The Hardware Journal March/April 2020

ge sa es m few weeks.

Numbers will be limited, and we will be taking bookings soon.

I recently attended the SEAI seminar on energy efficiency. It proved to be a very practical guide for businesses to cut their energy costs. Further seminars are taking place later in the year and I would highly recommend that members attend - see page 40. SEAI have kindly offered to host a seminar customised for our sector. For those who are interested please let us know.

HAI, as a trade representative organisation, has the right to put forward a candidate for the Industrial and Commercial panel of Seanad Eireann. We had a number of candidates seeking our nomination. Recently the board selected Arthur Griffin. Arthur has been involved with both politics and voluntary organisations. A barrister by profession he demonstrated a keen understanding of the issues and challenges affecting the hardware and merchanting business.

We would like to wish Arthur well in the election.

On page 38 we talk to Rafal Jopek from Brooks, about progress and challenges in his career.

We also have a profile of Irish International Trading Corporation and Glanbia, both businesses that have been serving their communities for over 100 years. Both refer to steps that they have taken to increase their energy efficiency.

We (hopefully?) will have a new Minister for Housing, and also for Rural Affairs in the next few weeks. We will try to arrange a meeting as soon as possible. Prior to that HAI will be getting soundings from members on a strategy for housing. As the main supplier to the housing sector, HAI needs a voice at the table and a strategy. We will be in contact shortly.

EO eC th

March/April 2020

m fro

On 25th February HAI had our first of three conferences in 2020. In his opening speech our President Sean Moran outlined the five main challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Climate change, the demand for housing, the quest for talent, Ecommerce and its impact on how we do business and how international trends such as Brexit will all shape our future and the conference reflected these trends.

With over 130 attendees, interesting thought-provoking topics and a compelling line up of speakers it was a great success. Feedback from both delegates and sponsors has been excellent. We are now looking forward to our Limerick conference on April 28th (Covid-19 permitting) and Sligo on 23rd September. And here’s a hint for anyone coming to the Conferences - stay to the end, it is well worth it, executive thinking time and networking is valuable. And, we can all be done without for one day! The rate is ¤100 for members and ¤50 for any additional attendees.

On the advice from the Member Services Subcommittee we are publishing the full Business Index Report for the year 2019.

In value terms the market was up by 5% on 2018, however it was flat in the final quarter. Since 2015 the value of the market has grown by 35%, please see page 34. We are always looking for new contributors to grow the base. Those who do take part - see the full report - as per this issue.

In addition to the business index HAI has also a suite of market insights that we are opening up to our member base. We have had several presentations to members over the last while, and there is no fee involved, it is a free service.

In her second piece from our consumer survey Aoife explores the way in which consumers plan their DIY projects, and explores their attitudes and capabilities towards DIY. In separate articles Steve Collinge underlines the winning formula of a focus on advising on a project, rather than just selling a product, this is echoed by the Gaff Goddess book review on page 16.

Covid-19 - we are regularly updating members by e mail, reference to our website, and social media on latest advice from government and human resources practice.

At the Dublin Conference we announced the Certificate in Hardware and Merchanting. We got some very positive feedback and we will have many more details over the next

Martin Markey Chief Executive Officer - HAI 3

contents FRONT COVER: Looking Forward. Highlights from Dublin Conference.

Blackchurch Business Park, Naas Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin t +353 1 298 0969 e info@hardwareassociation.ie w www.hardwareassociation.ie

32 news 6

New gift voucher legislation.

14

Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive.

Published by: Hardware Association Ireland

16

Book Review - Gaff Goddess.

Editor: Jim Copeland, editor@hardwareassociation.ie

17

Business Continuity Planning Checklist for Pandemic and Severe Weather.

Editorial/Feature Contributor: Aoife Kinsella, Aoife@hardwareassociation.ie

regulars

@hardwareassoc ISSN 2009-5481

Advertising Manager: Jim Copeland, jim@hardwareassociation.ie Design and Production: Stephen Broad, ConceptRoom, stephen@conceptroom.co.uk

3

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Martin Markey introduces the latest issue of The Hardware Journal.

23

MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Tips on how to get the best out of your magazine advertising.

Printers: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd, Belfast.

Distribution: MMS Mailing Services, Dublin.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: To advertise in The Hardware Journal and reach the key decision makers in the industry please contact Jim Copeland at 01-298 0969; email jim@hardwareassociation.ie

Š 2020 All editorial contents and all advertisments prepared by the publishers and Hardware Association Ireland HAI can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributors’ articles or statements appearing in this publication and any view or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of HAI, save where indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by HAI, authors, contributors, editor or publishers. The publication of advertisements does not constitute any endorsement

by HAI, authors, contributors, editor or publishers of the products advertised. Readers should take specific advice when dealing with specific situations.

4

features 26

STEVE COLLINGE Steve Collinge looks at the positive impact the home improvement sector has on lives.

28

THE HARDWARE SHOW 2021 The official launch of The Hardware Show 2021.

32

THE HARDWARE CONFERENCE A look back at the Dublin Hardware Conference.

38

CAREERS IN HARDWARE The Hardware Journal talks to Rafal from Brooks Timber and Building Supplies about his career to date in the sector.

40

SEAI Looking ahead to the SEAI Energy Show on April 1st and 2nd.

March/April 2020

20 profiles 20 STORE PROFILE: GLANBIA

The Hardware Journal talks to Senan Foley, Retail Manager at Glanbia Ireland, as he discusses growth and technical agility among the group’s agri and retail divisions.

market intelligence 30

HAI CONSUMER DIY RESEARCH The second instalment of HAI’s latest research into homeowner renovation plans for 2020.

34

BUSINESS INDEX A full year review of the HAI Business Index 2019.

24 SUPPLIER PROFILE: IRISH INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION Managing Director David Heffernan talks to The Hardware Journal about their 50% growth over the last five years.

business support 36

BREXIT Advice from The Revenue Commissioners on the Brexit Transition Period.

42

WOODLAND GROUP Kevin Brady asks, is your logistics provider adding value to your bottom line?

43

WORKPLACE WELLNESS Brian Crooke concludes his presentation of his eight steps to a successful workplace wellness programme.

44

JPA BRENSON LAWLOR Ian Lawlor advises employers on how they can source potential employees and incentivise them to stay.

24 COMMERCIAL FEATURES

training

45 BATHROOM AND SHOWERS

41

52 ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS

Future trends and major developments in the bathroom and shower sector.

CLASSROOM TRAINING A look back at some of HAI’s Spring 2020 training workshops.

classified ads 58

A look at the continuing success story of the adhesive and sealant industry.

A SELECTION OF CLASSIFIED ADS March/April 2020

5

News & Products

160 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG Topline McCrearys are celebrating a very important milestone this year in the village of Crossroads, Killygordon, Co. Donegal.

Following renovations of their beautifully laid out showroom which houses a great range of doors, floors, tiles and bathroom suites, Topline McCrearys will be proudly unveiling this upgrade during the celebration of their 160 years in business Birthday Bash Open Day in May. This is an amazing achievement considering Topline McCrearys is a family run business, in its fifth generation, in a small rural community.

From humble beginnings, starting in their family home, to their growth and expansion into a 12,000 square foot superstore, the McCreary family are proud of how far they have come while still maintaining their friendly and professional presence. Darren McCreary, Director of Topline McCrearys said, “We are proud of the fact we’ve survived the many downturns over the years and that’s down to the support we have received in our community and beyond”. “We are a well-established hardware business, who try to stay ahead of the game, by pricing competitively and identifying new opportunities to match our customers` needs”.

With a 17 strong employee base, most of whom have been with the company for many years, Topline McCrearys put their success down to this dedicated team who will go out of their

way to help where and when possible. From paint to power tools, electrical to workwear clothing and foundations to roofs, Topline McCrearys have a wide range of everything required, whether a customer is building or renovating their home.

There are big plans underway for their Birthday Bash Open Day which will be held on Friday 8th & Saturday 9th May, with great giveaways and competitions. They will have Highland Radio in-store, great deals on the day as well as many other surprises.

It’s an event not to be missed!

NEW GIFT VOUCHER LEGISLATION - WHAT BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW From 2nd December 2019, new legislation (the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019) has come into effect concerning gift vouchers. Here are some of the main changes that your business needs to be aware of, UÊ 9 ÕÊ ÕÃÌÊ«À Û `iÊ>ÊÀiV À`Ê vÊÌ iÊiÝ« ÀÞÊ`>ÌiÊÌ ÊÞ ÕÀÊVÕÃÌ iÀÃÊ in writing, e.g. on paper or by email.

UÊ 9 ÕÊV> ÌÊÀiÃÌÀ VÌÊÞ ÕÀÊVÕÃÌ iÀÃÊÌ Êëi ` }ÊÌ iÊvÕ ÊÛ ÕV iÀÊ amount in one transaction, nor can you limit the number of vouchers that can be used in one transaction.

UÊ / iÊ iÜÊ i} Ã >Ì Ê>«« iÃÊÌ Ê} vÌÊÛ ÕV iÀÃÊÞ ÕÊÃi ÊÌ Ê> ÞÊ person, which includes other businesses, in addition to consumers.

New changes explained There should be no expiry date on gift vouchers, or where an expiry date applies the duration must be at least five years.

A gift voucher issued with an expiry date of less than five years will be deemed to have a five-year expiry date.

The business must inform the customer of any expiry date that applies to a gift voucher on a durable medium (on paper or email).

They must: 1. Specify the expiry date of the gift voucher and the date the contract was entered into and the period within which the voucher is redeemable (e.g. validity period/five years) or

6

2. Specify that no expiry date applies to the gift voucher A customer does not have to spend the full amount of the gift voucher in a single transaction. If a customer only uses part of the gift voucher and there is a balance of more than ¤1 left, the business can refund the customer the difference in one of the following ways: 1. Cash 2. Electronic transfer (credit/debit card) 3. Gift voucher – the expiry date will be the same as the original gift voucher A business cannot limit the number of gift vouchers a customer can use in a single transaction.

Not all gift vouchers fall under the scope of the new regulations The following are some of the exclusions: UÊ 6 ÕV iÀÃÊvÀ Ê>ÊëiV wÊi`ÊÌÀ>`iÀ­Ã®ÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊÀi`ii >L iÊ>ÌÊ>Ê discounted price for specific goods and services for either 1. A specified date, or 2. A specified period of no more than three months UÊ 6 ÕV iÀÃÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊ} Ûi Ê>ÃÊ>ÊÀivÕ `Êv ÀÊ} `ÃÊÀiÌÕÀ i`ÊÌ Ê>ÊÌÀ>`iÀ UÊ 6 ÕV iÀÃÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊ`ii i`Êi iVÌÀ VÊ iÞ]ÊÜ Ì ÊÌ iÊ i> }Ê of the European Communities (Electronic Money) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 183 of 2011).

Further information for businesses is available at www.ccpc.ie.

March/April 2020

News & Products

EXTERIORS BEAUTIFULLY PROTECTED With solutions for masonry, wood and metal, Dulux has all of the products your customers need to transform the outside of their home. Dulux has long been a leader in exterior paints for masonry with Dulux Weathershield and garden colour with Cuprinol, but up to now have not brought all of its exterior brands together. In 2020 Dulux will continue with its vision of bringing all its exterior brands together under the umbrella of “Exteriors Beautifully Protected” and its in-store materials will now feature Dulux Weathershield, Cuprinol, Weathershield Satinwood, High Gloss and Hammerite.

Launching over the coming months will be the updated Dulux Weathershield Colour Card. The card has seen improvements in the layout of the colour ranges. It now includes ready mixed, colour mixing and paint for wood and metal, all on one centre page spread. This makes it much easier for your customers to make that all important colour selection. Throughout the card your customer will also see tried and tested colour schemes

in the form of ‘trio’s’, referenced with their own bespoke names such as ‘The Atlantic’ which showcases coordinating colour scheme for walls, plinths, sills and front doors. All schemes have been carefully selected by popular Dulux colour consultant Cora Collins, who has many years’ experience in both commercial and residential colour scheme selection.

The card also outlines some very helpful hints and tips for your customer to think about when choosing colour schemes to suit their home, things to consider for urban housing versus rural housing, and tips on what to consider for windows and front doors.

CARL KAMMERLING FUSION 2020 TRADE PROMOTION Carl Kammerling International (CKI) has launched its exciting new Fusion 2020 trade promotion - running from 3rd February to 29th May 2020 - offering retailers fantastic savings on 208 products from all CKI brands including: C.K, C.K Magma, C.K Classic, Jokari, Avit and Kasp. This great selection of products includes proven sellers, core items, plus nine brand new innovative product launches and 10 excellent value range deals - all for just a minimum initial order of ¤350. This unrivalled package provides customers who sign up with a superb incremental profit opportunity, as well as high margins and discounts of up to 35% in Ireland.

There is a great selection of new products available in the Fusion 2020 package. Additional opportunities within Fusion 2020 include a number of Counterbox promotions, together with a great range of added value packs which provide additional items FREE. Retailers who sign up to Fusion will also benefit from an excellent sell out package, which includes eye-catching counter mats and price stickers, designed to drive sales.

A brand new and improved product brochure features all the brands and products available in Fusion 2020, with a handy colour-coded content index for quick and easy product selection.

8

To benefit from Fusion 2020, customers can sign up simply by contacting their local sales representative, or CKI customer services on +44 1758 704704 / sales@cki.uk.com Don’t forget to mark your order FUS20 to benefit from this superb promotion.

March/April 2020

It may look itentacle…but our OSB4 panel has no added formaldehyde.

Let’s do the right thing! with SMARTPLY ULTIMA

SMARTPLY ULTIMA is a high-performance OSB4 panel designed for the most demanding structural applications within construction. Possibilities are now even greater, with an engineered panel that offers enhanced moisture resistance and increased strength when compared to other typical structural panel solutions.

Manufactured using state-of-the-art technology, it is free from added formaldehyde. From a reliable resource of sustainable timber, it offers the ultimate sustainability credentials compared to alternative specifications. When you need a high performance, sustainable structural panel solution – do the right thing with SMARTPLY ULTIMA.

