Mike Jackson, Sales Director with leading cable accessories supplier, Unicrimp, talks about the growth and development of the company since it was launched by Scolmore Group in 2014.
Now Sales Director with Unicrimp, Mike Jackson started out as an electrician nearly 30 years ago and says he has seen a lot of changes in the industry in all that time. However, just as important as ever is the need to have confidence in the products you are working with and that means going with a brand of accessories that you can trust. Time spent replacing a faulty or unreliable product is time wasted that could be spent on another job. Installers are increasingly looking for products that offer them flexibility and will help them get a job done quickly and relatively easily, and they will be looking to manufacturers who can offer products that do just that. Quality and reliability and knowing that products have been tested and certified where necessary are all important factors. The reassurance that there is good technical support will also play a part in purchasing decisions.
Quality assurance
All Unicrimp products are manufactured in accordance with Scolmore Group’s defined set of criteria and meet the requirements for the market for which they are intended. We achieve this in several ways by utilising recognised third party test houses to carry out compliance testing and performing regular routine maintenance/inspection of the products and manufacturing facilities. All products are batch coded for improved traceability and should any issues arise, we have the advantage and reassurance of the back-up of the Scolmore Group technical department.
Unicrimp was launched by Scolmore Group in 2014, with the aim of bringing to the electrical wholesale industry a comprehensive range of cable accessory products that would complement Scolmore’s successful Click wiring accessories, Elucian circuit protection and Ovia lighting portfolios.
Since launch ten years ago, the range has been continually developed and expanded, and currently comprises three distinct product categories, with each one marketed under its own sub brand and all available exclusively through the electrical wholesaler channel. These are the Q-Crimp range of cable and wire accessories, Q-Fire fire–rated and 18th edition compliant cable accessories and the most recent addition to the portfolio, Q-Nect lever connectors and connection boxes, launched last year.
The Q-Crimp range of cable accessory products provides everything required to harness cable between the consumer unit and the end accessory. The product offering comprises an extensive range of cable management consumables, including stainless steel cable ties, nylon cable ties, crimp terminals, PVC tape, copper tube terminals, cable clips, and brass and nylon glands. Most electricians will carry all of these products in their tool bag, so in that sense they are all key products. Our cable clips account for the biggest part of the business and our customers are constantly telling us that they are the best performing cable clips on the market – due to their versatility. The self-grip design aids installation and they have long, thick steel nails for good pull out value.
Q-Fire is an extensive range of fire–rated cable accessories that are 18th edition compliant. The comprehensive range provides installers with an expanded choice of fixing solutions, suitable across a range of applications and environments – helping them to satisfy the latest wiring regulations. The 18th Edition wiring regulations stipulate that cable support systems must be constructed with materials that will withstand premature collapse caused by direct exposure to heat. There are no applications excluded – trunking, conduit and cabling fixed to surfaces of the building or attached to cable support systems must all have fire-resistant supports in place.
The launch of the Q-NECT range of lever connectors and connection boxes at the beginning of last year allowed us to bring together a selection of products that work in conjunction with each other to provide installers with strong, quick and reliable solutions that will offer them versatility when carrying out their everyday tasks.
We are continually assessing the market for opportunities, reviewing our own product ranges and adding to our portfolio to introduce new products that contractors are seeking, to help them with quicker and easier installation. Recent developments include the launch of a galvanised earthing box, pin wall plugs, plus multi-reel mixed PVC sleeving. The very latest addition is a compact version of the original IP66-rated weatherproof enclosure. This new Q-Nect IP junction box measures 85mm x 55mm x 52mm and is designed for maximum efficiency to ease installation in places where space is limited. Look out for further new product developments coming in the new year. www.unicrimp.com.