January 05, 2024Temperatures in the Middle East are rising, simultaneously causing an increase in the Middle East air conditioning market. Despite consuming high levels of energy, the use of air-cooling units is essential in this region. But, with up to 30% of air lost while moving through duct systems, it’s time to address the issue of leaky ductwork.
December 11, 2023Sticking with branded products on site, contractors can eliminate the quality, integrity, safety and legal implications associated with fake, unbranded and inferior products.
December 01, 2023When installing cables in conduit, lube is a vital part of any contractor’s toolkit, but the specific conditions of the installation and site environment mean the selection of an appropriate lubricant with the correct properties is key. Brett Smyth, General Manager of IDEAL Electrical EMEA and APAC, explains what to look for when selecting a lubricant.
August 18, 2023Home to some of the smartest and most sustainable buildings in the world, the Middle East is well-equipped to deliver efficient and responsive buildings that enhance the user experience.
August 04, 2023When installing cables in conduit, lube is a vital part of any contactor’s toolkit, but the specific conditions of the installation and site environment mean the selection of an appropriate lubricant with the correct properties is key. Brett Smyth, General Manager of IDEAL® Electrical EMEA and APAC, explains what to look for when selecting a lubricant.
April 14, 2023IDEAL Industries has recently returned from the Middle East Energy 2023 exhibition, held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 7-9 March, where the company’s versatile connectors and installation supplies were on show.
February 21, 2022Brett Smyth, general manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA, discusses the benefits of the company’s Twin and Earth Stripper for removing the slug cleanly and quickly
SUPPORTING ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS WITH A MULTI-CHANNEL SUPPLY CHAIN
February 01, 2022Brett Smyth, general manager EMEA at IDEAL Industries, the specialist in tools and accessories for the electrical sector, discusses the need for the electrical supply chain to provide convenience and reliability for electricians.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES APPOINTS REGIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER FOR CENTRAL EUROPE
January 28, 2022IDEAL Industries, the global leader in electrical accessories and tools, has appointed Lammert-Jan (LJ) Sinkgraven as regional account manager for central Europe as part if the company’s ambitious growth strategy for the EMEA region.
January 24, 2022IDEAL Industries, the global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, has promoted Mike Cullom to the role of UK Sales Manager.
WHAT WILL 2021’S TRENDS MEAN FOR THE ELECTRICAL SECTOR IN 2022?
January 21, 2022Brett Smyth, general manager of IDEAL Industries EMEA, discusses the challenges and opportunities the company has responded to in 2021 and predictions for 2022
IDEAL INDUSTRIES STEPS UP SUPPORT FOR ELECTRICAL TALENT WITH SPARKS LEARNER OF THE YEAR SPONSORSHIP
January 05, 2022IDEAL Industries, the global leader in electrical tools and accessories, is continuing its commitment to nurturing new talent in the UK electrical sector by sponsoring the SPARKS Learner of the Year contest.
December 10, 2021IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. to host the 2021 IDEAL National Championship in Nashville from Dec. 15-17, marking the in-person competition’s long-awaited return.
October 15, 2021Brett Smyth, general manager EMEA of Ideal Industries, discusses the company's tool bag range and why it's so important to choose the correct transport and storage option.
October 01, 2021Brett Smyth, general manager EMEA of Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of the company’s new Gen II Lever Wire Connectors for faster, easier & safer wire terminations.
September 01, 2021Ideal Industries, the specialist in electrical tools, accessories and consumables, is embracing technology to continue keeping staff safe as lockdown restrictions ease with the Orbi-Trace social distancing system.
IS POOR QUALITY TEST EQUIPMENT COMPROMISING SAFETY
August 19, 2021Electrical contractors are under constant pressure to complete projects quickly, but safety should never be sacrificed for speed, and ensuring that test and measurement protocols are followed diligently using the correct instruments not only delivers more quality and consistency, but also ensures high safety standards.
WHY ARE THERE SO FEW WOMEN IN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING
August 02, 2021Brett Smyth, general manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, the specialist in tools and accessories for the electrical installation sector, asks why there are still so few female electricians and what can be done to attract more women into the sector. He also interviews Amy Barratt-Singh, an electrician the company is sponsoring, who has established a successful career after retraining as an electrician just four years ago.
