Welcome to our first issue of 2026! Here at EW HQ it always feels a little odd to be putting together the January issue while we are still in December, but there’s something about looking ahead to the new year that always makes me feel hopeful. Despite the many challenges facing the electrical wholesaling sector and the wider electrical industry, there are strong voices advocating for sustainable growth and a positive, profitable future.
Some of these strong voices can be found in this issue, sharing the ideas, opinions, trends and technologies that are shaping the future of the sector.
In our Timers and Controls feature, for example, Dimplex UK’s Caroline Shaw explores how evolving heating controls are helping households to balance comfort, cost and carbon – and what this means for wholesalers and installers (page 20).
Elsewhere in the issue, Collingwood Lighting’s Anthony Martindale shares his insights on the benefits and opportunities of a strategically chosen downlight offering – one that allows you to keep your SKUs down by offering contractors more solutions from the same fitting.
Plus, as always, we share our usual news, views, products and installations from market-leading businesses across the sector, including features on outdoor lighting from Ovia, workplace safety from Werner, safety and workwear from Overland Shoes, and LED strip lighting from Ansell Lighting.
Wishing all our readers a happy new year from the EW team – we hope you enjoy the issue!
Bryony Andrews, Editor