To find out how we are setting new standards in timber panel engineering, go to www.mdfosb.com/ultima

News & Products

TIMCO APPOINTED AS EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER OF GOOP TIMco, has been appointed as the exclusive supplier of GOOP, America’s number one multi-purpose hand cleaner since 1949.

GOOP will be coming to Ireland and the UK for the first time through TIMco in March 2020.

GOOP is a “waterless” hand cleaner that quickly and safely removes grease, paint, ink, tar, industrial soils and can also be used to clean tools. The non-toxic and bio-degradable product is made from the highest quality, premium ingredients and is specially formulated with natural moisturisers to leave your hands clean and soft. Original GOOP, with pumice to give it a more abrasive cleaning power, is available in a range of sizes for a variety of applications.

The GOOP range also includes a citrus infused ‘Orange GOOP’.

The Orange GOOP uses all natural citrus cleaners to remove the toughest of soils, with no harsh chemicals or solvents. The product is available in multiple sizes, with fine pumice scrubbers to help remove those extra tough stains.

The partnership is a further illustration of how TIMco is extending its Site Protection range to reflect the company’s commitment to safety in construction, as well as delivering on the company’s strategy of becoming a ‘one stop shop’ for Builders’ Providers.

The new GOOP products follow last year’s launch of first aid kits which include a selection of workplace and vehicle first aid kits, as well as a heavy bleed and burns kit. The range also includes an eye care kit, heavy duty plasters and an accident book.

For more information on the new ranges available contact TIMco Ireland or visit: www.TIMco.ie

SMARTPLY ULTIMA STRIVES TO SET A NEW STANDARD FOR OSB4 Just how much do the buildings we build, live and work in impact our health and wellbeing?

When it comes to working hands on with building products, the average team of builders, carpenters or fit out contractors could work on or install a hundred OSB boards in a busy day, whether it be constructing partition walls or sheathing sides of buildings.

When their work is done, it’s important for the person who moves into their new home or office building to be able to enjoy a safe, healthy environment.

Important considerations for this are the level of VOCs such as formaldehyde that are emitted from building products used in the construction of their building.

Every professional will know that a mask, protective eyewear and other appropriate equipment is essential for anyone cutting OSB boards before installation. Working with a no added formaldehyde board won’t change this, but, from the contactor or installer’s point of view, it can provide significant peace of mind when it comes to cutting or machining, which generates dust.

Occupants of buildings can also enjoy similar peace of mind to know that a no added formaldehyde board has been used within their home or workplace, ensuring that the places they spend

10

up to 90% of their time in are as healthy as they can be, with minimal VOC emissions.

SMARTPLY ULTIMA has been developed by industry leading timber board manufacturers MEDITE SMARTPLY as the ultimate OSB4 board for ensuring the health and wellbeing of both contractors and building occupants is put first.

With no added formaldehyde, SMARTPLY ULTIMA contains only a low level of formaldehyde that occurs naturally in all wood found in the natural world. It’s also sustainably produced, using timber from responsibly managed forests right here in Ireland.

As a cost-effective alternative in humid and high-load structural applications when compared to similarly performing exterior structural plywood, SMARTPLY ULTIMA strives to set a new standard for OSB4, ticking all the boxes.

Ideal for timber frame building and construction projects with large spans, its increased racking strength ensures high load bearing capability and improved rigidity.

Find out more at mdfosb.com/en/smartply/products/ smartply-ultima

March/April 2020

News & Products

CROWN PAINTS & 2020 BUILD BETTER ELLE DECORATION ROADSHOW SCHEDULE LAUNCH NEW PAINT RANGE

Design magazine, ELLE Decoration, and paint brand Crown have partnered to launch a new paint range. ELLE Decoration

by Crown unifies Crown Paints’ colour heritage with ELLE Decoration’s command of sophisticated design. Inspired by innovation, it is a new interpretation of colour. A sophisticated palette of 60 shades is characterised by six colour stories, each with its own distinct form.

Botanical encapsulates the power of nature that can offer a place of calm in our hectic urbanised everyday lives.

Drift presents a spectrum of blues, seemingly adrift, creating a space that’s slow and relaxing.

Powder is a collection of natural shades including warm taupes and soft beiges.

Crafted takes inspiration from beautiful textures found in fabrics and textiles, with sumptuous burnt orange and light-as-mist pinks.

Obsidian is an ode to earthly materials, this story is of clear and warm shades, ranging from a gentle concrete to a cool gemstone.

And finally, Feather, celebrating the ethereal majesty of white; delicate and light creating airy spaces that invites openness.

Kevin Whelan, Marketing Controller at Crown Paints, comments: “At Crown, our goal is to empower homeowners to enjoy colour with confidence. We believe this range can transform an ordinary space into something very special but is equally extremely liveable.”

ELLE Decoration by Crown Paints is a premium, durable, multi surface interior emulsion, offering the perfect matt finish with long-lasting protection for walls and woodwork. Crown Paints’ Breatheasy® formulation (99% solvent free) means your customer can be back in the room almost immediately and is 200 times tougher than regular emulsion, making it highly durable and scrubbable.

Launching from February 2020, the collection will be available to buy initially at Homebase and Crown Decorating Centres (nationwide). Additionally, the collection will be available throughout Europe, launching initially in the UK, Germany and Italy from February 2020.

See more at www.elledecoration-crownpaints.com/ie March/April 2020

Saint-Gobain along with brands Gyproc, Isover and Weber have announced the schedule for its 2020 Build Better Roadshows.

Following the success of the 2019 Build Better Roadshow, which attracted 667 construction professionals, Saint-Gobain is pleased to announce that the 2020 Build Better Roadshow will hold events at the Crowne Plaza North Dublin (May 7th), Crowne Plaza Belfast (June 17th), Silver Springs Hotel Cork (September 17th), and South Dublin (Date & Location TBC).

Dates for all events are subject to change, with final speaker and seminar details for all events available at: www.saint-gobain.ie/events.

The 2020 Build Better Roadshow trade event will be a onestop-shop for architects, engineers, designers, building merchants, and contractors, for a wide range of building fabric solutions. Each event will offer a series of industryspecific seminars throughout the day that will focus on the topics of fire safety, acoustics and energy efficiency in respect to achieving compliance and meeting the demands of current construction standards and expectations across both residential and non-residential projects. It will also provide attendees with an opportunity to see and understand new and existing products that help their clients to build better.

Speaking on the success of last year’s event, Kieran Holohan, Marketing Director, Saint-Gobain said: “We are delighted with the success of last year’s events and the quality of our speakers as well as the number of attendees and look forward to welcoming even more construction professionals to our 2020 events. The industry is under exceptional pressure to up-skill and Saint-Gobain is dedicated to leading the progression of best practice within the sector through our new Build Better Roadshow and our Technical Academy. We look forward to this year’s nationwide events that look to help meet the demand for construction upskilling.”

For more details on the Better Build Roadshow and the SaintGobain Technical Academy see: www.saint-gobain.ie/events

The 2019 Build Better Roadshow events saw 667 attendees at five events across Ireland.

11

News & Products

IE DOMAIN REGISTRY REPORT 2019 The IE Domain Registry recently published the .ie Domain Profile Report, which analysed the numbers and types of .ie domains registered in 2019, the counties and countries where they were registered, and additional information about the wider .ie domain ecosystem.

In 2010 the .ie database consisted of 154,918 domains; in 2019, that number was 280,958. The difference is staggering and reflects a decade of work to make .ie domains more accessible and relevant to the changing needs of 21st century Ireland. “It also demonstrates the unrelenting pace of digital transformation and technological advancement. In the last ten years, the internet has become as vital to everyday life and business as electricity, running water, and road infrastructure.”, says David Curtin, CEO of IE Domain Registry, in his opening address in the report.

In March 2018, a rule change made it easier and faster to register a .ie domain name. Following a surge in registrations that year, the rate of new .ie registrations in 2019 cooled off but remained higher compared to ‘pre-liberalisation’ years.

In 2019, the majority of the .ie database comprised companies and self-employed entrepreneurs (79.5%), a figure broadly in line with 2018. Because it is protected, a .ie domain is the best way for Irish businesses to demonstrate their trustworthiness and authenticity to local and international customers.

Why you should choose a .ie address UÊ Ì½ÃÊ `i Ì wÊ>L ÞÊ À Ã Ê Ê° iÊ ÃÊÌ iÊ vwÊV > Ê ÌiÀ iÌÊV Õ ÌÀÞÊV `iÊ for Ireland and the only online address that is 100% Irish

UÊ

UÊ UÊ

UÊ

UÊ

̽ÃÊ ÀiÊ i ÞÊÌ ÊLiÊ>Û> >L iÊ ° iÊ vviÀÃÊ>ÊÜ `iÀÊV ViÊ of available names compared to .com, as more of those names are already registered iÌÊÞ ÕÀÊVÕÃÌ iÀÃÊwÊ `ÊÞ ÕÊ iÊ Ê À à ÊV ÃÕ iÀÃÊ>ÀiÊ more likely to click on local website addresses

ÃÕ iÀÃÊV> ÊÌÀÕÃÌÊÞ ÕÊ Ê ÛiÀÞÊ° iÊ>«« V> ̽ÃÊ `i Ì ÌÞÊ is checked and validated at the point of registration.

Consumers will have confidence in your business as .ie is a well-established and trusted domain ̽ÃÊÌ iÊ«ÀiviÀÀi`Ê iÊ>``ÀiÃÃÊv ÀÊLÕà iÃÃiÃÊ Ê Ài > `Ê - 79.5% of all registered online addresses are Irish businesses, proving that they recognise the value of a .ie domain *À ÌiVÌÊÞ ÕÀÊLÀ> `Ê Ê-iVÕÀ }ÊÞ ÕÀÊ° iÊ>``ÀiÃÃÊÃÌÀi }Ì i ÃÊ your brand and protects your online identity

The OPTIMISE Programme empowers small businesses to improve their online presence, hone their digital capabilities and grow their e-commerce sales.

Each participant on the programme undergoes a focussed digital healthcheck. It measures the performance of a participant’s business under the headings of Branding; Design; UX Usability; Content; E-commerce; Coding; Mobile; SEO/ AdWords; Social Media and Email Marketing. A detailed report is provided, outlining recommendations so that participants have a customised roadmap for improving their online presence and e-commerce capability. www.iedr.ie/optimise-programme Source: IE Domain Registry

Analysis of .ie domains by county

12

March/April 2020

News & Products

LIFETIME GUARANTEE FOR WEATHER CLAD Fleetwood Paints are so confident in their unique formulation of Weather Clad Masonry Paint, that they are now introducing a new Lifetime Guarantee. Fleetwood Weather Clad has been researched, developed and tested in Virginia, Co. Cavan, to provide unsurpassable performance and durability against the harshest weather that Ireland has to offer. Rain, sleet and sun do their worst and Fleetwood Weather Clad stands the test of time.

The Virginia factory has painted panels with Weather Clad paint to test against Ireland’s harshest weather conditions with some panels being outside at the weathering station for over 25 years.

What the guarantee entails is that if a customer experiences any issues with flaking, peeling or cracking for as long as they live in their home, Fleetwood Paints will return the full price of the Weather Clad product in the form of a voucher. Full details and T&C’s can be found on fleetwood.ie/promise.

Also, Fleetwood Paints highly anticipated woodcare range is now available in a beautiful array of wood finishes and colours. Their Quick Dry interior varnish is a specially formulated water-based varnish for use on all interior smooth planed wood and available in clear gloss and ready mixed colours in a satin finish. Fleetwood Paints Diamond Seal floor varnish has exceptional durability and as its water based, it is quicker drying that the oil-based products.

For bare or previously varnished wood there is solvent based

Polyurethane Varnish that is formulated with a specifically selected resin to provide tough protection against knocks and scuffs and suitable for use on doors, windows and furniture.

Ultra-Tough Yacht varnish offers long lasting marine quality for outdoor wood. This oil-based varnish contains UV filters to protect against strong sunlight and is very easy to use. Both these products are available in a clear gloss and clear satin finish.

The exterior woodcare selection from Fleetwood Paints will be a game changer for the garden this spring. For wood paints that offer long lasting protection and are flaking, peeling and blistering resistant, the ten-year Exterior Wood stain and Superflex opaque wood paint formulation are the choice, they are tough and durable with a hardwearing finish.

The Superflex Opaque wood paint can be tinted into over 30,000 colours whilst the ten-year exterior wood stain is ready mixed into six complementing shades for the outdoors.

BALLINA OPEN DAY A MASSIVE SUCCESS The Joseph Murphy (Ballina) Ltd (JMBL) open day on 14th February at the JMBL premises in Ballina was hailed as a massive success by those organising and more importantly attending the event.

The feedback from customers and suppliers was “brilliant” especially in relation to the networking opportunity and product knowledge available on the day.

There were almost 100 customers attending the event with 15 supplier demonstrations. Two keynote presentations were available from Hardware Association Ireland`s CEO, Martin Markey, on “Current Industry Trends and Future Developments” and Entrepreneur of the Year, Richard Kennedy, on “The Role of an Entrepreneur in Achieving Success”.

The JMBL team offered all those attending a very warm welcome and put their heart and soul into the preparations for the event as they do in their daily commitment to the business.

CEO of JMBL, Lorraine Burnell, commented on the day “When we decided to organise an open day, we had a vision.

We dreamt of welcoming our long - standing loyal customers, March/April 2020

who have dealt with JMBL for many years, here to our head office. We wanted to say thank you, and for you to see us in action. We wanted to show you how your order is processed from start to finish. I can honestly say our dream has come true and we hope that you will remember today, as we will, and find it beneficial to your business into the future”.

13

News & Products

SUSTAINABLE USE OF PESTICIDES DIRECTIVE The Hardware Journal has covered the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD) previously. This is an opportune time to update you regarding the continuing training requirements.

The Directive is designed to enhance the high level of protection achieved through the entire regulatory system for pesticides.

Implementation of the SUD relies heavily on the training of the various people involved at all levels of the industry, including Pesticide Advisors, Pesticide Distributors, Professional Users/ Sprayer Operators, and Inspectors of Pesticide Application Equipment. A programme to test all pesticide application equipment is in place.

A Pesticide Distributor (PD) is any natural or legal person who makes a pesticide available on the market, including wholesalers, retailers, vendors and suppliers.