80% OF STUDENTS SURVEYED REVEAL IDEAL INDUSTRIES CONNECTORS ARE FASTER AND EASIER TO INSTALL
July 14, 2021A survey reveals 80% of students find the company’s In-Sure cable connectors faster and easier to install than conventional terminal strips.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES BUILDS ITS WHOLESALER NETWORK WITH AIEW DEAL
June 15, 2021Ideal Industries, the global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, has extended its wholesaler network thanks to a new deal with independent buying group, Associated Independent Electrical Wholesalers (AIEW).
TRAINING AND SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORT PRODUCT LOYALTY AND INNOVATION
June 01, 2021For Ideal Industries, the knowledge partnership programme with training providers forms part of a deeper commitment to the sector and the company’s business development strategy.
SAVING PENNIES ON CONNECTORS COULD COME AT A HIGH PRICE FOR INSTALLERS
February 01, 2021Brett Smyth, General Manager EMEA of Ideal Industries, the global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, discusses the quality, integrity and safety implications of choosing counterfeit connectors for electrical terminations.
December 01, 2020Mike Cullom, Area Manager, UK North from Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of knowledge sharing with the further education sector.
Consistent data terminations to enable proptech benefits
November 12, 2020Brett Smyth, general manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, discusses the need for consistent and compliant data network terminations in smart buildings, and how they can be achieved
November 01, 2020Dave Tyler, Sales Manager (UK South) at Ideal Industries, the global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, discusses the value of using social media to understand customers and engage with them effectively.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING BRINGS COMMERCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
October 19, 2020The importance of trainees in the electrical sector who are ‘site ready’ and have had their training aligned to the needs of the employers.
Ideal Industries on selecting correct lube for installation
October 04, 2020Brett Smyth, general manager of Ideal Industries EMEA discusses the importance of selecting the correct lube for conduit installations in the hot, dry climate typical of Middle East construction projects
Benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors
October 01, 2020Dave Tyler, Sales Manager UK South, from global electrical manufacturer, Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors when installing electrical distribution networks in an industrial environment.
October 01, 2020Brett Smyth, General Manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, a global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, discusses the need for consistent and compliant data network terminations in smart buildings, and how they can be achieved.
IT’S TIME TO MAKE SMARTER BUILDINGS EASIER TO INSTALL-PEW-Sept
September 15, 2020Brett Smyth, General Manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, a global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, discusses the need to signpost installers to products that make data installations faster and easier.
Growth plans into the GCC through distribution networks
September 12, 2020Brett Smyth, general manager of Ideal Industries for the EMEA, discusses the firm's growth plans into the GCC through its distribution networks by identifying trends and innovation
Safe isolation kits save lives and build customer relationships
September 01, 2020Brett Smyth, General Manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, discusses the essential role safe isolation kits can play in electricians’ safety on site and the opportunity for electrical wholesalers to generate sales by offering this simple safety product.
How to achieve consistent data terminations for smart buildings
July 12, 2020Brett Smyth, General Manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, a global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, discusses the need for consistent and compliant data network terminations in smart buildings, and how they can be achieved.
July 01, 2020Brett Smyth, General Manager of Ideal Industries EMEA, the global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, discusses the importance of selecting the correct lube for conduit installations
Lack of electrical training puts heating engineers at risk
June 15, 2020Brett Smyth, general manager at Ideal Industries EMEA, a global leader in electrical tools, accessories and equipment, discusses the lack of electrical content in heating engineer training and asks whether a lack of knowledge about safe isolation best practice could be putting professionals at risk.
June 01, 2020Brett Smyth from global electrical manufacturer, Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors for electrical distribution network installations.
You might have the skills for electrical connections, but have you got the safety know-how
May 09, 2020Brett Smyth, general manager, Ideal Industries EMEA, a global leader in electrical tools, accessories and equipment, discusses the need for electrical skills and safety to be included in mandatory training for heating engineers to ensure safe isolation best practice is maintained on site.
Saving lives and preventing injury with safe isolations
May 01, 2020Brett Smyth, general manager of Ideal Industries for Europe, Middle East and Africa discusses the need for improved regulation and compliance on safe isolation of live electrical services to drive safety best practice and save lives.
