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Volume 2 • Issue 10
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Helping others and to make a difference is maybe not that complicated
We often receive news from people in our industry about their community involvement, or charitable causes they contribute to. In this context, we regularly speak of EFC's scholarship program, industry competitions, and other ways members of our industry share the collective knowledge and resources of our industry. In this issue we introduce a new section, Getting Involved, in which Eaton Canada tells us about a medical foundation the company supports. Share your own interests with us, it could contribute to their success. Good reading!
Line Goyette
Managing Editor, Canadian Electrical Wholesaler
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
Opinion
The Big Picture
By Rick McCarten
Ford just recently announced that they are setting up a research facility to look at new forms of transportation and all of the software connected to new vehicles. They also announced that they see themselves not only in the car business, but in the grand scheme of things, they are in the "transportation" business. Right now, cars might be the best form of transportation. However, the way we travel now may not be the best method. Ford is not going to be tied to old legacy viewpoints that force them to defend themselves against new technology — which could end up hurting their business. So what is the big picture for electrical distributors?
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Best Practices: Business
Is It Time to Hit the Reset Button?
By David Gordon
We're at that time of year. The doldrums days of summer. The time when it gets hot and many people naturally become a little more "laissez faire." When we use the excuse of mid year, summertime, the July 1 holiday, vacations or just being "too busy" as reasons why we need to keep things on autopilot. But have you looked historically at what percentage of your business is conducted between January and June vs. July and December? For many distributors the answer is 45% vs. 55%. And for some, this year it could be 40/60, given the challenging first quarter, in order to achieve any growth. Is it time to hit the reset button?
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Getting Involved
By Line Goyette
Bridge to Health - From Technical Support to Sustainable Healthcare in Kabale, Uganda
Three years ago, Eaton Canada's Power Quality division was approached by Bridge to Health, a passionate group of medical and dental professionals brought together by a common desire to help provide healthcare to those in tremendous need...
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Peers & Profiles
Best of Peers & Profiles
Did you miss any of our Peers and Profiles this year? Read again about Daniel Peloquin's testimony to the industry, Tom Mason's dedication to new technologies, David Nathaniel's talent for seeing the right things at the right moment, Cara Backman's happy surprise when she discovered the industry, Jim Taggart's creative flair, and the Dunnigans' story from Ireland to Mississauga and soon to Vancouver.
• Among the Dunnigans of Techspan Industries: a Sense of Adventure from One Generation to Another
• Cara Backman — Open to Everything, Even Life's Surprises
• Jim Taggart: A Steady Hand, A Stellar Career
• David Nathaniel: A Talent for Being There at the Right Time
• Living in the Cloud: Sonepar's Tom Mason
• Daniel Peloquin: Just Do It, But Fail Fast
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Economy
Value of Building Permits Slipped in May
Following two months of double-digit gains in March and April, the total value of building permits issued in May fell 14.5% to $6.7 billion. Declines were recorded in five provinces, led by Ontario, which had posted a notable increase the previous month. The residential, industrial, institutional and commercial sectors were all affected.
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Economy
Industry Continues to Lead the Evolution of Science, Technology Education
By Brad Fougere
Canada's largest industry association is taking concrete actions to guard against the looming skills shortage. Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), as part of its Manufacturing Month initiative, has forged partnerships to deliver 200 secondary and post-secondary schools with the vital tools they need to introduce careers in manufacturing. "Canada's manufacturing sector will need nearly 400,000 skilled workers by 2020 and to date, industry has had a difficult time convincing the next generation that a career in manufacturing is highly valued, highly paid and highly skilled," said Jayson Myers, President & CEO Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
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Current Copper Prices
 Monitor daily and 6-month $US prices for copper — the preferred electrical conductor for most categories of electrical wiring.
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