All distributors must be appropriately trained and registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) since 26th November 2015. From that date, a registered distributor must be available at all times at the point of sale to ensure that adequate information is provided to customers regarding pesticide use and health and environmental risk and safety.

To be eligible to register as a Pesticide Distributor (Professional Use Products), an individual must first successfully complete the FETAC Level 5 Handling and Distribution of Pesticides (Code 5N2466) or equivalent.

Importantly, in order to maintain DAFM registration, approved Pesticide Distributors (Professional Use Products) will be required to maintain Continuous Professional Education (CPE). All DAFMregistered PDs must provide evidence of compliance with the required CPE on an annual basis. Irish Agricultural Supply Industry Standards (IASIS) have developed a CPE scheme for Pesticide Distributors which is recognised for this purpose by DAFM. DAFM will determine if alternative CPE schemes meet requirements on a case by case basis. Currently CPE for Pesticide Distributors is being delivered online by IASIS and, in workshop format, by Team LM. If an individual is registered as both a Pesticide Distributor (PD) and a Pesticide Advisor (PA), they should make themselves aware of the slightly different CPE requirements that will apply to them individually.

There is also a requirement for those selling amateur/ home garden products only.

To be eligible to register as a Pesticide Distributor (Amateur/Home garden products ONLY), you must first successfully complete the online course for Pesticide Distributors of non-professional/amateur products. This course is being facilitated by IASIS and can be accessed at www.iasis.ie. There is currently no CPE requirement for non-professional/amateur products.

For further information contact Jim Copeland, 087 6671361, jim@hardwareassociation.ie.

HSA TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT CHEMICALS USED FOR CONSTRUCTION This year the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is taking a closer look at construction products containing potentially hazardous chemicals to see if the correct information is provided on the labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) to allow users to protect themselves against possible hazardous effects to their health.

Inspectors will undertake checks on product in both retail suppliers’ premises, as well as on building sites and the focus will be on chemicals that can possibly cause serious health effects including respiratory illnesses, skin problems and cancer, including products such as adhesives and glues, varnishes and sealants. The aims of the checks are to ensure that products comply with chemical regulatory requirements and to raise awareness of the potential hazards and risks that these chemical products pose.

Sinead McMickan, Senior Inspector at HSA, told The Hardware Journal “Our current three-year strategy has a clear focus on reducing ill health among workers. While construction products play a very important function in everyday life, it is important that they do not contribute to ill health among workers or to 14

the ill health of the general public who might be undertaking DIY activities in the home. Our message is clear, “Don’t risk it…ensure that you have safety information to hand, read it and follow it “.

Sinead also indicated that safety data sheets (SDSs) are not required for potentially hazardous products sold to the general public. The label should provide sufficient information to ensure that the user can use the chemicals safely. However, SDSs can be requested by those using these products in a professional capacity, such as workers on a construction site, plumbers, tilers etc. SDSs contain information on the potential hazards of chemicals and information on measures to take to protect against possible adverse health effects. Therefore, it is important that all retail and hardware stores have ready access to the SDSs for all the potentially hazardous products sold.

For more information, please see the Authority’s latest Chemicals e-Bulletin at www.hsa.ie For any questions about this project please e-mail the Authority’s chemicals helpdesk at chemicals@hsa.ie.

March/April 2020

News & Products

ELECTRIC IRELAND LAUNCHES BRIGHTER ENERGY PROGRAMME Electric Ireland, Ireland’s leading energy provider, has officially announced its Brighter Energy Programme to drive awareness and empower customers to maximise energy efficiency. The programme will be supported by the release of new products and services, including a 100% Green Electricity Price Plan. The announcement came at the launch of ‘We’re Brighter Together’, Electric Ireland’s new brand campaign which features Astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield. The campaign is designed to empower customers to make small changes which reduce their energy usage, and, in turn, deliver a brighter energy future.

Electric Ireland commissioned extensive research, designed to address customer wishes and needs, and identified an opportunity to play a leading advisory role in helping business and residential energy users become more efficient in their energy consumption.

Some of the survey results include: UÊ ÇÎ¯Ê vÊÌ ÃiÊÃÕÀÛiÞi`ÊÃ>ÞÊÌ iÞÊ¼Ü Õ `ÊLiÊÜ }ÊÌ ÊV > }iÊ their energy usage behaviours a little to reduce their own carbon footprint’.

UÊ n£¯ÊÃ> `ÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÞʼLi iÛiÊi iÀ}ÞÊ«À Û `iÀÃÊÃ Õ `Ê i «Ê people lower their carbon footprint by offering new products and services to help customers use their energy in a more sustainable way’.

UÊ ÊV Ã `iÀ }ÊÌ iÊÀ iÊÌ >ÌÊi iÀ}ÞÊV «> iÃÊ } ÌÊ« >ÞÊ Ê

helping people transition to a greener, lower carbon future, 58% of those surveyed think energy companies should ‘advise on how to reduce the carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency of the home’.

In response to this research, the Electric Ireland Brighter Energy Programme will offer customers practical advice, tips and ‘how-to’ videos which will be released throughout the year and available online at the new ‘We’re Brighter Together Hub’ on ElectricIreland. ie/brightertogether. The Electric Ireland Brighter Energy Research Tracker will also monitor, track, and publish bi-annually, on Ireland’s energy literacy. Through education, Electric Ireland aims to enable its customers to make the changes needed to have the biggest collective impact on society. And with the largest customer base in Ireland, over 1.1million, Electric Ireland is in a unique position to help customers have the biggest collective impact.

As part of the Electric Ireland Brighter Energy Programme, Electric Ireland has launched its all-new 100% Green Electricity Price Plan - available to new and existing residential and small and medium business customers. This affordable plan underpins existing products and services, enabling Electric Ireland customers to make a positive change while retaining great value.

To be part of the change and to find out more visit www.electricireland.ie/brightertogether.

CAVAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WINS INNOVATION AWARD O’Reilly Concrete, with its headquarters in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, is one of only five businesses across the island that has been recognised for its innovation capabilities by InterTradeIreland.

The firm participated in the cross-border body’s FUSION programme. The initiative supports local businesses to partner with a research institution and employ a graduate project manager, that InterTradeIreland helps to fund. The graduate works directly with the business to deliver new products or improved processes over 12 to 18 months.

In business since 1938, O’Reilly Concrete specialises in the design, manufacture and erection of pre-cast frame buildings, which are used in many types of construction - including schools, apartment blocks and retail developments.

The firm was partnered with graduate Guruprassad Bhat and the academic team from Southern Regional College. This innovative collaboration has helped O’Reilly Concrete to develop a new product. It has now designed a new type of modular style wall panel for domestic homes that improves insulation performance.

Emmet Cosgrove, Group Operations Director, explains “The core of our company is continual innovation and product development. In order for us to achieve growth we need to invest in technology and constantly develop the quality of our March/April 2020

concrete product range. InterTradeIreland’s FUSION programme gave O’Reilly Concrete the opportunity to develop an innovative product which can be solely targeted at the domestic market.”

Local construction firm, O’Reilly Concrete and their FUSION programme partners are pictured receiving an award recognising their ‘outstanding innovation’ at the InterTradeIreland FUSION Programme Awards. Pictured (l-r) are: Aoife Gavin from the O’Reilly Group, graduate Guruprassad Bhat, Margaret Hearty from InterTradeIreland, and academic partner James Donnelly from Southern Regional College.

15

News & Products

GAFF GODDESS - BOOK REVIEW On pages 30 and 31 you will find part two of HAI`s Consumer DIY Survey.

One of the standout stats is “Of the 60% of homeowners who our recent research revealed are planning renovation/ redecorating in their home, the majority (61%) were female, meaning this year female homeowners are more likely to be investing in their home.” So, with that in mind we have reviewed the current number one best seller hardback non-fiction book in Ireland (Nielsen Book Scan, Feb 2020).

Laura de Barra is a regular guest on RTE`s Today with Maura and Dáithí, and contributor to thejournal.ie and her own Instagram account, where she extols the virtues of She-IY! Laura’s new book, Gaff Goddess, strives to take the sting out of tackling household emergencies and general maintenance, encouraging women and men to take control of their home space.

The book covers projects from painting to buying tools to securing your home.

Laura sets the scene by saying “I started going into DIY stores and I`d just ask more and more questions. I always say that asking questions doesn`t make you seem dumber – it makes you smarter. Then I was looking up YouTube tutorials, manuals and books.”

“I don`t want to be an expert, I just want to know what`s going on in my space. I want to be able to fix things. I am so capable in every other part of my life, so why am I stopped from being capable within my own home? “ Laura`s stated impetus to write the book was spotting a gap in the market of renters and millennials needing to brush up on DIY, and a burgeoning trend of Instagrammers moving into the domestic realm with much success.

She makes an interesting comparison with cosmetics. If you go to a makeup counter there is an expert there to tell you how to apply the product for best effect and avoid possible pitfalls. She questions where is that in DIY? Laura asserts that Gaff Goddess is not a manual aimed at women, or even just at millennials. It is there for all comers that don`t know a stopcock from a ratchet screwdriver!

16

So, how can we as the relevant trade sector harness the information contained within the pages of this tome?

U

Buy a copy and see what Laura is telling her readers about her shopping experience in Hardware and DIY stores.

U

Have several copies available for sale in store or as a reference point to consult or browse through as required.

U

Promote the products mentioned, they are all standard stock items. Why not put them in danger of being sold!

U

Engage with your customers on social media about this bestselling book, which uniquely is about our sector! How often do you get that opportunity?

U

Challenge your thinking on how you may be perceived by your customers especially those who have money to spend.

U

Product price is never mentioned in the book. So, are we in the discount business or the home problem solving business?

If you have read an interesting business book in recent times why not share your thoughts with your fellow readers. We are open to readers providing their book review suggestions, contact Jim@hardwareassociation.ie or phone 01 2980969.

March/April 2020

News & Products

RESPONDING TO A POTENTIAL MEDICAL PANDEMIC OR SEVERE WEATHER In February 2020, The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) issued a BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING CHECKLIST, dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Business-ContinuityPlanning-A-checklist-of-Preparatory-Actions-in-Responding-tothe-COVID-19-Outbreak.html The checklist covers some of the key risks to the continuity of your business activities in the event of a potential medical pandemic or similar outbreak and of preparatory actions that can be taken to respond.

In the event of a pandemic, they say that your organisation should consider appointing a planning coordinator and/or team with defined responsibilities and budget for planning and for preparedness. A deputy should also be appointed.

They suggest that if your organisation already has a business continuity planning process, you should consider addressing influenza outbreaks and pandemic preparedness within that process.

This initiative follows the DBEI issuing a Business Continuity Planning in Severe Weather Checklist in November 2019. The ‘Be WinterReady Information Campaign’ is designed to provide advice and information to help the public and businesses be better prepared to deal with a period of severe weather. In association with a number of Government Departments and public bodies, the Office of Emergency Planning has developed a booklet ‘Be Winter-Ready’ and a website

www.winterready.ie which provides practical advice and contact details of the main services that can provide help in extreme weather-related emergencies. This initiative brings together all the relevant services to provide practical advice to the public.

Among the many implications and responsibilities for businesses in the event of a severe weather event could be higher rates of absenteeism, disruption to supply-chains (incoming and outgoing), disruption to business travel, and a fall in demand for goods and services, as well as human resource, insurance and cash flow implications.

A practical checklist for businesses to help prepare for severe weather events is now available. The ‘Business Continuity Planning in Severe Weather - Check List for Businesses’ can be accessed on the DBEI website, www.dbei.gov.ie. Business continuity planning for high risks should be part of normal business practice. While many enterprises, in particular large companies and financial institutions, already have plans in place for business continuity including severe weather events, all enterprises need to be informed and prepared for the range of disruptions that could arise.

This practical checklist provides businesses with a basic template which could help to identify weaknesses in their business continuity plans.

fusion trade 2020

promotion

3RD FEBRUARY – 29TH MAY 2020

NEW PRODUCTS ›› RANGE DEALS ›› DISCOUNT

T EW C N DU O PR

S

Take advantage of our fantastic new promotion... Contact your local Territorial Sales Manager Today! carlkammerling.com | info@cki.uk.com | +44(0)1758 701070 C29A0098_IrishHardware_130x180.indd 1

March/April 2020

24/02/2020 14:07

17

Store Profile

Senan Foley, Head of Retail, Glanbia Ireland with the team from Castlecomer.

Glanbia Firmly Rooted in Irish Soil The Hardware Journal speaks with Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Glanbia Ireland about their roots and ongoing support for local farmers and rural communities.

Glanbia Ireland is firmly rooted in Irish soil, with its origins dating back to the start of the 20th century when farmers were just beginning to band together to form co-operatives. Originally set up to service farmers, the Glanbia Ireland network of stores has evolved to service a wide range of consumers.

“Buy from us and you’re supporting your local farming and rural communities,” says Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Glanbia Ireland.

In 2005, the company saw the potential of attracting a wider retail customer base. So Glanbia broadened their retail offering, launching CountryLife Garden Centres in 2008, now a hugely important and successful aspect of the Glanbia Ireland retail strategy.

Today Glanbia Ireland is one of Ireland’s leading farm and rural retailers, majority-owned by Irish farmers. The network comprises 52 branches covering the southeast, midlands and northeast; 14 of which incorporate CountryLife Garden Centres, one of Ireland’s largest garden centre groups.

The Company sources 90% of their large range of quality plants from Irish growers and nurseries and have expert horticulturalists in every CountryLife store, to guide gardeners at every level. Customers can shop online also.

All Glanbia Ireland branches offer a complete line-up of products and services: farm supplies, animal feed, fertilisers, agri chemicals, animal health, seeds and hardware. More retail-

20

orientated garden supplies, pet care and clothing/workwear ranges are stocked by CountryLife stores.

Local Heroes Senan attributes much of this success to the commitment of the people who keep the branches running. “Our business and our staff are driving every day to go the extra mile for customers.”

This dedication was evident during the ‘Beast from the East’ storm in 2018. Senan cites the staff member who, on his own initiative, walked 8km to open a Glanbia Ireland branch so that farmers could get feed for their animals.

“This was just one example of our team’s willingness to go above and beyond to ensure that our farming partners were supported in a time of need. Our team are often the heartbeat of our branches, they know our customers inside out and are dedicated to servicing their needs.”

