Question 1

UK: Electrical Distributors' Association (EDA) trains and develops during lockdown

Answer

EDA / Whilst being furloughed and on lockdown one of our senior sales staff Carl Haycock has kept himself busy by doing some fantastic training modules from the Electrical Distributors' Association (EDA). Read more

Question 2

France: COVID-19 guide to good health safety practices

Answer

FDME / The guide to good health safety practices for the continuity of activity of the agencies of the distributors of the second work and industry building developed by the FDME, FNAS, FFQ, FND has just been validated by the Directorate General of Labour. Read more

Question 3

EU: Joint statement EuroCommerce/UNI-Europa

Answer

EuroCommerce & UNI-Europa / The EU Social Partners in the retail and wholesale sector are working together to ensure the continued safety of its workforce who are interacting daily with European consumers, while working to avoid the present COVID-19 pandemic putting at risk the 29 million jobs in the sector in Europe. Read more

Question 4

Austria: Chamber of Commerce as a contact point for companies

Answer

WKO offers a comprehensive Coronavirus Info Service on its website together with Chamber of Commerce as the main resource. Read more

Question 5

Belgium: Fedibel promotes the Task Force Flanders Completely Digital

Answer

Fedibel / Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the government took very drastic measures to combat the spread of the virus, so drastically that we switch as much as possible to digital solutions to make the world go further. Read more

Question 6

Denmark: VELTEK cancels anniversary and holds digital general meetings

Answer

VELTEK / In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, VELTEK's Board of Directors has decided to cancel the planned Anniversary and to conduct the general meetings digitally on June 19 as an alternative to physical attendance. Read more

Question 7

Italy: FME and ANGAISA write to the government

Answer

FME, together with ANGAISA, writes to the government to underline what are the priorities of the building and furnishing supply chains, as well as what are the proposals that the organizations intend to bring to the competent offices. Read more

Question 8

Netherlands: FEDET to organize a webinar on 30 April on the Coronavirus crisis

Answer

FEDET / In this webinar, we update companies on the consequences of the Coronavirus crisis based on the information we have collected so far. We will discuss working on site and how clients deal with this. We also answer questions and point out tools that can mitigate impact. Read more

Question 9

Norway: EFO’s dedicated Coronavirus coverage on website

Answer

EFO / As all member companies and EFO experience a different time and everyday life, it is important for us to keep you updated on what is happening. Read more

Question 10

Portugal: Circulation of Workers due to COVID-19

Answer

AGEFE issues a declaration to the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Circulation of Workers due to COVID-19. AGEFE considers it is useful to make a general clarification on the matter, especially since the statements made tonight by the Minister of Internal Affairs seem to be clear that the actions to monitor the movement of citizens during the state emergency will be intensified. Read more

Question 11

Spain: ADIME provides daily information about COVID-19 and its impact

Answer

ADIME provides a comprehensive daily update and a vast resource of government measures and support initiatives on its website. Read more

Question 12

UK: EDA publishes COVID-19 Business Bulletin

Answer

EDA has created a dedicated COVID-19 Hub where you will find summart information and resources. Read more

Question 13

Sonepar heroes: Operating in a pandemic through the eyes of a Sacchi Logistics Associate

Answer

Sonepar / Arnold Calderon at the Sacchi Logistics Center is truly one of the Sonepar heroes of our time and is playing an essential part of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Question 14

Trading safely: EDA publishes new guidance document for electrical wholesale branches

Answer

EDA / ‘COVID-19 & Social Distancing: Practical Guidance for Electrical Wholesale Branches’ covers every aspect of a typical branch structure giving ideas and advice on how to adapt processes whilst continuing to trade safely during the pandemic. Read more

Question 15

Steven Van Belleghem talks Customer Experience during & after the Coronavirus crisis

Answer

Steven Van Belleghem has made a new presentation that summarizes his thoughts on customer experience during and after the pandemic. Read more

Question 16

Ian Heller on After the Crisis: What Distributors Must Do Next

Answer

Ian Heller / Despite the many columns and webcasts predicting distribution’s post-pandemic “new normal,” it’s going to be a long time before our industry settles back into a rhythm. For now, expect a “new abnormal,” where powerful forces will continue to transform the industry and redefine how you must compete to win. Read more

Question 17

Retail 2020: Reset, Recover, Revive

Answer

Industry leaders across continents come together for a special webinar on the future of global retail in times of COVID-19.

