The Stira Story

“YOU’LL BE DELIRA WITH YOUR STIRA!”

This phrase was coined on the back of Stira’s appearance on Irelands much loved weekly TV show “The Late Late Show”. Back in 1990, the whole country (bar one or two) sat down each Friday night to watch the late Gay Byrne (RIP) broadcast his weekly show to the nation. That’s when Stira got its big moment in the spotlight and the boost it needed to become the household name Stira is today.

For some reason the Irish public seem to relate to the Stira story. They have an affiliation with it. It seems to raise warm nostalgic memories, something Stira are so appreciative of. And there is huge pride when customers take delight in saying to us “you’ll be delira with your Stira”, or “As seen on the Late Late show”.

This also has something to do with the Stira brand. Over time, the Stira brand has come to represent quality. Something achieved by consistently providing strong robust loft ladder systems, along with quick, neat and tidy installations. The Stira brand is so strong in Ireland that every loft ladder is now referred to as a “Stira”, in the same way that most vacuum cleaners are referred to as a “Hoover” in the UK.

It’s a great achievement and something that we at Stira are very humbled and flattered by.

The Stira Story

It all started with Michael Burke, an entrepreneur living in Dunmore, a small rural town in Co. Galway, Ireland. He came up with the idea to start making and installing quality loft ladder systems (or folding attic stairs systems as they are also known as).

Stira was founded in 1983 and remains a family business today with the late Michael Burkes’ daughter Kate and son Michael now at the helm. Stira is a strong local employer, with the majority of employees having worked with Stira for over 20 years!

Stira went on to grow through the 90’s, employing over 40 people at one stage, before “right sizing” following the downturn in 2008.

As Stira grows into the new normal they are much busier than expected, and maintain a steady growth trajectory. The message of their quality loft ladder systems is reaching beyond Irish shores and the appeal of their Quality Irish Craftmanship is having the desired positive impact in the UK market.

Where are they now

Stira seem to be in a good place. Developers and contractors understand the cost savings and extra value associated with investing in quality products and services, therefor Stira are starting to win big contracts with developers such as Cairn Homes plc. There is also an increase in loft ladder fitters enquiring about becoming Stira fitting agents, from their customers requesting a Stira system to be installed, or the fitter wanting to include a quality loft ladder system in their range of offerings.

Stiras aspirations for the future

Stira are looking to grow in the construction sector in both the Irish and UK markets. Their intention is to create strong supply, or supply and fit, relationships with UK and Irish developers and contractors.

There is also great opportunity for quality tradesmen or carpenters who wish to run their own small successful business by partnering with Stira with our Fitting agencies.

And the future is exciting too. With change being a constant, innovation is key and Stira plan to release an Eco trapdoor system and a Fully Automatic loft ladder system in 2021.

Stira continues to produce some of the safest and strongest loft ladder systems available on the market today, and with 130,000 quality loft ladder systems under their belt, their ambitious growth aspirations mean Stira can be very excited about the future.

Want to know more about Stira? Contact our fellow BITA member Paddy Tamplin who is over Business Development, Sales and Marketing at Stira. Email: paddy@stria.ie - Telephone: ++353 87 6205615 - Visit: www.stira.com