Nurturing Talent Training and development are at the heart of Glanbia Ireland’s retail strategy, ensuring all staff have the skills and knowledge to provide expert advice to customers.The business invests significant time and resources into hosting regular training days, at their Kilkenny head office and through localised training with area suppliers.

March/April 2020

Store Profile

Senan Foley, Head of Retail Glanbia Ireland.

Castlecomer Store.

For Glanbia Ireland, capacity-building is a very effective way to incentivise and encourage employees. Continual education has also given long-term staff opportunities to upskill and crossskill. Some have been with the group for up to 40 years, many working their way up to head office.

Glanbia Ireland also fosters fresh talent, bringing in newlyqualified young recruits. “This next generation has the potential to be future leaders within Glanbia Ireland,” Senan notes. “It’s critical to the long-term success of our organisation that there is cross-pollination between our long service members and new colleagues. Getting this balance right between experience and innovative ideas has given our business a fantastic edge that cannot be easily replicated.”

Operation Pollination is donating thousands of pollinatorfriendly plants to communities, promoting the value of protection and providing safe habitats.

Both initiatives have already been hugely successful in connecting Glanbia Ireland to their customers and families regarding causes they really care about. “This campaign captured the hearts and minds of our customers, and we’re very proud to be part of this movement.”

At the same time, through retrofitting LED lights and fittings in all branches, Glanbia Ireland automatically achieved a 61% reduction in electricity use. Many of the garden centres now use water harvesting systems, which allows these typically heavy users to conserve water.

Understanding Consumers

Digital Connections

Glanbia Ireland keeps customers at the centre of all activities as it adapts to the consumer demands and the market. Research is vital for evolution, guiding the development of product ranges, services and brand extensions. The group updates its offer continually, based on market trends and consumer research.

As Senan outlines, “We conduct market research annually with our core target customers, and every two to three years undertake a deep-dive study enabling us to stay close to key insights and drivers. Research underpins our strategic thinking and planning, and helps us to enhance our customer experience.”

In response to emerging demand, Glanbia Ireland put a new focus on sustainability in their Gardening division, supporting environmentally-aware customers on their quest for change with the right products, know-how and guidance.

Digital plays a big part in today’s communications strategy, offering new channels for customer engagement. “We can reach out to agri-customers directly, sharing meaningful and informative content such as articles and videos regularly with technically savvy farmers through our GlanbiaConnect.com portal,” states Senan.

Glanbia Ireland is also able to connect with audiences on an emotive level. Campaigns promoting Operation Pollination and Operation WildNation, motivate viewers with entertaining, educational video and blog content shared across their social media channels.

Senan sums up the benefits. “We see social media and our website as really important platforms, not only to drive awareness of our business, but crucially, to build relationships with current and potential customers.”

The GlanbiaConnect.com online portal was also introduced as a hub for all the information farming partners need from Glanbia Ireland. Everything from seasonally-relevant technical information, to their account trading information, milk performance statistics, plus a one stop shop for all their agri purchasing needs.

Greener Fields Sustainability is the future and Glanbia Ireland is ready with a range of initiatives signalling a green agenda for customers.

A new partnership with SSE Airtricity and Activ8 Solar Energies through an initiative called FarmGen provides a full end-toend solution for farmers and homeowners to install solar PV panels; thereby harnessing the power of clean energy and making real savings.

On the gardening side, Glanbia Ireland rolled out Operation Pollination and Operation WildNation in 2019, with a mission to educate the nation on creating pollinator and wild bird friendly environments.

March/April 2020

Local Links As a company rooted in a farming community with a co-op owned structure, the very fabric of Glanbia Ireland’s business is centred on community.

21

Store Profile

Castlecomer Store.

Excellent customer service from Peter Dunne assisting a customer.

Senan explains, “We leverage this infrastructure and play our part in pumping life back into rural Ireland, be that through the people we employ, the customers coming to purchase goods locally, or the social connections of our branch staff. Support of local communities and activities abounds across the full Glanbia Ireland business, something we take great pride in.”

Looking Ahead

Industry Connections and Kudos Networking is more important than ever for a business committed to excellence in both the agri and retail sectors.

“We are affiliated with industry groups in both, including a long-standing relationship with Hardware Association Ireland.

Glanbia Ireland benefits greatly from the network it provides.”

Within the retail sector, Glanbia Ireland is gaining accolades.“It’s great to see all our hard work rewarded” was Senan’s reaction after Glanbia Ireland won a string of prestigious awards, including CountryLife scooping Best Retail Customer Experience in the Loyalty Awards 2019, plus nominations in four separate categories.

Glanbia Ireland also won the 2019 Retail Excellence Online Retail of the Year Award for their Glanbia Ireland Connect Ecommerce platform.

The agri industry has been resilient during the downturn. Where other businesses may have struggled, Glanbia Ireland has seen their core agribusiness thrive. Senan believes this solid performance is down to continuous customer research to adapt to changing markets, to develop new ranges and categories, and keeping prepared for incoming challenges. “The challenge is to find new categories while still meeting changing customer needs.

Transitioning to suit our customers is an area we are actively working on.”

Senan regards technology as a key enabler to all Glanbia Ireland’s functions, but a long-term strategy is needed to keep the future business strong and relevant. “For our businesses to be successful in years to come, we must be technically agile in all areas. We have shown ourselves to be quite capable in this field, however our work is never done. We will continue to develop our technology and it will be the cornerstone of our business going forward.”

Top Tip Do the basics consistently right, while putting the customer at the heart of decision-making. This has always been the Glanbia Ireland way. Senan affirms it’s a sound strategy for success over the longterm too.

CounrtyLife Garden Centre Castlecomer.

22

March/April 2020

MORE POWER TO YOUR MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Engaging, innovative and targeted, magazines have big appeal for readers and advertisers. So how to ensure your magazine ad is the business? Read on.

Pinpoint your market Research magazines for reputation, readers, advertisers, ad quality and circulation. Does the content complement your brand? Do you want to reach your existing customer base, the trade in general or preferably both? Is it available digitally for free? Is it published and available on time every time?

Publications produced by trade organisations bring the trust associated with a recognised professional body. Your ad will reach its membership and in many cases way beyond while your support funds services to members and the sector.

Don’t DIY High-risk, when making the right impression is everything! Save effort and stress and enlist the professionals. If you haven’t an inhouse marketing team, or an ad agency is beyond your budget, printers and publishers can offer design services and/or advice on sourcing specialists.

Plan placement Start with a media guide menu of advertising choices and prices: double page spreads, full/part pages, classified ads, high-impact opportunities like cover gatefold, bellybands, inserts (leaflets, flyers).

Planning an ad series? Your publisher can help you achieve more for your money.

For seasonal or specific offers, match advertising to special issues and supplements. Supplements give brands presence in an ultra-targeted setting that showcases the latest developments.

Think visual People buy with their eyes. Keep your ad clean and uncluttered. A single strong image attracts better than several small pictures. One headline beats competing headings and typefaces. Text should be easy to read. Too much, too small. Instant turnoff.

Use advertorials Paid-for editorial content that looks and reads like a feature appears in many publications; It`s a clever way to deliver detailed information, present case histories, or tell lifestyle stories. Advertorials can be short news items or multi-page. Quality images are essential.

March/April 2020

Stay consistent All your marketing communications should share a ‘house style’, ensuring instant recognition for your brand.

This applies to typefaces, colours, layout, images…the works!

Be focused “What’s in it for me?” is the first question every potential customer asks. How do you meet their need, solve a problem? What makes your brand unique, better? Highlight the primary benefit to your end user.

Avoid information overload Resist the temptation to pack everything in one ad. A series can cover additional products/topics, address seasonality, or tie in with special issues/supplements. Keep copy short, clear, to the point. Not bogged down in detail. The goal is to grab attention and motivate readers to discover more.

Build trust Everyone loves a good testimonial.

Even short statements from happy customers boost credibility.

Aaaaaaand…action!

Finish with an invitation to act now.

Then make it easy by providing contact details in get-noticed type.

Check your work One typo can be a game changer.

Always proof-read before your ad goes out; the more readers the better. Is it clear? In good taste? Have any spelling errors slipped through?

Or dodgy apostrophes?

Be sure your message is accurate and honest; claims verified, statistics referenced and permission granted for testimonials and images.

Track effectiveness Follow-up on performance. Monitor sales of promoted products. Check website visits. Seek customer feedback. Did new customers find you via the ad? Market research is priceless for learning and adapting.

Exposure in a leading publication works wonders for brands. And, because submission deadlines are well before publication, you’ve plenty of time to plan an effective strategy, create a memorable ad, pre-test and fine-tune. Making that smart investment in magazine advertising even more rewarding.

For further information please contact Jim Copeland 087 6671361 jim@hardwareassociation.ie

23

Supplier Profile

100-year-old is a top performer Irish International Trading Corporation PLC (Cork) achieved a 50% increase in revenues across the board over the past five years.

Managing Director David Heffernan tells THJ how it’s done.

Centenary This July Irish International Trading Corporation (IITC) celebrates a landmark anniversary alongside an impressive current performance. The Cork company will mark 100 years of trading.

IITC is a wholesaler and retailer of agricultural and building hardware, steel, wire, salt, plumbing materials and bathroom supplies.

Based at Tramore Road, Cork, the company has additional distribution centres in Tivoli, Cork, and Naas, Co. Kildare.

As Managing Director David Heffernan explains, “The company was founded by pioneering Cork businesses wishing to establish viable trade links with companies in the US, Europe and further afield. These family firms sourced products from abroad to sell in Ireland and exported products produced in Ireland.

Since then IITC has continually grown and widened its portfolio. In 1935 it expanded into general hardware and plumbing materials, followed by the formation of a steel and wire business in 1966.

By 1990 IITC boosted their expansion with the purchase of a Dublin depot, facilitating entry into new markets.

In 2002, IITC relocated from Cork City Centre to a purpose-built ¤15m+ facility at

24

Tramore Road. The head offices and main distribution centre provide 210,000+ sq. ft of warehousing on a seven-acre site.

Hibernian Salt was purchased in 2004, making IITC one of Ireland’s largest salt distributors.

Further growth and investment took place in 2017, with the construction of a ¤6m distribution centre in Naas, creating 20 jobs.

This state-of-the art facility on a seven-acre site with 90,000 sq. ft of warehousing services IITC’s growing business in the midlands, Leinster, the west and north.

That same year IITC acquired Irish Salt Company Ltd, selling primarily to the food processing industry. “This acquisition was an ideal fit for our existing salt business and consolidated our position as a leading salt distributor in Ireland,” says David.

Four-part harmony IITC comprises four divisions. Their Plumbing, Heating & Sanitaryware divisions operates one of Ireland’s largest, most modern plumbing, heating and bathroom showrooms at Tramore Road and offers a trade plumbing and heating sales and advice service. Their specialist staff are renowned in the industry for extensive product knowledge and experience.

IITC’s Hardware department distributes agricultural and light building products, supplying some of Ireland’s largest companies, including all major co-ops, and independent merchants in virtually every town and village.

The fast-growing Steel division supplies the agricultural, construction and R.M.I sectors nationwide from its Cork and Naas facilities and is a leading Irish steel stockholder and wire distributor.

In 2019 IITC attained ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Certification and EN 1090 for steel certification from the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

The Salt department helps keep roads safe, by supplying winter road treatment salt to motorway operators and councils. Other salt types are sold to food manufacturing companies and for water treatment.

All-Ireland marketplace IITC’s target markets span many of Ireland’s largest and fastest-growing sectors: Agriculture; Repairs, Maintenance & Improvements; Construction; Local authorities and Semi State companies; Food processing. All looked after by a direct field sales team of eight.

Between its distribution and storage hubs, March/April 2020

Supplier Profile

David Heffernan, Managing Director.

John Lyons, Director with John O`Callaghan, Sales & Support.

Steel Yard, Naas.

IITC is able to service every corner of Ireland.

Efficient in-house transport and a courier network ensure orders are despatched swiftly.

footprint is motivating everyone to focus on their environmental impact. This will have a major effect on the hardware/DIY building trade,” observes David. NZEB regulations will determine the type of products and systems permitted in new builds.

“Two years ago, we replaced all lighting in our premises with LED,” David says. “This necessitated a substantial investment but has resulted in significant cost savings. More importantly, we’ve dramatically reduced energy usage.”

As members of REPAK, IITC actively encourage recycling, reusing and reducing companywide.

Brexit and the outcome of trade negotiations between the UK and EU will affect the economy significantly.

Heffernan outlines the issues. “Because we have nearly full employment, there is a labour shortage in certain sectors, while transport and shipping costs are rising substantially.”

For IITC the future brings opportunities too. “The economy continues to be very strong, and with a growing, well-educated population, has the potential to continue expanding at a steady rate in the short to medium term.”

David Heffernan believes continued innovation and investment is crucial to securing IITC’s future.

“To remain relevant and future-proof our business, we must stay abreast of trends within all our sectors. We do this by attending trade shows here and abroad and engaging closely with suppliers and customers.”

He values industry relationships for staying ahead of national and sector developments and building networks.

IITC is an active member of IBEC and Cork Chamber of Commerce. And, “Membership of Hardware Association Ireland is vital for keeping in touch with industry developments, new products and market information. The biennial Hardware Show at Citywest is a must-engage event for all in the sector “

Raising profile

Trusted quality “Our success is driven by providing quality products together with quality customer care. Our customers trust us to deliver,“ David confirms.

“From the start IITC established long-term trading relationships and agreements with key manufacturers. Our brands are among the most recognisable and respected in the trade. IITC will never compromise on the quality of products we supply.”

Due to its diversified range, customers cover multiple industries; plumbers and builders, hardware & DIY retailers, agricultural co-ops, food processing companies, steel fabricators and manufacturers. The bathroom showrooms and retail hardware shop cater to the public.

Many IITC developments are customerdriven. In 2019 the firm launched their popular online ordering portal for wholesale customers in response to requests.

Survival, success “Throughout our history, we’ve learned that good personal relations with customers and suppliers and a dedicated, experienced workforce is the cornerstone for successful long-term growth,” David says.

