Crabtree no more?

[grumpyjohn01]

I have read here and there that some of Electriums brands are going to cease sales in the UK market, does anybody have any detail? searches not bringing much up..

 

[UNG]

Electrium are exiting the British standard wiring accessories business in December 2025

 

[Avo Mk8]

Did you see this on DIYnot? Edit - sorry UNG, didn't see your post until I'd posted mine
Seems 'limited' to the ranges listed on the second page, assuming this is not a spoof!

Siemens to stop producing Electrium wiring accessories

Good evening, hope everyone in DIYnot land is keeping well! Just seen that Siemens have announced they will be stopping producing all wiring accessories sold under the Crabtree, Volex and Appleby brands at the end of this year. I used to install nothing but Appleby boxes as they used to be...

www.diynot.com

 

[grumpyjohn01]

ah yes I saw that document somewhere but wasn't a member of the forum so couldn't view so thanks for posting, so It's true, no more good old Crabber sockets, still they had got progressively worse so maybe no great loss, relieved to hear Starbreaker is still going to be available though.

 

[UNG]

assuming this is not a spoof!

I thought it was when I could find no official news anywhere

So I asked a mate who is a rep for a wholesaler about 10 days ago and he knew nothing about it, a few days later he called me to confirm it as the Electrium rep had been into the branch and told them it was happening

 

[freddo]

Mr J. A. Crabtree must be turning in his grave. Especially after what electrium did to the design of Crabtree stuff over the past few years. I've also been told recently that MK are also thinking of downsizing some parts of their catalogue soon too. Hopefully the garbage MK Base and MK Essentials ranges will be the first to go.

 

[oscar21]

Does this mean we wont get the Crabtree shower switch anymore, think its the only crabtree thing I ever bought. Always used the appleby dry lining boxes too.

 

[grumpyjohn01]

Does this mean we wont get the Crabtree shower switch anymore, think its the only crabtree thing I ever bought. Always used the appleby dry lining boxes too.

Agree that the shower switches are far and away the best, I will probably get a few in before stock disappears, don't fit many tbh but will be a shame not to have them available.

 

[7029 dave]

Crabtree was my first choice of socket in the early 80s, MK was a bit too square.
Volex was my budget jobs lol

 

[oscar21]

Agree that the shower switches are far and away the best, I will probably get a few in before stock disappears, don't fit many tbh but will be a shame not to have them available.

Hmm... Click appear to make similar.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/506279-50a-dp-pull-switch-with-mechanical-on-off-neon-c-w-pattress-white

 

[grumpyjohn01]

Hmm... Click appear to make similar.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/506279-50a-dp-pull-switch-with-mechanical-on-off-neon-c-w-pattress-white

oh yes..haven't seen them before, looks remarkably similar!!

 

[UNG]

oh yes..haven't seen them before, looks remarkably similar!!

Wouldn't the first time a manufacturer had bought up the moulding tools from another, not saying that is what Scolmore have done but as you say they do look very similar

 

[grumpyjohn01]

Wouldn't the first time a manufacturer had bought up the moulding tools from another, not saying that is what Scolmore have done but as you say they do look very similar

Indeed, it would be nice if another manufacturer did that for the rest of the 'Capital' range as 90% of the older housing stock in my area is Crabtree equipped and its tricky to find another basic range that looks quite right in older cottage or farmhouse type properties, it would be nice though if said notional manufacturer went back to the quality once present in that range!