Message From The Editor
New clientele and new practices
I recently travelled to a part of the world that has never celebrated Thanksgiving or pardoned a turkey, but yet there were huge posters everywhere announcing Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, the increase in online shopping this famous Monday was estimated to be between 16% and 22%, and reach US$1.5 billion, yet people were back at work. These consumer practices have an impact in our industry: times change, the clientele also, and they have new requirements. It is important to adapt. We present a profile of a leader who has taken a gamble on adapting to new market trends, and we continue our thinking on the importance of having the right people in place on your team. Good reading!
Line Goyette, Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
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Changing Scene
- Prysmian to Acquire General Cable for $30.00 Per Share in Cash
Prysmian Group and General Cable Corporation have announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Prysmian will acquire General Cable for $30.00 per share in cash…
- Hubbell Canada LP and Burndy Canada Inc. Merge
The final phase of the stepped plan to bring Hubbell Canada LP and Burndy Canada Inc. together is complete. The merged legal entity will be known as Hubbell Canada ULC…
- Rittal Canada Welcomes Franklin Empire and Eddy Group as New Distributors
With a rich family history dating back to the 1940s and an extensive distribution network in Ontario and Quebec, Franklin Empire Inc. is the largest independently owned electrical distributor in Canada, also renowned for its manufacturing automation systems…
- Omron Moves and Expands Montreal Office as Part of Investing and Revitalizing Plan
Omron Automation Americas recently celebrated the grand opening of its expanded and relocated offices, now in a Dorval, Quebec business complex. "Our new offices enhance customer interaction with our latest technologies…"
- Wago Has a New North American Distribution Channel Manager
Wago has named John Bukowski as its new Distribution Channel Manager for North America. Bukowski has worked in technical sales for over 30 years in companies such as Eaton, Pepperl + Fuchs, Inc. and Schneider Electric…
- Adanac Sales to Represent RAB Design Lighting in BC, David Barbour to Retirement
RAB Design Lighting has appointed Adanac Sales as their sales representative in British Columbia effective December 1, 2017. The sales agency's principals Kevin Smythe and Mike Hodges have been actively involved with industry associations…
- Rittal Enhances Its Sales Leadership Team
Kyle Sheppard joins Rittal as Regional Sales Director for the Central Region. Sheppard has over 13 years experience in sales and sales management, and expertise in data-driven, long-term strategic planning…
- Philips Lighting Appoints New Sales Manager
Philips Lighting Canada has named Laurie Gallo Sales Manager, Professional Trade Central Canada, effective November 27. Gallo brings more than 20 years of industry experience, including 15 years in commercial sales at Thomas & Betts…
- Bel Products Inc. Appoints Dominique Dufresne as National Sales Director
Dufresne will be responsible for leading the sales team and agents across Canada and the United States. He will also represent Bel Products Inc. with the various electrical associations. He has more than 18 years of experience and knowledge in sales…
- 3M Electrical Markets Division Appoints New Business Manager
Mark Ingram assumes the position of Business Manager for 3M's Electrical Markets Division. He will replace Alex Isings, who is moving on to another opportunity within 3M…
- E.B Horsman & Son Remembers Former President and CEO
E.B. Horsman & Son has announced the passing of Thomas (Tom) Muldoon, past President & CEO, on November 3, 2017. For those who did not know Tom, he was a feisty Irish Canadian…
- Emerson Withdraws Proposal to Acquire Rockwell Automation
Emerson withdrew its proposal to acquire Rockwell Automation for US$225 per share after the Rockwell Board of Directors had rejected its latest offer…
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Best Practices — Your Business
New Customer Demands and the Onset of Emerging Market Players
By Swati Patel
Change is a common factor impacting every business today. In the electrical market, the tempo of change is quickening as businesses adjust their products and services to meet new needs. But why are things changing so rapidly? The rate of change has a lot to do with new customer demands. Concepts such as smart cities, electric vehicles and net zero homes and buildings are driving new socially responsible behaviours among end-users. In turn, this has created opportunity for flexible, efficient systems and applications that interoperate and offer end-to-end solutions at home and at work. The solutions in demand also require synergy between electrical, IT/data and security systems.
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Peers & Profiles
Bernard Pitre, President and CEO-General, Convectair-NMT: the Hidden Side of the Disciplined Accountant
By Line Goyette
Bernard Pitre is astonishing. Creativity and innovation are not words that we automatically associate with accountancy training, but this would be a mistake in the case of Bernard Pitre. We could say that his entire professional career, on the manufacturing side and on the distribution side, has as the common denominator building components: heating, air conditioning, distribution of electrical products… but this simplification ignores the challenges he took on along the way.
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Market Research
New Report: eCommerce within the Construction and Industrial Markets, Part 2
By David Gordon
The advent of Amazon Business has motivated many distributors to consider the implications of ecommerce, and make investments. To better understand the state of eCommerce within construction and industrial trades, Channel Marketing Group asked distributors for input on their own eCommerce initiatives, as well as how they see Amazon Business as a competitor. Part 1 presented highlights from the report's overall ecommerce findings. Here in Part 2: Amazon's influence on eCommerce.
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Looking back
The History of Copel
Copel was an organization that united 16 of Canada's leading electrical distributors. It was during the 1969 convention of CEDA that E. Mullaly of Saint John and Jeannine Guillevin Wood of Montreal first discussed the idea of forming an organization of independent distributors. A meeting in August 1969 brought together independent electrical distributors from across Canada to form a consortium that would enable them to combine resources, experience and purchasing volume to compete more effectively with national distributors. In its time, Copel was the largest organization of its kind.
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Human Resources
Transformation of the Grid — and Preparing the Next Generation
By Michelle Branigan
Many Canadian electrical assets are approaching the end of life, and there is a need to refurbish or replace much of the system. Countries around the world, including Canada, are looking to decarbonize existing energy systems. Smart homes, smart cities, renewable generation, the integration of electrical vehicles, energy efficiency, energy storage — these will all have an impact on the industry and how we deliver electricity within a changing environment. So what does this mean for the workforce?
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Economy
Investment in New Housing Up 8.9% in September YOY
Increases in new housing investment were reported in eight provinces, with the largest gains in Alberta (+$154.3 million), Ontario (+$126.5 million) and Quebec (+$102.4 million). At the national level, Ontario ($2.2 billion), accounted for 40.7% of total investment, followed by British Columbia (20.7%), Alberta and Quebec (both at 15.1%). Quebec and New Brunswick were the only provinces that posted a year-over-year investment increase for all building types.
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In The Next Issue
On the road to smart cities
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The Electrical Stock Market
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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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