Volume 4 • Issue 2
Message From The Editor
Being better informed will sustain our optimism for the future
According to coverage in this issue of a World Bank report on the state of the world in 2016, more people on the planet have access to a cell phone than to electricity, and many of the benefits of the digital revolution have not yet spread as far and wide as anticipated. Disruptive technologies can be a lever for more balance, and at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, it's better to be informed and involved. Creating this new smart and connected economy is not just the responsibility of new generations. Why limit ourselves to the thinking of a single generation — our own — when we may find innovation and inspiration in the thinking of other generations? This could motivate us to undertake actions that will lead us towards this economy 4.0. It's the hope of our latest guest contributor, John Baron, who will be with us for the next two months. Good reading!
Line Goyette, Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
|
Changing Scene
- Alberta Electrical Association = AEL, CEC and CREC
The Alberta Electrical League, Calgary Electric Club and Capital Region Electric Club are joining forces under one banner, the Alberta Electrical Association…
- Hammond Appoints New Electrical Enclosures Group Rep for Manitoba / Saskatchewan / Lakehead
Hammond Manufacturing has named Jebco Agencies Inc. as sales representative for its Electrical Enclosures Group in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario's Lakehead region. Support for Hammond Datacom and Electronics products continues to be handled through Hammond's existing factory sales team…
- EFC Industry Recognition Award — Call for Entries Now Open
Electro-Federation Canada is now accepting entries for its Industry Recognition Award, recognizing an individual who has influenced the Canadian electrical industry, either as a current or retired industry delegate, or as an industry supporter. Deadline for submissions: February 28…
- Crum Electric's Jeff Hockin Joins AD Board of Directors
Jeff Hockin, President and COO of Crum Electric Supply Co., Inc., is the newest member of the AD Board of Directors and the AD Electrical US Board of Directors. AD is a US$32 billion contractor and industrial products wholesale buying/marketing group…
- The World Bank's Year in Review: 2016
Between the social, political, and economic upheavals affecting our lives, and the violence and forced displacement making headlines, you'd be forgiven for feeling gloomy about 2016. A look at the data reveals some of the challenges we face but also the progress we've made…
|
Opinion
The 21st Century
By Rick McCarten
For our industry conference in San Diego this year, we tried to get Tony Seba from Stanford University present to our members. Unfortunately, Tony was not available. So, I thought I would discuss the premise of his lecture and his book in the next few articles. The book, Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation, begins with this quote: "The stone age did not end because humankind ran out of stone." Seba applies this to oil. The good news for us is that what replaces this energy source will be distributed by electricity.
Read More
|
Marketing
Can You Afford Declining Margins?
By David Gordon
2016 seems to have been the year of pricing. A number of distributors either discussed or undertook pricing initiatives last year. In many instances it was a desire to reverse an industry trend: eroding margins. Others recognized that if they invested in e-commerce they needed to ensure that the price shown on their website was the same that the customer received at the counter or when they called inside sales. Some initiated the strategy based on a recognition that they needed to make more money. And in some cases senior managers realized that their pricing had declined just… because.
Read More
|
Evolving Workforce
Move Over Millennials. It's Time to Meet the Perennials — the Ageless Generation
By Julie Kerr
Although the suffix may sound familiar, the perennial generation is nothing like the "M" word that we have all come to know and love. Perennials, unlike Millennials, is an ideal that ignores the notion that same age equals same interests.
Read More
|
CEMRA
The Converging Electrical and Electronic Worlds
By John Baron
One of the most fascinating developments through my time in our remarkable electrical industry is the introduction of the electronic world to the electrical world. From someone who used to telex orders into factories on a long strip of punched paper over a dedicated phone line to EDI today, it has been an unbelievable transformational experience. This merging of electrical and electronic worlds is not completely unique to the electrical industry, but it is distinctive in its impact on our lives.
Read More
|
Copper Pricing
Copper — A New Year, Same Story, Just at a Higher Level
By Jim Williams
The price of copper has levelled off considerably since we last visited the red metal. After the chart skyrocketed to nearly US$2.70 a pound following the November election, the price has come back to reality. That being said, the new level to judge copper is somewhere around US$2.30 to US$2.50 a pound. That is a far cry from the recent past when investors were happy to see copper top the US$2.00 plateau. tED contributor Jesse Colombo points out that the break above the US$2.30/pound resistance level in November gave a bullish signal that led to another 20% advance to US$2.75/pound. Since then, copper has pulled back a bit.
Read More
|
Economy
November Residential Building Permits Decline as Non-residential Rise
Municipalities issued $7.8 billion worth of building permits in November, down 0.1% from October. The decline largely resulted from lower construction intentions in Alberta, following a spike the previous month owing to impending changes to the Alberta Building Code. The value of residential building permits fell 1.6% to $5.1 billion, following three consecutive monthly increases. Four provinces posted declines, led by Alberta. The value of non-residential building permits rose 3.0% to $2.6 billion, the fourth increase in five months. Higher construction intentions were registered in five provinces. In total value of permits issued, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia recorded the largest gains.
Read More
|
Economy
Market Conditions, Materials Drive November's New Housing Price Increase
The New Housing Price Index (NHPI) rose 0.2% in November, following a 0.3% increase in October. The gain in November was largely attributable to higher prices in the combined region of Toronto and Oshawa (+0.2%) as well as the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Vancouver. The combined region of Toronto and Oshawa (+0.2%) was the top contributor to the national increase, while Vancouver (+0.5%) recorded the largest monthly price gain. Year over year, the New Housing Price Index was up 1.6% in November.
Read More
|
SURVEY SAYS
Median Salary by Gender
Women earn 15% less. See what this means in dollars.
Read More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In The Next Issue
Jim Taggart — the solution.
|
The Electrical Stock Market
Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
View Current
|
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.
View Current
|
Events Calendar
Training, networking and professional development opportunities for members of Canada's electrical industry.
EDIST 2017
January 18-20,
Markham, ON
OEN Networking Luncheon, with IESO's Bruce Campbell
January 31, 2017
Toronto, ON
2017 Canadian Energy Industry - Updates and Insights
February 6, 2017
Ottawa, ON
Manitoba Electrical Expo
February 22-23, 2017
Winnipeg, MB
View all Events
|
Join The Canadian Electrical Wholesaler Reader Advisory Board
Help shape what content you need and when. Gain access to special product launches and promotions. Give your input and ideas on best practices and practical methods.
Click here to join
|
|