Chadwicks Group launches new website

Chadwicks Group has recently announced the launch of its new retail website Chadwicks.ie. This announcement forms part of a ¤50m investment across the Group, which began in 2018 and includes the digital transformation of the business as well as an ongoing nationwide branch upgrade programme. Chadwicks.ie features over 10,000 products and materials along with real-time stock information and a choice between one hour click-and-collect or next day delivery for core lines across its 37 branches nationwide. Designed with its customers in mind, Chadwicks.ie will appeal to tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts, offering flexibility, convenience and the option to check stock while on a job - ultimately helping them save time. A recent survey of tradespeople by Chadwicks found that time pressure is a key pinch point for the trade with 87% wanting time saving solutions and products. Commenting on the launch of the website, CEO of Chadwicks Group, Patrick Atkinson, said: “The launch of our website marks a significant day in our organisation and the wider construction sector. Traditionally, the construction industry has been slower than other sectors to embrace digital, but at Chadwicks Group we want to provide our customers with a complete and frictionless purchasing experience across the Chadwicks Group. That’s why we are driving the adoption of digital throughout our organisation and putting significant investment in taking our business online and providing customers with an omnichannel experience.”

Patrick Atkinson CEO of Chadwicks Group.

TACKLE IT WITH THOMPSON’S

Technical Services Chemist at Thompson’s, Chris Fletcher recommends some key waterproofing products to call upon this winter. As the harsh weather hits, there are some preventative measures worth suggesting to customers to protect their homes from damage, particularly those that live in areas susceptible to extreme weather. Thompson’s Water Seal, for example, uses a unique micro silicone emulsion to stop water penetration and freeze-thaw damage in brick, concrete and stone. It is most commonly used on buildings and other structures, such as low garden walls and especially on surfaces that are exposed to hard driving rain, which can cause damp and mould – and lead to significant structural damage if left untreated. You can recommend your customer to apply as follows, firstly use a stiff wire brush to remove any loose debris such as dust, moss and cement. Then, apply using a brush or roller. Use at full strength - do not dilute. If applying onto a wall, work in one metre sections from the bottom upwards and the whole wall should be treated, not just isolated areas. Once an area is fully saturated, move onto the next section and ensure the mortar lines are also coated. As soon as the first coat has soaked in, the second coat can be applied. Flat roofs are another area at risk of water penetration. To guard against this, advise your customer to seek out flexible products that can move with the natural movement of the roof, such as Thompson’s 10 Year Roof Seal. Its combination of acrylic polymers, fillers and pigments outperforms most standard bitumen paint and the fast-acting formula is rainproof in just six hours. Again, advise application as follows, give the surface a decent scrub with a stiff bristle brush to remove any dust or dirt - and repair any structural faults. Cut open any old felt blisters and make sure any ponding water is dry, before securing the felt with tacks. Fill any cracks and level any depressions in the roofing felt. On cold, damp days drying and re-coat times will take longer, so for best results, use Thompson’s 10 Year Roof Seal on a dry day above 10C. Apply using a brush, roller or soft broom in long, smooth strokes. Then wait six hours before putting on a second coat. When it comes to preventing rain damage, Thompson’s has the answer. For further details on the wide range of waterproofing products visit: