PR | Chris Dodds (Thorne & Derrick Sales & Marketing Manager) 4.7.2024
Thorne & Derrick International have been honoured to welcome Patrick Rogiers (President at 3M Electrical Markets Division) alongside a delegation from 3M Europe and the UK Channel Management Team to their UK office.
The high-profile visit recognised the significant business growth Thorne & Derrick have achieved in recent years with 3M Electrical – a success story rooted deep in a relationship existing since the formation of our company in 1985.
“Without exception today was the most personally satisfying and commercially significant working day in my 30 year career with Thorne & Derrick. I joined Thorne & Derrick in 1994 when we held a supply-contract to the nationalised mining industry with British Coal; we were supplying MV Cable Accessories to electrify and power our economy.”
“Fast forward to 2024 and a strong constant pervades; relationships.”
“As we move towards a digitalised and de-carbonised world Thorne & Derrick’s relationship with 3M and global energy providers continues to electrify industry from trackside to turbine, from Teesside to Taiwan,” comments Chris Dodds.
Thorne & Derrick, identified as a global fast-growth 3M Electrical Distributor, focused during the business review meeting on an even-closer integration of our core business objectives to drive further high sales growth through a “best-in-class” service offer to customers.
We identified and agreed our 5 Steps to further intensify and improve our service provision to back up your business;
1. Kitting – a new Agreement and ability to deliver from stock cable-customised MV HV Joints & Terminations tailored to projects and delivered on the shortest lead-times in the industry – this includes new MV Kit developments to meet evolving cable specifications, UK DNO and Network Rail PADS Approved variants at 11kV, 33kV and 66kV.
2. Stocking – an expansion of existing and the introduction of new product lines into stock across the 3M Electrical Product range from LV to HV. From Scotch Tapes for 600V repair to QTEN for 66kV termination – we hold the deepest and broadest selection of 3M Scotch, Scotchcast and ColdShrink cable accessories in UK stock at Thorne & Derrick.
3. Training – advanced “Train the Trainer” Programme for the Thorne & Derrick team to enable delivery to customers of office and field based Product Installation Training for Cold Shrink Cable Accessories at 11kV, 33kV and 66kV.
4. Relationships – selective expansion of Qualified Electrical Construction Contractor Appointments to provide a 20 Year Warranty for 3M Medium Voltage Cable Accessory installations. QECC is a Partnership between 3M, Thorne & Derrick and the Contractor Partners designed to provide valuable benefits to industry. As part of the QECC Programme, contractors receive in-depth 3M Medium Voltage product and technology training – this includes both practical installation and theoretical training on 11kV, 22kV, 33kV and 66kV Joints, Terminations and Separable Connectors.
5. Strategy – a collaborative sales-marketing strategy to further extend market share-gain with added sales growth underpinned by a world-class customer service experience.
Resilient & Reliable HV Power Systems
Thorne & Derrick’s EPC Framework Agreements and our Approved Vendor Listing with major project delivery contractors has led to outstanding growth in the Renewables, BESS, Rail, Data-Centre and Explosive Atmosphere sectors.
Stakeholder Engagement with 3M | Left to Right: Jonathan Hewitt – Key Accounts Sales Engineer (Wind Energy) at T&D, Kate Palmer-Randle – Channel Manager North Europe at 3M, Lee Burrell – Company Director at Advanced Power Services, Andy Townsend – National Sales Specialist at 3M, Jenny Swindells – Regional Division Leader Northern Europe at 3M, Chris Dodds – Sales & Marketing Manager at T&D, Carl Cox – Sales Engineer (Rail) at T&D, Patrick Rogiers – President at 3M, Heather Andrews – Business Development Manager at Advanced Power Services and Richard Derrick – Managing Director at T&D
Advanced Power Services are 3M QECC Certified installers of 3M Medium Voltage Cable Accessories supported by a 20 Year Warranty, including Network Rail PAD’s variants and industrial Cold Shrink Cable Joints, Terminations and Connectors up to 66kV.
“Thank you Chris for scheduling a great day, I enjoyed it very much and I am looking forward to capitalizing on the joint opportunities that we have ahead of us. Empowering customers to deliver efficient, reliable and sustainable energy is the worldwide strategic intent of 3M Electrical. I was impressed and delighted to see, hear and better understand how Thorne & Derrick are emphatically contributing alongside 3M to this global goal” – Commented Patrick Rogiers President at 3M.
