September/October 2020
The Official Magazine of Hardware Association Ireland
IS THIS YOUR NEW SHOP WINDOW? Building Materials & Supplies Supplement inside
www.thehardwarejournal.ie
Bottom wall: Almendra | Top wall: Peony Rose from Midnight Dream Capsule Collection
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ge sa es m The sector is in a good position to help unlock cash and let it flow into the economy. We will request members help to inform politicians of the value of the plan to the sector, the economy, and the public purse. The timber sector is in crisis. Simply put there is a blockage on timber felling and planting due to a huge volume of appeals and the lack of personnel with the Dept of Agriculture to deal with this. We have made our submission in favour of the bill to deal with this. For the many members who also made a submission – thank you. We will continue this campaign to alert local politicians to be aware of the issue and the damaging consequences should the current status quo be allowed to continue. According to research conducted by IEDR during the height of Covid-19 32% of consumers spent more online and 17% considerably more. We have a very interesting real-life example of how to put in place a trading website from Skerries Hardware. Often people want to do something, but don’t know where to start and what the steps are – this shows the way in a very practical and straightforward manner. On ecommerce, HAI have a group of experts on hand to help members with advice, and there are several compelling training modules on the Hardware Education Hub. With Brexit looming we have a number of articles outlining what needs to be done to prepare. We also look at trends such as BIM and its likely impacts. Darren Kelly gives us the day in the life of a branch manager, and we get an inside view of the new Tubs and Tiles in Cork. Elsewhere we look at Laydex and the culture that underpins their success. It has been a difficult few months, and most members are working very long hours. Listening to a recent webinar of experts in the business development field their view is that the best thing to do is to stay focused on what you can control, set realistic goals, and get moving – just taking action is a great motivator. And keep communicating with customers. Sound advice for these times.
EO eC th
September/October 2020
m fro
The Board of HAI have decided to reschedule the 2021 Hardware Show from February to October. Bearing in mind the importance of the Hardware Show to the sector and the fact that 80% of exhibition stands are booked this is not a decision that has been taken lightly. It was based on a number of factors. The main reason is that we have a duty of care to our members, exhibitors, visitors, and other stakeholders. The thinking behind this is to lessen the possible risk of a Covid-19 impact. By October 2021 we will be further down the road with Covid-19 and • Have a better understanding of how to manage it • Perhaps a vaccine will be available • Another major factor is the availability of Citywest - it may again be designated as a hospital should a surge of Covid-19 happen in the next few months. • There are few if any large events happening between now and at least April of next year. This is also largely the case in the UK. We are receiving calls and members need to plan. Eventhaus are committed to refunding any exhibitor who requests a partial or full refund. As there have been significant costs paid out to date by Eventhaus they would encourage exhibitors to simply transfer their booking to the new dates (this is the standard practice with a rescheduling). HAI also encourage exhibitors to simply sign up to the new dates. This would mean securing the same stand at the same price. For those who request a full refund they will not be able to retain their stand location and any early booking rate. By most accounts there continues to be demand in the marketplace. In fact, in many cases the challenges that members are experiencing are those of supplying that demand, - at least in the home improvement sector. The latest market figures for Q2 from Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A) point to a -13% decline in the value of the sector. This follows a healthy 5% growth for Q1 and 5% for year-end 2019. Unsurprisingly the market plummeted with the onset of Covid-19. Effectively it halved in April. May 2020 was down 13% on May 2019. Fortunately, by June it was up 23% on June 19. The total year to date picture for the six months to the end of June is -4% in value. In its release of figures B & A had to stress that there were very wide variations amongst contributing members. Recently HAI had a one to one meeting with Minister of State with Responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses, Damien English TD. It was a very productive engagement during which we highlighted the four key pillars of Rebuilding our Future. We will continue to press for its implementation especially from now until the Budget in October as it is a key investment plan for the country.
Martin Markey Chief Executive Officer - HAI
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contents
September/October 2020
The Official Magazine of Hardware Association Ireland
IS THIS YOUR NEW SHOP WINDOW? Building Materials & Supplies Supplement inside
roof ng.
URFACES September/October 2020
any property from t and is ideal for flat roofs.
www.thehardwarejournal.ie
FRONT COVER: Is this your new shop window?
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
30 news 7
Saint-Gobain Appoints Pádraig Barry As Managing Director.
8
WEEE Ireland Sets National Record.
9
Airspeed Telecom Provides Connectivity to McMahons Builders Provider Sites.
11
Kilsaran Acquire N&C Enterprises.
14
Rules for Sale and Purchase of Rodenticides.
16
Timber Draft Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill 2020.
20
Report Highlights the Importance of an E-Commerce presence for SMEs.
regulars
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
© 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.
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3
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Martin Markey introduces the latest issue of The Hardware Journal.
22 CORPORATE PARTNERS A look at HAI’s corporate partners and
the services they offer.
58 CAREERS IN HARDWARE
Darren Kelly talks about his experience as branch manager of Glanbia, Athboy.
features 21 ECOMMERCE CASE STUDY Liz McKenna from Skerries Hardware talks about their success to date with their ecommerce and social media development.
30
STEVE COLLINGE Steve discusses the opportunities available to the home improvement sector from the renting generation.
33
THE HARDWARE SHOW 2021 Rescheduled to October 2021.
September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies 36 MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Jim Copeland introduces the latest supplement.
24
38 DULUX TRADE A look at the latest product offerings for your trade customers. 40 GYPROC Gyproc reveals OneCoat, their new gypsum based lightweight plaster. 42 GRIFFON A look at the HBS-200® sealing and insulation range for airtight & sustainable constructions.
profiles
44 BREXIT Revenue give information on how to get your business Brexit ready and the impact on imports and exports.
24 STORE PROFILE: TUBS & TILES CORK
The Hardware Journal talks to Neil Ahern and Shane Colleran about their new flagship showroom in Eastgate, Cork.
46 CIS Construction Information Services take a look at current projects across the country, county by county.
28 SUPPLIER PROFILE: LAYDEX
47 CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT REGULATIONS (CPR) The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government outline the implications of CPR during and after the Brexit transition period.
Managing Director Peter Woods discusses a quarter century of Adaptability and Innovation.
48 IRISH INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION IITC reveal their new and innovative products – StudFinda, a battery-free stud finding product, and LadderLimb, your third hand for working on ladders. 50 GRANT ENGINEERING The heating technology manufacturer reveals how your customers can avail of their Home Heating Design Service. 52 OHRA Caring for your warehouse with OHRA’s storage solutions for builders merchants & hardware stores. 53 SALES-I Sales-i ask are you confident that your business takes every sales opportunity? 54 LARSEN BUILDING PRODUCTS Larsen help to protect your customers investment. 56 VELUX Velux make this Autumn more rewarding for your customers.
market intelligence 6
VIRTUAL AND ONLINE TRAINING HAI’s shares news of its series of training and development options for the hardware sector including virtual training, companyspecific workshops and elearning modules.
62 WORKWEAR
business support 60 GS1 GLOBAL STANDARDS What standards organisations are doing to facilitate the digitalisation of construction. THE LOGISTICS CONSULTANTS Helping companies prepare for the post-Brexit environment. September/October 2020
The latest product trends and industry news in the workwear and safetywear sector.
74 FUEL
61
BUSINESS INDEX The latest HAI Business Index figures for Q2 2020.
COMMERCIAL FEATURES
training 59
28
A look at the latest industry news and developments affecting the Fuel sector, including Solid Fuel and Gas.
classified ads 82
A SELECTION OF CLASSIFIED ADS
5
Branches Profiled
Market Intelligence
BUSINESS INDEX Q2 2020 RESULTS
36% 43%
64% 57%
Rural
Urban
192 149Member Branches included in Index
Branches Profiled Number of Employees 18% 23%
36% 43%
149
15% 12
Rest of Leinster
16% 2020
+ 2019
8% 15% 12
Ϯй
Feb-20
(vs Mar 19)
Year to date end June = - 4% Mar-20 Apr-20
(vs Mar 19)
Ͳϰϴй
Jan DublinFeb
16% 2020
+ 2019
Jan-20
Mar
(vs Apr 19) (vs Jan 19)
Apr-20 May-20 Feb-20
(vs Apr 19)
(vs May 19) (vs Feb 19)
May-20 (vs May 19) Jun-20 Mar-20
3
(vs Jun 19) (vs Mar 19)
Jun-20 (vs Jun 19) *Month 2019 = 100% Apr-20 (vs Apr 19)
*Month 2019 = 100%
6
(vs Feb 19)
8%
Ϯй
Jan
Apr-20
(vs Apr 19)
May-20
Jun-20
Jun-20
(vs May 19)
87
July Aug Munster
Oct Sept Connacht /Nov Ulster Dec
21%
Ϯϯй
13%
ϭϭй
ϰй
Feb
Mar
Ͳϰϴй
Ͳϭϯй
April
May
June
July
Aug
Oct
Sept
Nov
Dec
-8%
-7% -7%
-13 %
Munster
Rest of Leinster
No. Branches
-26%
Urban
Connacht / Ulster
VersusRural sameSingle Qtr 2019 Branch
%
Area
-8%
-24%
-13 % Multi-branch -13%
Rest of Leinster
Dublin
No. Employees
%
-7% -7% -7%
+7% 4%
105
Qtr 1
104
%
52
52
21%
18% 14%
Qtr 2
104 111
Urban
+3%
-8%
<10
10-15
>15
Connacht / Ulster
105
87
Source: B&AData 2015. collection Data collection from192 149HAI HAI Member branches Source: B&A 2020. from Member Branches.
No. Branches
Versus same QtrVersus 2019 same Qtr 2019 %
Year to date end June = - 4% Qtr 1 105 102 Qtr 1 Year to date end June = - 4%
111
%-2%
Munster
87
Qtr 2
87 123 111
(vs Mar 19)
29% 30%
13%
104
Mar-20
May-20
(vs May 19)
52 87
Feb-20
Ͳϭϯй
Aprilof Leinster May June Rest
Area
102
(vs Jan 19)
38% 40
-13%2019 Quarterly 2020 v Q2 MonthlyBusiness BusinessIndex: Index:Q2 YTD 2015 vs YTD 2014
102
111
Jan-20 52
Ϯϯй 18 18%
ϭϭй
ϰй
21%
Quarterly 2020 v Q2 MonthlyBusiness BusinessIndex: Index:Q2 YTD 2015 vs 2019 YTD 2014
Versus same month 2019
(vs Feb 19) Versus same month 2019
Connacht / Ulster >15
Monthly Business Index: % change in revenue from 2019 to 2020
Versus same month 2019 Index 2020 % Monthly Business Monthly Business Index 2020 Qtr 1 105 Jan-20 102 YearComparisons* on Year Comparisons*Qtr 2 (vs Jan 19)on Year Year
Mar-20
21%
18% 14%
Versus same-38% Qtr 2019
104
Munster
10-15
-38%
%
(vs Jan 19)
18% 23%
Monthly Business Index: % change in revenue from 2019 to 2020 Business Location
Monthly Business Index 2020 Year onMonthly Year Comparisons* Business Index 2020 Year on Year Comparisons*
87
38% 40
18 18%
Dublin
Dublin
Feb-20
42%
29% 35%
29% 30%
Please call 01 298 0969 or email martin@hardwareassociation.ie for more information and to participate.
(vs Feb 19)
53%
Number of Employees
The more retailers and merchants involved in contributing to the index, the more robust the data. All raw data is kept confidential and never revealed to HAI. 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 (usually at the start of the second week), asking for several pieces of information that will form the benchmark survey: • Number of employees; • Location of business; • What type of area your business operates in, i.e. to get an urban/ rural split; • Annual sales turnover (less VAT) for your business broken down by month; • Sales turnover per month. Once this benchmark is complete you will only be asked for one piece of information each quarter thereafter, sales turnover per month for the quarter.
Jan-20
Urban
Business Location 192 Member Branches included in Index
< 10
Versus same month 2019 % Versus same Qtr 2019
64% 57%
>15
10-15
< 10
Rural
How to get involved
Qtr 2
42%
29% 35%
192 member branches are included in the HAI Business Index. Q2 year on year comparisons illustrate the extraordinary volatility of the trading period. However, despite the year on year decline of nearly 50% in April, members were often able to regroup during May and June so that Q2 in total shows a 13% year on year decline. There are wide variations amongst members. For the 6 months until the end of June the market is -4% in value. The year on year decline in Q2 2020 is most evident among Dublin, urban and bigger members.
Qtr 1
53%
-26%
Qtr 2
+7% 4%
Rural
-7%
87-24%
Single Branch
Multi-branch
No. Employees %
105 87
-2%
+3%
-8%
<10
10-15
>15
date Year to dateYear end to June = -end 4% June = - 4%
Source: B&AData 2015. collection Data collection from192 149HAI HAI Member branches Source: B&A 2020. from Member Branches.
