With an influx of products onto the electrical market, contractors need to be more aware now than ever before of the importance of ensuring the quality and provenance of the products that they are using.
The UK wiring accessories market is a growing one and the opportunities that this growth and expansion promises can be evidenced in the influx of products onto the market in recent years, from unknown names from outside the market.
Pressures of tight margins
Within these constraints, the appeal of a lower priced product may make sense in the short term
As a sector, everyone in the electrical industry is familiar with the pressures of tight margins and the need to complete projects on time, to shorter programs and within restricted budgets.
Within these constraints, the appeal of a lower priced product may make sense in the short term, but can contractors afford to put themselves in a position, where a product may fail to meet the requirements for which it has been specified, thereby resulting in time lost, delays on site and additional expenditure on labor.
Growth in online sales of electrical products
The growth in online sales of electrical products is also having an impact. While the largest distribution channels for the sales of electrical products are direct from manufacturers and via electrical wholesalers, in terms of online sales, the most significant distributors are ‘internet only’ distributors.
One of the key drivers for growth of the online channel in recent years has been the widening of product ranges by large internet retailers, which could provide access to multiple smaller retailers, under a main web portal, where access to lesser known brands and inferior quality products is more likely.
Working with a reputable manufacturer
Working with a reputable manufacturer will allow access to an unrivaled range of products that are of the highest quality and which have been rigorously tested, and are fully compliant with the latest and relevant legislation.
Close association with a manufacturer will also provide access to services, facilities and expertise, in order to help customers keep up to date with the very latest products, technologies and regulation changes, including a dedicated technical support team and customer service department, who are trained to provide the right level of support, whether it is product-related or more general advice seeking information.
More smart systems introduced in the market
It can prove difficult to keep up with the raft of new products and solutions
Such is the pace of development in the electrical industry - with more smart systems becoming available - it can prove difficult to keep up with the raft of new products and solutions, which are coming on board with each passing day.
It is within a manufacturer’s realm to provide the customers with the opportunity to be educated on how these new products work.
Ensuring customers understand new products
Having invested so much time and money to harness the latest technologies, in order to develop cutting-edge products, manufacturers will want to ensure that their customers are given every opportunity to understand how these new products work and how they can be utilized efficiently, so as to get the best advantage on a project.
With contractors under increasing pressure to complete projects within the tight deadlines and budgets, it is more important now than ever in the past that they have the security of knowing the brands that they are working with are rigorously tested and are fully compliant with the latest legislation, which will help to deliver faster installation and are backed up with reliable customer support service.