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Message From The Editor
Tools to adopt digital technologies effectively
We often hear that new technologies, especially digital technologies, must be adopted in order to remain competitive, increase profitability and much more. In this issue, we offer tools to adopt these technologies. Swati Patel talks about an organizational partner’s journey to support industry data standards, facilitate the rapid exchange of information between business partners, and increase digital sales in industry channels. It’s a must-read. So is David Gordon’s article on profit levers to master so that we can benefit from this technology. Feeling pandemic fatigue? Of course we are, but here are some tools to help you keep your employees involved at work despite the waves to follow. Good reading!
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Digital Transformation
Full Speed Ahead: How Digital Transformation Is Accelerating Data Requirements and Fuelling Roadmaps
By Swati Vora-Patel
April has been a flagship month for new milestones: it has been one full year since many of us began working from home; Zoom and other such virtual platforms have been in play for a year to keep us connected — and the reliance on digital systems has heightened over the past year to populate the influx of online catalogues and eCommerce sites. April also marks one year since I took over the reins of EFC’s Supply Chain Network to support the electrical industry’s digital transformation journey. Recently, EFC invited the Industry Data Exchange Association (IDEA) to share one-year milestones since the launch of IDEA Connector last April. IDEA Connector is a next-generation master data management platform that was specifically designed to support industry data standards, facilitate rapid information exchange between trading partners, and increase digital sales in the electrical, plumbing and HVAC channels.
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Distribution — Best Practices
The 4 Profit Levers Distributors Need to Master
By David Gordon
Electrical distributors are at a unique moment in time where they have an opportunity to leverage technology to utilize the data it can unleash to accelerate profitability and sales cost-effectively. Being in an information age is only beneficial if the information is utilized. Enhanced sales models, sales opportunities and servicing systems are combining to help differentiate distributors. Aside from a distribution divide being created by digital and supplier selection, analytics can either widen or tighten the divide. SPARXiQ, a leader in helping distributors improve profitability, is working with companies to help them gain deeper insights into the drivers of their profitability and generating insights that can accelerate sales growth. According to SPARXiQ, industry-leading distributors are continuing to find more ways to integrate data and analytics into strategic plans and daily decision making.
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Human Resources Management
Addressing Pandemic Fatigue to Boost Employee Engagement
By Michelle Branigan
A quick google search of the term “pandemic fatigue” shows me it’s a topic on many people’s minds. We’re certainly all living it, even if we may not have thought to define it. Pandemic fatigue is the exhaustion we feel after living for a year in the pandemic lifestyle: adjusting constantly to new factors like public health restrictions; leaving, then returning, then leaving the workplace again; job loss; death and illness; caring for our children or parents; keeping up relationships which have all turned long-distance. Even a trip to the grocery store is logistically more complicated than it used to be. The cumulative effect of all these factors weighs on us all in many ways.
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Looking Back
Careers in Wholesaling — 1976
At the January 1976 meeting of the Board of Directors, the title of the association’s manager was changed from General Manager to Executive Director. A new brochure illustrating careers in the electrical distribution industry was prepared and circulated. The purpose of the booklet was to assist member companies of CEDA in interesting and hiring personnel.
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History of a Manufacturer and a Family Business
Rittal Celebrates 60 Years Globally: From Steel Manufacturer to an International Global Company
It is April 1, 1961, when an international success story begins in a small weaving mill in central Hesse — the standardization of enclosures. Rudolf Loh founds the Rittal company and changes the industry with one idea. The standard enclosure is used in millions of product solutions in over 90% of all industries worldwide. Rittal is the innovation and world market leader for enclosure technology and IT infrastructure. 10,000 employees worldwide work on new innovations, industry solutions and business models. A small steel manufacturing company has become a global digital enterprise. What hasn't changed: Rittal is a family business — responsibility, solidarity and social commitment have always been a top priority.
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Survey Says
Common Career Paths: Branch Manager, Wholesale Distributor
This graph shows three common career paths for branch managers and wholesale distributors, as well as the corresponding national average salary. The national average for branch manager, wholesale distributor, among those surveyed, is $67,257.
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Economy
Investment in Building Construction Rose 4.2% in February
Total investment in building construction increased 4.2% to $16.8 billion in February, posting a record high for the second consecutive month because of continued strength in the residential sector. On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), investment in building construction was up 3.9% to $13.2 billion in February. Approximately half of the gain in construction investment on a year-over-year basis was attributable to price increases, as reported by the Building Construction Price Index. This likely reflects rising demand and tightening supply for building materials since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Economy
GDP Rose in January for 9th Month
Real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.7% in January, following 0.1% growth in December. This ninth consecutive monthly increase continued to offset the steepest drops on record in Canadian economic activity observed in March and April 2020. However, total economic activity was about 3% below the February level before the COVID-19 pandemic. Both goods-producing (+1.5%) and services-producing (+0.4%) industries were up in January as the 20 industrial sectors were nearly evenly split between expansions and contractions. Preliminary information indicates an approximate 0.5% increase in real GDP for February. Retail trade, construction, and real estate and rental and leasing all contributed to the growth.