“Having weathered many economic cycles, IITC always kept its feet on the ground with steady growth and expansion. A fastchanging world presents opportunities and challenges that we’re well geared for.”

“We took a major shock during the last economic downturn, but it’s testament to our resilience that IITC was able to ride the storm. Since 2013 we have experienced significant growth, increasing revenues by over 50%.

Sustainable future Today’s hot topics, sustainability, efficiency and climate, are taken seriously. “Our customers are becoming more concerned with the quality and sustainability of products rather than cheap, less reliable options.

Energy efficiency and reducing carbon March/April 2020

A smart marketing strategy also strengthens foundations for the future; building relationships with current and prospective customers. The new IITC website goes live in Q2, 2020.

In addition, David states, “We engage in direct marketing and offer seasonal promotions. We hold regular customer events at our premises, where manufacturers can showcase their products.”

“Advertising in selected trade journals like The Hardware Journal, particularly when introducing new products, is a highly effective way to access our target market.”

And nothing gets attention like a major award, or two! In 2017, IITC won Cork Chamber of Commerce Company of the Year in the SME category, and this year, the Deloitte Best Managed Company award.

Giving back IITC employs over 120 people, they are a loyal and dedicated workforce with many employees boasting 20, 30, and even 40 years of service. This low turnover exemplifies the core principles of the founders to provide local, quality employment and treat staff with respect and dignity.

“As a Cork company, we’re very proud of our heritage,’ affirms David. Proud too, to be a major employer and leading importer through the Port of Cork, contributing to the local economy.

Every year IITC donates to numerous local organisations and events. Since 2013 money previously earmarked for customer Christmas gifts, now funds local charities including chosen beneficiaries Marymount Hospice and St Vincent de Paul.

The difference Asked to pinpoint the unique selling point of a company covering many sectors, David answered: “Diversity.”

In addition to a vast range of quality products backed by an expert team, nationwide distribution, and 100 years of experience, IITC is a one-stop-shop for general merchants and hardware/DIY stores.

Altogether a winning combination that sets IITC apart.

25

Steve Collinge

We’re not in the DIY business, we transform lives Steve Collinge, MD at Insight Retail Group, talks about the positive impact the Home Improvement and Garden industries can have on peoples’ lives.

Something has gradually been dawning on me for the last six months and that is the genuine importance of the Home Improvement and Garden industry to peoples’ lives.

I’m not just talking about its importance to the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the retailers, suppliers and the factories who employ us and not just the importance of the industry to the economies of the many countries around the world where Do It Yourself and Home Improvement remains a pastime of the population.

I’m talking about the positive impact that the industry has on us as individuals and, more broadly, the emotional health of the nation. With the exception of the medical profession, I really can’t think of another industry that has the same transformational impact on peoples’ lives than Home Improvement and Gardening.

Think of clothing, sports, tourism, food and drink or even the entertainment industries. They all impact our lives in different ways, to different degrees, some short term and some longer term. You can’t beat the positive feeling of being on holiday, eating out at a lovely restaurant or wearing those new clothes, but these feelings tend to be relatively short lived and you can’t say that new pair of jeans ‘changed my life’.

Now stop for a moment and think about the feelings you experience when you walk into that newly decorated lounge or sitting having dinner in that gorgeous, brand new, open plan kitchen. Think of the transformation achieved when you replace the old, dirty bathroom with the new bathroom of your dreams or the pleasure of simply sitting in the garden that you have so lovingly curated and cared for.

26

Think of the feelings you experience when you walk into that new kitchen.

The emotional uplift you feel at that moment, sometimes for seconds, other times for minutes, is repeated every time you enter that space. Sometimes we don’t even notice it, but that injection of positivity into our lives is critically important. It lifts us, it boosts our mood and it changes our outlook on life; our emotional feelings, whether we’re aware of them or not, are the foundation of our thoughts, behaviours and actions.

We all know ‘Home is where the heart is’ and as a result how emotionally attached we are to our homes and gardens. It’s where we share the closest of times with our partners and family, where we open our doors to friends and it’s where we feel safest from the challenges and stresses that life throws at us. So, when we improve our homes, when we make that important space even better, it has a significant impact on our lives and relationships. The opposite of course is also true, living in a poorly maintained home, a place desperate for a makeover, can have a repetitive, negative impact on our emotions and feelings.

But let’s go a step further, I believe our industry can actually change lives.

An article in The Independent published last September stated that doctors were now advising gardening for anxiety and depression, instead of medication. Apparently, it’s been proven that spending time outdoors and surrounding yourself with greenery and living things can be one of life’s great joys – and recent research shows that gardening can directly improve people’s wellbeing and that taking part in community gardening can also encourage people to adopt healthier behaviours.

With the importance of the industry in our minds and the positive transformational effect that our products and services have on people’s lives, let’s now consider who is at the very heart of our businesses. The consumers, the customers, the shoppers who enter our stores every day to buy our home and garden products.

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the majority of our customers enter the store or visit our websites with a project in mind. It could be as simple as repairing or replacing something or it could be a transformational project, such as painting a nursery or lounge, they could be replacing their bathroom or laying a new floor. It could be landscaping the garden, laying a deck or building a new shed. Often, these projects are inspired by online searches, by gorgeous images on social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest, in Home & Garden magazines, friends’ March/April 2020

Steve Collinge

houses and retailer showrooms. The projects often have many elements attached to them, a range of different products, sometimes services and often a long list of questions that consumers need help with.

And yet as an industry we rarely think in terms of ‘projects’, we only think in terms of products. Why, because it is the functional products we supply, the products we buy and the products we sell. It’s the product that generates the income, that creates the margin and the profitability that ultimately pays our wages.

Our businesses, whether we are suppliers or retailers are conditioned by and organised by product. Just think of the typical retail store, we present everything by functional product category, Paint, Flooring, Power Tools, Lighting, Timber, Growing Media and yet, our customers are thinking projects and we force them to scour the store to find what they are looking for, often with very little inspiration or help.

If we’re really going to deliver long term growth to the Home Improvement and Garden market we have to engage with our customers in the right way, speak their language and help them to complete the transformation of the homes and gardens that they long for.

With this new level of awareness, we as individuals and companies involved in the industry have a huge responsibility.

Being aware of the impact we can have on people’s lives, needs to change the way we think about our customers, it needs to change the way we layout our stores and it needs to change the way we communicate to customers in our marketing campaigns.

After all, we’re not just selling tins of paint, we’re helping the new parents prepare their home to welcome a new, little person into the world, we’re not just selling houseplants, we’re giving the new young, homeowner something to look after for the first time in her life. We’re not just offering a click’n’collect service, we’re making sure that the garden furniture arrives before Gran & Grandad do and we’re not just selling nails and screws, we are creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Steve Collinge is an international speaker, influencer, retail commentator and is Managing Director of Insight Retail Group Ltd and executive editor of Insight DIY. You can follow Steve on LinkedIn, and on Twitter at @InsightDIYSteve.

March/April 2020

27

Hardware Show

The Hardware Show 2021 Exhibitor bookings now OPEN Members of Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), together with various industry representatives, and previous Hardware Show exhibitors turned out in great numbers at Citywest Hotel on Tuesday 12th February for the official launch of The Hardware Show 2021.

Following the success of The Hardware Show 2019 (which saw over 2000 visitors and was dubbed “The best Hardware Show ever!”) HAI and EventHaus were excited to welcome previous exhibitors, HAI members, and other potential exhibitors to the official launch event for The Hardware Show 2021, which will be returning to Citywest on 21st - 22nd February 2021.

The event commenced bright and early, with a complimentary breakfast from 7:30am for all those attending and saw a steady stream of interested individuals keen to book their space and find out more about the 2021 Show.

The morning’s events commenced with an official welcome from HAI CEO Martin Markey who provided a brief presentation of HAI, The Hardware Show, and the hardware industry.

Future issues of The Hardware Journal will feature more detailed tips and advice for exhibitors and visitors ahead of The Hardware Show 2021.

After Sean’s presentation exhibitor registrations officially opened as a growing queue descended on the floor plan and the awaiting EventHaus team who took provisional bookings from attendees. By the end of the morning launch over 35% of spaces had been booked!

Planning is well underway for The Hardware Show 2021, which will see the return of The Innovation Awards which celebrates new products within Home, Garden, Build, DIY and Overall, and offers a unique platform to suppliers and manufacturers alike to shine a light on their product portfolio.

As per previous years, winners will be presented with their awards at The President’s Ball, and all winning products will be on display over the two days at The Hardware Show.

Exhibitor space bookings are now available and the floor plan, rates, and further information can be found at www.thehardwareshow.ie.

Next to present was Sean McLoughney, founder of LearningCurve, who offered attendees advice on “How to maximise your investment at The Hardware Show 2021”. In this presentation Sean highlighted the importance of planning, and how “It’s more than a Show!”. He reminded future exhibitors that to get the most out of the Show they need to plan their activities before, during and after it: U

28

Before - Define why are you exhibiting at The Hardware Show (new product launch, lead generation, networking, etc) - and make sure you have the right materials, personnel and products in place

UÊ

During - Get the right lead-capturing tools so you can efficiently record everyone who visited your stand so you can follow up accordingly

UÊ

After - Put a plan in place for after the show in terms of follow-ups and other activity so you can continue the momentum that you created

Sean McLoughney, LearningCurve, Martin Markey CEO, Hardware Association Ireland, Garret Buckley, CEO EventHaus, Sean Moran, President Hardware Association Ireland.

For anyone interested in exhibiting at The Hardware Show 2021 please contact Margaret Andreucetti (margaret@eventhaus.ie) or Sarah McGrath (sarah.mcgrath@eventhaus.ie) from Eventhaus.

March/April 2020

HAI Consumer Research Report

HAI Consumer DIY Research Report 2019 The last issue of The Hardware Journal revealed that 61% of Irish consumers plan to renovate or redecorate their home this year. In this edition we reveal how those consumers plan to complete those works, and explore their capabilities and attitudes towards DIY. The objective of this stage of the research, conducted by Core Research on behalf of HAI, was to evaluate home owners’ DIY capabilities and gauge the amount of home renovations they carry out themselves versus those who hire external sources.

As expected, confidence in DIY capabilities decrease as tasks become more complex. For example, 65% of respondents who plan interior painting claim they can do it

30

themselves, while only 4% claim to be capable of completing home extension works themselves, as opposed to hiring a professional to complete the work.

Of those respondents who answered “I do it myself”, male respondents appear to be more likely to claim to do it themselves, particularly in the top four categories of interior painting, garden landscaping, general repairs and renovations and exterior painting.

March/April 2020

HAI Consumer Research Report

As part of this research we also intended to find out how those interested in DIY purchase their materials and why.

Q. The last time that you had renovation or redocoration carried out on your home, who bought the materials?

Base: All respondents

81% of people source materials themselves while just 19% leave it to the tradesperson to purchase them.

19%

81%

Mortgage holders (79%) are marginally more likely to purchase materials themselves than those without a mortgage (75%). Renters (66%) have had less work done, meaning there is less need for materials.

They are also less likely to buy themselves.

Q. The last time that you had renovation or redocoration carried out on your home, who bought the materials?

Base: All respondents

According to our first look at the report the work that renters would have completed in the home tend to be less complex than that of homeowners.

75%

79%

66%

Of those who buy the materials themselves location (65%) is a key factor in choosing where to buy the materials from, followed by having the product in stock (36%). This highlights how convenience is a key motivation among consumers for their purchasing decisions.

Advertisement has the least effect on purchase consideration (8%), while only 11% consider recommendations from peers.

In the next issue we will look at the final part of our Consumer DIY research, covering energy efficiency trends among homeowners.

March/April 2020

31

Hardware Conference 2020

The Hardware Conference 2020 inspires Dublin The first regional Hardware Conference of 2020 took place in Dublin on February 25th and saw close to 100 delegates in The Citywest Hotel for a day of inspiring presentations, seminars and networking, all with the aim of giving delegates “20/20 vision for the future of hardware”.

The Dublin Hardware Conference was a huge success, with very positive feedback from delegates and sponsors alike.

Here’s a quick review of the day’s proceedings and a flavour of what’s to come for the Limerick and Sligo Conferences taking place later this year.

On arrival delegates made their way from the registration desk to the main conference hall, while also paying a visit to the open area where the Conference’s headline sponsor Intact Software, support sponsors AIB Merchant Services, Credit Risk Brokers and HSF Health Plan, and Woodland Group displayed stands and promotional material to interact with the delegates.

HAI President Sean Moran officially opened the Conference and MC, HAI’s CEO Martin Markey, began the Conference with a brief presentation on HAI and the hardware sector, before passing the mike to Gary Brookshaw, UK Product Director at Intact Software, who offered a brief presentation promoting their services.

First keynote presenter of the day was Ronan Lyons, Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin, who offered an eye-opening look at Ireland’s latest housing statistics which proved very useful to attending retailers and builders merchants in anticipation of emerging and growing trends.

Next, Tommy Smyth from Tom Smyth & Associates and Susannah Hewson from CXChange.ie combined their 32

Supported by: Employment Law and Customer Experience knowledge to look at the key trends and challenges in recruitment and retention, while offering advice to employers on current issues such as the HR implications of the Coronavirus.

Ronan Lyons.

March/April 2020

Hardware Conference 2020

After lunch delegates split up into break-out groups, where they chose from key topics such as Credit Management or Family Succession, Merchandising Techniques or Employee Wellness. All break-out sessions proved to be very popular with delegates, and attendees leaving with key take-aways such as Declan Flood’s “Top 10 Tips for Credit Management”.

Steve Collinge.

The Conference concluded with a relaxed networking reception in the exhibitor area, where industry peers got to meet and catch up while making new connections.

Feedback from The Hardware Conference Dublin Delegates:

Breakout session.

The afternoon session saw the presentations of two of the Conference’s most highly anticipated presenters.

Greg Fry, social media expert, delivered his masterclass in all things Digital Marketing, offering his “Five Digital Tools” for the hardware sector, while taking questions from attending retailers and suppliers on how they can optimise their marketing efforts.

“The presentations on the economic outlook for housing was a great insight and informative. Also the CX presentation on retaining staff.”

“Thanks again for a very interesting day. I found most of the presentations very informative, especially Greg’s and Steve’s.

Ronan’s was excellent too!”