123
87
September/October 2020
123
News & Products
SAINT-GOBAIN APPOINTS PÁDRAIG BARRY AS MANAGING DIRECTOR Saint-Gobain Construction Products Ireland has recently announced the appointment of Pádraig Barry as their new Managing Director. Pádraig has been appointed to the role following the retirement of Brian Dolan in June. Pádraig has worked with the Saint-Gobain group since 2007 and has spent the last 10 years in the UK as Managing Director of Saint-Gobain Weber (UK & Ireland). Prior to this, Pádraig was the Managing Director of Isover Ireland also part of the Saint-Gobain group. Before he joined the Saint-Gobain group in 2007, Pádraig worked in the medical device sector - mostly in Ireland - and spent 15 years at senior General Manager level with a strong focus on manufacturing operations, as well as product development and marketing. During his career with Saint-Gobain, Pádraig has a proven track record in leadership and management, and has amassed an extensive knowledge of the group and the markets it operates in. In his new role as Managing Director, Pádraig will be charged with developing and executing business strategies for the Saint-Gobain brands Gyproc and Isover in Ireland. He will also be responsible for leading and guiding the executive team, overseeing the company’s business operations, as well as continuing to grow and enhance Saint-Gobain’s brand and profile as leaders in the Irish building materials market. A Limerick native, Pádraig holds a BSc in Manufacturing Technology and went on to study for an MBA from the University of Limerick. He has a
passion for sports - particularly hurling, running, rugby and golf. Commenting on his appointment as the Managing Director of Saint-Gobain Construction Products Ireland, Pádraig Barry said “I have been working with Saint-Gobain for more than 13 years now, so I am acutely aware of the talented team working with the firm across Ireland and the UK, so I am honoured to be appointed as Managing Director. I look forward to engaging with my colleagues and our customers in my new role over the coming months Pádraig Barry, recently appointed Managing Director to help create healthy, safe and for Saint-Gobain Construction sustainable buildings for Ireland. Products Ireland. As Managing Director, my focus will be on continuing the successful growth of this business and to use my experience working in the different markets to help guide our team to meet any challenges head on. I look forward to helping to guide our talented team to achieve our organisational objectives, and to continue to grow our reputation as leaders in the Irish building materials market.”
HEITON BUCKLEY REBRANDS TO CHADWICKS LIMERICK The rebrand of Heiton Buckley to Chadwicks Limerick is part of an ongoing nationwide rebrand by Chadwicks Group which started in 2018. This is the 18th branch to have undergone a refresh and the company says that customers will benefit from the new and improved in-branch experience where they can avail of the best in building supplies, plumbing and DIY, all in one place. The newly rebranded Chadwicks Limerick boasts a new merchandising plan that focuses on the most relevant product categories to customers. With the introduction of new category signage, regulars will still be able to find their usual items with ease, enhancing their in-store experience. Customers will also be welcomed with a brand-new electrical range, in addition to a more extensive collection of workwear so that they can avail of the latest trends in technology, as well as best in class professional clothing in one location. The newly refreshed layout also features refurbished branch showrooms, which include the latest styles and trends as well as the top brands in bathrooms, doors and floors. The company has had a long history in Limerick and commenced its journey as R & J O’Dwyers on Parnell Street in the 1930s, before moving to the Ballysimon Road in 1977. Since then, the branch has gone from strength-to-strength and now offers a one-stop shop for everything from steel and metric foundations to renders, roof slates and plumbing. While there may be a new name above the door, the team who has been serving the people of Limerick for many years remain. Currently, the branch employs 44 highly trained merchanting specialists across a variety of product groups. The expert team September/October 2020
receives regular training on all the latest product innovations in the construction sector to ensure its customers stay on top of the latest trends in the industry. Commenting on the rebrand, Niall McGann, Chadwicks Limerick Branch Manager, said: “We are delighted to officially announce that we are now Chadwicks Limerick. While the branch has been renamed the same team of experts remain, and we will continue to serve the people of Limerick and wider region for many years to come.”
Limerick Hurling Star Brian Geary, Chadwicks Limerick Branch Manager Niall McGann, Chadwicks Regional Director Ger McGrath and Irish International Hockey Player Roisin Upton.
7
News & Products
LUXURY IN COLOUR MODA has redesigned its five new palettes that introduce seven new colours to its capsule collections. Available in stores soon, this luxury washable matt paint allows consumers to bring harmony to their homes. Made in Cork by Dulux, MODA has a blended clay formulation with a soft-to-touch smooth finish. Its five capsule collections are designed to make navigating colour easier with each one offering a cohesive look that gives consumers complete colour confidence. Atlantic Dune, Pure Chemistry, Wild Elements, Romance Blossoms and Midnight Dream are the five new captivating collections. The bedroom featured here showcases White Horse and Apple Box from the Atlantic Dune palette. White Horse, Collins Green, Retro Rust, Truest Grey, Cuspian, Little Heron and Peony Rose are the newest colours to this luxury range. Carefully curated to help consumers channel their inner designer, MODA captures elegance effortlessly. See Dulux.ie for more details.
Top Wall & Ceiling Applebox, Bottom Wall White Horse.
WEEE IRELAND SET NATIONAL RECORD WEEE Ireland was the second-best performing recycling scheme in Europe in 2019, with 38,594 tonnes of waste electrical items and the equivalent of over 44 million used AA portable batteries collected, its annual report has revealed. A new national record of 10.89kg of e-waste was recycled per head of population last year by WEEE Ireland, on behalf of over 1,114 members and partners - a rise of 6.2% on 2018. The scheme was one of the few in Europe to meet a landmark EU environmental Directive target to recover the equivalent of 65% of the average weight of all new electrical equipment placed on the market by its members over the three preceding years. However, WEEE Ireland CEO Leo Donovan claims that the country could struggle to meet the 65% benchmark figure in 2020 if an expected glut of waste electrical items is not diverted from landfill. “Households throughout the country have used the lockdown to carry out extended spring cleaning, and it is vital that these end of life electrical items do not end up in landfill, or worse illegally dumped, destroying the progress that we have made as a nation. Now that people are free to travel nationally, we are urging consumers to avoid an e-waste crisis by recycling for free at their local authority recycling centres and participating retailers which have now reopened.” Over 19 million pieces of e-waste were recovered in 2019 including 3.2 million lamps and lightbulbs, 334,000 large household appliances, 194,000 TVs and monitors and 122,000 fridges. Take back of small household electrical appliances increased by 15% last year, and it is all recycled in Ireland 8
Leo Donovan, CEO, WEEE Ireland.
which allows resources such as plastics, metals and glass to be recovered for further use in manufacturing ensuring that hazardous waste is disposed of safely. The country’s largest electrical and battery recycling scheme also exceeded the EU’s 45% target for waste portable batteries in 2019 by 2%. “56% of e-waste collected in 2019 came from retailer collection points, rising for the fifth year in a row, with 27% being recovered at local authority sites,” said Leo. 82% of all material that WEEE Ireland collect is recovered for use again in manufacturing through both indigenous operators and specialist processors in Europe. WEEE Ireland are now in the process of delivering a transformative scheme to bring producers and the e-waste sector in Ireland further into the circular economy, which is an integral part of the EU’s Green Deal, over the next 15 years. For information on Producer Compliance and Member solutions or WEEE and Battery Recycling support - please contact info@weeeireland.ie today. September/October 2020
News & Products
AIRSPEED TELECOM PROVIDES CONNECTIVITY TO MCMAHONS BUILDERS PROVIDER SITES AirSpeed Telecom, a leading provider of high-performance telecommunications products and services to enterprise, public sector and small to medium sized businesses, has provided connectivity to McMahons Builders Providers. McMahons Builders Providers are one of the largest independent builder’s providers on the island of Ireland, with a network of 14 retail and trade branches and a Roof Truss manufacturing plant, employing over 200 people. They felt that due to the nature of their business, it was critical to have reliable and fault tolerant IT infrastructure to ensure all services are available in all shops with reliable resilient communication links between all their sites, head office and the internet. Brian O’Gorman, Group IT Manager, McMahons Builders Providers, says: “AirSpeed Telecom’s customer focused approach was a massive benefit when looking for the correct provider. They listened to what was required, and we liked their flexible proactive approach to meeting our business requirements. They gave us options for each site in terms of connectivity, circuit size, circuit type and path diversity. In addition, AirSpeed Telecom provided a Project Manager throughout the whole process from design to delivery, hosting weekly meetings for our IT team and Account Manager. This greatly helped ensure a smooth on time delivery of services.” AirSpeed Telecom, Managing Director, Charles O’Reilly, says: “We’re delighted to provide connectivity to all 14 premises
for McMahons Builders Providers. Our connectivity has allowed McMahons to connect its stores and their head office seamlessly, creating efficiencies for the business.” Delivering bespoke solutions over fibre, wireless and copper infrastructure, AirSpeed Telecom works with businesses on the island of Ireland across a range of sectors, including financial services, construction, food and beverage and hospitality. AirSpeed Telecom is 100% owned by the Irish Infrastructure Fund (IIF), which controls over ¤500 million of investments across energy, telecoms, tourism and healthcare in Ireland. www.airspeed.ie
Charles O’Reilly, Managing Director of AirSpeed Telecom, pictured with John McNamara, Managing Director of McMahons Builders Providers.
SONAS SUPPORT INSIDEOUT VIRTUAL EVENT Created and curated by award winning interior designer Gwen Kenny of Divine Design and colour consultant Adele Roche and proudly supported by SONAS Bathrooms, InsideOut featured a host of interviews with leading names in the world of homes and gardens, exclusive tours of previously-unseen spectacular homes, castles and gardens, masterclasses in a range of home and garden related areas, cookery demonstrations and art. Dermot Bannon and Hugh Wallace were just two of the many names who signed up to take part in InsideOut, a special free two-day virtual event held on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July, celebrating the best of Irish home and garden design across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in a bid to raise ¤50,000 for the charity Friends of the Coombe. Richard Sloan Managing Director of SONAS Bathrooms said “We are proud to sponsor such a worthy cause as Friends of the Coombe, a charity that was set up to assist the development of the Hospital’s vital research programmes and enhance the care it gives to patients and their families.“ All proceeds from InsideOut in association with SONAS Bathrooms and Albany Home Décor (public donations, art auction, additional ticketed events, and designer consultations) will be donated to the charity Friends of the Coombe which supports the care of women and babies at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital. The funds will be used to purchase two transport ventilators and two transport monitors which will be used when taking premature or very unwell babies from the September/October 2020
delivery room or operating theatre to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. The event was hosted over two days via the InsideOut pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and included contributions from SONAS Bathrooms on “All things bathrooms” with a live Q&A with Richard Sloan, celebrity chef Andre Rudd, children’s food expert Aisling Larkin and best-selling author Cathy Kelly. Members of the public can access the full line-up and art auction at www.insideouthomeshow.ie or via the InsideOut pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Pic. Finbarr O’Rourke.
9
News & Products
SMOKY COAL BAN AHEAD OF WIDER BLITZ A number of towns will be included in the “smoky coal ban” from September 1st, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed - with a full ban nationwide during the lifetime of the current Government. Minister Ryan said the ban on the sale, marketing, distribution and burning of bituminous coal, or the smoky coal ban as it is commonly known, is being extended to include Mallow, Midleton and Cobh in Cork. Other towns included in the ban are Killarney and Tramore in Munster, Ballina and Castlebar in Mayo, Cavan and Longford towns, Enniscorthy in Wexford, and Tullamore in Offaly. In response to a query from Labour TD Duncan Smith, Minister Ryan said the geographical boundaries of the new areas were set following “extensive consultation with the relevant local authorities”. He added he would introduce the “necessary measures over the term of Government to move towards the implementation of a full nationwide ban”.
According to the Department of the Environment, a ban on the burning of smoky coal and other prohibited fuels now applies in designated “low smoke zones”, to complement the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of those fuels in those areas. This means even “smoky” fuels bought elsewhere cannot now be burned in such a zone, the Department adds. The smoky coal ban, according to the Department, “allowed significant falls in respiratory problems and premature deaths from the effects of burning smoky coal in the existing low smoke zones”. It cites the original ban in Dublin 30 years ago as “something of an icon of best practice within the international clean air community”. Approximately 8,000 premature deaths have been averted in Dublin since the introduction of the smoky coal ban back in 1990, according to the Department. The ban came in response to “severe episodes of winter smog” that were a direct result of smoky coal being burned in family homes, the Department said. The ban is in place in 26 cities and towns. Air quality monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown lower levels of harmful air particles compared to towns with no ban. According to the Department’s figures, the ban in Dublin has resulted in at least 350 fewer annual deaths, and ¤20m in health costs. Minister Ryan said the Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Source Irish Examiner July 2020
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September/October 2020
News & Products
KILSARAN ACQUIRE N&C ENTERPRISES
QUALITY
INNOVATION
RELIABILITY
Kilsaran has recently completed the acquisition of the bag products division of N&C Enterprises Ltd. Products included in the acquisition are Landscaping Stone, Dashing, Sand, Gravel, Aggregates, Dry Products, Durapatch and Play Sand which will be incorporated into Kilsaran’s existing product portfolio and rebranded under the Kilsaran name. The River Collection of Decorative Stone will continue as part of the Kilsaran brand and will be visible in stores with new merchandising in the coming months. Joe Gavin, Managing Director of N&C Enterprises, stated, “After having worked with Padraic and his team over the past number of months, we are pleased that Kilsaran recognises the strength of the N&C Brand and Bagging Business as well as its future potential.” Kilsaran Director, Padraic Hogan, commented that, “This initiative signifies an exciting new chapter for Kilsaran which will strengthen our business and benefit not only our existing customers but also our new customer base who have been trading with N&C until now.” The acquisition coincides with the rebranding of Kilsarans existing dry mortar products to Kilsaran K-Pro, same quality products just with a new look. The new K-Pro branding will be arriving into stores and onto sites in the coming weeks. The recent N&C acquisition and the current K-Pro rebrand demonstrates Kilsaran commitment to servicing their network of merchants around the country with quality construction materials. For more please visit www.kilsaran.ie
WE HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURING & SUPPLYING TOOLS TO THE TRADE FOR OVER 100 YEARS DURING WHICH TIME THE WORLD HAS CHANGED A LOT... What hasn’t changed is our commitment to quality, innovation and reliability. These values are at the heart of what we do, day-in, day-out and what makes C.K Tools designed for professionals.
ck-tools.com Padraic Hogan, Director Kilsaran International. September/October 2020 C29A000125_Irish_Hardware_HalfPage.indd 1
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21/08/2020 10:13
News & Products
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY, INNOVATION, AND RELIABILITY Carl Kammerling (CK Tools) have been manufacturing & supplying tools to the trade for over 100 years. Their innovation includes C.K Magma Premium Tool Storage Solutions which are smarter by design. Working with professionals gives C.K Magma great insight into what works best to make tasks much easier. Its wide range of innovative tool storage products do just that, providing great options for high quality and efficient tool storage solutions. Hardwearing, strong, and durable, C.K Magma products are built to protect and organise valuable tools, with fantastic features and benefits to suit everyone’s needs. When looking for the perfect solution to transport a large toolkit, the C.K Magma Technician’s PRO Wheeled Case (MA2652) is without doubt the best in class solution. Ideal for all terrain use, this premium wheeled case will effortlessly transport a fully laden toolkit which, with test equipment and power tools, can top 20kg. Now offering more storage than ever, this quality wheeled case features an extra wide main compartment, 50 deep square pockets/compartments, plus handy vertical pockets for clear visibility and organisation of tools. Its balanced design includes a rugged and durable chassis, wheels, and a telescopic handle.
