are setting the bar too low. They haven’t truly accessed the market around them, they haven’t done a deep dive on the competition, and few have rallied their team and partners to help them really see what’s out there.
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Construction Growth Ahead: Proceed with Optimism
By Swati Vora-Patel
As a new year draws near and strategic plans roll out, business leaders everywhere are keeping a close watch on drivers that are setting up new baselines for market demand and opportunities. The pandemic has reset markets, lowering demand in core segments while opening the door to new and emerging areas. At a recent EFC conference over 500 industry members participated in a two-day online forum to explore the pandemic’s impacts on four key areas affecting our industry: markets, customers, supply chains and employees. The conference featured 17 sessions that addressed trends in these core areas and profiled new opportunities that are cycling in to help members rebound and emerge stronger than before.
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Best practices - Marketing
Improving Your LinkedIn Performance
By David Gordon
Over the past 18 months the electrical industry has learned the marketing reach of LinkedIn. Nowadays, manufacturers, distributors and manufacturer rep agencies regularly post product information on their LinkedIn profile, or share information on their company page, as individuals brand themselves and companies seek to expand their reach. While most use the system as a no-cost marketing tool, some utilize its marketing tools to target individuals based upon their profile to push offerings to individual feeds. And a number use LinkedIn as another outreach to contact customers and prospects.
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Interview
3M Canada's Richard Chartrand on The State of Science Index
By Alyssa Kerslake
According to the State of Science Index – a research survey commissioned by 3M Canada that analyses global perceptions toward science - COVID-19 is considered a trigger point that has restored Canadians' faith in science. The results revealed that Canadians' skepticism of science has decreased to 22%, down from 29% before the epidemic, with 77% saying that they defend science when someone is questioning it. The campaign against COVID-19 has called the scientific community to the forefront. This year, as evidenced by the State of Science index, Richard Chartrand, Director, USAC Research and Development Operations and Canada Sustainability Leader at 3M Canada, recognizes how COVID-19 has made people more aware of science. Canadians now concede that science is vital in tackling critical environmental issues. We sat down with Richard Chartrand and discussed what implications this year's State of Science index displays and what actions 3M Canada takes to combat climate challenges.
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Manufacturing
Manufacturing Labour Shortage: $18 Billion Lost for Quebec Economy
$18 billion is the amount of money Quebec has left on the table in the last two years, by the manufacturing sector alone, due to labour shortages, causing most companies to turn down contracts, pay late penalties or even scale back their operations because of the critical shortage of workers. This conclusion emerges from the consultation of manufacturing companies in 10 regions across the province conducted by Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec (MEQ) and from a survey of 400 manufacturers1.
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Human Resources
Six Ways Professional Skills Training Helps Attract and Retain Quality Talent
By EHRC
As qualified candidates begin to filter into your company’s available positions, there are some things you can do to set your team up for long-term success. By cultivating an environment that supports team members’ growth and success, your company will not only become a desirable place for those on the job hunt, but retention rates will also increase, and your organization will be seen as an industry leader. Here are six ways professional skills training helps attract and retain quality talent...
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Mental Health
Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders Over the Course of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Findings released today from the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH) indicate that one in four (25%) Canadians aged 18 and older screened positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in spring 2021, up from one in five (21%) in fall 2020. The self-report screening tools are useful to monitor the prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms and probable diagnoses in the population. A positive screen is not a medical diagnosis and does not always indicate that a disorder is present for an individual. Previously, Statistics Canada released estimates of the prevalence of symptoms of mental health disorders from September to December 2020 (fall 2020), using data from the first cycle of the SCMH.
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White paper
Building a Decarbonized World Means Improving Energy Efficiency in New and Old Buildings
Energy waste is happening all around us, and it’s contributing to climate change. Yet fighting this invisible foe is near impossible — unless we make the invisible visible. Digital innovation, combined with a shift to more electrification, holds the key to tackling climate change, unlocking the ability to see and measure our impact, so we can recognize and reduce it. Ironically, digital adoption is also one of the biggest barriers to action.
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Survey Says
Common Health Benefits Inside Sales Rep
This survey shows common health benefits for Inside Sales Reps.
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Economy
- Monthly Estimates of Business Openings and Closures
In June 2021, the number of business closures increased by 6.4%, following a 5.6% decline in May. The number of business openings (-1.1%) dropped for the third consecutive month. From April to June, the average of both business closures and openings has been close to their 2015-to-2019 averages, and the closures and openings did not react strongly to changes in economic restrictions during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, except in the tourism sector.