“3M’s science appliance to material technology has enabled us to introduce product innovations for cable protection, repair, jointing, testing and termination up to 66kV,” added Chris Dodds – Sales & Marketing Manager at Thorne & Derrick.
The Centre of the Renewable Universe
Our visitor group were hosted in the afternoon by Stephen Thompson (BDM HV Electrical – ORE Catapult) at Blyth in the North East of England, the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy. This included a tour of their world-class facility for the testing and validation of HV Cable Systems, Terminations and Accessories.
ORE Catapult’s continued investment and capability expansion has accelerated the scale up of cable and accessory voltages from 33kV to 66kV to 132kV – this significant contribution to Net Zero has supercharged the development and growth of UK supply-chain expertise, including Thorne & Derrick.
Testing & De-risking Offshore Renewable Energy Technology
George Rafferty, Director of Communications at NOF, provided an insightful and powerful presentation emphasizing the strategic role of NOF and Energi-Coast in the Energy Transition of our planet. NOF are the UK’s strongest business development organisation helping to make valuable connections between companies in the global energy sector.
NOF have assisted in the fast-tracking of Thorne & Derrick’s revenue and profitability growth by facilitating our supplier status and strengthening our positioning with several of the world’s most high profile wind energy projects from Dogger Bank (Teesside) to Greater Changhua (Taiwan) to Vineyard – the first large-scale operational wind farm in the USA.
Spearheading Success | From small round table meetings to high profile energy sector conferences, NOF organise targeted events that provide access to major energy brands and opportunities to showcase our products and services.
Thorne & Derrick are Specialist Distributors to EPC’s & Contractors working on the design, construction and maintenance of UK, European and international projects supplying an extensive range of LV HV Cables, Accessories Jointing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt – this includes Hazardous Area (ATEX & IECEx Certified) Equipment to provide Power, Heating & Lighting to the Potentially Explosive Atmospheres industries.
Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to world-wide destinations.
Dropped Objects Prevention Work Mat: Enhancing Safety on Elevated Gratings
The CableSafe® Dropped Object Prevention Work Mat serves as a reliable resource for protecting tools and equipment from falling through the grating and is designed for use in wet and slippery conditions. It is also designed to protect your flooring or walkways from damage – matting is used for dropped object prevention across all industries and workplace applications.
One area where safety is important is when working at a height, especially on elevated gratings, catwalks, and platforms. The risk of dropped tools or equipment poses a significant hazard, potentially damaging equipment or causing fatalities.
Safety at work is of utmost importance when working on elevated platforms, especially if there are personnel or contractors working underneath. Dropped objects are still, unfortunately, a common contributor to severe accidents in industrial facilities across different sectors globally.
Thorne & Derrick supply the complete range of Safety Tools & Equipment to enable safe working in sectors such as the construction, renewables, data centres, rail, manufacturing and oil, gas, petrochemical industries.
The CableSafe Dropped Objects Prevention Work Mats are designed to allow personnel to work confidently on grating surfaces, as they serve as a dual purpose for the following:
CableSafe Dropped Object Prevention Work Mats are available with flame retardant and fire resistant coated polyester fabric. This fabric is crafted with coated polyester mesh fabric, and it has a tear strength of 330N (DIN 53363). This range of flame retardant mats is available with spanners and is available with a flame-resistant material that is made of fibreglass double coated polyurethane and can withstand temperatures of up to 550°C.
The CableSafe Dropped Objects Prevention Work Mat is available with a flame-resistant material that is made of fibreglass double coated polyurethane. It can withstand temperatures of up to 550 °C.
The fire resistant mats are available with spanners or with magnets.
The CableSafe Dropped Objects Prevention Work Mat is a high-quality, reusable, and cost-effective safety tool that significantly reduces the risk of dropped objects and is fast and easy to install.
Objects known to frequently cause accidents are hand tools or equipment left behind after a task, as well as equipment mounted in an elevated location that has the potential to fall due to movement or environmental conditions.
CableSafe® Safety solutions are critical cable essentials and are well proven construction safety products. The CableSafe® range of cable hooks can be used during maintenance, turnaround, outages, shutdowns, construction work to suspend cables and hoses and other work gear and equipment from the working space.