8 out of 10 delegates said that they would recommend The Hardware Conference to a colleague.

Visit www.thehardwareconference.ie now to register your place at the Limerick or Sligo Conferences: 28th April Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick (subject to HSE advice)

Greg Fry.

The final presenter of the day, Steve Collinge from Insight Retail Group, delivered a compelling presentation, which one delegate called “one of the best presentations I have ever seen”, on key global trends in hardware retail.

23rd September Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo

HAI Member offer: Book your place for ¤100 and add any additional places* for just ¤50 each (ex VAT) * To avail of this offer additional spaces must be from the same organisation.

March/April 2020

33

Business Index

Business Index Hardware Association Ireland`s (HAI) objective under its strategic pillar of Market Intelligence is to research its members and their marketplace to produce practical and useful data for external and internal use. One of the ways HAI delivers this research is through the quarterly Business Index, which captures sales revenue from participating member retailers and merchants. Participating members receive a more detailed breakdown including year-on-year comparison; month-on-month comparison and index comparisons by region, area and number of employees.

The Member Services Subcommittee of HAI have decided that in order to encourage greater participation in the Business Index the more detailed breakdown of information, usually reserved for contributors, would appear in this issue of The Hardware Journal.

How to get involved The more retailers and merchants involved in contributing to the index, the more robust the data.

All raw data is kept confidential. If you agree to participate in the monthly business index, you will receive an email from Behaviour and Attitudes, our research partner, once a quarter, asking for this information that will form the benchmark survey: U Number of employees U Location of business U What type of area your business operates in, i.e. to get an urban/rural split U Annual sales turnover (less VAT) for your business for 2019 broken down by month.

Once this benchmark is complete you will only be asked for one piece of information each quarter thereafter, sales turnover per month for that quarter.

Please call 01 298 0969 or email, martin@hardwareassociation.ie for more information and to participate.

34

March/April 2020

Business Index

Business Index Annual Review 2019 v 2018 Month on Month Comparisons*- Seasonality(2019 in blue, 2018 in green) Versus preceding month

Quarterly Moving Average - % 2019

%

140

Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

130

112 101 102 90

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

*Preceding month always equals 100% The monthly moving average in 2019 was positive in each of Qs. 1, 2 and 3.

6

J.1070 | HAI | Q4 Index | January 2020

March/April 2020

35

Revenue Brexit

The Brexit Transition Period. What does it mean for your business?

The United Kingdom formally left the European Union on 31st January 2020 after the Withdrawal Agreement was ratified by the UK and EU Parliaments. Although the UK is now a nonEU country, one provision of the Withdrawal Agreement is a transition period, which is set to end on 31st December 2020. During this transition period, everything remains the same for your business when you import goods from, or export goods to, the UK. How Irish businesses trade with the UK in the future will be negotiated during the transition period. It is important for businesses to remember that whatever the outcome of the trade negotiations, customs declarations will be a requirement when the transition period ends.

You still have time, during the transition period, to get your business fully Brexit ready. Most businesses have already taken the first step which is to register with Revenue for an Economic Operators Registration Identification (EORI) number.

The next steps to take are listed below:

36

As part of Revenue’s trader engagement programme, seminars were held throughout the country to assist businesses in their preparations for Brexit, these videos are available at www.revenue.ie Video on customs implications of Brexit on trade with the UK This presentation explains what customs is all about and gives an overview of the impacts Brexit will have on businesses.

Video on customs journeys through certain customs procedures This presentation outlines sample journeys that businesses face when moving goods under customs control.

Action

What I need to do

Supply Chain

Know where your goods originate, their value for customs purposes, tariff classification and invoicing currency

Customs Compliance

Decide on whether you will submit customs declarations yourself for imports or if you will engage a customs agent to do that on your behalf.

For exports, contact your customer in the UK to establish if, along with export declarations, you will be responsible for import declarations on the UK side, i.e. Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)

Impact on Logistics

Consider the impact on your logistics model? Know the new information your logistics provider will need and when they will need it? Is your logistics provider aware of these requirements?

Certification

If you import or export goods from/to the UK that require a certificate or licence, contact the relevant regulatory authority or regulator to put the necessary measures in place.

Payment of Import Duties

Consider the cashflow implications of any import charges including customs duty, VAT and/ or excise. Register for Revenue Online Services (ROS) so that you can lodge funds into your Customs and Excise/TAN Account to pay import charges

Advice

Avail of the Brexit advice available from Hardware Association Ireland, www.hardwareassociation.ie and State Bodies and Agencies, including Revenue.

Financial supports may also be available.

March/April 2020

Revenue Brexit

Depending on your business model, the following are customs authorisations and simplifications that may make your interaction with Revenue easier in the future EU-UK trading environment.

UÊ

Simplified Declaration Authorisation

UÊ

Inward or Outward Processing Procedure

U

UÊ

End-use Authorisation

UÊ

Authorised Consignee (ACE) and Authorised Consignor (ACR) – authorised by Revenue to carry out transit operations and complete customs formalities at their own authorised premises.

Warehousing Procedure – a Revenue authorisation which allows non-EU goods to be stored in a warehouse, with import duty and VAT suspended until the goods are discharged from the warehouse.

UÊ

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO)

UÊ

Entry in the Declarant’s Records (EIDR)

An application for any of these authorisations or simplifications can be made electronically on the Customs Decision System (CDS). An application for a financial/comprehensive guarantee will also be required. Click on this link Customs Decision System for information on how to make an application.

Further information on Brexit or any of the above is available on the Revenue website Brexit page.

Any queries not covered by the material available can be emailed to brexitqueries@revenue.ie.

Links to other government departments and agencies websites The following government departments have provided dedicated Brexit pages which provide updates and information on Brexit: UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ

Government of Ireland Brexit page - gov.ie/Brexit. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a7ba02-brexit-info/ The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They also provide a subscription service for government Brexit updates. https://www.dfa.ie/brexit/ The Department of Finance. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/87612f-brexit-unit/ The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/brexit/ The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/EU-Internal-Market/Brexit/

There are government agency supports available to provide expert and detailed assistance for businesses and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). The following agencies have established targeted services to provide practical advice, support and information on Brexit matters: UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ

Skillnet Ireland - Clear Customs Training https://www.skillnetireland.ie/clear-customs/ Bord Bia Brexit Barometer https://www.bordbia.ie/industry/brexit/ Intertrade Ireland Brexit Advisory Service https://intertradeireland.com/brexit/ Enterprise Ireland https://www.prepareforbrexit.com/supports/ Local Enterprise Office who has also provided detailed information in Supporting your small business through Brexit https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/ The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. https://sbci.gov.ie/ Health and Safety Authority https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Brexit/ National Standards Authority of Ireland https://www.nsai.ie/brexit/ Health Service Executive https://www.hse.ie/brexit Health Products Regulatory Authority. https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/stakeholders/brexit/brexit---latest-information

March/April 2020

37

Hardware Jobs

Careers in Hardware Since the launch of www.hardwarejobs.ie, Ireland’s first and only hardware industry-specific job board website, HAI has been highly active in promoting long-term career opportunities in the hardware industry to students, school leavers and jobseekers alike, and going by feedback from visitors at careers fairs like Ireland Skills Live and from career guidance counsellors the interest in the sector is higher than ever.

For this issue of The Hardware Journal we spoke to Rafal Jopek, salesman and consultant with Brooks Timber & Building Supplies, whose hard work and ambition saw him advance through different roles within Brooks:

orders, and offer advice to customers who are not sure what materials they should use. We are a well-coordinated team who help and support each other in every situation.

What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?

I studied and worked in precision mechanics in Poland so I suppose my first major milestone was the decision to move to Ireland and to join the hardware industry. Moving from a general operative, forklift driver position into a sales role was a big decision and hopefully will also prove to be a milestone.

What are the main challenges?

Being up to date is the biggest challenge. Every day new products are created in the construction industry that improve quality and speed up construction processes.

How did you go about getting your current job?

My friend knew that I would like to work in the construction industry and informed me that there was a chance to get a job in Brooks, I immediately provided my CV to Dave Higgins (Brooks Branch Manager). A short time after my interview I was hired. Dave chose me because he liked my approach to work and to the client who is the main foundation of our business.

Describe a typical working day.

Every day looks similar, efficiency and quick customer service always come first. I deal with shipping orders and special

What are your main tasks and responsibilities?

I need to maintain knowledge of the products we sell and ensure that we have the products the customer needs and quickly organise and deliver that material. My main task is to make sure that the customer leaves the store with everything they need to start work, and ensure that they are 100% satisfied and that they will come back to us again.

Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?

I completed several courses on wood – application and specifications. I participated in a JUNCKERS course and currently I am on a VELUX course. I would like to take part in further courses and up my skills to make me an even better and more valuable employee.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

It is satisfying that every day of my work I end with the awareness that I could help every client I talked to. I feel proud that my work is noticed.

For more information or to start advertising your vacancies with Hardware Jobs visit www.hardwarejobs.ie or contact Aoife at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie.

38

March/April 2020

Left to right: Dave Higgins, Branch Manager at Brooks Bluebell, with Rafal Jopek.

Advertise your job vacancy with Hardware Jobs Hardware Jobs (www.hardwarejobs.ie) is HAI’s hardware industry-specific job board website, which gives hardware retailers, merchants and suppliers the platform they need to reach out to ideal candidates for their roles.

Why advertise with Hardware Jobs?

No more going through generic recruitment agencies Targets those interested in entering or upskilling through the hardware industry Find candidates for highly specific job openings Weekly promotion of vacant jobs through HAI’s social media activity

Register your business for 2020 now €80 (HAI Member) €100 (Non-Member)

Unlimited job postings Dashboard access to monitor and filter applications Access to a growing pool of candidates who you can contact directly Added publicity through HAI’s social media.

To find out more and to avail of our member-exclusive offer please contact Aoife Kinsella at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie or call 01 2980969.

SEAI

Discover innovative energy solutions at SEAI’s Energy Show Ireland’s leading energy event returns to the RDS on Wednesday, 1st April and Thursday 2nd April 2020. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Show features 150 exhibitors of energy saving and renewable energy technologies and services. There are also expert seminars and workshops taking place over the two days of the Show.

The annual two-day event is a must for construction, building and energy professionals who want to learn about the latest technologies that can help reduce energy bills for them and their clients, and for consultants, specifiers or retailers who want to stay up to date with developments in the energy sector.

Last year, over 4,000 people attended the SEAI Energy Show.

This year visitors will see everything from smart energy management systems to lighting technology innovations and clean energy solutions for commercial, industrial and residential sectors.

Features on offer at the Show of particular interest to retailers and supply chain include: U

A Meet the Expert area where visitors can pre-book one to one meetings to inform them on topics like renewable heat, heat pumps, insulation, large scale wind energy, lighting, solar PV and battery storage.

U

A Lighting Pavilion which will highlight the critical importance of lighting in relation to energy efficiency, carbon reduction and wellbeing. Talks on Human Centric Lighting will also be given.

U

A Construction Industry Breakfast briefing, led by CIBSE is association with SEAI, RIAI and CIF, where a panel of experts will lead a discussion on our energy future and buildings. Leading economist and industry analyst Jim Power will act as facilitator.

U

Free test drives in the latest electric vehicles on the Irish market with a focus on fleet users.

U

40

Building retrofit demonstrations which will showcase best practice in insulation, air tightness, ventilation and a number of renewable technologies

U

The SEAI Energy Theatre will offer 45-minute briefings with industry experts on the latest policy and market developments, covering topics like grant supports for business, financing energy saving projects, how to decarbonise your business and offshore wind in Ireland.

U

Visitors can also download an event app for the SEAI Energy Show, to help manage daily schedules and facilitate business networking opportunities.

A new SME energy training platform will be launched at the Show. This is a first step for a business on its climate action journey offering free, quick and easy online training. The portal will be available from www.seai.ie The SEAI Energy Show is a free business event and will run from 10am to 6pm on Wednesday 1st of April and 9am to 6pm on Thursday 2nd April.

For further details on all events, CPD accreditation, networking opportunities and to register, visit www.seai.ie/energyshow

Introduction to Energy Management for SMEs SEAI are hosting a series of 1-day national workshops entitled ‘an Introduction to Energy Management for SMEs’, designed to help businesses understand how much they are spending on energy and which energy-saving measures could be implemented to become more energy efficient.

Future dates are:

Cork - 23rd April 2020 Athlone - 11th June 2020 Dublin - 3rd Sept 2020 Cavan - 12th Nov 2020 For more information on these workshops see www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/small-andmedium-business/

March/April 2020

Training

HAI Training Review Spring 2020 The HAI classroom was full once again in January and February this year with the return of popular courses and trainers. Here’s a look back at some of the workshops that took place.

Essential Selling Skills: Advanced Selling Skills B2B

Digital Marketing and Social Media

Kicking off the Spring training schedule esteemed sales training instructor Frank O’Toole returned to deliver another masterclass in B2B selling in his two-day Essential Selling Skills workshop. In this course he covered everything from securing a meeting with a lead to handling objections to securing the final sale.

Day One comprised a busy day of group break-out sessions and discussions where participants (junior and senior sales managers and reps from across the sector) shared their own experiences and anecdotes and used templates to develop solutions to every day selling challenges. Day Two gave participants the opportunity to put that theory into practice with detailed role-play exercises.

Greg Fry’s Digital Marketing and Social Media workshop saw a full house of hardware business owners, managers and dedicated marketing staff alike looking to update and upgrade their business’ marketing efforts.

Greg spent the day using industry examples to demonstrate best practice in everything from social media advertising to email, to video marketing to SEO. Participants were taken on an in-depth tour through developing and expanding their own digital marketing strategy and used in-class app and tool demonstrations to reinforce learning.

Attendees left empowered with plans to implement the tools and strategies they learned, including using Whatsapp to share ideas among their team and scheduling tools like Mailchimp.

Merchandising Techniques Keith Harford returned to HAI with his ever-popular Merchandising Techniques and was joined by another full classroom of hardware retailers, builders merchants and suppliers looking to improve and enhance their merchandising efforts.

The morning involved an indepth look at the theory of merchandising, exploring how subtle changes to shelving and displays can make a big difference whether positively or negatively. The afternoon session then comprised a lively discussion on good and bad examples of merchandising, looking at industry examples to reinforce learning.

