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Message From The Editor
Collaborating or collectivizing — a call for transparency
Customer service is certainly not a new topic of conversation or offering in our industry, but with automation, the Internet of Things, and the technological advances of the cloud automated sales solutions become more viable measures. A new dimension to service delivery. Read more in this issue. One way to participate in the improvement of service is inevitably through e-commerce. Using the maximum potential of products beyond their haggling for a given purpose can be a way to offer a service closer to the customers' expectations today. Our contributor Rick McCarten asks key questions about pooling or collaborating on resources. In conclusion, he tells us that it's worth giving a little to get a lot in exchange. What do you think? Good reading, and don't forget to complete our survey to learn more about our industry from the inside!
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Changing Scene
- IDI Merges with AD to Become AD Canada Industrial & Safety
AD, the member owned buying/marketing group, is merging with IDI Independent Distributors Inc. effective April 1, 2019. IDI brings 107 independent industrial Canadian distributors with over 364 locations into the AD family. AD also welcomes 21 new employees and a distribution centre as part of the transaction…
- Franklin Empire Announces New Co-Presidents as Robert Shapiro Retires
With the retirement of President Robert Shapiro, his partners Cliff Backman and Bernie Backman have assumed the title of co-presidents. Brothers Cliff and Bernie are members of the original founding family's third generation…
- Eddy Group Limited's Robyn Eddy to Retire December 31, 2019
Effective September 1, 2019, Keith Assaff and Jody MacDonald will assume the positions of co-presidents and Robyn Eddy will move into an advisory capacity. Following her retirement, Eddy will remain active on the Board of Directors…
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- Call for Speakers — Advantage Through Excellence: Future of Manufacturing Conference
This October 2019 event is seeking experienced manufacturing leaders, industry professionals, stakeholders and subject-matter experts, to share their knowledge, experience and successes in any of these five conference streams…
- Looking Ahead to Hannover Messe: Digitization
Hannover Messe is the world's biggest industrial fair, and known as a leading display of industrial technology. This year's event, taking place in Hannover, Germany from April 1 to 5, is expected to draw 210,000 visitors and 6,150 exhibitors…
- ABB and Intel Collaborate on Next-Gen Distribution Automation Systems and Products
ABB and Intel have signed an agreement to collaborate on marketing and selling next-generation distribution automation systems and products for protection and control in utility and industrial applications. Key components include ABB Ability smart substation control and protection for electrical systems, SSC600, powered by Intel Xeon processors…
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CEW Reader Survey
Tell Us What You Think
Canadian Electrical Wholesaler wants your input on topics of interest to our industry. Please take a moment to answer the question below. All responses are confidential. Each month we'll ask a new question, and report back on results. Thank you for your participation.
Question: In the last 3 months, how do your revenues and selling prices compare to the same period last year?
A. Down more than 15%
B. -11 - 15%
C. -6 - 10%
D. -1 -5%
E. Remained the same
F. +1 - 5%
G. +6 - 10%
H. +11 - 15%
I. More than 15%
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Opinion
Collective vs. Collaborative
By Rick McCarten
Are you a right-wing hawk or a left-wing socialist? Do you believe in the betterment of all, or do you believe that free will results in the betterment of the country? What if all that rhetoric about left and right was merely a distraction? As our society is inundated with new technology, maybe it is time to start thinking in terms of cost, advantages and strategy, and not about the polarized positions of the past and protectionism.
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Marketing: Best Practices
Spinning Products to Improve Customer Experience
By David Gordon
Over the past six months we've seen a number of distributors upgrade their websites. Why the investments? Because these distributors recognize that "table stakes" for at least some customers is requiring, or will require, offering an e/omni-channel experience. Customers are seeking more information online and, in some cases, transacting business online, especially for repeatable orders and "on-offs". As a manufacturer, you've probably experienced increasing traffic (ask to see your site analytics/Google Analytics trends). With increased traffic, coupled with increased "consumer" demands — after all, aren't our "customers" also consumers who are impacted by retail expectations — the questions become…
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Inventory Technology
The Benefits of Automating Your Maintenance and PPE Inventory
By Blake Marchand
Automated vending solutions can help distributers manage customers' inventory and reduce waste throughout various industries. They can allow manufacturers the ability to better track inventory, as well as regulate the consumption of everyday-use items like gloves, ear plugs, and tie back sleeves. In machine shops they can be utilized to manage various tools like cutting wheels and drill bits, also ensuring older equipment is used before new inventory. This not only enables end-users to track and manage inventory, but allows the supplier to provide a more detailed, customer driven experience.
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LED Technology & Cybersecurity
Eight Tips for Lighting Cybersecurity
By Craig DiLouie
Connectivity enables LED lighting to go far beyond illumination and energy savings to offer revolutionary new capabilities and value for occupants, cost reduction, quality lighting, and business process improvement. By networking luminaires and lighting control points in a centralized architecture, the lighting system becomes programmable and able to generate data. These data can be applied to strategies like optimizing space utilization, tracking inventory, and providing location-based services. While connecting devices for various business purposes can produce extraordinary value, it can also impose data privacy and security risks. These risks may take several forms.
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Research
Edge Computing Successfully Tested on a Live 5G Network
At Verizon's newly formed 5G testbed in Houston, engineers recently performed a facial recognition test using a Multi-access Edge Compute (MEC) in the network facility with MEC platform software and using a centralized data centre. They were able to successfully identify an individual twice as fast using the MEC, proving that analyzing information right at the edge of the network where the application was being used made a significant difference in the time to deliver the experience.
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One Particular Counter
Graybar Mississauga Express Branch Opening This Month
On Monday, February 25, a new Mississauga Express branch will open at 160 Brunel Road, which completes Graybar's move from its Whittle Road location. This updated 8,500 sq.ft facility will be stocked with electrical, comm/data and automation parts to provide a convenient pick-up service for customers in the western GTA market.
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CASL Compliance
5 Types of Consent: Part 3 — Implied: Existing Non-Business Relationship
Implied consent — existing business relationships include customers and interested prospects. The CRTC states it this way: "The recipient has made, or inquired about, a purchase or lease of goods, services, land or interest in land, a written contract or the acceptance of a business, investment or gaming opportunity from you. Keep records of how you obtained implied or express consent, since in both cases you have the onus to prove consent." This has a 2-year time limit, meaning the individual must purchase again, request a quote or a demo within that 2-year period, in which case the 2-year clock rests to that date.
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Economy
Value of Building Permits Jumped 6% in December
Canadian municipalities issued $8.8 billion worth of building permits in December, up 6.0% from November and the fourth consecutive monthly increase. The gain was largely due to higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings and commercial buildings, with both components hitting record highs. For the year as a whole, the total value of building permits rose 4.7% in 2018 to $99.7 billion, the fifth consecutive annual increase.
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Survey Says
Average Salary in Wholesale Electrical, Based on Company Size
Electrical wholesalers working for companies with over 5,000 employees earn substantially more than those working for smaller companies. Average annual salary for these high-paid employees: $90,000.
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The Electrical Stock Market
Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
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Join The Electrical Industry News Week Reader Advisory Board
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In The Next Issue
Planning digital transformation |
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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