Question 18

ABB is supporting global efforts to limit COVID-19

Answer

ABB / We care deeply about all the communities around the world affected by the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees, customers, partners and the societies we operate in remain our number one priority and we are working hard to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections. Read more

Question 19

Siemens sets up an employee aid fund to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic

Answer

Siemens / We are in this together: We are setting up an aid fund to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic. All donations from employees will be matched by Siemens. Our managing board joins in, starting with our CEO Joe Kaeser donating €1 million. Read more

Question 20

World Electric, a Sonepar company, helped to convert the Miami Beach Convention Center into a field hospital to treat Coronavirus patients

Answer

World Electric / Last week, upon receiving work that the local hospitals were overwhelmed with patients diagnosed with COVID-19, World Electric and its customer Meisner Electric, joined forces to help convert the Miami Beach Convention Center into a field hospital to treat coronavirus patients. Read more

Question 21

Ledvance Managing Director talks Supply Management Insights

Answer

Ledvance / Times on the world market are uncertain - flexibility is the order of the day. However, in order to be able to react flexibly, high cash balances are essential. Creating this is a challenge for many companies. In addition to traditional working capital financing, new, innovative methods such as reverse factoring can be a solution. Read more

Question 22

Brandwatch Weekly Consumer Insights

Answer

Brandwatch / Register to find out how consumers are reacting across different categories, sectors, and regions: - What perceptions are towards Covid-19 - How consumers have altered behavior - How buying habits are evolving - Patterns and differences across geographies and sectors Read more

Question 23

CNN - Impact Your World: Coronavirus crisis

Answer

CNN / A guide to helping and getting help during the Covid-19 outbreak. Read more

Question 24

COVID-19 Government Response Portal

Answer

Deloitte / As the countries around the world slowly reopen for work fighting COVID-19, Deloitte Punit Renjen and his team offer a valuable source for knowledgeable insights into Government response. Read more

Question 25

MDM’s 4 Lessons on Inventory Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Answer

MDM / Over the past six weeks, we have been working with many distributors, manufacturers and retailers to adjust the future demand of products because of the effects of the COVID-19 virus. It is not surprising that some products have increased in demand while others have experienced a significant decrease in usage. Read more

Question 26

Siemens’ holistic approach into cybersecurity

Answer

Siemens / Imagine every aspect of your organization, secure for purpose. Siemens can help you toward this vision with a holistic approach to cybersecurity that provides peace of mind through leading operational industry standards. Read more

Question 27

Three ways that robots will impact customer experience

Answer

Steven Van Belleghem / Humans have always been fascinated with artificial ‘servants’. Even if the first digitally operated and programmable robot was only invented in 1954 by George Devol, our interest in the matter goes way back. Just think of the talking mechanical handmaidens that the Greek god Hephaestus built out of gold or the clay golems of Jewish legend. Read more

Question 28

World Electric Collaboration Project Converts Florida Convention Center

Answer

World Electric and its customer Meisner Electric, joined forces to help convert the Miami Beach Convention Center into a field hospital to treat COVID-19 patients. This was a group effort which now means that all patients are now able to have access to the necessary facilities and equipment. Read more

Question 29

Steven Van Belleghem talks Customer Experience during & after the Coronavirus crisis

Answer

Steven Van Belleghem has made a new presentation that summarizes his thoughts on customer experience during and after the pandemic. Read more

Question 30

Ian Heller on After the Crisis: What Distributors Must Do Next

Answer

Ian Heller / Despite the many columns and webcasts predicting distribution’s post-pandemic “new normal,” it’s going to be a long time before our industry settles back into a rhythm. For now, expect a “new abnormal,” where powerful forces will continue to transform the industry and redefine how you must compete to win. Read more

Question 31