The National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions climbed for a second consecutive month in December, rising 5.5 points to 68...
Using a skiing analogy, Standard & Poor’s chief economist, David Wyss, explained the current economic situation: “The economy is still heading downhill but on a lesser slope,” he said in the April 23, 2009, S&P Market Views...
Solar energy could become more affordable, following a breakthrough by Australia’s University of New South Wales (UNSW) scientists who have boosted the efficiency of solar cell technology. The advance could see the price of...
Ongoing concerns about subprime-related problems in the mortgage market caused builder confidence about the state of housing demand to decline three more points in May, according to the National Association of Home Builders...
February was a healthy month for the electroindustry, and the future appears bright as well, according to senior industry executives responding to National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) monthly Electroindustry...
According to the Los Angeles Times, methamphetamine addiction and rapid growth in China are two of the main reasons behind a recent upsurge in copper thefts nationwide. Police say thieves, most of them addicts, are getting...
According to the Los Angeles Times, methamphetamine addiction and rapid growth in China are two of the main reasons behind a recent upsurge in copper thefts nationwide. Police say thieves, most of them addicts, are getting...
The balance between the manufacturer and the customer: In recent years, the price of a barrel of crude oil has consistently been in the headlines; most of us are concerned with the rising cost of gasoline to commute to work...
In 1901, all eyes were on Buffalo, N.Y., when the city hosted the Pan-American Exposition. At this meeting, 49 electrical contractors from eight states formed the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Buffalo...
The electrical contracting industry is facing a fork in the road with supply-channel management. In their historical roles, distributors play the part of a wholesale/retail combination for electrical components while hoping...
Performing a preliminary design for a photovoltaic (PV) system is the first step in deciding how to effectively incorporate PV technology into a new or existing building. The design should generate a number of technically...
Electrical contractors regard outsourcing with some measure of uncertainty. The concept can be both controversial and polarizing. However, outsourcing in contracting should be considered as something positive instead of...
How do you set your prices? Silly question, right? Everyone knows an electrical contractor looks at the plans and specifications (or what passes for them these days), does a quantity takeoff, estimates the costs of labor and...
Wealth is no longer based on manufacturing The death of former President Reagan in June prompted the pundits to rehash the value of his economic policies. Did Reaganomics help or hurt the country? Were Republicans really...
A lot has changed since Dow and Jones teamed up in 1896 A few years ago, tracking your stock market investments required a simple review of daily values in The Wall Street Journal or your local paper. Today, minute-by-minute...
I’m fairly certain that we’ve only begun to tap the energy efficiency potential of this country. I often read news items that explain how XYZ organization saved millions of dollars by implementing an effective energy...
When Ernie Audet Jr. wants a new piece of equipment quickly, he rents. Audet wastes time and money when he lacks equipment needed for a job. Rental equipment is a $25 billion industry and almost all contractors—large and...
I read an article in the Birmingham Business Journal recently where the control of company inventory was compared to Goldilocks’ evaluation of the three bears’ porridge. If you have too little, your customers will disappear...
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Orlando, Fla.-based Hughes Supply, and Hughes is showing appreciation for its customers by partying at a series of celebrations across the country. On April 3, organizers kicked off the...
A little innovation goes a long way More than 25 years ago, Rexel’s Upper Marlboro (Md.) Regional Distribution Center came up with a value-add to improve service to contractor customers. Among the first to take advantage of...