- Wholesale Sales Continue to Decline
Wholesale sales fell 2.1% in July, the second consecutive decline and the largest since April 2020. Excluding the sharp decline created by the first wave of COVID-19, July's fall was the largest since February 2016, when sales decreased 2.1%. The decline was entirely the result of a 12.4% drop in sales of building materials and supplies, fuelled by lower prices for lumber. Excluding the building material and supplies subsector, wholesale sales rose 0.1%. In July building material and supplies sales fell 12.4%, the largest decline since April 2020...
- Gross Domestic Product by Industry
Real gross domestic product (GDP) edged down 0.1% in July following a 0.6% increase in June. Total economic activity in July was approximately 2% below the pre-pandemic level of February 2020. Overall, 13 of 20 industrial sectors were up, led by a second strong monthly increase in the accommodation and food services sector. However, these increases were more than offset by declines in agriculture, utilities, manufacturing and wholesale trade. Preliminary information indicates an approximate 0.7% increase in real GDP for August.
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Changing scene – Partnerships, Mergers and More
- EiKO Global, LLC Announces Expansion Through the Acquisition of Premise LED
Premise LED Inc. is a Canadian based lighting manufacturer and market leader dedicated to supplying the highest quality energy efficient lighting products coupled with an unparalleled level of customer service. EiKO and Premise LED will combine forces to better serve the Canadian industrial and commercial retrofit and renovation markets. For decades, both companies have worked to continuously improve their respective market positions, delivering value‐driven portfolios, best‐in‐class delivery service, differentiated and value‐added service offerings, and unmatched responsiveness to their customers.
- Graybar Canada Acquires Electro-mag
Graybar Canada, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Electro-mag Inc. including the JAD brand. Headquartered in Sherbrooke, QC., with locations in Drummondville, Quebec, Montreal, and London (ON), Electro-mag provides services & solutions via pneumatic, safety, sensing and automation product distribution.
- Littelfuse Appoints CSA Enterprises LTD. as the Littelfuse Industrial Representatives for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I.
Beginning October 1st, 2021, Littelfuse are pleased to announce CSA Enterprises Limited will be become the local Littelfuse Industrial Representative for the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and P.E.I markets on all fuse and relay products. Littelfuse is confident that their team of twelve employees will do an excellent job of representing Littelfuse and building the Littelfuse brand in these markets. CSA Enterprises has been in business since 1973 as an electrical manufacturer representative and are very well established in Atlantic Canada…
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Changing scene – Partnerships, Mergers and More
- Skyview Capital has Acquired Digital Lumens and Encelium Business Units to Accelerate Investment in Growth, Innovation, and Market Adoption
Skyview Capital, a global private investment firm, announced that it has acquired the Digital Lumens and Encelium businesses from Osram Licht AG. Terms were not disclosed. Digital Lumens and Encelium's advanced Lighting Controls solutions provide leading-edge software and hardware to improve and automate the lighting of commercial and industrial facilities. Skyview Capital has formalized the new company, Digital Lumens, Inc., and will invest in this entity to accelerate the growth, innovation, adoption, and support of these solutions.
- Vantage and Proluxe by American Lighting Form Strategic Alliance
Legrand's Building Control Systems (BCS) division announced that its Vantage brand has formed a strategic alliance with Proluxe by American Lighting. The alliance pairs Vantage's industry-leading, customizable lighting controls with Proluxe by American Lighting's innovative lighting fixtures to create a dynamic end-to-end solution.The results of innovation, research, and attention to detail, Proluxe by American Lighting's product...
- Lumenpulse And BDA Lighting Group Are Pleased to Announce That They Are Joining Forces in The Ottawa and Outaouais Region.
BDA will now exclusively represent Lumrnpulse high performance architectural lighting products in the National Capital Region. We are very excited about this new partnership and about bringing you the light you have come to expect from Lumenpulse.
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Changing scene – Partnerships, Mergers and More
- The VELUX Group and Schneider Electric Partner on Decarbonization
The VELUX Group, the world leader in roof windows and skylights, and Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced that the companies have executed a new extended partnership agreement to enable the VELUX Group to reach its company carbon neutral goal by 2030 and accelerate its plans to be Lifetime Carbon Neutral in response to an increasing need to proactively address climate change.
- Rexel, Atkore, Priority Wire & Cable Join ETIM North America
ETIM North America (NA) announced that Atkore, Rexel Canada Electrical Inc, and Priority Wire & Cable are the newest manufacturers to join the product classification standards organization. Priority Wire & Cable will be joining other wire & cable manufacturers and distributors, to review and modify the ETIM Model to properly represent their North American products…
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Changing scene
- ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Race to Be Held in Canada
For the first time since ABB’s title partnership began with Formula E in 2018, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will be coming to Canada. Vancouver will experience electric car racing on July 2 2022 as ABB Formula E showcases the world's most advanced e-mobility technology at the Canadian E-Fest.