Adjustable straps allow easy access to the main compartment and a lockable zip system adds extra security. There’s also a zip down front panel for A4 document storage. The C.K Magma Pro Tool Case Plus (MA2640) is the ultimate bag to organise and protect valuable tools. This quality tool case features a dual-sided wide opening, over 60 easy access vertical storage pockets/holders and the best organisation of valuable tools. The outer construction of the Pro Tool Case Plus offers superb strength and durability and includes heavy duty pierce protected zips, with a 100% water and crack proof base, designed to keep tools safe and secure in transit, as well as deliver long lasting performance. A choice of short carry handles and shoulder straps allows for easy portability from one task to another. Find out more about the C.K Magma product range at www.carlkammerling.com
25,000 REASONS TO JOIN THE HARDWARE JOURNAL DIGITAL REVOLUTION In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the digital revolution has been propelled even further both in business and society. The Hardware Journal team saw this first-hand when the decision was made to publish and circulate the May/June issue digitally (via social media, email and www.thehardwarejournal.ie). From there we saw just how powerful the digital arena is, and the benefits available to advertisers using this platform. The May/June edition alone was emailed directly to over 2000 subscribers, brought 7,298 visits and 10,591 page impressions to the website, and was viewed and shared over 4,000 times on social media, which highlights the strength of our audience and the thirst for online content even during these challenging times. Annually The Hardware Journal is viewed online over 18,000 times, with over 25,000 page impressions, giving your advertisement or editorial optimal opportunity to be viewed by key decision-makers and potential customers in the Building Materials, Hardware and DIY sectors in Ireland and beyond including to over 550 Architects and 150 Interior Designers. The Hardware Journal offers a unique opportunity for you to share your product or business news and announcements to a growing digital audience, and with our interactive digital advertising options you will be able to connect interested viewers directly with your website, sign-up page or product catalogue with a click of a button. The Hardware Journal is constantly evolving and adapting to this new digital age and this brings even more benefits to editorial contributors and advertisers. For more information about advertising with The Hardware Journal contact Jim Copeland today at jim@hardwareassociation.ie or visit www.thehardwarejournal.ie.
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THE HARDWARE JOURNAL MAY/JUNE STATS:
7,298 VISITS 10,591 PAGE IMPRESSIONS 4,062
SOCIAL MEDIA VIEWS
September/October 2020
News & Products
WELL EARNED RETIREMENT It is with warm wishes that Locks & Hardware announce the planned retirement of their long time and very well-respected colleague Tony McGuirk. Tony has worked for Locks & Hardware for the last 13 years of his 53-year working career. All 53 of those years have been spent working with builders providers either supplying or working in a builders’ merchants. Tony started working for Murdock’s in Dun Laoghaire in 1967. From there he went on the road for Spence Agencies under Alan and Rodney Spence where he covered Leinster and the West of Ireland. Subsequently Tony worked with MJ Burrows in Blackrock and then Locks & Hardware in 2007. For the last 13 years Tony has been managing the Locks & Hardware Showroom in Ballymount. In his leisure time Tony played League of Ireland football with Drogheda and Shelbourne, but is probably best known for his time managing/coaching Bray Wanderers where he was involved in their two FAI cup wins in the 1990’s. Tony was also part of Brian Kerr’s management team for the underage national teams. Although he will be greatly missed by all at Locks & Hardware, Tony has more than earned his retirement. All at Locks & Hardware would like to extend their best wishes for the future to Tony and his family.
MEETING WITH CAVAN COUNTY COUNCIL JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), as part of the Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) sub-group, met with the Cavan County Council Joint Policing Committee (JPC) representatives in June via an online conferencing portal to discuss the solid fuel black market in Ireland and the impact of smuggling on legitimate businesses and communities. A similar presentation had been given to members of Monaghan County Council JPC towards the end of 2019. Topics included proposed legislation targeting smugglers which RAS say will prove ineffective unless an all-island approach to tackling smuggling and cross-jurisdictional price differences is first addressed. Fianna Fáil’s Private Members Bill, the Sale of Illicit Goods Bill, introduced in 2017 by then Louth/Meath East Deputy, Declan Breathnach, aimed to create a deterrent to purchasing smuggled goods like solid fuel, which is seen to undercut that sold by Irish retailers. The Bill, if passed, would allow for on the spot fines to be dealt out to offenders. Conor Brennan of RAS, who was joined by Jim Copeland of Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) in addressing the Cavan JPC on the day stated that their focus was not the private purchaser, but rather the illicit wholesale supplier avoiding tax.
September/October 2020
RAS and HAI estimate the illicit solid fuel trade costs the Irish Exchequer over ¤9.7 million in lost revenue, at a loss of ¤36.5 million to retail merchants, which is putting many retailers’ businesses in jeopardy. Different tax regimes either side of the Border make a lorry load of coal approximately ¤2,217 more expensive in the Republic than in the North. RAS and HAI believe that this will encourage smuggling of solid fuel over the Border at unprecedented levels. Conor Brennan explained that the aim is to educate consumers and squeeze out the black-market middlemen who profit by stocking up on cheap coal in the north and selling to customers down south. One suggestion was a track and trace system, similar to that used in clamping down on the sale of illegal cigarettes or alcohol. The question of enforcing the legislation, if passed, was raised by Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty who suggested that Gardaí had other responsibilities and that Customs might be better suited to tackling solid fuel smuggling. Mr Brennan accepted that the difference in jurisdictional tax systems, including the failure to apply Carbon Tax on an AllIreland basis had “created a difficult situation”.
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News & Products
RULES FOR SALE AND PURCHASE OF RODENTICIDES Rodenticides are products used to control rodents such as rats and mice and are regulated under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). Rodenticides fall under Product-Type (PT) 14. Anticoagulant Rodenticides (AR) are the most widely used rodenticides and are also referred to as Anti-Vitamin K’s (AVKs) because vitamin K is the antidote for AR poisoning. Since 1st March 2018, members of the General Public can only purchase and use AVK rodenticides containing active substance content < 30 mg/kg. General Public (Amateur) products can be used indoors for the control of mice and around buildings for rats and mice. They are available for sale in DIY or hardware shops nationally and may be purchased by amateurs (general public), professionals (e.g. Farmers) or trained professionals. They do not require any form of proof at the point of sale as restrictions to the use, pack size, packaging and content of the active substance in the product already applies to reduce risk to untrained users. www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/biocides/ changestouseofanticoagulantrodenticides/ amateuruserodenticideproducts/ The Hardware Journal has asked Adrian Caulfield, M.Agr. Sc., Technical Manager, Unichem, to set out some rules for the sale and purchase of Rodenticide with oversight from the Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM). There are three categories of customer that can buy rodenticides, General Public (Amateur), Professional (eg. Farmer) and Trained Professional. GENERAL PUBLIC (Amateur) • CANNOT buy Professional or Trained Professional rodenticides. • The MAXIMUM unit/pack size is 150g for grain, pellet or paste baits and 300g for block bait. However, customers can buy as many units/packs as they want in a single transaction. • The retailer does not need to keep records of General Public rodenticide sales. • General Public rodenticide MUST be used as prescribed on the label and in a properly labelled, tamper resistant bait box.
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Refusal to supply this information limits the sale to general public use products only. The retailer record keeping requirements can be found on the PRCD (Biocides) website and should be reviewed periodically. These can be requested during DAFM inspections. The MINIMUM pack size available for purchase is 2.5kg. The same record keeping requirements apply to online sales as physical sales. Retailers should not have an automatic system of customer purchases for Professional rodenticides and should carry out a check that the person meets the earlier criteria before they accept the sale. All advertisements, including online, must include the text “Use Biocides Safely. Always read the label and product information before use”. Advertisements should ensure that the risk associated with the product is not misleading in respect to human health, animal health or the environment. Professional rodenticides MUST be used as prescribed on the label and in a properly labelled, tamper resistant bait box.
TRAINED PROFESSIONAL (PMU) • Trained Professional Use rodenticides CANNOT be sold to the general public or farmers. • Trained professionals MUST present their PMU number at the point of sale and records of sales of Trained Professional rodenticides are required, as with professional users. • Trained Professional users can be verified using the Register of PMUs on the PRCD website. • A Trained Professional can purchase any category of product but must use the product as prescribed on that label. More information is available at: www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/ biocides/changestouseofanticoagulantrodenticides/
PROFESSIONAL (e.g. Farmer) Retailer Rules • Professional rodenticides CANNOT be sold to amateur users. • A Herd number, Flock number or equivalent Tillage (HFR or HPR) number MUST be given, along with a name and address, when purchasing Professional rodenticides. A Trained Professional user can purchase professional product with their Pest Management Trained Professional User (PMU) Number.
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September/October 2020
News & Products
INTACT OFFER THREE ONLINE AVENUES All the recent evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards online shopping and as yet, there is no sign of that trend slowing down. Both B2B and B2C Merchants who do not have a suitable online offering have suffered in the short term and this will extend to the medium and long term. Online often appears to mean only one thing; an ecommerce site, but that is not always the most suitable option for merchants and there are other options out there. At Intact they offer their customers three online avenues: 1. Intact Cliqx e-Account: a website where your customers can securely log-in to fully manage and pay their account online, thereby reducing reliance on back office staff 2. Intact Cliqx e-Trade: an extension of the e-Account solution that also enables your B2B customers to order products online with pricing aligned to the customer pricing set in your Intact Software system.
3. Intact Cliqx e-Commerce: a full B2B/B2C e-commerce site – an online extension of your merchant store Options are available, the important thing is to choose the right one for you and your customers. Remember, whatever option you choose, it is key that it integrates seamlessly with your business software solution to ensure online transactions are processed and managed smoothly. Why not get in touch today to find out more about Intact and the range of options they have to support your need to get online. Further information is available at intactsoftware.com
Canadia Ad resized.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2018 10:12 Page 1
EMPLOYERS URGED TO TAKE ON APPRENTICES AND GET €3,000 Employers are being urged to take on apprentices in order to receive a ¤3,000 payment in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as part of a scheme to be launched in August by Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris. The Government plans to increase the number of apprentices in all sectors in what is being described as a “win-win” situation for employers and apprentices. “Over 18,000 people are currently undertaking an apprenticeship across a wide range of occupations from electrical, construction and engineering roles to healthcare, information technology and financial services. Our ambition is to see that number grow and the Government provided funding for this new incentive for employers in the July stimulus package,” Mr Harris said. He said apprenticeships would play a “key part in Ireland’s recovery and our country’s future”. It is a really exciting option for people of different ages, genders and backgrounds, career changers and school leavers, to forge brilliant careers for themselves.” Under the new apprenticeship incentivisation scheme, employers can receive a ¤3,000 incentive payment for each new apprentice registered between March and the end of the year. Mr Harris has urged all employers to consider the scheme. “It’s a win-win: help develop an apprentice’s potential while you develop your company.” Source: Irish Times
September/October 2020
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News & Products
TIMBER DRAFT AGRICULTURE APPEALS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2020 In July, the Government approved the drafting of an amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 to align the forestry licencing and appeals processes with similar planning processes. This action is a commitment in the Programme for Government. Comments were invited on this draft Bill by the end of August and before its presentation to the Oireachtas for their consideration after the summer recess. Irish law currently requires the Department of Agriculture to license all forestry activity, including tree felling, planting, and road building for log transport. It also gives a broad right of appeal against the issuing of these licences, that allows virtually anyone to challenge such a decision. The Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Forestry Appeals Committee cannot keep up with the number of challenges, creating a two-year backlog that has stalled the production of enough timber to build up to 50,000 new homes.
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Hardware Association Ireland has warned that the situation threatens timber supplies and potentially 12,500 jobs amid growing frustration at the Department for failing to deal speedily with the appeals. The Department has pledged to hire more staff to do this work. Also, a proposed amendment to the Forestry Act, could introduce a charge for each appeal. HAI has made a submission to this consultation on behalf of our trade sector and has encouraged members nationally to do the same. HAI has also written to the Minister for Agriculture, Food & The Marine, Opposition Spokespeople, and is meeting and liaising with other trade sector groupings and individual members directly within the timber category. Members of HAI were also asked to contact their local TDs and Senators to impress upon them the seriousness of the current situation.
September/October 2020
News & Products
ENSURE THAT YOUR RISK IS PROPERLY PRESENTED TO THE INSURANCE MARKET Hardware Association Ireland, (HAI), have appointed Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd as their preferred supplier of Insurance Products. Dolmen have recently launched their new website www.hardwarestoreinsurance.ie which has been set up to cater for all of the insurance requirements of the hardware and building materials sector and associated industries. Dolmen is very keen to align itself with HAI and will work closely with its members in providing a top-class service, the broadest possible cover, and premium savings specifically to HAI members. The team from Dolmen will be available to liaise
September/October 2020
with hardware stores and builders merchant businesses over the coming weeks and months and readers of The Hardware Journal can also log on to www.hardwarestoreinsurance.ie to share their details. A representative from Dolmen will duly contact them to makean appointment. To ensure that the risk is properly presented to the insurance market, Dolmen will carry out a full free risk assessment and survey. They will give objective advice and offer a no obligation insurance quotation. Most companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insurance spend is significant and is money well spent, however being underinsured or having insufficient cover negates the impact of that spend as the value of claims could be reduced or there is no cover in place at all. Dolmen and www.hardwarestoreinsurance.ie will ensure that hardware and builders merchant businesses are properly insured at the most competitive cost available. You can contact Dolmen as follows; info@hardwarestoreinsurance.ie, 01 8022361, www.hardwarestoreinsurance.ie. You can also contact the sector insurance lead, John Bourke, ACII, 086 8146236.
