Electrical Contractors' Association

Electrical Contractors' Association
Abbreviation ECA
Formation 1901
Type Trade association
Legal status Non-profit company (No. 00143669)
Purpose Electrical contractors in England, Northern Ireland and Wales
Headquarters Lincoln House
Location
  • Hammersmith, West London.
Region served
 England, Northern Ireland, Wales
Membership
 c. 3000 electrical contractors
Group Chief Executive Officer
 Steve Bratt
Main organ
 (President: Andy Basham)
Affiliations Association Européenne de l'Installation Electrique, National Home Improvement Council, Specialist Engineering Contractors Group, Build UK
Staff
 130
Website ECA

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) is the main trade association for contractors involved in electrical engineering projects in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. In 2010, it had over 3000 registered members - companies who collectively employed over 30,000 UK workers and generated annual revenues of over £5 billion (the UK electrical contracting industry is worth £10 billion). The ECA is currently either leading or active across various building services technical and training issues, and in particular those relating to electrical engineering, in both the domestic and commercial sectors.

History

Founded in 1901, the ECA represents contractors who design, install, inspect, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and services. It was incorporated on 19 April 1916.

Electricity industry improvements

The ECA played a particularly important part in the 1920s and 1930s when electric power was introduced to most houses. Before this time, and the formation of the National Grid, electricity was supplied at different voltages and frequencies.

Today, the ECA actively represents the electrical and electronic contracting sectors, taking a leading role in both technical standards (notably BS 7671) and professional competencies in both the domestic and commercial sectors.

The Fire and Security Association is linked strongly to the ECA and the ECA's Scottish counterpart, SELECT.

ECA recent finances

Although, for a trade association, the current financial position of the ECA is relatively strong, in November 2012, it was reported to have lost £26m through a "disastrous investment" in the Lloyd’s insurance market, which required it to accelarate its plan to cut costs and restructure its operations.[1]

Functions

The ECA website says it has three main aims:

It represents the views of specialist electrical and other engineering contractors within contractor group Build UK and via the Specialist Engineering Contractors' Group. It holds a range of Electrical Industry Conferences, and the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year and Adult Trainee of the Year Awards annually.

Publications

It produces the ECA Today magazine every quarter.[3]

The ECA also provides free checklists for commercial clients on selected topics, such as Energy Solutions.

Location

The ECA head office is in Hammersmith, West London.

Regional offices

See also

References

  1. ↑ Prior, Grant. "ECA loses £26m in Lloyd’s insurance nightmare". Construction Enquirer. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  2. ↑ About the ECA (website accessed 01 September 2010)
  3. ↑ ECA Today

External links

Video clips

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