Twin & Earth Cable Stripper for flat cable PR announcement
March 25, 2020Ideal Industries, the global leader in electrical accessories, tools and equipment, has launched a Twin & Earth cable stripper designed to make stripping of insulated flat cables faster and more consistent, with no risk of nicking the wire.
March 22, 2020At IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA, the safety and well-being of our employees and partners are always our priority. During these unprecedented times we are monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) daily through the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the UK Government.
Benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors-HVP
February 01, 2020Brett Smyth from global electrical manufacturer, Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors when installing heating and hot water systems.
Benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors
February 01, 2020Brett Smyth from global electrical manufacturer, Ideal Industries, discusses the benefits of switching from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors when installing electrical distribution networks
A PROFITABLE CONNECTION: WHY IT PAYS TO SWITCH FROM TERMINAL STRIPS
January 01, 2020Brett Smyth from global electrical manufacturer, Ideal Industries, discusses the profit opportunity in encouraging a switch from terminal strips to lever or push-in connectors
IDEAL launches shielded Feed-Thru Cat 6A/6/5e Connector for use with FT-45™ Feed-Thru Crimp Tool for simpler and more reliable cable terminations
June 11, 2019IDEAL has released a new range of shielded connectors specifically designed to handle the challenges faced with field termination of shielded cables. Used in combination with the FT-45™ Crimp Tool the complete solution just made the traditional, time-consuming RJ-45 assembly and crimping process faster and more consistent.
IDEAL introduces Wire Armour™ - a new line of premium vinyl electrical tape that provides superior adhesion, elasticity, strength and performance.
May 07, 2019IDEAL has released a new range of premium vinyl electrical tape in a variety of colours. Wire Amour™ features Blue Core technology that provides high elasticity, and is suitable for use in extreme temperatures, from cold weather applications as low as -18°C up to 105°C insulating and bonding under even the toughest conditions and in the most critical applications.
New IDEAL In-Sure® Box for fast, safe and maintenance-free enclosure installation
February 12, 2019To make the installation of electrical conductor enclosures safe, fast, and simple without the need for any tools, IDEAL is launching the new In-Sure Box. The innovative enclosure is also designed to meet the maintenance-free accessory standard.
DULUTH TRADING ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF IDEAL NATIONAL PLATFORM
As part of its continued support of the trades and those who rely on well-made products to get the job done, national retailer Duluth Trading Company, today announced an official sponsorship with the IDEAL National Championship platform in 2020 and 2021.
IDEAL continues to recognize the essential work electricians are doing during this global crisis. While the annual IDEAL National Championship has been postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak, the new virtual Stay Wired to Win™ program aims to keep the electrical community engaged during this time.
In this episode of “Canadians Standing Up to COVID”, Anthony Capkun is joined by Ben Parcero, operations manager with Ideal Industries (Canada) Corp. in Ajax, Ont. Like other providers of goods for essential workers—like electricians—Ideal’s facility in Ajax, Ont., remained an active workplace when the COVID crisis began
IDEAL HOSTS NATIONAL ELECTRICIANS COMPETITION ON ESPN2
A special IDEAL National Championship Invitational will air on ESPN2 on Sunday, Nov.22, 2020, at 4 p.m. EST. The competition brings together some of the top professionals, students, and apprentices across the United States to showcase the abilities of electrical professionals as they compete for a golden ticket to the 2021 national championship in Nashville, and the chance to compete for cash, prizes, and the recognition as one of the best electricians in the world.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the 2020 IDEAL National Championship electrician challenge, to protect and support the electrical community during this time. The industry-wide skills competition will resume in spring 2021 with registrations opening early next year and the 2021 Finals occurring December 15-17 in Nashville, Tennessee. In the meantime, IDEAL will still be honoring, supporting and connecting with the trade by means of innovative digital competitions and programs throughout 2020.
:Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. During such challenges, it is important that we unite and support each other. IDEAL is focused on the wellbeing of our global community – our employees, our customers, our partners and our collective families.
