Light shining on a jobsite is nearly always a benefit to the workers on the job. Whether corded or battery-powered, the various available lighting and power solutions have vastly improved working conditions on construction sites and other dark spaces tradespeople must tread in to complete a job. Technological advancements in this sector are catching up to the Millennium Falcon while it travels at .5 past lightspeed. These manufacturers continue to light the way with new and improved options in versatility, battery strength, and portability.

COAST

Leaders at COAST expect trends toward dual-power options (corded and rechargeable) to continue as lighting solutions become more compact and portable.

“There’s a shift away from traditional string lights towards more directional lighting solutions, allowing precise illumination of work areas and reducing energy waste,” says Todd Ernst, vice president of development at COAST.

The LH150 high-vis lighted rope vest wraps your upper body in a powerful glow for up to 18 hours keeping workers safe on the job site.

Heading into 2025, he says COAST is focused on making jobsites safer and easier, with innovations to help solve real issues or problems with current product offerings.

“We’re seeing our long-lasting relationships becoming stronger and more meaningful,” Ernst says. “With over 100 years of innovation, trust is there with our partners, new and old. We strive to keep our commitments, be transparent, and help build each other up in the best ways possible.”

He anticipates a lot of new retail opportunities, both online and brick-and-mortar, to develop.

“We’re exploring the integration of sensors, adaptive lighting technology, AI, and apps to provide smarter, more controlled lighting solutions,” Ernst says.

Prime Wire and Cable is filling orders for the first wireless rechargable LED worklight in North America. The Qi charging pad will charge the light or a smartphone.

PRIME WIRE AND CABLE

The leadership team at Prime Wire and Cable says the work light industry is still strong, as hand-held, pocket lights, stationary and temporary string lights are still being utilized in professional and consumer environments to provide direct lighting in workspaces.

“We see the push for higher lumen, and rugged durable lights, as contractors continue to search for the perfect tool so they can do more with less support,” says Andreas Moser, lighting product manager for Prime Wire and Cable. “Rechargeable, portable and multi-functional LED work lights continue to be in high demand by professionals and consumers.”

Prime Wire and Cable recently launched the first wireless rechargeable LED work light in North America.

Moser says the new light features a built-in Qi wireless charging pad, which not only charges the work light but lets users power up their phones while at work.

Prime Wire and Cable has launched its patent-pending PowerWeb, portable jobsite electrical box for jobsite power distribution using a 125 VAC, single-phase power source.

“This versatile work light packs a powerful punch, flooding your workspace with 900 bright lumens of light,” adds Moser, noting that it has high, medium and low settings and a 180-degree swivel to direct the light where you need it.

The new wireless rechargeable LED work light is now in stock at distributors, hardware stores and retailers in your area.

Meanwhile, Moser says at Prime, the focus remains on development of quality work lights, including an expanding line of bright handheld lights. The company is always working on improving the product versatility, quality, brightness and overall cost.

Currently, Prime Wire and Cable is working on a wide range of lights from pocket lights, portable floor lights and different sizes and shapes of handheld lights.

“We continue to work towards developing the perfect work light,” Moser says.

JCB

As the pressure intensifies for contractors to reduce emissions, power distribution on jobsites is becoming a focal point for innovation. The primary goals are reduction of carbon footprints and enhancement of operational efficiency, as many contractors are faced with fewer resources and tighter deadlines.

“This demands highly flexible, efficient power distribution, especially on jobsites where downtime is simply not an option,” says Marc-Andre Debois, vice president of marketing at JCB. “JCB’s approach to integrated power solutions empowers construction firms to operate with speed and precision, whether they’re running electric equipment, charging heavy machinery or relying on generators for peak loads.”

The construction industry is on a path toward greater electrification, both in equipment and jobsite power solutions as companies and regulators push for reduced emissions. To accommodate that shift, demand for adaptable power distribution systems that support an all-electric fleet without compromising efficiency or uptime is expected to increase. As electric equipment continues to gain traction, demand for efficient charging solutions will expand across the market. Debois notes that even with expansion of electric equipment, traditional generators are not going anywhere, especially where power demands are higher and continuous.

“JCB is at the forefront of this trend, combining advanced electric charging solutions, like its universal fast charger, with the dependability of traditional generators in our generator range to create a balanced power distribution approach that adapts to any jobsite’s needs,” Debois says.

JCB offers a suite of power solutions covering everything from generators to rapid electric chargers, providing the operational flexibility needed to meet deadlines.

JCB offers a suite of power solutions covering everything from rental-ready generators to rapid electric chargers which enable contractors to achieve the operational flexibility needed to meet those tighter schedules with fewer resources.

“The need for reliable, round-the-clock power ensures that traditional generators, such as those in JCB’s generator range, remain essential,” Debois says. “This dual strategy of electric charging and generator backup provides construction firms with unparalleled flexibility, enabling them to scale power availability up or down in response to shifting project requirements.”

In a competitive environment of construction, contractors that master efficient power distribution will inevitably have the upper hand, being able to maximize uptime and increase productivity. Debois notes that JCB is already in a position to meet those demands of contractors today, while also preparing them for a future where sustainable and resilient power distribution is not just an option, but an industry standard.

He notes that electric equipment is the clear answer for lowering on-site emissions and that the growing demand for efficient power distribution solutions such as the JCB universal fast charger reflects that shift toward electrification.

“Together, these tools allow contractors to strike a balance, using electric power where possible while maintaining robust backup power when high-output demands call for it,” Dubois says.

He says JCB’s dual power approach not only supports fast-paced schedules but also ensures that power distribution can adapt to varying equipment demands without interruption while still addressing contractors’ desire to reduce their carbon emissions.

“Over the long term, innovations will be driven by the need to do more with less, optimizing power flow, reducing energy waste, and enabling remote power management for a fully integrated, intelligent jobsite,” he says. “At JCB, we’re always looking for a better way to power the industry forward.”

JCB unveiled its hydrogen combustion engine at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2023.

“Our work in hydrogen is just one of the many ways we’re rethinking what’s possible, ensuring that as the industry changes, JCB will continue providing the equipment, power and support that enable construction teams to work smarter, faster and greener,” Debois says.

LEARN MORE

• www.coastportland.com
• www.jcb.com/en-us
• www.primewirecable.com

This article originally appeared in the December 2024/January 2025 issue of Contractor Supply magazine. Copyright, 2024/2025 Direct Business Media.

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CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE

The December 2024/January 2025 of Contractor Supply magazine is here!

Our cover story, A Diamond on the Rough, visits the family-owned Esch Construction Supply. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company sells and services anything that will cut, grind, drill or polish concrete.

Also in this issue are a 2024 STAFDA show report and Industry Updates on Abrasives Discs and Wheels; Grinders and Sanders; Cold Weather PPE and Heaters; Jobsite Lighting and Ladders, Lifts and Scaffolds.

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