Cable Safety Equipment | Cable Stand | Cable Bridge | Cable Rail | Cable Guard | Dropped Object Prevention Mats
Cembre designs and manufactures solutions for the connection, glanding and termination of electrical conductors: including connectors, cable lugs and installation tools for cutting and crimping cables.
Thorne & Derrick are a UK Specialist Distributor for Cembre, the leading European Manufacturer of electrical connectors, crimping tools, cutting tools and a variety of accessories for LV, MV & HV (Low, Medium and High Voltage) power systems. Designed for working in and around switchgear and control panels, Cembre tools are ideal for installing low and medium voltage connectors and cable lugs.
Cembre have expanded the new range of MAXIblock & MAXIbrass cable glands, which are becoming more flexible and practical for equipment and electrical panel applications.
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This new range of MAXIblock and MAXIbrass cable glands manufactured by Cembre allow the passage of cables with a larger diameter, saving space and time on installations by becoming increasingly flexible and practical compared to the standard range of cable glands which makes it possible to install large diameter cables.
The 1940.M and 2940.M series are characterised by the extended cable entry compared to the standard range, a longer thread makes installation on thick plates easier.
The installation of cables with larger diameters is now possible due to the extended cable entry. An extension on the entry thread makes it possible to install on thicker sheet metal.
The 1940.M and 2940.M series are in fact characterised by an extended clamping range compared to the standard range. In this way, the needs of installers and customers are met by maximising the relationship between the diameter of the cable and the entry hole in the electric panel or equipment.
The new designs of the MAXIblock 1940.M and MAXIbrass 2940.M are ideal for applications such as EV chargers and wind turbines.
With the same thread as the standard range, the 1940.M and 2940.M allow the passage of cables with a larger diameter, saving space and time on installations. Additionally, a longer thread also makes installation on thick plates easier.
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Cable glands are mechanical cable entry devices that attach, secure and terminate cable ends to an electrical enclosure or directly into equipment providing for mechanical support, earth continuity for armoured/braided cables and protect against the ingress of dust and moisture according to the ingress protection (IP) rating.
Cembre is a leading European manufacturer of electrical connectors, crimping tools, cutting tools and a variety of accessories for LV (Low Voltage), MV (Medium Voltage) and HV (High Voltage) power systems. Designed for switchgear and control panels, Cembre tools are ideal for installing low and medium voltage connectors.
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cold Shrink
T&D are Specialist Distributors of LV MV HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – we supply companies in the onshore and offshore wind, solar, rail, oil/gas, data centre, battery storage and utility sectors with products to enable the energisation, operation and maintenance of underground cables and overhead lines.
What Do You Need To Consider?
The unsung hero of EV infrastructure is not sexy chargers; the unsung hero of great EV infrastructure is the feeder pillar. Used to distribute power safely and efficiently, whilst ensuring charging speed reliability – correctly specifying an EV feeder pillar will provide secure, dependable, and compliant electrical connections, says Matt Page, EV Business Development Manager at Lucy Zodion.
Lucy Zodion manufacture a wide range of products suitable to provide Low Voltage Electrical Power Distribution for EV charge points – from distribution network operator (DNO) accredited cut-outs and isolators for on-street chargers, to feeder pillars for electrical vehicle charging.
Due to the growing demand for Electric Vehicles (EV) around the world and the resulting strain that the charging infrastructure has on our electrical network, a wide range of safe and compliant electrical power and connection solutions are needed.
▶ Thorne & Derrick together with Lucy Zodion are able to offer a range of feeder pillar enclosures and cabinets that are robust, durable and secure providing weatherproof and padlockable vandal resistant protection.
As the electrification revolution continues, robust electrical infrastructure is crucial. Electrical enclosures and cabinets serve as frontline defences, safeguarding components and ensuring system reliability. But how does one specify the correct enclosure amidst various materials and standards?
With decades of experience in electrical connection solutions, Lucy Zodion is here to guide contractors. Here’s an overview of key considerations:
Electrical Supply
The first thing to consider is the electrical supply. Will it be a new point of connection provided by the DNO or ICP, or will it be a private supply routed from a supply elsewhere? If the former, then consideration must be given to the space that the DNO/ICP will need to install its service head/cut-out and any metering requirements.
Earthing
You must decide whether your EV feeder pillar will use Protective Multiple Earthing (PME), O-PEN technology, or TT earthing. The choice depends on various factors, such as existing infrastructure, preservation orders on trees and not forgetting resistance levels that would need to be guaranteed all year round in the event of a TT installation.
