messagefromtheCEO

With almost 30,000 new housing units in 2022, see chart page 6, the new home market is the largest it has been since 2008. Matching this is the number of mortgages drawn down - again the highest number since 2008. This is a very welcome and significant achievement, especially when set against constraints caused by the inflation in building materials and a shortage of skilled labour. While inflation appears to be stabilising, a further challenge continues to be planning. More than a year’s output of new homes are now held up in planning and judicial reviews. A breakthrough is required on this.

The launch of the Government’s Vacant Homes Action Plan, www.gov.ie/vacancy, realises most of Hardware Association Ireland’s recommendations in Empty Homes - Unlocking the Opportunity https://hardwareassociation.ie. The grants for vacant and derelict homes are live - there have been 900 applications since its launch. There are vacant homes officers in each local authority and a dedicated section within the Department of Housing having responsibility for vacant homes. Changes in the Fair Deal rules now mean that 60% of a rental income can be kept, previously it was 20%. Rules on selling these properties have also been eased. This will help release many of these homes into the market. Many of the requisite policies and financial incentives from government are now in place. The roll out of an active strategy will depend on how other stakeholders such as the banks and other financial institutions step up. Every rejuvenation project will involve an energy upgrade so it will be interesting to see how green mortgages evolve. And its roll-out will also depend on an effective active strategy in the local authorities. And there is a considerable budget planned for remedial work to Celtic Tiger built apartments. This will also present as an opportunity for the sector - it’s an ill wind!

HAI are hosting The Hardware Conference in Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on March 30th. We have a very compelling list of thoughtleading speakers. Amongst them we have Fergus McMahon of Cairn Homes, Dr. Ciaran Byrne of SEAI, Hugh Wallace Architect and TV presenter, Andrew Moseley of The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, Michael Neary and Greg Fry. During Covid Michael

Neary’s webinar with its focus on Retail Loss Prevention was the best attended. The Hardware Conference will give us all the chance to network and to share ideas as to how to improve our businesses. Interest in The Hardware Conference is well beyond our expectations. I would urge anyone wishing to attend to please register at www.thehardwareconference.ie and see page 8. On 21st April UFEMAT will be holding their conference in Dublin and we would encourage members to attend - again an interesting line up of topics and speakers - see page 28.

We are also running a number of roadshows to promote and clarify the Empty Homes messages to our members and other stakeholders. An active strategy on rejuvenating empty homes has the potential to bring 35,000 homes back to life. From a solely commercial viewpoint this could potentially add over ¤2 billion to our market over three to four years. In addition, it would improve our living environment, and help us with our carbon targets. We will host a roadshow in Dundalk on February 16th, and we will keep members informed of future roadshows.

In this edition we have profiles of Brooks and Pipelife outlining their plans. In the Garden and Outdoor supplement we feature many new products and innovations for the room outdoors. The gardening season is now and this is the time when the early gardeners buy their products. So set up those display stands now! Our Spring training schedule is underway - see page 72. There is great demand for courses so please book to avoid disappointment. We also look at how our training offer has evolved since 2015. While selling skills is very popular, we can see the interest in digital marketing courses surge in the last few years.

Wishing all a Happy and Prosperous 2023.

Martin Markey Chief Executive Officer - HAI

FRONT COVER: HAI Conference Kilkenny.

Blackchurch Business Park, Naas Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, D24 C796 t +353 1 298 0969 e info@hardwareassociation.ie w www.hardwareassociation.ie @hardwareassoc

ISSN 2009-5481

Published by: Hardware Association Ireland

Editor: Jim Copeland, editor@hardwareassociation.ie

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

Advertising Manager: Jim Copeland, jim@hardwareassociation.ie

Design and Production: Stephen Broad, ConceptRoom, stephen@conceptroom.co.uk

Printers: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd, Belfast.

Distribution: MMS Mailing Services, Dublin.

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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

© 2023 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.

6 Dulux introduce The Weathershield advantage.

8 The Hardware Conference in Kilkenny.

10 JD Roberts stocks product ranges in hardware stores across Ireland.

12 Tirlán begins ¤11 million investment across its branch network.

13 Whiteriver Group hold Wood Flooring & Composite Decking Training Seminars.

14 ARC Building Products bring new manufacturing back to Arklow.

16 Optimise your space with Combilift.

18 Irish Cement celebrates 85 years making high quality cement.

20 Chadwicks Group supports upgrade to Irish Wheelchair Association Centre in Listowel.

22 Top Ten ERP Trends for the DIY/Building Supplies industry in 2023.

24 New Sonas Alita Range - Sustainable modern luxury.

25 AIB Merchant Services: Connecting your business with one solution.

26 Timber Ireland offer robust supply chain of specialist timber and composite products.

27 Glennon Brothers support Longford Lunch 2022.

28 Invitation to the 63rd UFEMAT Congress in Dublin.

Regulars

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

30 CORPORATE PARTNERS A look at HAI’s corporate partners and the services they offer.

Features

66 UK RETAILING: STEVE COLLINGE Insight DIY’s Steve Collinge shares how IKEA and Wickes are successfully using impressive, interactive instore displays to inspire customers in their home and garden projects.

68 A VIEW FROM EUROPE Regular contributor Thierry Coeman shares how Belgian DIY and Home Improvement retailer Brico converted its sustainability insights into a full-scale business and economic model.

Garden & Outdoors

40 MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Jim Copeland introduces the latest supplement.

42 DULUX

In 2023 Dulux will continue with their vision of bringing all their exterior brands together under Dulux Exteriors.

44 AMES TRUE TEMPER

The Cork-based group reported unprecedented demand over the past two years.

46 FISKARS

Fiskars offers a wide variety of garden and yard tools that help make things easier and more efficient for your customers.

48 GARDEN TRENDS FOR 2023 - RHS

Flourishing houseplants, wildlife habitats and technology are among the Royal Horticultural Society’s UK gardening trends for 2023.

50 FLEETWOOD

Fleetwood Advanced interior and exterior wood paint is the champion of trim products.

52 HALO TILES & BATHROOMS

Halo Pave offer a large porcelain tile range.

54 DS SUPPLIES

DS Supplies have partnered with Multy Home to distribute their wide range of home & garden environmentally friendly products.

55 INTERNATIONAL TOOL INDUSTRIES (ITI)

Entering their fifth year in business ITI set their sights on strengthening their market position by expanding their profile with exciting brands.

56 WESTLAND

Westland’s mission is to champion gardeners of all levels by providing them with the solutions they need to make their gardening dreams come true.

57 BALCAS

Balcas are securing the future for timber fencing.

58 WHELEHAN GARDENING

Whelehan Gardening and Evergreen support retailers with their online training academy and with their helpful retail display tips.

60 VARO TOOLS

Varo carries an extensive range of electric, battery and petrolpowered garden tools from its house brand Powerplus.

61 JOSEPH MURPHY BALLINA LTD.

Introducing Blattwerk , perfect for Organic GardenersBlattwerk Pure 100% Vegan - 100% Organic.

62 RONSEAL

Ronseal responds to the growing demand for garden products with expanded paint and decking ranges.

63 BELLOTA

Bellota set out what`s in store with their new products for 2023.

64 DARGAN TOOLS

Dargan Tools are confident they have something for everyone.

JOHN STAFFORD & SONS

John Stafford & Sons introduce their new product line of John Deere Garden Tools.

65 BURG-WACHTER

Burg-Wachter introduces their new BURGcam Light 3031, which combines four essential functions into one outdoor security camera.