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News & Products
HAI IS DELIGHTED TO WELCOME ITS NEWEST MEMBERS Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd Unit 39 Butterly Business Park, Kilmore Road, Dublin 5 Contact: John Bourke Email: info@hardwarestoreinsurance.ie Phone: 01 8022361 Category: Insurance Brokers specialising in Hardware & Builders Merchants
Johnston Shopfitters Unit 1E, Bluebell Industrial Estate, Dublin 12 Contact: Shane Brennan Email: sbrennan@johnston-shopfitters.com Phone: 01 4190419 Category: Provider of fit-out services and equipment for retail and commercial sectors
Passive House Systems Unit 5B4 Link Road Business Park, Ballincollig, Co. Cork Contact: Sally Burke Email: info@passivehousesystems.ie Phone: 021 4872664 Category: Renewable Energy Products Supplier
sales-i Floor 3, 31 Homer Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3LT, UK Contact: John Downes Email: jdownes@sales-I.com Phone: +44 121 489 1070 Category: Customer Intelligence Software Company
Cluide, Dunleer, Co. Louth. T (+353) 041 686 1000 W www.wrg.ie August_decking Advert.indd 4
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September/October 2020
Are you getting the broadest Insurance Cover at the best available price? Log on to www.hardwarestoreinsurance.ie to arrange an alternative competitive quotation for all your Insurance Needs. Hardware store insurance is a Dolmen Insurance website. John Bourke ACII Direct Dial â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 01 8022361 Mobile â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 086 8146236 E mail johnb@dibl.ie
Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
News & Products
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AN E-COMMERCE PRESENCE FOR SMES IE Domain Registry (IEDR) is the national registry for .ie domain names and is responsible for the management and administration of Ireland’s official internet domain, .ie, in the interest of the Irish and global internet communities. They have recently published “Tipping Point: How e-commerce can reignite Ireland’s post-Covid-19 economy” in partnership with Digital Business Ireland. In this report they assessed the attitudes and responses to the Covid-19 crisis of 1,000 Irish consumers and 500 retail and customer-facing professional services SMEs. They looked at three distinct phases: before the crisis, during it, and intended behaviour after the crisis is controlled. The report highlights the importance of an e-commerce presence for SMEs, particularly at this time. The research demonstrates that consumer demand online continues unabated and those SMEs that invest in their online presence will be rewarded. The report indicates that the Covid-19 crisis has been a tipping point for Ireland for many reasons. From an economic perspective thousands of businesses have closed, unemployment has soared, and uncertainty prevails. However, another Covid-19-induced tipping point has more positive long-term ramifications for Ireland’s economy. The report records a swing in online retail sales to Irish SMEs, away from their historically dominant international competitors. This is a significant milestone. The Covid-19 crisis has encouraged consumers to look closer to home for goods and services. While perceptions of quality and trust have played important roles in this, a major proportion of the consumers spoken to said that they simply wanted to support Irish businesses through a challenging period.
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However, IEDR suggest that a swing of this nature is not necessarily a permanent one. It is entirely possible that once the economy returns ‘to normal’, and businesses are no longer experiencing restricted trading, Irish consumers may not feel the need to be as supportive as they have been. They may also return to buying from international retailers. The report indicates that Irish consumers are spending more online with Irish SMEs that have pivoted to help save their businesses during the lockdown. IEDR assert that companies need to press their current advantage and ensure it is not shortlived. So far the signs are good for an omni-channel approach. Here is a summary of the Insights in the Report: • Since Covid -19 , 32% of consumers have said that they are spending more online with a further 17% significantly more. • 77% of SME`s with a website say that it drives sales • 53% of consumers’ online spend since the Covid-19 crisis has been with Irish SMEs, a swing away from the historically dominant international competitors. • 67% of consumers who have done most of their online shopping with Irish businesses say they have done so out of a sense of solidarity. • Just 25% of SMEs sell online. • 46% of SMEs that have invested in online services during the Covid-19 crisis are busier than or as busy as before. • Once Covid-19 is controlled, 52% of consumers say they will either do most of their shopping online or shop in-store only for necessities. It is clear that a “blended” shopping approach is preferred by consumers.
September/October 2020
News & Products
ECOMMERCE CASE STUDY: SKERRIES HARDWARE Liz McKenna, Skerries Hardware.
In 2018 Liz McKenna from Skerries Hardware participated in OPTIMISE*, an eCommerce and website development programme delivered by the IE Domain Registry in partnership with Hardware Association Ireland. Two years on, Liz talks to Aoife Kinsella from HAI and Oonagh McCutcheon from the IE Domain Registry about the business’ success online, how it helped them through the Covid-19 crisis, and their plans for the future. Liz you had just joined Skerries Hardware in 2018. How did you get started with getting Skerries Hardware online? I joined Skerries Hardware to help with administration and bookkeeping, but my main interest and focus was social media, marketing and getting Skerries Hardware online. The OPTIMISE programme came up around the same time and I joined up to get some help! Did you find the OPTIMISE programme helpful in your journey? I found OPTIMISE a very useful process. After my audit meeting I received a Web Healthcheck Report, which was a roadmap of what I needed to do to improve the website. I remember going through it and started the process by asking myself “what can I do now?”. There was no delay, I started updating the website with the recommendations in the report, and the IE Domain Registry provided some useful resources and contacts to look into completing more complex tasks like setting up the ecommerce system. Your website has changed a lot since 2018, with new ecommerce functionality, and you are very active on social media. Tell us about the success of your progress to date. What kind of benefits have you seen since implementing your ecommerce and digital marketing strategies? This year alone around 20-30% of our sales are online, and we typically have a healthy flow of sales both instore and online. We have a constant, very loyal audience on social media who we can keep instantly updated on the latest products, stock availability and other news, and it’s great to know that there is someone always watching. When the lockdown started in late March we were fortunately one of the few shops in Skerries that didn’t stop. We were able to continue to trade throughout the lockdown, working off online sales and delivery. We are very lucky to be able to say that. With Covid-19 there was a push to shop local, and support local, which has been a massive benefit to us. Even now in the ‘New Normal’ when customers have an opportunity to go further afield, we’re seeing that they still tend to stay in their local area which is great. Because we’re a local business, up to now people wouldn’t really think of ordering online, but now we’re seeing a new trend in online ordering, whether it’s for delivery or our click-and-collect service. September/October 2020
Your website has a .ie domain. What inspired you to make this choice? We chose the .ie domain because it’s Irish, and we wanted to be seen as an Irish local business. It didn’t make sense to opt for a .com which we felt would make us sound more like a large industrial factory! We wanted to keep in touch with our customers and convey that we’re your local hardware shop in Skerries, and we’ll continue to be no matter what. What are your future plans? Over the next six to twelve months integration is a big focus, Currently the POS system in the shop isn’t integrated with the website. My plan is to get an integration in place with the POS so the stock availability is online and up to date, making the order fulfilment process quicker and more efficient. What top online sales trends have you seen so far this year? This year the top three categories for online sales have been Gardening, Paint and Cleaning products, which really sums up what everyone was doing during lockdown. What advice do you have for any hardware business interested in starting their online journey? For hardware shops looking to get online I would advise them to do plenty of research and have a look at what your competitors are doing. Take your time with it and remember Rome wasn’t built in a day! It takes time to perfect what you want the outcome to be. If you’re looking for help and support in ecommerce, website development or social media, the IE Domain Registry have a number of eBooks on their website www.iedr.ie. HAI has also launched a Digital Marketing Consultancy service for its members, and you can find more details on this service at www.hardwareassociation.ie. * Due to Covid-19 restrictions the OPTIMISE programme will not take place in 2020.
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News & Products
HAI Corporate Partners CASH IN TRANSIT
ECOMMERCE AND MARKETING SERVICES
RMS Group Services Dan Healy 01 623 3004 dan.healy@rmsgroupservices.com www.rmsgroupservices.com
Monsoon Ed Wyeth 01 475 0066 ed.wyeth@monsoonconsulting.com www.monsoonconsulting.com
CREDIT MANAGEMENT, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL Credit Risk Brokers James Riordan 01 491 6007 james.riordan@creditriskbrokers.com www.creditriskbrokers.com
JPA Brenson Lawlor Ian Lawlor 01 668 9760 ian@brensonlawlor.ie www.brensonlawlor.ie
LCMS Ltd Paddy Nolan 045 431 143 sales@lcms.ie www.lcms.ie
The Credit Coach Declan Flood 087 244 7052 declan@icmt.ie www.icmt.ie
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sales-i John Downes +44 121 489 1070 jdownes@sales-i.com www.sales-i.com
IE Domain Registry Alan Finnegan 01 236 5400 afinnegan@iedr.ie www.iedr.ie Pointy Matt Dockrell 01 513 3323 matt@pointy.com www.pointy.com
HR SUPPORT TSA Consultants Tommy Smyth 021 463 4154 tommy@tsaconsultants.ie www.tsaconsultants.ie September/October 2020
Corporate Partners
IN STORE MUSIC & MEDIA Almotech Media Solutions Mike Lyons 093 60872 mike.lyons@almotech.com www.almotech.com
INSURANCE Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd John Bourke 01 802 2361 info@hardwarestoreinsurance.ie www.hardwarestoreinsurance.ie
HSF Health Plan Mia Shephard 1890 451 451 mia.shepherd@hsf.ie www.hsf.ie
Profile Technology Ltd Peter McCullagh 071 916 2122 PeterMcCullagh@Profteck.ie www.profteck.ie
LOGISTICS SERVICES Woodland Group Lee McMullen 01 811 1500 lee.mcmullen@woodlandgroup.com www.woodlandgroup.com THe Logistics Consultants Ronan McDonnell 00 353 86 8385278 ronan@thelogisticsconsultants.com www.thelogisticsconsultants.com
PAYMENT SERVICES
IT SUPPORT AND SERVICES CORE Technology Stuart McDonnell 025 41400 stuart.mcdonnell@coretechnology.ie www.coretechnology.ie
Herbst Software Sean Fitzgerald 01 450 9329 sean.fitzgerald@herbst.ie www.herbstsoftware.com
Intact Software Mark McArdle 042 933 1742 mark.mcardle@intactsoftware.com www.intactsoftware.com Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) Carla Bremner 01 545 7100 carla.bremner@kerridgecs.com www.kerridgecs.ie
September/October 2020
AIB Merchant Services Jonathan Mahon 01 218 2116 jonathan.mahon@aibms.com www.aibms.com Prommt Adam Ball 01 539 2309 adam.ball@prommt.com www.prommt.com
Service Partner Business Partner Corporate Partner
Contact us today to become a HAI Business Partner info@hardwareassociation.ie or phone 01 2980969
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Store Profile
Cork’s new Tubs & Tiles opens new ideas The Hardware Journal’s Aoife Kinsella was impressed by her virtual tour of the new Heat Merchants Group’s flagship Tubs & Tiles showroom in Cork. She speaks to Shane Colleran, Retail Director and Neil Ahern Showroom Manager. After weeks of anticipation, Heat Merchants Group were delighted to welcome customers to their new flagship Tubs & Tiles showroom in Cork. For everyone unable to travel or visit retailers during the pandemic, yet eager to get those bathroom and tiling projects underway, being able to enter, explore the huge range and chat to knowledgeable staff in person was well worth the wait. The impressive showroom marks Heat Merchants Group’s forty years in business; joining their 32 Heat Merchants stores and 12 Tubs & Tiles branches to supply a comprehensive portfolio of heating, plumbing and renewable energy solutions for domestic and commercial projects.
The 750m2 space also facilitates social distancing and safety measures so customers can browse with ease. Tubs & Tiles is home to a massive product portfolio from leading bathroom and tile brands. “Designer brands sit comfortably alongside our superb value ranges; all carefully selected to provide great options for every taste and budget.” The bathroom brands stocked are renowned in the industry for their quality manufacturing and advanced designs. “These products are designed to stand the test of time, and the array of styles and colours offers something for everyone,” adds Neil. “We feature all the latest trends in bathrooms and tiling.”
Space to inspire
Step inside and start soaking up ideas. Tubs & Tiles has teamed with Tess Stanford Interior Architects to present innovative bathroom layouts in extensive displays. Dedicated brand areas, ‘shops within shops’, feature awardwinning names like Duravit, Hansgrohe and Axor in bathroomware and Mirage and Ragno for tiling.
Shane couldn’t be happier with the Eastgate location. “The wonderfully spacious premises enabled us to open a bathroom and tile showroom that can showcase our extensive range of quality bathroom-ware, showers and furniture from renowned international designers.”
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Design solutions
September/October 2020
Store Profile
Amie Willmott, Nina Logar, Neil Ahern (Branch Manager), Dadiva Filadelfia and Samantha Norton.
To make each customer’s vision a reality, extensive design services are delivered by an experienced specialist team. Appointment-based consultation is dedicated to creating the dream bathroom, encompassing 3D virtual images, 360-degree views, detailed fitting plans and specification of materials. As Neil Ahern explains, “Our 3D design software is a wonderful tool to help customers visualise their finished bathroom and be confident using bold or creative designs, as the realistic images give a very accurate representation of how the finished product will look.” As part of their comprehensive service, the Tubs & Tiles team liaises directly with tradespeople installing the tiles and bathrooms; providing scaled fitting plans, manufacturers’ product information, or installation guides to ensure the project goes smoothly.
Customer-led technology Coronavirus and its effects on business and society has spurred Heat Merchants Group to introduce changes that make life as easy as possible for customers and enhance efficiencies. New services have been developed, including their new Showroom Virtual Tour, which is available on their website and which allows customers to browse their showroom from the comfort of their home! www.tubstiles.ie According to Shane, “Technology has been increasingly important in our industry, however the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 means innovation has been accelerated and become more immediately critical to the business.” “Our enhanced online presence now lets customers view products and services so they can plan and shortlist what they want to see when they visit any of our showrooms. This minimises browsing time instore and frequently reduces the number of visits, or even eliminates the need to visit the showroom at all.” The Group’s e-commerce website goes live soon; a major focus, says Shane. “Customers are exceptionally wellinformed and spend considerable time and energy researching their needs, so this new website will be a critical resource.”
It takes teamwork Behind the success of the Cork showroom; Neil and his dedicated, experienced team of nine, work diligently to ensure every area is pristine and that “expert advice and customer service is always available”. September/October 2020
The Sales and Customer Services Team includes Deirdre Murray, who has been working alongside Neil for over 25 years, Samantha Norton, who comes from a family of tilers and brings in-depth practical expertise, and Dadiva Filadelfia, with her extensive knowledge on the sale and specification of large-format slab porcelain and marble tiles. National Sales Manager Jason O’Connor has been with Tubs & Tiles Commercial for over 15 years, while commercial specialist Joe Murphy works closely with architects and designers in the Cork area.
In the know Training for all employees is highly valued. Induction for new recruits is extensive and everyone receives ongoing mentoring from Neil and senior team members. “Each week one hour is dedicated to training, often conducted by specialists from our supplier partners. We focus on topics such as the technical performance of tiles, substrate preparation, product features and benefits, tile maintenance and customer service skills,” explains Neil. “Training and developing staff, ensuring a pleasant environment and demonstrating your appreciation for their hard work and willingness to go the extra mile are of immeasurable value to building a strong, motivated team who will deliver an exceptional customer experience. This is the cornerstone of any business success.” The proof is in the accolades; becoming a Business All Star accredited company and included as a TRIBE (The Register of Irish Business Excellence) participant. This year the Group was delighted to be recognised by The All-Ireland Business Foundation as Overall Best Enterprise and received the McEniff Enterprise Trophy for the second time. Heat Merchants also retained their status as a Gold Standard Deloitte Best Managed Company for the sixth consecutive year.
Collaborative links The Group joins with like-minded businesses to address social, environmental, and economic priorities. In addition to being a proud member of Hardware Association Ireland, Heat Merchants is one of 90+ associates in Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), the national network for sustainability. Alan Hogan, Heat Merchants Group MD states: “Corporate Social Responsibility is at the core of our business and we are 25
Store Profile
The recently launched Tubs and Tiles Interactive Showroom Tour.
committed to continuously improving in this area. We strive to be an asset to the communities where we live and work. Embedding responsible, sustainable practice within our group culture is fundamental. Our memberships allow us to access a wealth of expertise and support”. Heat Merchants has partnered with Roscommon Community College to help prepare students for the working world. Through the Skills @ Work programme, volunteer employees guide students on CV writing and interview skills and share insights into job choices and career paths. “It is extremely important that students are fully aware of potential job opportunities within their communities, as cities are not always the answer,” explains Alan Hogan. “This programme benefits local economies and can assure the future staffing needs of our company, along with providing skilled workers for other local businesses and prospective enterprises.”
Sustainable future In 2018 Heat Merchants Group signed up to The Low Carbon Pledge; the first public commitment generated by Irish business to lead on the transition to a low carbon economy and reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions’ intensity by 50% by 2030.
Design Consultation Room.
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“We have committed to making sustainability a central priority to help Ireland achieve its international commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement,” Alan confirms. “This is demonstrated by supporting the Pledge and the significant steps we’re taking to reduce our environmental impact across our business network.” The Group has installed a 470-panel solar photovoltaic system on the roof of their business support offices and central warehouse in Athlone is changing all lighting at every site to energy-efficient LED fittings, and replacing diesel forklifts with four electric Jungheinrich models in the distribution center.
Secrets to success For Neil, Shane and their Eastgate team, the Group’s dedication to customer service is their guiding principle. “All of us at Tubs & Tiles are very committed and passionate about the work we do. This carries into the customer experience, as we genuinely want to provide the best products and assistance to suit every individual,” says Shane, adding that extensive choice and services have been major drivers in their success. “Our key selling point? The peace of mind we can offer our customers.”
Flooring display. September/October 2020
POLAR EXTRA AIRTIGHT LADDER
Folding Highly Insulated Loft Ladder EXCELLENT THERMAL INSULATION Airtight seamless strip included
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HIGHLY INSULATED HATCH
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Add-ons • ISO-upper lid set (plus 87) • Blower-Door-Set • Paneling Minka Fix 27 mm Hatch safety •H rail
Hatch includes 60mm of high quality insulation
SUPERIOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Advantages • Checked DIN EN 14975 • Airtight class 4 (DIN EN 1026) • No joints on all around seal • Dove tail joint treads 27 mm thick • Equipped with steel safety hand rail and stair shoes • Holds weight 150 kg
2-point turning lock
27MM THICK WOODEN FRAME Strong massif wooden frame
www.laydex.ie Phone: +353 1 6426600 Email: sales@laydex.ie
Supplier Profile
25 years of innovation at Laydex Adaptability and Innovation is a mantra that has guided Laydex through boom years, recession, pandemics and a quarter century of growth and success. Today, having a vision has never been more important, as Managing Director Peter Woods tells the THJ. When Laydex was founded back in September 1995 with just seven employees, the world and the construction industry were very different. One of Ireland’s leading suppliers of building products to the hardware industry began life in a small industrial unit in Tallaght and comprised two core agencies - Index Torch-On felts and Laybond Flooring Adhesives. But timing and forward-thinking, encapsulated by their Adaptability and Innovation ethos, reaped rewards and the young company rode the wave of Ireland’s rapidly growing economy. 25 years on, Laydex Building Solutions remains a family firm, but now has nearly 50 staff operating from a cutting-edge 50,000 sq. ft sales, warehousing, and distribution hub on the Kylemore Rd, Dublin 10. Plenty of space for the extensive product portfolio, which includes a huge range of construction materials and leading international brands in roofing, flooring, and building products. Laydex has built a reputation on providing solutions for builder’s merchants and hardware retailers, not only through trusted high-quality products but also first-class service and support. As Laydex celebrates a milestone anniversary in what has been an extraordinary and challenging year, now is a good time, says Managing Director Peter Woods, to consider key moments in their story so far which can offer vital insights for the future.
Irish independence Laydex was established as an Irish, family-owned and operated business by Ian Woods, CEO. His original business partner and Sales Director, Gerry Callan, succeeded Ian as Managing Director ten years ago. Gerry was later joined by Ian’s son Peter, who has been Managing Director for the last three years. Both have a wealth of industry experience between them.
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As a fully independent enterprise, Laydex has been free to plot its own course and respond to the evolving needs of its retail and construction sector customers and the industry in Ireland.
Standout products and premises From early on, the Laydex founders realised Ireland’s trade and retail customers value having a one-stop resource that can deliver solutions for multiple requirements. Laydex supplies an immense array of products that come from trusted brands within the four core areas; Building Products, Flooring, Roofing and Passive Fire Protection. Building Products alone covers literally thousands of items, all meeting the latest industry regulations. Peter says, “We distribute a very broad range of building materials nationwide and have technical expertise in place to further support the sale of these products.” Within the specialist divisions dedicated to Flat Roofing, Commercial Flooring and Fire Stopping, expert staff members deliver technical guidance and design assistance. To accommodate it all; a newly refurbished extensive facility conveniently sited in Dublin 10, which Peter affirms can “Ensure we can give our customers a first-class, efficient service. The company headquarters and distribution centre has seen a transformation in its office spaces, show rooms, trade counter area and exterior, to enhance both the customer and staff experience. The façade of the building now features our corporate colours, while the contemporary interior is designed to showcase our product range.”
Constructive relationships This ability to adapt to challenges and changes has been a key factor in the company’s success. For example, as Peter explains, “The recession was a huge challenge for all involved in the Irish September/October 2020
Supplier Profile
Information at a touch Technology is driving many changes at Laydex, making it easier for customers to view products, get specification data, and stay in touch with their sales and technical specialists. The company’s easy-to-use website, www.laydex.ie, includes a helpful display of product catalogues, case studies and technical resources. “Having information instantly available at peoples’ fingertips is critical to everyone today and we do our best to ensure as much information as possible is available for our customers on our website.” Peter also hinted at the launch of a new online ordering portal, adding yet another interactive option for customers. construction industry and we had to pivot towards products suited to the refurb market as opposed to new build”. It is this commitment to quality and adaptability that saw the company introduce some of their top brands over the years, including Tyvek, Permabase, Syn-Oxide, and their flagship brand Fortessa. “As a Company, we have always sought out new opportunities in line with changing construction practises and so we were fortunate to begin distributing the Fortessa range of Door Handles and also Permabase Fibre Cement Boards.”, explains Peter. From the earliest days, Laydex has also been focusing on Adaptability and Innovation, on behalf of their customers. Much of its growth and innovation has been based on customer feedback, research and keeping a close eye on industry developments, says Peter. “It is important to listen to our customers and respond to their needs and future requirements. We always aim to find new ways, together with our manufacturing partners, to make our products more efficient and easier to work with, bearing in mind the environmental impact, and health and safety.” Laydex believe that tradesmen are looking for top quality products manufactured using the latest technologies and complying with modern building practises. Where opportunities exist, they work with new and existing suppliers to bring these products to the Irish hardware industry. This partnership approach ensures all building products set and exceed standards. These close customer and supplier relationships have also helped Laydex to identify and address critical industry needs in line with changing building regulations.
Product Innovation The company continues to invest in NSAI and other appropriate certification for both new and existing products. By early next year Laydex would hope to have ten different NSAI certificates across their product range. “We continue to invest in certification to give our customers and our customers` customers assurances that they are buying products at the top end of the market in terms of quality and performance” says Peter. The company also identified an increasing demand for composite decking products. “We researched the market and partnered with a leading global manufacturer to bring our Teranna branded decking to the market. We have seen healthy growth in this area year-on-year since we first introduced it three years ago.” Peter explains and pointed out that all Laydex composite decking is produced solely from recycled materials, as part of their commitment to sustainability. September/October 2020
People focussed But nothing can ever replace dealing directly with people to find the right solutions, so the know-how of the Laydex team is essential for assuring exceptional service customers can count on. Laydex has a highly committed and experienced staff, many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years, including Ian Woods, Gerry Callan, and Gaye O’Connor - on the team since its foundation. When asked to share his secrets to a healthy business, Peter made it clear that, at Laydex, “It’s all about the tradespeople and other key contacts in the Irish hardware industry who they serve every day. People buy from people at the end of the day and we are people-focussed. All of our staff appreciate that they have a responsibility to put the customer first.” Because customer-focus is ingrained in the organisation from top to bottom, everything Laydex do is geared around providing their customers with the first-class service they pride themselves on. That is at the core of their success.
Connectivity Laydex values its industry memberships to keep ahead of developments within the industry and forge mutually beneficial relationships. The business continues to reinforce its ties with the building materials sector through membership of integral industry networks, such as Hardware Association Ireland and the Construction Industry Federation.
Looking to the future If the rate of change between 1995 and 2020 has been astonishing, the future holds even greater challenges and opportunities - current Covid-19 issues, global warming, technology, Brexit, regulatory developments, just for starters. But, in keeping with their ethos of Adaptability and Innovation Peter and his team are optimistic. They are confident that their online ordering plans and enhanced premises will bring customer service to a new level. What’s more, in these unprecedented times, the reputation of Laydex as a solid, trusted, and progressive company has continued to rise, particularly when it comes to hot topics such as sustainability, fire rating and thermally efficient modern building solutions. “Our industry can be confident we will provide premium products and practical support wherever Ireland needs them.” Says Peter. 25 years of success is testament to this commitment to customer focus and customer-inspired innovation.
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Steve Collinge
The Rental crisis - an opportunity for the Home Improvement Industry? Steve Collinge, MD at the Insight Retail Group, shares his thoughts on how the Home Improvement sector can harness the opportunities posed by the renting generation. The correlation between house-moves and the home improvement industry has been well-known for some time. You could even say that house-moves have been the fuel that has powered our market for decades. When we’re moving home and house prices are rising, we’re happy; but when we stop moving house, like we did between 2008 and 2010, the industry catches a cold, big time. And I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy the industry commentators who say, “that if we aren’t moving, then we’re spending the same amount of money improving our homes” – we simply aren’t. When we move into a new home (if funds allow) many of us will spend the first three years making it ours, decorating most rooms and where needed replacing the kitchen or bathroom. When we choose not to move and rather to improve our current home, we take on one or maybe two projects during that same period. In terms of what we spend on home improvement materials, we only spend around a third of what we would have spent had we actually moved to a new house. Data released earlier this month by Rightmove, the largest home-moving website in the UK, confirmed that July 2020 had been the busiest month for Homebuying for 10 years, with agreed sales of £37bn, £12bn more than during July 2019! Pent-up demand? Undoubtedly. Consumers looking to escape the cities and achieve a better work/life balance? Probably. Will it continue at this pace, unlikely? But behind these figures, home ownership in the UK has collapsed for adults in their prime working age. According to the Office for National Statistics, those in their mid-30s to mid40s are three times more likely to rent than 20 years ago. In a
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reflection of surging house prices and a lost decade of wage growth since the financial crisis, one third of 35-44 year olds in England are now renting from a private landlord, compared with fewer than one in ten in 1997. In Ireland, it is a slightly different picture. According to the property website Daft.ie the number of homes available for sale at the beginning of August 2020, fell to its lowest level in 14 years as COVID-19 caused the property market to stall. Whilst there were only 19,538 properties for sale nationwide at the beginning of August (-22% on 2019 levels) availability in the rental market was skyrocketing. Countrywide, at the beginning of August, there were 41% more properties available across Ireland for rent and 92% more in Dublin, with 3,000 homes available, compared to only 1,600 a year earlier. According to Daft.ie, the increase in rental supply is said to be linked to landlords withdrawing their rentals from short-term listing sites such as Airbnb and offering them on Daft.ie instead. Recent reports have given stark warnings that the rental sector in Ireland is out of control and many families who are forced to rely on the sector as their only housing option are increasingly at risk of losing their homes as the cost of renting, particularly in Dublin, continues to escalate.
