June 2008:
Business Times
As it celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, Northampton firm Midshires Electricals and Lighting Ltd is focusing on the way forward in electrical products and continually increasing its range of energy efficient products.

The Northampton-based independent electrical wholesaler supplies a vast range of electrical products that meet the ever-increasing demand for components that help buildings, both new and old, meet efficiency targets.

And, building on that product list, a new catalogue of energy efficient items will be available in both hard copy and online formats within the next few months.

Managing director Ben Fountain said: “Awareness of environmental issues and the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions has increased considerably in recent years.

“There are targets that need to be met and stiff penalties if they’re not, so it is now essential that specifiers and contractors understand how they can have an effect on the efficiency and environmental impact of buildings, and our new catalogue has been launched in response to this.”

Midshires Electrical and Lighting Ltd was set up in 2003 by Mr Fountain and his co-director Mark Lyon to supply the electrical trade, including the lighting, heating, ventilation, cable management, electrical accessories and electrical distribution sectors, with products from many of the major names in the electrical business.

The experienced team, based on the Crow Lane Industrial Estate, has an in-depth knowledge of the electrical industry and uses this to build customer and supplier relationships that are based on trust and loyalty.

“The knowledge of our team enables us to service all manner of customers, from large or medium commercial electrical contractors to domestic contractors, developers, utilities, distribution warehouses and factories,” said Mr Fountain.

“But what is more important is that in our industry, there are only a few really good people at customer service level, especially in internal sales and at the trade counter, and that is why we make sure we train people to have with the right attitude and focus on excellent level customer service.”

Midshires Electrical and Lighting Ltd is at Unit 4, Hartburn Close, Crow Lane Industrial Estate, telephone 01604 403333.

Jan 2008:
Midshires Sponsor the Cobblers........Well the under 12's anyway!
Midshires Agree to Sponsor Northampton Town Under 12's

Nick Chater (Senior Sales Manager):
"Midshires are delighted to be involved with "Northampton Town FC" this season and supporting the local soccer talent at grass roots level is a real privilege. The team has done very well so far this season and hopefully their new kit, they will be inspired to even greater success during the rest of the season"



Picture was of team before they played Brighton FC, with Midshires Nick Chater the Senior Sales Manager, meeting Peter Harris (Team Manager) and his team of rising young stars.


Nov 2007:
MIDSHIRES SPONSOR Mick Cooke Racing........At 62 Mick proves you are never to old!
Midshires proudly sponsor Mick Cooke Racing

Mick (62) started racing Grass Track in 1978, fairly late in life, and he tried Speedway at amateur level a couple of years later.

His first bike was a BSA but eventually he moved on to 4-valve Weslake, as most other riders.

During the mid 90’s his affection for JAP engines (built in Tottenham, London) began to grow as his speedway bike was fitted with one. JAP engines were the dominant oval circuit power units from before WW2 until the mid sixties. Then, the Czech Jawa took over.

Mick’s 2-valve JAP is at present the only one being used in the European Veteran Long Track Series - a series for amateur riders held in Europe (this year’s meetings will take place in Germany, Czech Republic, Norway & Denmark)

All riders use the more modern Jawa engines; however, Mick is fairly successful on his beloved JAP engine(s) claiming 4th place in the series twice and 3rd in 2006.

Mick has also two 4-valve JAP engines. These are very rare (only 50 were made in the late 70’s). Both his engines have been built by former top European racer Gerry Goodwin. The parts these two JAP fanatics were able to obtain were either wrongly machined or not machined at all. Some parts had to be cast and machined to produce them. As far as Mick is aware, these 4-valve JAP engines are the only ones being raced anywhere. All others known are in museums or private collection. They are even raced on the Continental 1000 meter tracks in modern meeting with 21st century motorcycles, so they do not have an easy life.

Mick expects to ride in 9 or 10 meetings on the Continent again this year and of course a few speedway and grass track meetings in England - all on JAP.

Mick is very thankful to Midshires for their encouragement and support for his racing.

for fast track action! JAP = J. A. Prestwitch

13th February 2008:
Midshires join the EDA (Electrical Distributors Association).


Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd are always striving for better channels of communication and the strengthening of their knowledge base. so with this all in mind, they are delighted at becoming new member of the EDA. Managing Director Ben Fountain explains " like any industry it is important to share and learn from other peoples vast knowledge in this sector, the EDA will help us keep up to date with Market trends and industry knowledge, as well as providing other educational platforms specific to our industry needs. Midshires are very proud of being offered an EDA membership and look forward to working with them over the years to come".

The EDA was formed in 1998, having been previously known as the Electrical Wholesalers Federation (established in 1914) and we represent the electrical wholesale distribution industry within the UK.

Our members account for around 70% of the industry and include the biggest names in the industry, as well as regional and local family run operations.

The Objectives of the Association

to create and promote an environment in which Members may enhance their business and develop the market through discussion, communication and education
to promote the interests of the electrical wholesale distribution industry
to collect and disseminate knowledge and information about market trends and activities
to encourage and facilitate market development
to promote career and educational opportunities

Marketing Impact

Jamie Howes (left) of J. Howes Electrical is presented with a mountain bike by Midshires Electrical Sales Manager Jonathan Roberts – his prize in a trade counter promotion competition run at the Northampton-based company on behalf of LED.

