“ “

Over 90 families helped
by industry charity
■ By Simon King
THE Irish Electrical Benevolent
Association (IEBA) said that it
has helped more than 90 families
since the registered charity was
formed in 2001.
The charity, which was established
with the aim of alleviating any stress
suffered by members of the industry,
works across the manufacturing,
retail and distribution sectors.
Geoff Peat, the retired founder
of Peat Wholesale and a committee
member of the IEBA, told ERT
Ireland: “If someone is looking for
support, we ask them to fill out an
application form – it may have been
five or 10 years since they worked in
the industry, but that doesn’t matter.
“We don’t ask for membership,
it’s not like a euro a week – we
raise funds through a golf day in
June, a ball in November, and donations.
We don’t help in a commercial
sense, but we give short-term
support.”
Mr Peat continued: “We have
helped around 90 families since the
IEBA started and some continue
to benefit. We don’t just say here’s
€100 and good luck, we have a
follow-up programme.
“The person will say what they’re
looking for – a common thing at
the moment is payment of mortgages,
funeral expenses, college
fees. These are subjects that create
stress.”
Jimmy Whan, IEBA’s honorary
treasurer, added: “The main objective
is to provide short-term finan-
cial assistance to families from the
electrical industry that have experienced
difficulties with bereavement,
terminal illness, redundancy
and accidents, or require specialist
treatments or equipment.
“Until the formation of the IEBA
there was no network to support
people from within the electrical
industry who suddenly suffered
changed circumstances. Recipients
have come from every sector of the
electrical industry.”
Mr Peat said it is difficult, if not
impossible, for the IEBA to be
aware of such difficulties occurring
countrywide.
He added: “Each member of the
industry needs to be an ambassador
for the association – you are our
eyes and ears, so please be active,
and be aware.”
I
think that things are on the up. In
this issue of ERT Ireland, we have
been talking to several industry
heavyweights about future opportunities
and the state of the market
and I get the feeling that there’s a
positive vibe out there...
Simon King went to Barcelona for an
exclusive chat with Whirlpool chairman and
chief executive Jeff Fettig, who has shared
with us his vision for the business going
forward, following its $1 billion acquisition
of the Indesit Company last year.
His aim is clear – he wants the
Whirlpool Corporation to be the best
global branded consumer products company
in the world.
Fergus Johnston, managing director
of Whirlpool Ireland, told us that both
Whirlpool and Indesit are performing
strongly in the marketplace and he added
that the strategy is to protect and grow the
individual brands.
It’s good news over at Sony, too – I
“
seanhannam@ERTIreland.ie
Follow us at twitter.com/ertonline
NEWS
Editor’s comment
Sean Hannam takes a personal
look at the world of electricals
spoke to UK and Ireland country head
John Anderson who told me how the company
is revitalising its business, focusing
on growth and selling new, premium technologies
like 4K and high-resolution audio.
Sony is seeing an increase in all of its
key product areas and attributes this to
strengthening its relationships with specialist
retailers.
Mr Anderson believes that this year will
be a positive one.
There are also other opportunities
out there... 2015 is widely tipped to be
the year that wearable technology really
takes off. We have an analysis on the
market in this issue.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are
two of the hot products at the moment.
With more brands coming to market
and devices getting fashionable and more
functional, it seems that the wearable tech
market is in rude health.
It could be the perfect time for retailers
to get hands-on.
“
We have been talking to several
industry heavyweights about future
opportunities and the state of the market
and I get the feeling that there’s a
positive vibe out there
www.ERTonline.co.uk for news, opinions, blogs and analysis
Editorial
Ireland
The only electrical business title for a l Ireland’s electrical retailers
YOU’LL LOVE
WHAT’S UP NEXT.
Trade Show Review Pages 18-19
Editor’s interview: Blaine Ca lard and Jason
Sawkins of Harvey Norman Pages 8-9
Analysis: Retail Ireland Budget submi sion Page 1
Take a Town: Our mystery sho pers visit
Swords Pages 14-16
Pages 14-16
IFA Review Pages 24-25 Steam tech Pages 21- 2
October 2014 www.ERTIreland.ie
Ireland
The only electrical business title for all Ireland’s electrical retailers
Ireland tops in euro zone for growth Page 3
Analysis: WEEE Ireland on how Irish retailers have
made the take-back scheme a success Page 8
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TV update Pages 24-26
Pages 24-26
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