Generation Rent And it’s even tougher for the younger generation. Typically, they have a good education and excellent career prospects. They’ve not experienced a recession or negative equity and if they’ve spent time abroad, it’s normally through their choice as opposed to necessity. Yet, this generation have challenges in ever being able to afford to buy a home of their own. September/October 2020
Steve Collinge
Out of interest, the BBC has recently commissioned a unique, new home improvement TV show targeting the millions of young people in rented accommodation. Launching on BBC Three this Autumn, `Flat Out Fabulous` is produced for the BBC by Ricochet and features talented designer Whinnie Williams, who believes that everyone has the right to a stylish home, no matter what their budget is. She’s about to prove that home renovations don’t have to cost a fortune by helping housemates re-design and transform a boring living space. IKEA have successfully targeted this segment for some time and have worked hard to provide cost effective, fashionable ranges that appeal to Generation Rent. But I believe there is so much more for us to do, than just re-positioning our products to appeal to a younger generation of renters.
A Range of Services
In 1991, 180,353 households in Ireland were renting (45% private and 55% local authority), by the time of the Census in 2016, this had increased to 469,671 households (70% private and 30% local authority). During the same period, the number of owner-occupied households increased from 808,385 to 1,147,552. Today, 30% of households are renting their home compared to 20% 10 years ago. For the Home Improvement industry, and particularly the retailers, renters have always been a problem and a consumer group that we’ve found hard to target and even harder to speak to. Partly this is down to the size of the opportunity; it’s an obvious point to say that renters spend significantly less on their homes and gardens than homeowners. Whether it’s restrictions applied by landlords or simply a lack of appetite to improve and add value to a property that will never be theirs. Spend levels have historically been low and focused predominantly on categories such as furniture and homewares.
For some time, I’ve been thinking through the opportunity for brands to offer a range of home improvement products and services to landlords. Landlords are always looking to increase the income from renting and to improve their returns. Renters are frustrated that they can’t make their homes their own and the fact they’re restricted by what landlords allow them to do. What if the largest brands in Ireland worked together? What if Google and Dulux and Yale and the other big names were to offer a package of measures that landlords could offer to their tenants, payable through an increase in the monthly rent? For example: •
•
A new TV Show But as the proportion of people renting continues to grow, we’re either going to have to accept a contraction in the Home Improvement market or perhaps change the way we think and begin working harder to inspire and engage with this growing population. But how does the industry tap into this growing opportunity and capitalise on all those homes and gardens that could be improved?
•
Tenants could have their rental property painted in a colour of their choice before they moved in and repainted again every two years for a slight increase in their monthly rent to cover the cost. The paint companies could create a range of ‘landlord friendly’ colour cards with a limited colour-pallet. Smart Home security systems and voice activated devices could be added to properties if tenants were prepared to pay a monthly ‘subscription’ to cover the installation and on-going costs. Landlords could offer rented furniture packages from Woodies or IKEA and other retailers for those tenants who would rather rent than buy furniture.
As the cost of construction continues to escalate in Ireland and owning a home of their own becomes less and less likely for the younger generations, as an industry it is time for us to think differently. Maybe the new BBC show ‘Flat Out Fabulous’ will change the game and become the Changing Rooms of the 2020’s, delivering a huge increase in engagement with DIY and subsequent sales for the industry. Even if it does, I believe there is a responsibility with the largest retailers and brands to act now, think differently and find new ways to sell their products and services to a completely new audience who are just waiting to make their home their own. 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 (@InsightDIYSteve).
September/October 2020
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Building Materials & Supplies
BUILDING MATERIALS MARKET CONTINUES WITH CONFIDENCE
Building Materials & Supplies
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Hello and welcome to The Building Materials and Supplies Supplement 2020. In this issue Revenue remind all that despite the ongoing challenges of Covid-19, it is vitally important to get ready NOW for Brexit and the changes that will occur from 1st January 2021. Customs formalities will apply to the movement of goods to, from and through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. There is a lot of information on customs authorisations and simplifications which may make your interaction with Revenue easier in the future EU-GB trading environment. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has very timely information on the implications on Construction Product Regulations (CPR) of Brexit during and immediately after the transition period of 2020. Also, news from the EU that the CPR are under review with no agreement as yet reached on the specifics of the revision. There is a document assessing the impact and the preparation of new proposals available, more details on page 47. Our colleagues at Construction Information Services (CIS) take us through the volume, value, and regional spread of construction projects across the island of Ireland from the start of 2020 to the end of August. Kilsaran, fresh from their recent acquisition of N&C Enterprise`s bag products division introduce The River Collection of decorative stone and their K-PRO range of dry products. Dulux Paints Ireland again bring us their quality trade products range specifically focussed on contractors and specifiers. The Dulux Ireland Trade Team at their Technical Advice Centre will provide specific information and expert knowledge that your trade customers may require to deliver projects right the first time. Gyproc are offering to save your customers time and effort with their high quality, lightweight and durable OneCoat Plaster. This gypsum-based plaster is easier to spread which is less physically demanding than other systems, leading to greater speed of use, reduced working time and improved performance on site. Griffon bring us a 100% waterproof and airtight range of products which are durable and very easy to use. Bonding as they do to many surfaces including concrete, stone, wood, and metal etc. You will always have the right solution to make the chosen surface waterproof or airtight. Irish International Trading Corporation PLC (IITC) introduce
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their exclusive and unique LadderLimb product. This ingenious device allows a ladder user to safely secure tools or paint tins to their ladder without endangering their own safety or those in close proximity. They also bring us their new and innovative stud finding product, StudFinda, again exclusive to IITC, it makes locating both wood and metal studs easy without the use of batteries. Ideal for many jobs around the house and beyond with eye-catching point of sale material and product packaging offering an excellent margin to retailers. Leading heating technology manufacturer Grant are offering your customers a full heating requirements design service with quotation all under one roof. This free service is designed to match the exact requirement of the homeowner, help save time on project completion and reduce carbon emissions. With over 40 years of experience in warehousing and storage solutions leading European manufacturer OHRA racking solutions offer you a broad range of racking systems, and a fully automatic warehouse solution including storage and retrieval machines and IT warehouse software. If you are interested in selling more product, boosting revenue, and increasing profits then sales-i are the people to contact. Already utilised in the building materials and hardware sector in Ireland their software product is designed to give your sales team the confidence to seize every sales opportunity on multiple platforms without even being connected to the internet. Larsen are all about protecting your customers investment. Their REPEL range of products absorbs into the microscopic pores of paving and facades without affecting the surface appearance and gives long lasting protection. They also offer a solution to remove mould, mildew, fungi and algae. Velux are currently rewarding your customers to demonstrate their appreciation for their individual hard work. Their Autumn Award Scheme campaign on purchases of a range of Velux products allows your customers to take advantage of this seasonal boost to spend with a fantastic choice of top-brand partners. We hope you enjoy reading this Building Materials Supplement and use the information to inform your purchasing decisions in the immediate future as well as taking some inspiration from the varied content. Jim Copeland Editor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Hardware Journal September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies
The Trade Paint Specialists Dulux Paints Ireland offers superior quality products, service, and expertise to get the job done right. With a strategic focus on contractors and specifiers in Ireland, the Dulux Ireland Trade Team provides the specification information and expert knowledge your trade customers may require to deliver projects right the first time. Choosing the correct paint products is an important part of the job - regardless of the project size. From the smallest space to the largest project. Dulux products are specially engineered to give a technically superior performance, allowing professionals to use their skill to get fantastic end results. The Dulux Trade product range provides a comprehensive range of everyday and specialist paint finishes that professionals can always rely on. The Diamond Range from Dulux Trade will help professionals make their great work last even longer. Diamond Matt offers unrivalled durability in a classic matt finish. Ten times tougher than Vinyl Matt, its innovative technology protects walls from scrubs, scuffs, and stains, keeping busy spaces looking good for longer. Delivering a mid sheen finish, Diamond Eggshell offers an unrivalled durability and stain resistance which is especially useful in spaces with high moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Diamond Satinwood is a unique water-based product with exciting new technology. The secret to Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood is an exclusive Cross-Linking Technology involving a unique form of latex that binds and links the paint as it dries. Suitable for wood and metal surfaces, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extra tough & durable satin finish provides excellent protection from scratches, stains, grease marks and day-to-day knocks. Diamond Satinwood is designed to be used in high traffic areas, such as corridors, stairways, and access areas, while having the added benefit of being quick drying with low odour. With a professional aesthetics finish and non-yellowing water-based technology, it has never been so easy to switch to water-based paints. With Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood, the Dulux Trade Diamond range gives you a total range of premium, diamond tough finishes for walls, ceilings, and woodwork.
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Dulux Trade have a range of Specialist Paints that are popular with decorators, including: Sterishield, an anti-bacterial coating; Mouldshield, which inhibits mould growth and Cladshield for previously painted or weathered cladding. Dulux Trade has invested heavily over the years to help its customers achieve great results on challenging or sensitive areas. Dulux Trade Cladshield offers exterior durability and protection for Plastisol coated and coil cladded buildings. The unique properties provide a tough and durable paint film that is suitable for application over previously painted and weathered cladding. Dulux Trade Metalshield is specially formulated for metal, provides lasting, high protection against corrosion on ferrous and non-ferrous metal substrates. It is suitable for interior & exterior use. Mouldshield by Dulux Trade contains a special fungicide that inhibits the growth of fungi and mould inside buildings. Launched in 2020, the Dulux Trade Quick Dry Woodstain is a high-performance water-based product formulated using unique AkzoNobel technology. It produces a highly flexible medium build satin finish which provides excellent resistance to peeling, flaking, and blistering. Quick drying, it protects exterior wood for up to 10 years if used in accordance with instructions. With Dulux Paint`s comprehensive range of products, your customer will find the right finish for every type of project from minor fit-out to complete commercial refurbishment, retail sites to healthcare, education to social housing. For further information on Dulux Products and how they can support you, please contact the Dulux Technical Advice Centre on tel: 021 422 0222
September/October 2020
Scrubbable with Superior Durability. *Well, not quite forever, but at least 10x more durable than standard trade emulsion.
Building Materials & Supplies
New Gyproc OneCoat Plaster The new Gyproc OneCoat plaster is a gypsum based lightweight plaster that’s easier to spread and less physically demanding than other systems leading to greater speed of use, reduced working time and improving performance on site. Gyproc OneCoat also provides a high quality, durable finish with a single application, saving time and labour costs whilst improving the quality of indoor air by removing formaldehyde from the air. When applied to masonry walls Gyproc OneCoat can provide a significant contribution to the overall airtightness performance strategy of a building. Test results undertaken in a INAB accredited laboratory demonstrated that the application of 10mm Gyproc OneCoat over 100mm Irish manufactured concrete blocks, laid on edge, offered an air permeability performance of 0.028m3/h.m2 (50pa). As an added benefit, the Activ’Air technology, removes formaldehyde from indoor air improving the air and climate in rooms. When hand mixing Gyproc OneCoat, for optimum results, mixing should be carried out with an 1800watt mechanical drill. For machine application, Gyproc OneCoat plaster works well with most electrical spraying machines. Gyproc OneCoat plaster is applied directly to blockwork and can be built out to a minimum depth of 10mm, up to 15mm in single application. It can be built out to a depth of 13mm for Party Walls to meet Building Regulations for acoustic performance. If required, Gyproc OneCoat can be built out to a maximum depth of 25mm, for more details please see their Product Data Sheet at www.gyproc.ie. This new one coat plaster speeds up the plastering process – no need to wait for a Sand & Cement undercoat to dry/set before applying a finish coat. Gyproc OneCoat is a single plaster application, and with a 4 - 5 hour setting time, you can have your walls finished in one day.
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September/October 2020
NEW
ONE AND DONE. Save time and effort with this high quality, lightweight, durable one coat plaster.
COAT
SINGLE APPLICATION
EASIER TO SPREAD MEETS BUILDING REGULATIONS FOR PARTY WALLS AIRTIGHT
View our full range at www.gyproc.ie
Wall Finished.
t? Where nex
Building Materials & Supplies
Griffon HBS-200® for airtight & sustainable constructions In times of high environmental awareness and the growing demand to use our finite resources as consciously and sustainably as possible, special attention must also be paid to our own four walls and other buildings of everyday life. After all, a significant portion of the energy consumed every day is needed for heating and cooling our homes and public buildings. Energy consumption can be reduced further and further in the future through modern construction of new buildings and sensible modernisation measures for existing buildings. This can be achieved by using efficient heating and air conditioning systems, also by keeping the exchange of energy and air with the environment as low as possible.
Simple, safe & sustainable Consequently, innovative sealing and insulation concepts are needed, that can be used for new buildings as well as for the renovation of existing buildings. Special focus must be placed on simple and safe application, as excessively complex systems are always sensitive to errors. The Griffon brand offers end-users an air and waterproofing system. With this system buildings of the most varied construction methods can be sealed in a sustainable and user-friendly manner.
Effective insulation
Gapless & airtight Legislators are publishing more and more strict regulations about energy efficient construction (e.g. the Passive House Standard) and the requirements can only be met with a well thought-out and professionally applied building sealing concept. According to today’s standards, there must be a gapless and airtight layer between the inside of the building and the outside. The airtightness can be tested via pressure difference measurements (for example the “blowerdoor test”).
