Message From The Editor
A look at tomorrow's opportunities through the filter of an intelligent human being
Carolina Gallo summarizes well a study in which she recently participated with EFC and CABA, and which we share with you in this issue, on opportunities offered by transitioning to smart cities. I would add that at the heart of any technological upheaval, people should remain the master of how decisions are made in the face of these changes, and ensure that the intelligence of new technologies and new cities will aim to improve the daily lives of people who live there, work there, and are productive there. Looking to the future should be the goal of better connecting individuals with each other, and many industry leaders have shown over the past few months that they have this interest at heart. Good reading!
Line Goyette, Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
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Changing Scene
- E.B. Horsman to Acquire Intec Controls
E.B. Horsman & Son, Western Canada's largest independently owned full-line electrical distributor, and Intec Controls Inc. have agreed to a transaction in which E.B. Horsman & Son will acquire Intec Controls…
- Hubbell to Purchase Aclara Technologies LLC for US$1.1 Billion
The transaction will strengthen and broaden Hubbell Power Systems' competitive position across utility markets by integrating Aclara's customer relationships and smart infrastructure solutions into the Hubbell portfolio…
- Torbram Electric Supply Designates Acuity Lighting a National Partner
Torbram Electric Supply's partnership with Acuity Lighting, the leading lighting manufacturer in North America, takes effect this month…
- A.C. Lighting Names Jean Louis Blanchard as VP of Business Development
A.C. Lighting has entered into an era of growth, the company says, and the hiring of Jean Louis Blanchard "unfolds the commencement of the company's strategic development plan for growth, to provide their clients with world class products, backed by world class service…"
- RAB Design Lighting Appoints Steven Little Director of Manufacturing and Engineering
Steven comes to the company from Apollo HBC, where he held the position of Senior Director, Operations and Supply Chain. Prior to that, he has held COO and VP positions at major CPG companies in Canada…
- Pentair Thermal Management Restructures Sales Organization
The restructuring places greater focus on the company's strategic rep and distributor partners…
- Ontario Commits $200 Million for Large Manufacturing Retrofits
The province will make funding available to large emitters and other industrial, commercial and institutional facilities with projects to reduce greenhouse gas pollution…
- In Memoriam: Canada Wire and Cable's Gary Norman Goss
Goss had a long career in sales management with Canada Wire and Cable before moving to Midland, Ontario…
- Molex Acquires Assets of Triton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Molex, LLC has acquired Triton assets that fabricate flexible power cable assemblies and custom bus bars…
- LEDVANCE to Close Drummondville Facility
Because of shrinking demand for traditional lighting products made at its Drummondville, Quebec facility, LEDVANCE will close the facility by the end of 2018…
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Opinion
The Benefits of Studying Business History
By Rick McCarten
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This quote from George Santayana usually refers to countries and nations, but now that corporations have been around for over 100 years, they too have acquired a wealth of business history. Those of us working for corporations, as Santayana said, are bound to repeat the past if we do not study and learn from it.
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Marketing
Making Sense of the Rapidly Changing IoT Lighting Market
By David Gordon
The earliest smart lighting was little more than sophisticated on/off and dimming controls. Since then, if a facility upgrades its lighting to LED, adding sophisticated controls after the installation generates only marginal incremental energy savings and can pose technical challenges based on quality of installation and user knowledge. After all, once LEDs save 70% versus the lamps they replaced, what's the ROI on investing in controls? But lighting control benefits are more than energy savings.
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Millenials
Adapting to Change: The Evolution of Technology and Its Impact on the Workplace
By Jean-François Bourqui
The evolution of technology has all companies thinking about what they need to do to adapt and stay ahead of the curve. Those who choose not to adapt will be left behind by forward thinking companies, who are embracing change and reshaping their organizations, in order to deliver the best in class customer experience. Nowadays, companies are looking at technological investments as the answer to internal obstacles they face by automating and streamlining processes, rather than looking at increasing employee headcount. The solution is often the implementation of upgraded software, programs or systems.
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Smart Cities
Elon Is Wrong: Transporting Cities to the Future Is Smart When It Connects People
By Carolina Gallo
Elon Musk's recent dis of city transit demonstrated a certain disconnect with the social design imperatives for sustainable city infrastructure. Cities of the future that are collectively healthy and happy are the foundations of smart economies, and last November, two Canadian experts, Bill Bryan (Electro-Federation Canada) and Roberta Gamble (Frost and Sullivan) published a white paper: The Road to Smart Cities: Consideration for a templated approach. Their white paper, produced under the auspices of CABA and with support from an industry and public sector working group, discusses the critical role of smart buildings for smart cities.
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Economy
Free Trade Agreements and the Evolution of Wholesale Sales in Canada
As 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation, we take a look back at an aspect of the history of wholesale sales in Canada. Canada has a long trading history, which started before Confederation. Because wholesalers play an important role in the import and export of goods, free trade agreements have had a notable influence on the evolution of the wholesale sector.
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Economy
While 2016 Wholesale Revenue Declines YOY, Profits Increase
The operating revenue of Canadian wholesalers declined 1.4% in 2016 compared with 2015, dropping further below the $1.0 trillion mark reached in 2014. The overall drop was partly caused by a price-induced decline in the petroleum products subsector, as all other subsectors saw increases in revenues. Excluding petroleum, operating revenues rose 3.1% compared with 2015.
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Economy
Value of Permits Declined 7.7% in November, but Year to Date Exceeded 2016 Total
The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities declined 7.7% to $7.7 billion in November 2017, the first decrease in three months. Nationally, the value of permits for all building components declined, with the exception of single-family dwellings. However, As of November, Canadian municipalities had issued over $100 million more in building permits in 2017 compared to the 2016 total, led by higher construction intentions for universities, hospitals and manufacturing plants.
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In The Next Issue
An industry leader proposes reflecting on the evolution of technology
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Time for a Change? New Job Openings
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