Attendees left with the knowledge and skills to develop their own merchandising plan for their store, with the aim to make the best use of their available space.

March/April 2020

Q: On a scale of 1-5 (1 = not likely, 5 = most likely), how likely are you to recommend HAI training?

Source: HAI Training attendee respondents to feedback survey in 2020.

A: 4.6/5 For more information about HAI classroom training please contact Aoife Kinsella at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie or call 01 2980969.

41

Business Support IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Is your logistics provider adding value to your bottom line?

With the current political, economic and climatic changes affecting supply chains significantly; is it time to ask the above question?

Traditionally, a chosen logistics provider assists you in transporting goods from A to B. However, transporting your shipments is only a small part of the overall supply chain.

There are several other areas within the supply chain that can positively contribute to reducing costs and improving efficiencies.

Are you Brexit ready?

Check if your logistics partner has local representation in official working groups such as the Irish International Freight Association (IIFA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) who work closely with both the Revenue Commissioners and HMRC on key customs changes and plans following Brexit. This will allow them to advise and guide you through this transition.

Have you obtained an EORI? Do you know your tariff codes?

Have you agreed terms of shipping with your suppliers/ customers? Has your logistics partner offered your business a free “custom health check� to ensure your processes are streamlined, and that you are compliant and prepared for any regulatory changes to build a solution that suits your business best?

42

KEVIN BRADY Woodland Group

Political changes and currency changes go hand in hand In logistics, most importers consider the cost of the product and associated shipping costs but often overlook their exposure on buying currencies. It may go beyond the traditional freight booking process but being able to seek support from your logistics partner can make such a difference in you being able to grow on a global scale.

Securing best pricing and product when buying currency is of significant importance and a logistics provider with first-hand experience of trading overseas and hedging currency risk can become very beneficial, particularly post Brexit where the market has been increasingly volatile.

Is it time to review your sourcing strategy?

With global health and weather emergencies putting significant pressure on your supply chain, logistics providers can provide local knowledge on the ground to advise on alternative product sourcing and rerouting options to future-proof your business.

Are you fit for the future?

With the progression of technology pushing boundaries and changing how we do business, your logistics partner can deliver innovative digital solutions around PO management, instant online pricing and full transparency within your supply chain.

Be Safe, Not Sorry

Kevin Brady from Woodland Group:

Having the correct insurance cover by a trusted insurer is an important consideration to ensure hassle-free processes, no matter the circumstances. Always check if the policies in place are suitable for the type and quantity of goods in transit and if there is comprehensive cover in place for the product. Insurance rates vary as do freight rates and should be reviewed from time to time.

There is often an assumption, particularly with new shippers, that their products are automatically insured by their forwarder - this is not the case!

However, you can discuss your insurance requirements with your logistics partner and some are even able to provide quotations on individual shipments or bespoke items that can be difficult to insure.

Kevin has over 40 years’ experience in Supply Chain / 3PL & Freight Forwarding solutions on a global scale.

Woodland Group are one of the largest privately-owned global logistics businesses with owned offices and warehouses across the USA, UK, Asia and Ireland offering a suite of logistics, e-commerce and supply chain management services.

Our expertise and broad offering of solutions allows us to identify areas of improvement within your supply chain and pinpoint exactly where costs and inefficiencies can be reduced.

For a free supply chain health check covering the above subject matter, please contact Kevin at kevin.brady@woodlandgroup.com

March/April 2020

Business Support IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BRIAN CROOKE www.officeworkerhealth.com

Successful Workplace Wellness Business Programme In the previous issue of The Hardware Journal Brian Crooke, wellness advocate, trainer and owner of Office Worker Health, listed the first four steps of his eight steps to a successful workplace wellness programme. In this issue he brings readers the remaining four steps.

5

Choose the Interventions Based on the accumulated data in the four previous steps, you can now choose the activities based off this information that will form the basis of your wellness programme and schedule these activities across the duration of your programme. Every initiative you choose should be as inclusive as possible. The target is always the majority, not the minority.

6

Strategic Communication Strategic communications are an essential building block for those seeking to create and maintain best practice programmes. Once the interventions have been chosen, it’s important to market them appropriately to the workforce. Communications help employees answer straightforward yet important questions such as ‘‘how does the programme work?”, ‘‘where can I sign up?’’ and ‘‘what’s in it for me?’’. In short, communication is crucial to secure engagement, and engagement is key to the success of the programme. Who the communication comes from should also be considered.

7

8

Cultivate a Supportive Environment Do the company policies, procedures and practices support a healthy work environment? Everything from flexible working policies to the built environment to unwritten norms play a role in shaping the company culture. What foundations can you put in place to foster a supportive work environment for employee wellness?

Evaluate, Celebrate and Iterate A workplace wellness programme is a living, breathing entity. As your organisation changes over time so too must your wellness offering. Measure as much as you can, track your progress over time, celebrate your successes (very important) and reiterate and improve your programme by incorporating the lessons learned from all of your failures and successes.

March/April 2020

Conclusion The biggest issue I see with workplace wellness in Ireland is that those tasked with creating programmes (who are very well intentioned I might add) bypass the earlier stages and jump straight in at step number five to choose the interventions.

What’s wrong with that exactly? Jumping straight in and choosing the initiatives at the outset without going through the initial steps is a pure shot in the dark and it does not give your wellness programme the best chance of engaging with employees and succeeding. In fact, it may already be set up to fail.

Every organisation is different and will encounter challenges along the way however if you follow the eight steps you will significantly increase the likelihood of your wellness programme being successful.

The best companies in the world look after their people because they know that they will, over time, look after their business. Don’t get left behind!

References Karen Kent, MPH, Ron Z. Goetzel, PhD, Enid C. Roemer, PhD, Aishwarya Prasad, MPH, MBBS, and Naomi Freundlich, MA. Promoting Healthy Workplaces by Building Cultures of Health and Applying Strategic Communications. J Occup Environ Med. 2016;58:114–122.

Wellness Council of America: The 7 Benchmarks About the author Brian Crooke is a wellness advocate, speaker and trainer specialising in the development and delivery of workplace wellness programmes for Irish companies through his business, Office Worker Health. He is also the founder of the Workplace Wellness Ireland community. In his spare time he is bringing free resistance training to every county and community in Ireland through his parkHIIT project. parkHIIT is a free outdoor interval training session based around bodyweight resistance exercises that he started in January 2018.

43

Business Support IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Hard to find hardware talent - the robots are coming According to the history of the HAI that I have read, back in 1939, when the organisation’s first AGM was held in Athy, much of the discussion was about how to define a Hardware Merchant. The meeting settled on a very loose definition of ‘availability of suitable premises, and stock to a value of £300’.

80 plus years later there are probably still issues around finding suitable premises and you can add quite a few zeroes to the value of stock. The big difference though is that there is a chronic shortage of good staff. I deliberately emphasise the word good because at Brenson Lawlor, as employers ourselves, we have no end of applications for our vacancies but trying to sort the wheat from the chaff is always the challenge. It’s both costly (we don’t use employment agencies anymore) and very, very time consuming, itself another cost.

Barring what economists call a ‘black swan event’, that is a very, very unusual event (the Coronavirus outbreak could be one of those) the economy in Ireland is set to continue to grow at a fair old pace. We have effectively reached full employment (it’s never going to be zero as there are those who are literally unemployable and there are those who are in between jobs or who are training and not working). That means that companies have got to think of new ways of attracting staff who will hopefully make working in the hardware sector their long-term career choice. Nothing is more disruptive to a business that constant staff turnover.

The Americans have taken a very enlightened approach to recruitment. The massive Home Depot, I believe, was first in hiring more mature employees, who clearly knew what they are talking about and showed their enthusiasm for areas like DIY etc. I did read, not so long ago, as the US economy is also reaching full employment, that Home Depot is experimenting with robots on the shop floor. Before you say ‘that’ll never catch on here’, have a look at the phone your carrying at tell me, did you ever think you’d be using it to find a customer location (Maps), music (Spotify) sports (podcasts)…yet, we take this all for granted now.

However, before you put in your robot order here are some other ways to keep humans on your team (that’s the first time I’ve written that sentence!). There will be continued uncertainty about the age people can get their State

44

IAN LAWLOR JPA Brenson Lawlor

pensions and during the period of uncertainty there may be a gap of up to three years where good, solid, dependable and able employees may have to wait to collect their pension. What better way than to have them working for you? As this age gap issue particularly applied within the Public Sector then we would advise to post your job notices wherever there are public sector employees (as well as on hardwarejobs.ie, of course).

Another, sometimes obvious but overlooked, action is to ask those who already work with you (and therefore who you know) to recommend potential employees to your business.

If those people turn out to be good, and if they stay with the company for say six-months minimum, then you can reward the ‘recommender’ for their suggestion. It’s money much better spent than on a recruitment agency as you’re getting a double benefit, an excellent recommendation and an existing employee who has some extra benefits in their pocket.

Most employees, no matter what the sector, want to feel the ‘love’, and there’s no better way to show that, as well as incentivising individuals, than by having a clearly defined bonus system. I have worked with many businesses, across many sectors, and I have found you always get that extra out of people when they know they can work for an extra reward.

Those benefits don’t have to financial either. If your business is broken into teams then team benefits, such as either a spa day, or a day at the races, are immeasurable in building team spirit.

The message that any employer wants to give to potential employees is that their possible future workplace is a fun and enjoyable place to spend eight or ten hours a day. We, ourselves, have instituted occasional shorter days, mainly on Fridays which, particularly for our many non-Dublin employees, means they get out of the city and home faster, just by getting out an hour or two earlier. We do ask that they make up that time during the week, but it’s a two-way street and we have found that it repays in a much greater work ethic and spirit across our offices.

First things first though, do take professional advice.

Ian Lawlor, Managing Partner, JPA Brenson Lawlor

March/April 2020

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Bathroom Market Report UK 2019-2023 AMA`s 17th edition of the ‘Bathroom Market Report UK 2019-2023’ contains a detailed assessment of the bathroom products market with interpretation of major developments and future trends.

The report provides the UK sector with a detailed and comprehensive review of this changing market.

Key issues covered in the report include: UÊ

UÊ

Consumer knowledge about bathroom design has increased, with more frequent upgrades to higher quality bathroom products providing opportunities for growth.

Minimalist styles remain popular in curvaceous designs with slim rims. Angular shapes with rounded interiors are also in demand, as are more traditional, vintagestyle solutions.

March/April 2020

UÊ

Digital and advanced technology in the bathroom is becoming more important as consumers are now widely aware of the benefits of digital control and smart technology in the home.

UÊ

With growing concerns about the environment and water usage, demand for water efficient bathroom products is increasing supported by the widespread use of the European Water Label.

UÊ

With an ageing UK population and greater number of people with disabilities, there is a notable requirement for inclusive bathroom products that combine style with ease of use.

45

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

New reflections on the role of the Bathroom Mirror!

The key accessory in any bathroom makeover is the one staring you in the face! Bathroom mirrors continue to evolve both in terms of style and financial impact on your sales, with consumer spend in the category continually rising.

The mirror is the one item that can make or break the overall look and feel of a bathroom, bringing light, enlarging smaller spaces and becoming a style feature in its own right.

‘It’s always front and centre so it warrants the extra attention it’s getting both from the consumer and our customers’ says Michael Maher B&G Marketing Manager.

‘We are delighted to be extending the Tema range introducing new on trend hanging band circular LED mirrors, high gloss white framed mirrors & our first LED mirrored cabinet.

“The TEMA LED mirror collection literally led the way when it came to our customers preferred choices last year, particularly in the mid to upper pricing bracket and we expect that upward curve to continue with the addition of the new 2020 collection,” continues Michael.

This is supported by the broader market styling trends.

According to Elle Décor, “The styling trends include bold black bathroom accessories with stylised integrated lighting, brass finishes to add a little luxe, framed mirrors and for those who

46

like to make a design statement; black and white marble tones are the way to go.”

Bathroom Tech Home automation and smart technology is no longer in the distant future – it’s here. From de-misting mirrors, Bluetooth mirrors and automatic hand-wipe sensors, the bathroom is a haven for smart technology.

A word for the easy to fit Dumawall DIY Tiles No grout, no tradesmen and new contemporary styles seem to be the main motivators behind the growth of B&G’s Dumawall collection. There is a huge market on the continent for these 21st century tiles.

It looks increasingly like the Irish consumer is picking up on the simplicity of this type of tiling, they have a fabulous finish and are fit for any bathroom.

Bathroom Rejuvenation at B&G “Much like our consumers, we too are renovating our own trade only bathroom showroom”, says Tom Cleary CEO, “We recently upgraded our Indoors showroom which has worked really well for our customers and next we will renovate the Bathroom!”

Now where have I heard that before!

March/April 2020

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Uppercross release their 2020 Catalogue It’s been a busy start to 2020 for Uppercross with the addition of a variety of new products across all categories in their portfolio. Together with new ranges such as the Rifeng range of multilayer fittings, with multilayer plumbing systems becoming the prominent choice for specifiers, the Rifeng range is the ideal cost-effective solution resulting in its rapid surge in popularity. Rifeng is a leading global piping system supplier in both residential and commercial building industries.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in developing and producing plastic pipes, fittings, and systems. The comprehensive range is CE approved, compliant with ISO 21003 & comes complete with a 25-year warranty.

They’ve also added the well-known tool brand Rothenberger, with a range specifically chosen for the needs of the plumbing & heating merchants. This specific range includes a variety of products from Superfire Torch, RoGrip Pliers to PEX cutters and more.

They also have a brand new range of sophisticated Pegler sink mixers that can be used to create a sleek contemporary kitchen.

Uppercross Enterpris es Ltd Using the most advanced 2 0 2 0 C ATA L O G UE technology available they meet the highest quality and eco-effciency standards. This new Pegler range is available in a variety of styles and colours, all of which can be found in the new Uppercross 2020 catalogue.

EDITION 1

THIS BROCHURE

SUPERSEDES ALL

PREVIOUS CATALOGU

ES

Contact your local Uppercross sales representative or the sales office on 01 4000 000 to discuss these new product ranges mentioned above. Your sales representative will be delivering new catalogues over the coming weeks.