On the one hand, masonry and other building structures need to be sealed against moisture and water, and on the other hand, the reduction of the exchange of air with the environment is playing an increasingly important role. In addition to demand-orientated ventilation and efficient heating technology, the key is an effectively insulated and above all airtight building envelope. No matter whether it’s a passive, low-energy, or high-energy house.
Easy to use The market offers the professional user a range of comprehensive systems, but some of these are complicated to use and therefore can be prone to errors that can cause expensive consequential damage. Griffon’s HBS-200® concept provides the user with easy-to-use but extremely effective products for airtight and waterproof sealing of many exterior and interior surfaces; from solvent-free coatings which are (brushable, rollable, trowelable & sprayable), flexible foams and special sealing tapes to state-of-the-art polymer sealants.
Tested The HBS-200® products have been thoroughly tested according to current standards and guidelines (e.g. EN 1026, EN 1027, EN 12114, EN 1504-2), and meet the requirements of low VOC indoor emissions.They are also compliant for Green Building certification according to LEED and BREEAM. A product overview with many helpful application examples can be found at www.griffon.eu. You are also welcome to visit them at The Hardware Show 2021. 42
September/October 2020
100% WATERPROOF AND AIRTIGHT WITH GRIFFON HBS-200®
TESTED & CERTIFIED
The Griffon HBS-200® assortment consists of durable quality products that are very easy to use. These universally applicable and permanently elastic products can be used for wetroom tanking, basins, conduit ducts, floor seams, expansion joints, roof gutters, below ground level tanking and window frame joints – just to name a few. They bond to many surfaces including concrete, stone, wood, metal, zinc, bitumen, PVC and adhere to PP and PE. So regardless which surface you want to make waterproof or airtight, with HBS-200® you always have the right solution at hand.
www.griffon.eu
Griffon. The choice of the pro.
Building Materials & Supplies
Get Ready for Brexit - Act now Are you ready? The United Kingdom left the European Union on 31st January 2020. The transition period provided for under the Withdrawal Agreement, including a revised Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, ends on 31st December 2020. This means that the arrangement whereby the UK continued, for the purposes of the movement of goods, services, and people, as if it were a full EU Member State ends on 31st December 2020. Revenue understands the ongoing challenges presented to business by Covid-19 and the focus, priority and time that this has taken. However, it is important to get ready now and be ready for Brexit and the fact that from 1st January 2021 customs formalities will apply to the movement of goods to, from and through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. Your business must be able to complete these formalities from 1st January 2021 in order to be able to move goods to, from and through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland.
How can we help you? The following information will be of assistance to you. Trading with Great Britain and Northern Ireland www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/brexit/ index.aspx Economic Operator Registration and Identification www.revenue.ie
Your next steps in getting Brexit Ready
Register for an Economic Operators Registration Identification (EORI) number Have you got an EORI number? Watch out for the EORI registration video on www.revenue.ie/brexit.
Assess your Supply Chain Know where your goods originate, their value for customs purposes, tariff classification and invoicing currency.
Decide who will be responsible for 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. Be aware that Revenue is implementing a new Automated Import System (AIS) from November 2020. 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)
Understand the Impact on Logistics Consider the impact on your logistics model. Know the new information your logistics provider will need and when this will be needed. Is your logistics provider aware of these requirements?
Get the appropriate 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.
Make arrangements for the 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 Account to pay import charges.
Consider the relevant VAT matters Does your business make use of any EU VAT simplification measures (such as triangulation or self-billing)? These measures will no longer be available where part of the transaction occurs in the UK. Do you incur VAT on purchases or charge VAT on sales made in the UK? If so, the European VAT Refund (EVR) system will no longer be available to reclaim VAT expended or refund VAT charged in the UK. The zero rate of VAT applies to exports. To apply the zero rate of VAT to exports, you must ensure that the goods have left the EU and have evidence of export. Avail of the Brexit advice available from Government Departments, State bodies and Agencies, including Revenue. Financial supports may also be available, www.gov.ie/en/ publication/b1efec-programmes-funds-and-supports/
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September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies
Can I simplify my engagement with customs post Brexit? Depending on your business model, customs authorisations and simplifications may make your interaction with Revenue easier in the future EU-GB trading environment. Visit www.revenue.ie.
If you plan to make import customs declarations without the assistance of a customs agent, you will need specific Customs software to connect to AIS. You will need to be familiar with, and have a good understanding of, the Customs rules and procedures under the UCC legislation that apply to goods brought into the European Union.
Further information on AIS is available on the Revenue website AIS page www.revenue.ie/ais Any queries not covered by the material available can be emailed to ucc-cmu@revenue.ie For updates on AIS, please register to join our dedicated AIS mailing list aismailinglist@revenue.ie
The Automated Import System Act now AIS is coming in November 2020 and you need to prepare for it. An application for any of these authorisations or simplifications is made electronically on the Customs Decision System (CDS). In each case, an application must be made simultaneously for a financial/comprehensive guarantee. See the 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.
What Revenue systems do I use for my imports and exports? Revenue is implementing a new Automated Import System (AIS) in November 2020. Exports will continue to be managed using the Automated Entry Processing (AEP) system.
What do I need to do to be able to use AIS and AEP? AIS All customs import supply chain operators must be ready for AIS. Customs software needs to be updated NOW. To see how AIS will impact your business follow each link for more information.
Inform yourself Check out www.revenue.ie/ais for latest information on AIS System check Make sure your customs software will be ready for AIS. Talk to your internal IT team, your software provider or your customs agent NOW
AEP Post Brexit, AEP will continue to handle the validation, processing and clearance of export customs declarations. Make sure you have access to the relevant customs software to make export declarations. See the technical specifications for AEP at www.revenue.ie/en/ online-services/support/software-developers/index.aspx General information on AEP is available on the Revenue website www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/customselectronic-systems/index.aspx Any queries not covered by the material available can be emailed to ecustoms@revenue.ie
AIS, AEP, BREXIT and YOU â&#x20AC;˘ Customs Declarations will be required. â&#x20AC;˘ You, or your customs agent must have the facility to lodge customs import declarations into AIS and customs export declarations into AEP.
September/October 2020
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Building Materials & Supplies
CIS share some Industry Stats In this article Construction Information Services (CIS), www.cisireland.com takes a look at the volume, and value of construction projects across the various sectors and stages within the Construction industry that have been added/updated to CIS Online from 1st Jan – 24th August 2020 by the CIS Research Department. Projects Published (Summary by Stage) Stage Completed Contract Awarded On Site Planning Not Required Plans Granted Plans Refused Plans Submitted Plans Withdrawn Pre Planning Tender
ROI Projects 122 290 1368 1 3161 466 2724 832 10
NI Projects 14 185 338 0 1065 52 1160 16 56
ROI Value ¤850,560,802 ¤601,834,202 ¤17,057,684,811 ¤684,320 ¤14,071,282,733 ¤2,443,770,772 ¤7,805,362,007 ¤609,562,643 ¤4,247,800,000
NI Value £19,534,090 £922,201,755 £1,555,435,533 £0 £2,086,559,506 £49,181,678 £1,664,517,888 £38,569,944 £357,970,241
2140 11119
420 3307
¤5,082,022,636 ¤52,770,564,926
£1,903,287,304 £8,597,257,939
Projects Published (Summary by Location) Region Connaught
Leinster
Munster
Northern Ireland
Ulster (ROI)
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County Co. Galway Co. Leitrim Co. Mayo Co. Roscommon Co. Sligo Co. Carlow Co. Dublin Co. Kildare Co. Kilkenny Co. Laois Co. Longford Co. Louth Co. Meath Co. Offaly Co. Westmeath Co. Wexford Co. Wicklow Co. Clare Co. Cork Co. Kerry Co. Limerick Co. Tipperary Co. Waterford Co. Antrim Co. Armagh Co. Down Co. Fermanagh Co. Derry Co. Tyrone Co. Cavan Co. Donegal Co. Monaghan
Projects 598 99 285 170 172 193 2494 461 319 216 143 289 431 196 226 327 339 286 1284 376 499 511 267 1331 258 737 137 416 428 194 514 230 14426
Total Value ¤1,907,955,263.00 ¤44,522,239.00 ¤758,901,359.00 ¤219,584,651.00 ¤319,631,532.00 ¤275,602,451.00 ¤26,592,720,458.00 ¤2,774,938,546.00 ¤684,687,650.00 ¤574,317,422.00 ¤345,938,092.00 ¤1,417,897,404.00 ¤2,443,505,080.00 ¤501,571,902.00 ¤364,809,234.00 ¤1,460,064,563.00 ¤1,323,016,129.00 ¤413,746,779.00 ¤5,350,933,243.00 ¤1,127,115,648.00 ¤1,306,820,590.00 ¤570,690,726.00 ¤719,555,214.00 ¤5,640,231,117.00 ¤250,728,857.00 ¤977,740,201.00 ¤151,563,240.00 ¤656,841,332.00 ¤920,153,192.00 ¤443,369,505.00 ¤600,533,481.00 ¤228,135,765.00 ¤61,367,822,865.00
About CIS Construction Information Services (CIS) is Ireland’s leading provider of business intelligence to the Construction and Allied Industries. Founded in 1972, CIS is celebrating 48 years of providing comprehensive, researched, verified and real-time information on all building projects throughout Ireland - North and South. Our highly qualified research team investigate valuable projects in great detail to ensure businesses can make important decisions quickly and generate the right contract and supply opportunities for their pipeline. For more information, call 01 2999200 or email sales@cisireland.com.
September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies
Implications on CPR of Brexit during 2020 (the transition period) & 2021 The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG) is responsible for building standards policy and regulation, including implementation of the Construction Products Regulations (CPR). The DHPLG is also the ‘notifying authority’ for construction products that are covered by the CPR. A ‘notifying authority’ is responsible for implementing the necessary procedures for the assessment, notification, and monitoring of ‘notified bodies’. A ‘notified body’ is a body that is designated to carry out certain conformity assessment procedures referred to in the applicable EU legislation. You can read more about the notification procedure on their website. www.housing.gov.ie/corporate/brexit/brexit-constructionproducts-regulation
body’ registered in one of the remaining 27 EU countries. For construction products currently reliant on a UK ‘notified body’, the manufacturers, importers, distributors, or authorised representatives may need to either:
During the transition period:
Support and guidance
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorised representatives must continue to comply with the CPR when placing construction products on the Irish/EU market. UK ‘notified bodies’ continue to have the status of EU ‘notified bodies’; that is, they are able to perform conformity assessment tasks for the purposes of the CPR.
For support and guidance on standards and certification, contact the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Email brexitunit@nsai.ie or phone 01-807 3800. If in doubt, operators should consider taking professional advice about how their obligations may change after the transition period ends.
Irish ‘distributors’ of UK construction products have the same obligations under the CPR as they had before Brexit. Builders, designers, specifiers, certifiers, and construction professionals should prepare for possible impacts to supply chains when the transition period ends. They should examine their supply chains to ensure suitable construction products with appropriate documentation demonstrating compliance will be available after 2020. In the construction sector about 40% of trade is with the UK.
The Construction Products Regulations (CPR) are under review.
If you plan on trading with the UK in 2021 you will need a unique Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. You can register for an EORI number through Revenue’s online services section. From 1st January 2021 (or when the transition period ends) Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorised representatives need to ensure they comply with their obligations and responsibilities, as set out in the CPR. Both authorised representatives and importers must be established in the EU-27.
•
arrange for a transfer of their files and the corresponding certificates from the UK ‘notified body’ (a ‘notified body’ registered in the UK) to an EU-27 ‘notified body’, or
•
apply for a new certificate with an EU-27 ‘notified body’
The ‘Nando’ EU commission website provides the full listing of all current EU-wide ‘notified bodies’.
The European Commission is reviewing Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (known as the Construction Products Regulation or the “CPR”). The review process of the CPR was confirmed by the European green deal in December 2019 and the circular economy action plan in March 2020. While no agreement has yet been reached on the specifics of a revision of the CPR, the EC have prepared a document assessing the impact and the preparation of a new proposal. The purpose of this document is to provide a starting point for an open dialogue with industry and other stakeholders to inform the discussions. For more information, please contact Jim Copeland, jim@hardwareassociation.ie
Manufacturers, importers, distributors and authorised representatives will need to continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that they hold certificates under the responsibility of an EU-27 ‘notified body’ (that is, a ‘notified September/October 2020
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Building Materials & Supplies
LadderLimb - your third hand! Irish International Trading Corporation PLC (IITC) are introducing their exclusive and unique product, the unmistakable LadderLimb. The product was developed as the result of an accident whilst working from a ladder. It could have so easily had catastrophic consequences. Alistair Taylor, the inventor of the LadderLimb, was painting the exterior of his house when he lost his grip on the tin of paint he was holding. Instinctively he reached out to try and catch the paint tin and almost ended up falling to the ground below from the ladder. Luckily for him he was able to regain his balance and prevent a nasty accident. From this experience Alistair made up his mind and decided he was going to go out and purchase a safety device which he assumed would be readily available in shops.
be able attach a paint pot, drill, bucket, or other items that they require when working at height, giving them a `third hand’.
What Alistair imagined he would be purchasing was something to allow paint tins and other tools to be held at the side of the ladder as opposed to in his hand. Well needless to say… there was no product! LadderLimb was born and from these beginnings, the company has grown, and they now sell these ingenious devices globally. The unique design of the LadderLimb enables the product to fit securely into the hollow rungs of most modern-day aluminium ladders. A person will
•
mittee for onised and metal such safety
Irish International Trading Corporation PLC (IITC) are introducing their exclusive and unique product, the unmistakable LadderLimb.