- 2021 EFC Industry Conference: It’s a Wrap!
This year’s EFC Conference hosted over 500 members from all across Canada for two full days of dynamic speakers who inspired and informed new ways of thinking. While the conference wasn’t set against the backdrop of the majestic Canadian Rockies or along the stunning coastlines of the Maritimes, members connected on one innovative platform to take part in a whole new virtual experience! ‘Moving Beyond the Horizon’ was the inspiration behind this year’s program. It takes a village to innovate and lead the path forward – and this week’s conference demonstrated the power of what our village can achieve.
- CSA Group’s Commitment to Employee Well-Being Recognized at 2021 Canadian HR Awards
CSA Group is proud to have been recognized as a finalist for the Venngo Award of Excellence for Financial, Physical & Mental Wellness, a 2021 Canadian HR Award. The Venngo Award recognizes organizations that excel in delivering comprehensive employee wellbeing programs, while showing clear evidence of a positive impact on workforce...
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Changing scene
- Cree | Wolfspeed To Transfer to the New York Stock Exchange and Trade Under New Ticker Symbol “WOLF”; To Host Investor Day in NYC on Wednesday, Nov. 17
Cree, Inc. announced that it will transfer the listing of its common stock to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) from The Nasdaq Global Select Market. Cree expects to commence trading as a NYSE-listed company at market open on October 4, 2021 under the new ticker symbol ‘WOLF’. The Company will continue to trade its common stock on the Nasdaq until the close of the market on October 1, 2021. As previously announced, the Company will also change its corporate name from Cree, Inc. to Wolfspeed, Inc. effective
- Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Gescan to Celebrate the Opening of the New Coquitlam Branch
Gescan hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new branch in Coquitlam. Frankie Vass, Branch Manager was joined by our President of Canada Francois Anquetil, Gescan’s President, Javi Richmond and Dave Booth, Regional Manager of Lower Mainland BC, to do the honors.
- CaGBC Awards Celebrate Canadian Projects and Innovators
The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 CAGBC Awards. The annual awards celebrate the projects and leaders transforming Canada’s building sector by accelerating and scaling buildings with exceptional performance across environment, carbon emissions and human health factors.
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Changing scene – Announcements
- Lumen Strengthens its Operations Management and Supplier Strategy
Two other important appointments at the electrical equipment distributor. First, Mr. Gilles Motard inherits the post of Vice-President of Operations. With an MBA specializing in logistics and transport, Gilles has been in the field of distribution center operations for over 30 years. His main task will be to support the distribution center team while optimizing its operations and logistics.
- Announcement from First Alert Canada/BRK
Jim Rotz is retiring from First Alert Canada/Newell Brands after 41 years in the Canadian consumer products and electrical industry. Jim enjoyed an accomplished career in leadership and executive roles at GE, Dimplex, Electrolux, Whirlpool, UTC, and Jarden. His passion, commitment, and dedication were instrumental to the success of these organizations in Canada. He also served several years as an EFC board director. The next phase will include life in Muskoka, travel, time with family, and pursuit of many outdoor interests.
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Changing scene
- Westburne Ontario Division Announces Two Branch Manager Appointments
Westburne is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Branch Managers for our Simcoe and Barrie branches. Please join us in congratulating Dylan and Brad on their new roles. Dylan Brown has been appointed as our Simcoe Branch Manager. He has over 20 years of experience working within the Electrical Distribution industry in Canada. He brings to Westburne a proven track record of market share growth built through strong partnerships with key suppliers and customers.
- Komal Kingrani Has Been Appointed As A Senior Product Manager – Residential & Light Commercial Products, Electrical Sector – Electrical Americas – Canada
In her new role, Komal will be responsible for all marketing functions and strategy for Residential & Light Commercial Products in order to ensure a customer-focused product offering and profitable growth. Komal began her career with Eaton in 2011 as a Pricing Analyst for the Global Shared Services Centre in Pune, India. Since then, she has held various roles of increasing responsibility and most recently, was the Pricing Manager, Electrical Sector – Electrical Americas – Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce university degree and a post-graduate diploma in Finance.
- EFC Welcomes Nick Foster as the New 2nd Vice Chair on the Atlantic Region Executive Committee.
Nick is Territory Manager for the New Brunswick and PEI regions for Leviton and has been in that role since 2015. In that time, he has been involved with several EFC committees, most notably, as the Atlantic Regional Chair for EFC’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) where he recently spearheaded the YPN Atlantic Food Drive. In addition, Nick is active in many regional events and activities where he often takes a lead role.
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Careers
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