TT installations, where an earth rod is installed to provide the earth, are the most common. However, fitting PEN detection technology is a well-recognised alternative where it is impossible to fit an earth rod
or earth mat.
Charge Points
How many EV charge points is the feeder pillar powering and what are their ratings? Outgoing devices include single-phase and three-phase, enabling EV chargers to be powered from 7kW to 150kW.
Current Rating and Load Balancing
What current reading is the incoming supply of 100A, 200A, 400A, and 630A?. Understanding your current rating requirements is essential.
How much power does your feeder pillar need to deliver, and how many charge points (in kilowatts) will it supply? Consider load balancing within charge points to optimise your supply connection and get the most value from your electrical infrastructure.
Residual Circuit Protection
There is a requirement to protect cables supplying the charge points, and to do this, Lucy Zodion installs a 300 mA protection. If the charge points do not have this local protection, the company offers 30 mA protection to cover it.
This is generally seen on the 7-22W charge points, but Lucy Zodion EVIS range offers both solutions to protect your installation requirements.
Futureproofing
Anticipate future needs by allocating space within your feeder pillar for additional equipment or charge points that may be installed later. This proactive approach ensures your infrastructure can adapt to evolving EV demands without costly modifications.
Location & Planning Requirements
Carefully consider the location of your EV feeder pillar. Are there specific planning requirements or access needs for maintenance and testing? Proper planning ensures seamless integration into your site or development.
Aesthetics
In some cases, aesthetics play a vital role. Does your EV feeder pillar need to blend into its surroundings? Standard enclosures are hot-dipped galvanised, but opting for a painted finish can help maintain the integrity of your site or development while ensuring that your infrastructure is functional and visually appealing.
EV Feeder Pillar
When specifying an EV feeder pillar, you need to make sure it is tested to the following standards:
Considering these key points will ensure that your EV feeder pillar is designed to deliver efficient and reliable power distribution for electric vehicle charging, contributing to a sustainable and greener future.
Lucy Zodion | Fortress Feeder Pillars | Pre-Wired Feeder Pillars | Street Lighting Cut-Outs | DNO Cut-Outs | Electrical Power Distribution Enclosures
Cembre CPD
Thorne & Derrick | Distributed from Stock | Approved Cembre Cable Lugs, Crimp Connectors & Tools Supplier | UK & Export Sales
Cembre CPD
Strong R&D, constant innovation in manufacturing technologies, and extensive experience in the field of electrical connectors enable Cembre to swiftly meet the market’s rising demands for high-quality, dependable, long-lasting, and safe products.
Cembre has received accreditation from CPD (Continued Professional Development) to offer certified training on their electrical crimping and compression connectors. Since CPD is a globally renowned independent accrediting body, you can take advantage of their knowledge and experience in the electrical connections industry while also earning CPD credits for your professional advancement.
The course aims to deliver ‘best practice’ crimping methods in accordance with BS7609; for electrical engineers; contractors; and installers. Delegates will learn the importance of material composition; cable preparation and using a ‘matched crimping system’.
▶ Thorne & Derrick provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for the complete range of Cembre cable lugs, connectors, cable cutting and cable crimping tools.
This training course covers the following:
Participating in Cembre’s CPD-certified training courses offers many benefits, including:
Cable lugs are suitable for connection, termination and jointing of 11kV-33kV power cables with copper or aluminium conductors to MV-HV electrical equipment including switchgear, transformers and control panels
CEMBRE training courses are suitable for anyone who works with electrical connections, such as electricians, cable jointers, engineers, technicians, contractors, and inspectors. They are also flexible and convenient, as they can be arranged with local sales engineer at a time and place that suits you.
Contact Thorne & Derrick today to discuss your requirements.
Cembre is a leading European manufacturer of electrical connectors, crimping tools, cutting tools and a variety of accessories for LV (Low Voltage), MV (Medium Voltage) and HV (High Voltage) power systems. Designed for switchgear and control panels, Cembre tools are ideal for installing low and medium voltage connectors.
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HV | Cold Shrink
T&D are Specialist Distributors of LV MV HV Cable Installation, Jointing, Substation & Electrical Equipment – we supply companies in the onshore and offshore wind, solar, rail, oil/gas, data centre, battery storage and utility sectors with products to enable the energisation, operation and maintenance of underground cables and overhead lines.
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