A messAge from tHe Ceo Martin Markey introduces the latest

messagefrom the Ceo With the effects of the vaccine roll-out beginning to subdue the virus and the re-opening of many businesses, there is definitely an air of Spring and its optimism about. It is great to see construction in particular residential construction back at full tilt. Normality is in sight but what this new normality will look like is anyone’s guess. The debate on the nature of work is ongoing and may both compelling and interesting. The highly contentious debate on housing is back on the agenda. HAI have a working group looking at building costs and the impact of the new builds on our sector on page 35. We take an initial look at what the implications of all of this is on the costs of new builds - and it may not be become contentious. It will be interesting to see if we end what you think. From our viewpoint, as measured up with more home working or hybrid working or we all head solely by purchasing patterns, home ownership is back to our offices. The hybrid model could mitigate some of much preferable to rental. Those who own their homes our housing shortages however as one Wall Street CEO said are much more likely to invest in home improvements recently - “people don’t like commuting, but so what”. We than those renting. will see. Also, in this issue Shane Kenneally has let us track the ups Two trends we can be sure of - the move to digital and the and downs of a major refurbishment of his house in Clonakilty. move towards reducing our carbon footprint. During May we had a very successful meeting of the Member It was great to see Topline Rogers getting a mention as a Services Sub-committee. A major recommendation is that progressive eCommerce business in a Sunday newspaper HAI go ahead and launch The Certificate in Hardware and recently. Merchanting as soon as feasible. On 6th May last HAI hosted an online conference - Rebuilding Tullamore Men’s Sheds had a burglary recently. Many thanks our Future - Retrofitting. It was highly informative and thought- to Burg Wachter, Husqvarna and Sika who very kindly provoking. We carry a full report on pages 38-39. answered the call. Our sector has been a bright spot in the economy, and it Finally, at last glance 95% of space at The Hardware Show in will continue to be as demand continues. However, as we November is taken so if you have not booked, now may be go to press it is experiencing chronic problems in supply. A the time. confluence of largely global factors are at play. The closure of factories due to the pandemic, Brexit, Suez, early mild weather in Russia, storms in Texas, and a likely element of stock hoarding are all contributing to this bottleneck. And, as if this wasn’t enough it comes at a time when demand across the globe is soaring - in particular in the US. President Joe Martin Markey Biden’s $2 trillion recovery package - is resulting in US firms Chief Executive Officer - HAI paying top dollar for materials. As night follows day, we are seeing price increases practically across the board. In this issue we have the first of two interviews with another son of Mayo - Patrick Goldrick who began his career in 1962 with Joseph Murphys (Ballina) and Thomas Archers and retired in 2012 as MD of Cashbuild after a very successful career in both the UK and South Africa. Patrick’s story is

contents

FRONT COVER:

Are you offering a Home Energy Upgrade?

36

Blackchurch Business Park, Naas Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin 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.

news

6 Why MDF is the ideal product. 8 Bostik Academy: ‘Better results through knowledge’. 10 In memory of Joe Coghlan – 1935-2021. 12 Grant launches new eLearning academy. 14 The .ie Tipping Point Report 2021. 15 How the hardware industry can contribute to a circular economy. 16 Solving the hand sanitising problem. 17 WEEE Ireland deliver their new marketing campaign. 18 Book Review ‘Hammertime’ by Thierry Coeman. 20 Sonas Bathrooms Big Bathroom Survey. 22 Soil conditioner offers a sustainable, natural and organic solution. 23 Portwest launch their Summer collection.

24 Retrofitting is ‘huge’ opportunity to transform homes, says SEAI.

27 New appointment at Soudal Ireland.

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

regulars

© 2021 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. 3 A messAge from tHe Ceo Martin Markey introduces the latest issue of The Hardware Journal.

26 neW memBers HAi HAI welcomes its newest members.

28 CorporAte pArtners A look at HAI’s corporate partners and the services they offer. 64 CAreers in HArdWAre Padjoe Barry from Pipelife talks to The

Hardware Journal about his career highlights to date.

paint & decor

42 MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Jim Copeland introduces our annual Paint and Home

Décor Supplement.

43 LAYDEX BUILDING SOLUTIONS

Teranna Composite Decking - the top choice for ecofriendly and low maintenance decking.

44 duLuX pAints

A Dulux Paints news update, including the latest on their interior and exterior products and their training academy.

46 fLeetWood pAints

Fleetwood Paints offer colour consultations online for stores.

48 purdy BACKpACK

Purdy launches its highly anticipated Painters’ Backpack and Purdy Pail into the market.

50 pAint retAiLer’s VieW

Kevin Coghlan, former owner of award-winning store,

MRCB Ltd in Dublin, offers his thoughts on paint retailing mid- and post-pandemic.

53 Home dÉCor trends

Ideal Home Magazine rounds up the top design trends reshaping your customer’s homes during 2020 & 2021.

54 uniLin distriBution

Unilin launch their new Forester range exclusive to their

Irish customers.

56 AXus dÉCor

Axus Décor present their range of paint accessories born out of feedback from painters and environmentally conscientious innovation.

58 KiLsArAn

Kilsaran launch their new Merrion paving range for patios, pathways and balconies.

features

30 industry interVieW In the first of two parts Patrick

Goldrick talks to The Hardware Journal about his exciting career, crossing two continents and five decades and how it transformed the sector. 36 retrofitting A real-life perspective on home retrofitting as

The Hardware Journal follows home-owner Shane Kenneally on his ambitious retrofitting plans for his Cork home. 38 reBuiLding our future A review of HAI’s recent

Rebuilding Our Future Retrofitting Conference. 60 steVe CoLLinge Steve reflects on consistant high demand in the UK for home improvement causing a fundamental shift. 62 tHe HArdWAre sHoW 2021 With 95% of exhibitor space sold The Hardware Show 2021 is set to be another sold out event, plus a first look at the Show’s floor plan. 69 pLAnning permissions A look at some of the more pertinent details of Planning Permissions for 2020 from the Central Statistics Office.

32

profles

32 store profiLe: topLine murtAgHs

Topline Murtaghs outline how they have come through Covid with healthy sales thanks to their flexible approach, innovation and an exceptional team.

market intelligence

35 Housing A look at the significance of house-building for our sector and what makes up the constituent elements of the price of a house.

business support

66 retAiL Loss preVention Michael Neary, Loss

Prevention Manager at Harvey Norman, provides readers with advice on the strategies and potential shortfalls retailers need to look out for to limit instore theft.

67 HouseHoLd sAVings Ian Lawlor from JPA Brenson

Lawlor advices readers to “Be Prepared” for consumers ready to spend their savings.

68 mAgiCo eCommerCe Orla Cooney, General Manager at Magico.com, offers advice on online retailing for both

B2C and B2B eCommerce.

COMMERCIAL FEATURES

70 ROOFING PRODUCTS

A look at the latest innovative products and industry news in the sector.