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Economy
Value of February Building Permits Exceeds $10 Billion
The total value of building permits issued in February broke the $10 billion mark for the first time, as a jump in the non-residential sector more than offset the decline in the residential sector. The non-residential sector jumped 14.2% to $3.3 billion in February with all three components posting gains. Despite the large jump in this sector, the level remained about 13% below the peak reached in April 2019. Institutional permits saw their largest value increase since June 2020, as the total for this component climbed $226 million to $1.0 billion. With several permits being issued for long-term care facilities and a hospice, Ontario (+44.4%) and Alberta (+107.6%) led the way. The commercial component increased 11.4% to $1.7 billion, the highest value since September 2020.
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Changing Scene
- Electrimat adds Electrical Distribution and Lighting Specialists
Electrical Distribution Specialist, Pierre Mercure makes it his duty to build strong business relationships based on mutual trust with each of his clients in order to quickly acquire an in-depth knowledge of their real needs. Lighting Specialist, Michel Caron is distinguished by his many years of experience working with electricians, manufacturing agents and lighting distributors. It is recognized, among other things...
- IDEA Announces 2021 Board of Directors, DiBella Named Chair
The Industry Data Exchange Association, Inc. (IDEA) announces its 2021 Board of Directors. Brian DiBella, a seasoned electrical industry leader, will serve as the Board Chair for the coming year. “Brian's collaborative leadership and his ability to drive priorities for the industry will continue to help IDEA with its long-term roadmap,” said David Oldfather, President and CEO of IDEA…
- New Marketing Strategy Leader Joins AD
AD announced that Marty McLaughlin has joined the group as its first chief marketing officer effective April 1, 2021. McLaughlin is charged with collaborating with AD’s members and boards to identify new areas of added value for its community, beyond the core functions of a buying and marketing group.
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Changing Scene
- City Electric Supply Canada Announces Certification from Great Place to Work
City Electric Supply is pleased to announce that their ongoing commitment to providing their employees an enjoyable working atmosphere is recognized, as City Electric Supply receives certification from Great Place to Work. “We are immensely proud to have achieved this status," said Wayne Davies, Vice President of Operations. Being a family electrical wholesale business, City Electric Supply considers employees as an extension of the family.
- Marcos Simard Appointed to Managing Director of WESCO and Anixter EES Montreal
WESCO Anixter has announced Marcos Simard will take up the opportunity of supporting the synergy of the offices of WESCO and Anixter Montreal. "We are creating a new synergy that will allow us tooffer the best service to our market," commented Simard.
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Changing Scene
- Dave Klarer Joins SOS as Vice President Electrical-Datacom
Dave Klarer has joined Sales Outsource Solutions as Vice President of SOS’ Electrical-Datacom Division. Klarer has been in the electrical and communications industry his entire career since graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1985 from McMaster University. Having held leadership roles in both distribution and manufacturing organizations, he understands channel to market and the successful synergy that can be formed through clear communication and shared goals and visions.
- UL in Canada Named to 2021 List of Best Workplaces for Women
UL, the global safety science leader, announced that UL in Canada has been named on the 2021 list of Best Workplaces™ for Women by the Great Place to Work® Institute Canada, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. According to Nancy Fonseca, senior vice president of Great Place to Work Canada, with women representing close to 50% of the Canadian workforce.
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Changing Scene
- OmniCable Receives Belden Value Award
OmniCable was recently honored as a recipient of a Belden Value Award (Americas - North America, Latin America, Canada). “We are proud to receive this prestigious recognition from Belden, a leader in the industry. Our shared values and commitment to excellence are the foundation of our partnership and what drives our mutual success,” said Greg Lampert, OmniCable’s President & CEO.
- Magic Lite Launches New Video Library
Magic Lite announced the launch of its new video library, further delivering on the company’s promise of innovative customer solutions. Magic Lite’s video library offers detailed product features, installation instructions and inspiring application ideas in both French and English. Each video is about one-minute long and features informative and easy-to-follow on-screen instructions, highlighting best practices for ease of installation.
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Changing Scene
- ABB Emergi-Lite Specification-Grade Full-Line Catalog
Emergi-Lite has launched its new catalog including its complete emergency lighting product offering and IoT smart monitoring system, NexusPro…
- Soft Skills: The Key to Success in Life and Business
More than ever, interpersonal relationships are a crucial factor in the success or the failure of an organization but also in the fulfillment of its individuals. Far away from being an easy competence to develop, soft skills might be the determining factor that will make the difference in your professional career. This webinar will give you tools to help boost your motivation and your performance in order to reach your goals, both professionally and personally.
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Changing Scene
- BCEA Inclusive Recruiting Webinar: April 27
As part of their Diversity and Inclusion series, BCEA is presenting Inclusive Recruiting with Dr. Hadiya Roderique. Learning Objectives: To understand the realities of the hiring process for underrepresented/marginalized groups - in particular, some of the academic research and data on bias in resume screening and hiring; To discuss some of the patterns underlying bias in hiring/recruiting; To learn about some ways to reduce bias in the hiring and recruitment process…
- The Canadian Electricity Industry Redefines Renewal
The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) released the annual State of the Canadian Electricity Industry. The 2021 report emphasizes the stability of the electricity sector and the pace of renewal post COVID-19. The recommendations and key observations within the report will guide CEA’s thought leadership and advocacy efforts in the year ahead as the sector continues to build back better.
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The Electrical Stock Market
 Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
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In The Next Issue
The looming industry transformation |
Careers
Time for a Change? New Job Openings
Access the latest job and career opportunities in Canada’s electrical industry today. New listings posted regularly.
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