During these uncertain times, we want you to know our plants and operations are running at high levels of productivity, within the guidelines currently in place to keep people protected. We are committed to doing our part to minimize the impact of this virus, while providing you with the tools and products you need to keep essential services running for our communities – especially at this crucial time, with increased pressure and accelerated demand.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. is extending its suspension of qualifying rounds for the IDEAL National Championship electrician challenge due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reflecting stay-at-home ordinances and continued physical distancing guidelines that discourage non-essential gatherings.
The National Virtual Meeting provides an ideal opportunity for senior members and account executives from across the industry to listen to educational speakers covering a range of business trends/best practices during this unprecedented time.
In what has become a yearly tradition, IBEW members dominated the competition at the fourth annual Ideal National Championships, which draws union and nonunion electricians from across North America and is considered the top competition of its kind for inside wiremen.
America will face a shortage of electricians in the near future, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). 7,000 electricians join the field each year, but 10,000 retire. The BLS reports that the employment of electricians is projected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028 — faster than the average for all occupations. According to PayScale, the average annual salary for electricians is $55,477. Per the BLS, the highest 10% of electricians earn more than $90,420. electricians owning a business have the potential to earn a six-figure salary — $150,000 to $200,000.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: 2019 IDEAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP A GREAT SUCCESS
From Nov. 7 to 9, the Ideal National Championship took place in Orlando, Fla., bringing together 162 high-caliber professionals and students/apprentices in the electrical industry looking to demonstrate their skills.
The Ideal National Championship was created to showcase and honor the capabilities of professionals and students/apprentices in the electrical field in the United States and around the world.
FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AT 2019 IDEAL® NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
IDEAL® Electrical concluded its fourth annual IDEAL National Championship by crowning the first-ever International Champion on November 9 at Disney’s® Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Tom Matic from Melbourne, Australia took home the title of ‘World’s Best Electrician’ and a brand new RAM® 1500 Pickup Truck after competing against professional electricians from the U.S., Canada and China in an intense hour-long competition that required the competitors to complete four challenges – one reflecting each country’s unique electrical installation methods.
In November, Orbit Industries, Inc. donated over 4,600 pieces of electrical products to support the 2019 IDEAL National Championship. Now in its fourth year, the IDEAL National Championship is a televised competition to determine the best electrician in North America. Among the products Orbit donated was its exclusive Universal Mounting Adapter with Back Support, which contestants used extensively to mount junction boxes on the competition stage.
We need to shut down the power to a circuit, but we don’t know which breaker controls it. If we have a partner maybe the panel will be close enough to the work area that we can yell to each other as one of us flips the breakers one by one. If we’re not that close then hopefully each location has cell reception (I’ve used hand-held CB radios for this purpose in the days before cell phones were common). If we’re alone we can use the old trick of plugging a noisy tool in to the circuit and hope we can hear it power down as we try each breaker. We took a look at the Ideal Automatic Circuit Identifier With Digital Receiver.
Will Nalley said he’s a proud “gearhead” as he and his friend, and fellow Sycamore High School junior, Ryan Kessler toured Auto Meter Productions Inc. in Sycamore.
“This is my first time, and I’m kind of a real big gearhead,” Nalley, 16, said Friday while standing on the Auto Meter manufacturing floor. “It’s kind of cool to see how all the gauges and vehicles are made.”
Chairman and CEO Jim James has announced that the Board of Directors for the family-owned company has promoted Doug Sanford to Senior Vice President and General Manager of IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. Sanford was Group President for IDEAL Electrical for the past three years. Under his leadership, IDEAL Electrical significantly grew both its tool and wire termination businesses, and spearheaded the development and optimization of the IDEAL National Championship.
PRO TOOL REVIEWS – IDEAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION
We partnered with Ideal Industries this year to bring you a first-hand look at the 2018 Ideal National Championship for electricians. Dubbed the Ideal Nationals, there’s no more intense or visible display of trade skill in this field. The Ideal Nationals—in a nutshell—pit tradesman against tradesman in a national electricians competition to crown a champ. Even better—cash prizes and tool prizes were at stake. Below we list the 2018 Ideal National Championship winners.
We like the idea of honoring talented tradesmen and giving them an opportunity to win cash and tool prizes. Each year, Ideal hosts their annual electrician’s competition in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The Ideal National Championship tests installation speed while also monitoring safety skills. This year, the Ideal National Championship is expected to see more than 30,000 participants and award over $600,000 in prizes.