LED Group (Lighting a n d Electrical Distribution Group) is an Irish owned company,
founded in 1984. LED Group manufactures lighting products, distributed globally,
primarily for the electrical wholesale trade. Manufacturing is based in China with product design, quality control and branding controlled from its Dublin headquarters – a purpose-built 100,000 sq ft office block, distribution centre and showrooms.

The environment is open, lively, dynamic and organised according to the most modern management criteria. Sales are based primarily in Ireland and the UK but exports into Europe and further afield to South Africa and Australia are increasing rapidly with the
company now exporting to 40 countries and holding stocks of over 1,000 leading products.

The Marketing Division within LED Group has made an impressive impact on the
corporate profile with equally impressive brand plans in place for 2008.
Essential to every wholesaler is the LED Group catalogue, a stylish, straightforward and easy to use tool for wholesalers and contractors, full of detailed technical information for every product. The Group’s website, www.led.ie allows effortless exploration of the company’s product ranges on-line, giving access to over 300 of the groups leading products.

Category investments made by the group this year were inline with the key growth areas of Bathroom, LED fittings, Fire Safety and Emergency lighting. Wholesalers, like Midshires Electrical in Northampton, have been delighted with the sales teams proactive visits, armed with counter catalogues, displays and information leaflets promoting the new ranges.

The very successful ROBUS brand from LED Group covers all aspects of commercial lighting. ROBUS carries extended product guarantees and has built a reputation as a user friendly and reliable brand. For further information about LED products contact
Midshires Electrica





The Dynamic Duo!

BIRTHDAY greetings go out the county's leading independent electrical wholesaler.

Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd, based in Northampton, has just celebrated its fourth anniversary - along with increased sales figures and a growing customer base.

Managing Director, Ben Fountain believes this development, in part, has been due to two dynamic Sales Managers - Nick Chater and Jonathan Roberts. "Nick has been with us since we established the company in 2003," said Ben. "He has over 20 years experience in the sector and is partnered by Jonathan, who started just over 12 months ago. They make a terrific team and both are focused on meeting our customers' needs. "The role is not that of a typical 'sales person' - we expect much more from them, hence their 'manager' title.

They have the power to project focus, liaise and network with suppliers and customers alike and basically manage their accounts as they see fit. Of course, they have the back up and support of our dedicated Internal Sales and Stores teams, to help them achieve results. "Both Nick and Jonathan have excellent professional communication skills with different personal strengths but what they have in common is the desire to provide excellent added value and support to our customers - aiming to build long-term relationships to ensure Midshires becomes a preferred supplier based on trust and loyalty."

Midshires offers over 100 years of combined electrical wholesaling experience, including: lighting, heating, ventilation, cable management, electrical accessories and distribution to customers of varying sizes and sectors. For more information call 01604 403333 or log onto www.midshires-electrical.co.uk

Feature News Midshires – Business Times June 2006


The youth of today are often maligned and branded ‘useless’ – but as most of us appreciate, not all youngsters are the same.

One Northampton company is toasting the success of their youngest members of staff.

Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd, electrical wholesalers based on Crow Lane Industrial Estate, is delighted with the progress made by Darrell Barrs and Jamie Faulkner.

“As well as bringing in people with a range of abilities and life experiences, we have also encouraged our the much derided youth, giving young people the opportunity to learn about business and prove their worth,” explained MD, Ben Fountain. “We have been especially pleased with Darrell and Jamie, who joined us late last year and have fitted-in and made major leaps in a short amount of time. The two came to us via Starting Off – a local recruitment and training company that deals solely with 16 - 21 year olds. We are delighted with their progress and I hope it continues!”

Midshires Electrical was established just 3 years ago but in that time has become the largest independent electrical wholesaler in Northamptonshire.

“We realised very quickly that success comes with the right mix in your team,” adds Ben. “In our industry, there are only a few really good people at customer service level, especially in internal sales and at the trade counter. So, we decided to employ those with the right attitude and willingness to learn, and so far, the principle has paid off, as we now have an effective and efficient mix of experience with enthusiasm.”

Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd

NOT only has Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd just celebrated two years in business, but they have also become the largest independent electrical wholesaler in Northamptonshire. Managing Director Ben Fountain is delighted with how successful the company has become in such a short period of time.

“The last two years have been fantastic,” he says. “We started the company from scratch only two years ago, and since then have seen it rapidly expand and develop into a thriving business with a healthy client and supplier portfolio.”

Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd put their success down to two things – their vastly experienced and helpful staff and their outstanding levels of service. Starting with just four staff initially, this has now risen to 15 whose combined experience in electrical wholesaling equates to 75 years! Whilst their polite, professional, committed and caring attitude, which is tailored to meet customers’ exact needs and requirements, is probably best summed up the company’s popular saying: “Good Service is Our Secret.” Midshires offer unrivalled knowledge and experience in all areas of commercial, industrial, domestic and decorative lighting, heating ventilation, cable management, electrical accessories and electrical distribution.

This specialist knowledge enables them to meet the needs of a wide range of customers, throughout the county and the rest of the UK, including small to large commercial electrical contractors, domestic contractors, developers, utilities, schools/ colleges, shopping centres, hospitals, shop-fitters, distribution companies and all types of industrial clients.

"We are delighted to be continually involved in all types of diverse projects, ranging from Domestic, Commercial & Industrial types of installations

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Installation by Retail Design Ltd