Plenty to talk about at EDA Regional Business Forum
From counterfeit cabling to space-age lighting, there was lots to discuss at the recent EDA Regional Business Forum
EDA Scottish Section Chair Kristian Van Rensburg (centre) takes a break with members of the EDA Scottish Section outside the hotel
Over 70 wholesalers, manufacturers and industry representatives from across the UK headed to Renfrew for the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) Regional Business Forum.
Held at the Glynhill Hotel on 11 May, delegates gathered to listen to a wide cross-section of speakers.
Among them was Dave Forrester, SELECT’s Head of Technical Services, whose excellent presentation covered two areas – the impact on the industry of the private landlord electrical inspection regime, and the potential impact of the upcoming 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations on wholesalers.
Other speakers at the event were Martin Boorman, UK Sales Manager for Prysmian Group, who revealed that around 20 million metres of counterfeit cable was seized and destroyed last year. He also discussed the new Construction Products Regulations which come into effect on 1 July, requiring suppliers and wholesalers to check the source of materials to ensure they’re compliant.
Also looking to the future was Craig Allan, New Business Development Implementation Manager at Feilo Sylvania lighting manufacturers. His talk on the Internet of Things examined how new lighting technology is developing smart buildings and creating revenue opportunities for the wholesaler.
There were also updates from EDA Director Margaret Fitzsimons, EDA Head of Marketing & Communications Anne Vessey, EDA Education and Training Manager Simone Fonseca and Kristian Van Rensburg, Chair of the EDA Scottish Section and Manager at Stearn Electric Co Ltd.
The Forum was followed in the evening by the ever-popular Sportsman’s Dinner, which included a charity raffle.
Margaret said: “The Forum was a huge success and covered a wide range of important topics that have a very real impact on our members.
“From a personal point of view, it was great to meet up with so many familiar faces – and a few new ones too.”
The EDA has 230 wholesaler members and 69 affiliate members (manufacturers). See www.eda.org.uk