New smart shower products from Aqualisa The recent launch of the new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection of showers shows that Aqualisa is firmly in the driving seat for innovative shower technology in the UK and Ireland. The bathroom and wet room are fast becoming an integral part of today’s smart home, with intelligent technology that not only makes possible exceptional control and ease of use, but also is unrivalled for reliability and easy installation. The new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection ‘ticks’ all these boxes, with intuitive control, stunning good looks and an unsurpassed level of personalisation and convenience.

Connectivity takes showering to new experiential levels. The next big thing for showering has long been to establish Wi-Fi connection, app technology and voice activation as an integral part of the showering experience - all things that come as standard with the new Smart Quartz Collection from Aqualisa.

The range consists of Quartz Blue, the introduction to the smart showering revolution for the new Collection, Quartz Classic, an already proven best seller now with added smart technology and top of the range Quartz Touch, which offers the most personal showering experience yet and to which devotees of the smart home will aspire. Every member of the family can activate their own personal shower requirement - created and saved on the App for the perfect, consistently repeated showering experience.

For installers, the new Smart Quartz Collection is a great proposition for new build, self-build or renovation projects, principally because the unique Aqualisa Smart Valve - the brains of the new smart collection - can be located up to 10 metres 48

away from the shower itself, providing unbelievable flexibility in installation.

“Alexa turn my shower on’ will quickly become a familiar command in homes with a new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection shower”, says Aqualisa CEO, Colin Sykes. “Thanks to Aqualisa, smart showering is now a reality. It seems the most natural development for showers to take, but we’re delighted it’s us introducing this technology to the UK and Ireland”, he adds.

Visit www.aqualisa.co.uk/smartshower for more details.

QuartzTouch Divert lifestyle.

March/April 2020

CON

NEC

•

D

•

TO

SI

TA

L

M C

PL O

N

•

N

• IO

T

AT

LIC

AR

APP

EC SIMPLE

GRAMMING

E R A N D B AT H F I L L

•

PRO

TED

AL

• S M

NN

ON

•

W SHO

SMAR T

• CO

N CO

CO

RS

SIMPLE

• PE

•

T •

ED

•

L

NECT

E

O

C

TE

NT • INTERNET ENA BLE EME G D NA

R

A

•

W

U

SMART

A

T

ER

S

E AG

MA

•

TR

O

N

EC

D TE

• S

LE IMP

SM

N

QUARTZ™ COLLECTION

N

NE C TE

D

The most sophisticated yet accessible and user-friendly range of connected showers on the market.

For more details visit

aqualisa.co.uk/smartshower

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Shaping the Future Leaders in modern living Ideal Standard, in collaboration with leading universities, architects, urban designers and construction firms worldwide, are working to positively shape the future of modern living. They bring the industry sector-leading knowledge, skills and experience to a range of products that are intelligently designed to meet the needs of their customers both today and tomorrow.

The anti-splash urinal - Sphero Along with the Intellimix® tap, Sphero™ urinals help Ideal Standard to engineer better washroom experiences. The new concave forms of their urinals use what they call anti-splash geometry to improve hygiene and reduce cleaning time. Their sensor technology optimises flushing, and helps support preventative maintenance. Together with a new

modular waste concept and advanced flowdetection spray, these durable products support your customers` design vision, while enhancing how users experience their washroom, day in, day out.

The eternal value of design Heritage informs our future, form follows function, design is vital, craft is essential and quality is second to none. Ideal Standard work to create a seamless synergy of functional perfection and aesthetic beauty. Where design gives meaning beyond function. In the words of Roberto Palomba “The simplicity and the purity of the shapes are synonymous with the balance between function and emotion; an essential beauty. This is the cultural environment where my work with Ideal Standard takes place and it’s no coincidence it takes inspiration from the company’s own roots.”

A SOLUTION FOR EVERY SECTOR CHOOSE FROM ARMITAGE SHANKS’ EXTENSIVE SPECIALIST PRODUCT RANGE

www.idealspec.co.uk

Public Buildings

Hospitals Leisure

Offices

Stadia

Schools Social Housing

Tel: 01 456 4525 For sales email: dublinsalesorders@idealstandard.com For quotes email: QuotationsROI@idealstandard.com Ideal Standard Ireland, 2nd Floor, Suite 3013, Citywest Business Campus D24 YXW2 Dublin 24

50

March/April 2020

Hotels

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

A Spring makeover with SONAS SONAS Bathrooms are delighted to introduce their Scandinavian range of furniture to the market. Characterised by clean simple lines and minimalist in design this stunning new range combines design and functionality to create a luxurious ambient space for your customers` bathroom.

The range consists of three models, Fjord, Finland and Stockholm and comes in a variety of contemporary colours with on trend matt finishes. Colours include Khaki, Midnight Grey, Dolphin Grey, Arctic Grey and Ocean Blue all in a matt finish, while Gloss White is also available.

The look is completed with a range of coloured handle options available in brushed gold, brushed chrome and matt black. The SONAS Scandinavian range comes in a wall hung design with both wall hung and floor standing available in the Stockholm range. All models come with matching wall columns offering additional storage.

Features include metal box soft closing drawers with Charcoal Interiors.

Available in 50cm, 60cm and 80cm units with internal drawer organiser.

For more information see the 2020 brochure or visit www.sonasbathrooms.com.

Distributor of VIVA Sanitary Products

T +353 1 842 6255

E sales@instantor.ie

www.instantor.ie

Sanbra Fyffe Ltd. Instantor Works, Santry Avenue, Santry, Dublin D09 K160

March/April 2020

51

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

The adhesive and sealant industry, a continuing success story FEICA is the European voice of the adhesive and sealant industry.

It works to engage with legislators and provide guidance to the industry on EU regulatory affairs and the safe use of products.

FEICA say that the adhesive and sealant industry is a success story that makes many everyday products possible, contributes to the economy, fosters sustainable development, encourages innovation and offers stimulating careers for people with a wide range of skills.

Bonding and sealing play an essential role in thousands of everyday items. From your mobile phone to your car; your washing machine to your shoes; the construction and weatherproofing of your house to your toilet tissue; all these items and many more rely on adhesives and sealants. Not only do they make these products possible; in many cases they also enable manufacturers to produce them in a more cost-effective, environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

Almost five million tonnes of adhesives and sealants are produced and used in Europe annually, and this volume is growing every year. Adhesive manufacturers offer more than 250,000 different products for a diverse range of applications.

The global market for adhesives and sealants reached a value of ¤54.5 billion in 2018, with Europe (comprising Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe plus Turkey) holding a share of 30.8%. Following a long period of steady growth, the European adhesive and sealant market experienced a downturn as a result of the global financial crisis. The market returned to pre-crisis levels in 2014 and is currently worth more than ¤16.8 billion. www.feica.eu

52

March/April 2020

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

The latest edition to the TEC7 family Tec7 FoamTack , is the Super Strong Adhesive Foam just added to the TEC7 family of products.

TEC7 Foamtack is a time saving, easy to use, strong with low expansion adhesive foam suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Foamtack has a working temperature of -5°C to +30°C, this combined with its superior adhesion strength and its multiple applications, ensures it works with most building materials including plasterboard (both standard and insulated), windowsills and light weight blocks.

Foamtack also has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation capacity, is rot resistant, weather-proof and waterproof making it the perfect foam adhesive for all your daily construction applications.

For more information, contact Contech Building Products directly on 01 6292963, email: info@ contechbuildings.ie or simply contact your local representative.

March/April 2020

53

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Bostik MSP range continues to offer great value As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of adhesive and sealants, Bostik is committed to delivering innovative, high performance products to the marketplace. The adhesive and sealant market have always been an important market and is currently in growth worldwide.

There is a shift towards chemical fixing and away from traditional mechanical methods, (screws, rivets, nails etc.) which is increasing demand for grab adhesives. This offers advantages in terms of time savings, performance, strength and aesthetics. Advantages have been acknowledged for years in industries such as the aerospace industry and the automotive industry - but the benefits are steadily gaining recognition in construction applications also.

There is also a shift from some of the more traditional sealant technologies such as silicones, to more high-performance formulations such as SMP (Silyl Modified Polymers) and hybrid technology. These offer many advantages in terms of performance including reduced curing times, compatibility with diverse building materials, flexibility and bond strength.

Bostik has the product range to answer this shift. These products are flexible, strong and fast and will stick most surfaces and substrates - even under water.

Bostik next generation products answer the needs of the tradesmen in construction, renovations, bathroom and kitchen makeovers. Bostik MSP 107 SEAL BOND is flexible, MSP 108 XTREM BOND is strong and MSP 109 TURBO BOND is fast, all quality products as good as you are that deliver Flexibility, Strength and Speed.

Bostik will be supporting the product range with a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE offer on selected products in the range. The BUY 1 GET 1 FREE offer will be available during March and April 2020.

New Products from Bostik Bostik are launching a new all-weather wide jointing compound. The new compound is quick and easy to apply, in all weather, even in the rain. It requires no mixing so is ready to use, it will not shrink or crack, it resists weed growth, dries to a tough and durable finish and cuts down on waste. It is water permeable, allowing the paving to drain.

54

Bostik new all-weather wide jointing compound is simple and easy to apply with water and a squeegee. It is suitable for most types of domestic paving and can be used on paths and patios of natural stone, concrete, slate, granite slabs, terracotta and clay. It is suitable for joints from 5mm - 30mm and minimum depth of 25mm.

It is the perfect product for your customer`s patio pointing – no matter what the weather has in store. It leaves an attractive finish in next to no time. The compound is available in three colours, natural, grey and basalt. Bostik All Weather Wide Jointing Compound - ‘the quick and easy way to a perfect patio’.

Bostik are also launching their new Bostik Express Pointing Mortar.

Cracked or damaged masonry joints look unsightly and can be the source of leaks and damp resulting in expensive repairs. Bostik Express Pointing Mortar quickly and easily repairs damaged masonry joints in brick and stonework without having to mix mortar. It is ready to use and quick and easy to apply with a cartridge gun meaning no mixing required and virtually no waste.

Express Pointing Mortar leaves an attractive finish in next to no time. It produces durable, weather resistant joints, which are over paintable and easy to clean. It can be used internally and externally.

Bostik Express Pointing Mortar comes in a 310ml cartridge, in cement grey colour.

Help your customers ‘Take the pain out of pointing’ with NEW Bostik Express Pointing Mortar.

Contact your Bostik representative, or the Bostik sales desk on + 353 1 8624900, for further details.

March/April 2020

Quality products as good as you are FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH AND SPEED Bostik’s Next Generation MSP range of adhesives and sealants offer a combination of flexibility, strength and speed, to the professional tradesmen.

Bostik Industries Limited Newtown, Swords, Co. Dublin, Ireland Phone: +353 1 862 4900, Fax: +353 1 840 2186 www.bostik.ie

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Sika Fastfix All Weather - always straight to the point Sika® FastFix All Weather is a new self-setting paving jointing compound from Sika Everbuild, providing the ideal solution to perfect pointing on paving, paths and patios.

With a unique formula containing Active Resin Technology for advanced durability, it is supplied ready to use with no mixing required, is easy to apply in all weather conditions; even in the rain, and won’t shrink or crack over time.

Suitable for use on all joints from just 20mm deep, Sika FastFix All Weather can be used for a range of applications including footpaths, stone sets, cobbles and Indian sandstone paving slabs and once opened can be stored in water and reused to reduce waste.

Available in buff in 15kg tubs and grey in 14kg, Sika FastFix All Weather is available now in builder’s merchants nationwide.

For straight to the point information about Sika FastFix All Weather visit www.sika.ie/distribution

SIKA® FASTFIX ALL WEATHER NEW RANGE OF COLOURS. NEW

FLINT

BUFF

CHARCOAL

NEW

NEW

STONE

GREY

FOR ALL JOINTS FROM JUST 20MM DEEP

ACTS AS A NATURAL BARRIER FOR WEED GROWTH

EASY TO APPLY – FAST TO SET

NO WASTE – STORE AND REUSE ONCE OPENED

ACTIVE RESIN TECHNOLOGY FOR ADVANCED DURABILITY

T: +353 (0) 1862 0709 | www.sika.ie Sika Ireland | Sika

56

March/April 2020

Classified Ads Classified Ads September/October 2017 March/April 2020

The Official Magazine of Hardware Association Ireland The Official Magazine of Hardware Association Ireland

Enhanced advertising advertising opportunity opportunity for for your your business business Enhanced The Hardware Hardware Journal Journal Classifi Classified Ads The ed Ads

Build with onfidence Offering exceptional Offering exceptional value in two new value in two new advertising sizes: advertising sizes:

For more information call 01 802 6300 or visit www.kilsaran.ie

THIS SIZE AD THIS SIZE AD 100mm (h) x 55mm (w) 100mm (h) x 55mm (w) €1,650 for six editions €1,650 for six editions

Guaranteed Irish Manufacturers since 1971 u u u u u u

Draught Excluder Products Tile and Bath Seal Floor Trims Step Nosings Plastic and Aluminium Angles Conduits and Pipes

We can Save you 25% So Why Deprive Yourself Phone 8470095 Fax 8484896 Email: hycraft@eircom.net

Business For Sale

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: To advertise in The Hardware Journal and reach the key Longdecision established family owned makers in the 6,000sq.ft.

Hardware & Farm industry please contact: shop for sale in Enniscorthy.

Jim Copeland Bryan Beasley at 01-298 or email email 01-709 0969 6916 or Please contact jim@hardwareassociation.ie bryanbeasley@ifpmedia.com

THIS SIZE AD THIS SIZE AD 50mm (h) x 55mm (w) 50mm (h) x 55mm (w) €1,050 for six editions €1,050 for six editions

Ray 086 8139840

To advertise to key decision makers in theto: industry, contact Advertisements (text plus logo) can be emailed hardware@ifpmedia.com Jimand Copeland at 01-298 0969 or email jim@hardwareassociation.ie be prepaid, at least two weeks prior to publication.

Classified advertisements (text plus logo) can be emailed to: jim@hardwareassociation.ie andSeptember/October are to be prepaid, at least two weeks prior to publication.

2017 58 Hardware_Journal_Sept-Oct_2017_New.indd 73

73

March/April 2020 03/10/2017 16:00