LadderLimb is the new ingenious device that will: • • • • • •
• •
Help keep the user safe on ladders and step ladders Cut down the time needed to do the job Allow the user to keep three points of contact on the ladder at all times Help keep the user within the manufacturer’s guidelines for most ladder systems Help the user to conform to Health and Safety regulations Discourage the user from using old pieces of rope to hang tools Stop the user from using unsecured hooks to attach paint tins and buckets Break the habit of using sections of pipe to create an unsafe ladder hook Help keep colleagues, work mates or the general public, who may be below, safe from falling debris.
For further information, visit www.iitc.ie.
EXC
LUS FRO IVELY M
IITC
For further information contact IITC:
T: Cork: 021 4705800
Naas: 045 888300 E: info@iitc.ie W: www.iitc.ie
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September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies
StudFinda - No batteries required Irish International Trading Corporation PLC (IITC) are launching their new innovative stud finding product, StudFinda. This simple to operate product is exclusive to IITC and offers the retailer eye-catching point of sale material and product packaging with excellent margin. Sure to be a favourite with Trade and DIY users the StudFinda easily locates both wood and metal studs without the use of batteries and is ideal for many jobs around the house and beyond including hanging pictures, clocks, TVs, radiators, shelves and much more. Your customer will love the easy to use StudFinda. Just place the unit against the wall in a vertical position. Slowly move horizontally along the wall. When a stud has been located the StudFinda will stick to the wall handsfree and leaves no marks on the wall surface. • • • •
No Batteries Required to operate Locates both wood and metal studs Does not detect copper Ideal for hanging pictures, clocks, TVs. radiators, hooks and much more.
For further information, visit www.iitc.ie.
EXC
LUS FRO IVELY M
IITC
Irish International Trading Corporation PLC (IITC) are launching their new innovative stud finding product, StudFinda. • • • •
No batteries required to operate Locates both wood & metal studs Does not detect copper Ideal for hanging pictures, clocks, tvs. radiators, hooks & much more
For further information contact IITC:
T: Cork: 021 4705800
Naas: 045 888300 E: info@iitc.ie W: www.iitc.ie
September/October 2020
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Building Materials & Supplies
Grant’s Heating Design service helps save time and improve efficiencies Leading heating technology manufacturer Grant is providing those working on new build projects and property renovations with the opportunity to have the full heating requirements for the property designed and quoted under one roof by its inhouse technical specialists. This free of charge service is helping to save time on projects whilst also giving peace of mind to know that the exact heating requirements of a property are being met. This in turn results in reduced carbon emissions and greater long-term savings for the property owner. On receipt of property design plans the Grant technical specialists provide full heat loss calculations in line with SR:50 guidelines, which are then used to design and specify the property’s full heating requirements to achieve optimum efficiencies. These calculations are also used to help achieve Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards, now required by all new buildings in the Republic of Ireland. As part of the specification process, correctly sized heating products from the Grant portfolio which are included in the company’s Multiple Package Solutions offering are recommended to meet the bespoke needs of the property. This includes specification of the main heat source best suited for the property and identification of appropriate supporting technologies including hot water storage and heat emitters (underfloor heating and radiators). In addition to providing room by room heat loss calculations and specifying the best suited heating products for the property, the Grant team will work alongside the specifier to ensure from a heating perspective that requirements are met correctly and efficiently. It is this careful combination of heating technologies and smart controls by the technical specialists at Grant which essentially brings the property into a new class of efficiency. Barry Gorman, National Renewable Sales Manager at Grant said, “Our free of charge heating design service is continuing to prove very popular throughout Ireland with those working on construction projects. The design service was developed to aid those embarking on a new build, upgrade, or renovation project. Saving time on the heating design process, whilst giving confidence from knowing that the designs are being done professionally. In addition, those who avail of the service can be assured that it will result in a heating system that uses products that are designed to work together and maximise efficiencies.”
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Heating technologies featured in Grant’s Multiple Package Solutions offering which may be recommended to future-proof the property include the highly efficient A+++ Aerona³ R32 air to water air source heat pump, which is available in four outputs and the award-winning Vortex condensing oil boiler range, which is available in outputs from 12kW to 70kW and is biofuel compatible. Once the main heat source is selected, additional technologies are specified to support the systems overall efficiency including Grant’s pre-plumbed hot water cylinders. These A-rated cylinders are highly versatile as they can work with one or more heat source and are configured for two heating zones and a domestic water zone. The final stage focuses on selecting the correct heat emitters to suit both the property and the heat source’s needs. Grant’s range of heat emitters includes the popular Uflex underfloor heating system and the sleek in design Afinia aluminium radiators. Visit www.grant.eu for more information on Grant’s range of innovative heating solutions. Follow Grant on Facebook and Twitter @GrantIRL or Instagram @Grant_IRL.
How your customers can avail of Grant’s Home Heating Design Service 1. Send planning drawings, a contact number and preference of underfloor heating, radiators or both to heatpump@grantengineering.ie 2. A member of the Grant team will be in touch to discuss requirements. 3. Customers will receive full property specifications with recommended products all available from Grant
Grant Aerona³ R32 10kW air to water air source heat pump. September/October 2020
Call 057 9126973 www.grant.eu
Save time and maximise efficiencies on new build & retrofit projects Our Free Home Heating Design Service can provide greater long-term savings. Take advantage of our team’s specialist knowledge and allow us to correctly size the heating system and specify best suited heating products for the property, taking it to a new class of efficiency. Service includes room by room heat loss calculations based on SR:50 guidelines, correct sizing and combination of Grant products including the A+++ Aerona³ R32 air source heat pump, A rated pre-plumbed hot water cylinders, Afinia aluminium radiators and Uflex underfloor heating system. We can ensure NZEB standards (Part L) are met along with requirements for EPC, CPC and BER certification. Start the journey to zero carbon today in 3 easy steps…
Send house plans, contact number & preference of heat emitters heatpump@grantengineering.ie
A member of our team will be in touch to discuss your requirements
You will receive full property specifications with recommended products all available from Grant
All specified products are designed to work together as part of the Grant Multiple Package Solutions offering
Building Materials & Supplies
Caring for your warehouse with OHRA With OHRA, you can trust in more than 40 years of experience in warehouse technology and storage solutions. OHRA is one of the leading manufacturers of storage equipment in Europe with a broad range from which to choose, starting from small racking systems up to a fully automatic warehouse operation, including storage and retrieval machines and warehouse software. Proud members of Hardware Association Ireland, the company provides bespoke products for many applications, which are individually customised for the goods to be stored and to the available handling devices. In accordance with these requirements, OHRA plan, produce and install storage systems including cantilever racking for long goods, pallet racking for heavy loads or mezzanine floors for an ideal and optimal use of the existing storage space. OHRA is the European market leader and specialist for cantilever racking. They are a reliable partner and especially suited to buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; merchants and timber trading businesses. All racking systems are made of high-quality solid hot-rolled steel. The unique arm-to-upright connection allows the arm to move freely in the case of impacts by a forklift truck, avoiding undue damages to arms, uprights, and the stored material. The arms can be
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adjusted easily in height, without using tools. Cantilever racks and other racks are available in a high-quality powder coating or as a hot-dipped galvanized surface for outdoor installation. Since the beginning of the 1990`s OHRA has provided additional services to Irish customers such as site visits, assembly by their Irish fitter teams, statistics, calculations, and drawings. For further information, visit www.ohra.ie.
September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies
Are you confident that your business takes every sales opportunity? What is sales-i? Already trusted and used by HAI members, including Heat Merchants and Reisser, sales-i is a software product designed to help building material suppliers sell more product, boost revenue and increase profit.
•
How does it work? Not even the best salesperson can keep track of every product line purchased by every customer, but with sales-i, your teams can be confident they are seizing every sales opportunity. It does this by drawing purchase information from the user’s existing accounting system, or ERP, and delivers actionable customer sales insights that can be distributed to sales teams on multiple platforms such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. They don’t even have to be connected to the internet or even based in the office for it to return results.
These insights are delivered direct to salespeople as alerts without the need for generating reports or analysing spreadsheets. Alongside alerts, sales-i’s CRM capabilities allow users to update meeting notes through voice or text, which are instantly available to all relevant team members.
What does it deliver? As a sales tool that can be used every day the insights it delivers include; • Full picture of current sales for all customers, product lines, volumes, and profits available instantly.
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Identification of cross-sell opportunities – for example, which customers buy fence panels, but not fence posts. Alerts to sales teams of customers that have stopped buying particular products, so action can be taken immediately to address the potential loss in sales.
It also allows team leaders to manage and track the performance of their teams. Sales managers can track meetings, call volumes and general performance of their team through a couple of clicks. As an out of the box solution sales-i can be delivering results to users with just a few weeks and the full onboarding and training support programme to ensures customers get the maximum value out of their investment. To find out more, visit www.sales-i.com or contact John Downes. Jdownes@sales-i.com
Confidence is maximising the potential of your customers. Get powerful sales insights anytime, anywhere.
Trusted by leading wholesale, manufacturing and distribution businesses, sales-i helps drive revenue and increase profit by identifying actionable customer sales insights. Contact us today: 00 44 121 489 1070
Work smart. Sell smart.
www.sales-i.com
September/October 2020
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Building Materials & Supplies
Protecting your customers investment With the days starting to get noticeably shorter and the weather on the turn, now is the time for your customer to treat their paving and facades to protect them from the winter to come. Larsen’s REPEL range of products absorb into the microscopic pores on the surface and line the pores with advanced repellents without affecting surface appearance or vapour permeability to give long lasting protection. Brickwork, render, concrete and paving are all absorbent surfaces and during mild winters the combination of absorbed moisture with higher temperatures mean algae and mould growth is evident everywhere. Green algae is common on paths and patios, particularly in shaded spots with poor drainage, and can become a slip hazard. On render and brickwork red algae and black mould are also common, particularly near trees and on north facing walls. It is not always possible to prevent shade and certainly not possible to change the weather. However, it is possible to both treat and help prevent the problem and at the same time your customer can protect their investment. LARSEN CONCENTRATED ALGICIDE is a surface biocide which will remove moulds, mildew, fungi and algae from facades, roofs, brickwork, paths and patios with minimal effort. Supplied as a highly concentrated solution 1L will dilute to over 15L, sufficient to treat over 60 square metres applied by brush or spray without the need for scrubbing. Once the surface has been cleaned and is dry, and in the case of new constructions, the best way to reduce re-occurrence is to keep the moisture out. While film forming sealers will also do this job, they have the disadvantage of changing surface appearance, wearing off the surface over time and may reduce vapour permeability.
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Larsen’s REPEL range of products take a different approach. These impregnating products absorb into the microscopic pores in the surface and line the pores with advanced repellents without affecting surface appearance or vapour permeability to give long lasting protection. WATER REPEL is a solvent-based, traditional masonry waterrepellent which penetrates to form a clear, hydrophobic layer in the substrate’s pore structure, thus preventing the ingress of moisture, while remaining breathable. STORM REPEL is an innovative, creamy hydrophobic impregnating agent based on a mixture of advanced silanes and siloxanes. This deeply penetrating product is applied in only one coat and the creamy nature clings to even vertical surfaces during application preventing run-off or spray. STAIN REPEL offers the ultimate in protection with both hydrophobic and oleophobic effects. Unlike conventional water repellents, STAIN REPEL is also an oil repellent. This ensures treated surfaces are much easier to clean, have reduced dirt or stain pick-up and all without changing the appearance of the surface. Also available is STREETSCAPE PROTECTOR a water-based alternative to Stain Repel specifically designed for use on granite and concrete paving in Public Realm Schemes. For more information contact Larsen Dublin on 01 8348255. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
September/October 2020
Building Materials & Supplies
VELUX make this Autumn more rewarding! This AUGUST, SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER your customer can earn a huge ¤60 reward on VELUX white painted tophung roof windows and a ¤35 reward on all other VELUX white painted roof windows* they purchase! To benefit from the rewards all they need to do is sign up for an account at velux.ie/rewards and upload an image of their invoice. Their account will then be credited with the rewards which they can spend with a fantastic choice of top-brand partners including Argos, Tesco and One4All and from dozens of other top-brands! Claimable by 13th November 2020. The VELUX Rewards scheme was originally introduced in 2015, providing customers the opportunity to earn rewards each time they purchase VELUX products, with different promotions running throughout the year. Purchasers can take advantage of an autumn boost this September and October on VELUX white painted top-hung roof windows and all other VELUX white painted roof windows. Richard McArthur, Marketing Manager from VELUX said, ”After what has been a difficult few months for installers, builders, self-builders and homeowners alike, we are delighted to be able to give something back with this new offer. The builders and installers who recommend and purchase our products for their customers really are our brand champions, working tirelessly to help consumers transform their homes. We hope this current rewards boost will demonstrate our appreciation for the hard work they do”. Terms and conditions apply. (*excludes VELUX white painted burglaryresistant roof windows (GGL 70Q).
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September/October 2020
Careers in Hardware
Careers in Hardware Since the launch of www.hardwarejobs.ie, Ireland’s first and only hardware industryspecific 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. 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.
has become very extensive. Giving customers advice on the best hardware products in the market is a big part of my everyday job.
For this issue of The Hardware Journal we spoke to Darren Kelly, Manager of the Athboy branch of Glanbia Agribusiness, about his career highlights to date, and his advice for anyone interested in a career in the sector.
There are so many products that Glanbia stock, it is imperative that we keep the staff constantly updated on new products and have product information available for customers.
What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?
After I finished my Leaving Cert in 2008, I studied Marketing, Innovation and Technology in DCU. It gave me a great understanding of how the business world works. I always wanted to be in management, so I decided to go straight into a Master’s in Business Management in DCU after I finished my undergraduate degree. I feel the courses I have completed have set up me very well to be a branch manager for Glanbia.
Growing up I worked on family farms and building sites part time all through school and college, so I had a good understanding of the hardware industry and the agri-hardware category. In 2013 just as I was finishing my Masters I started working in the Glanbia store in Athboy, Co. Meath. Two years later a branch manager role came up in Glanbia Kilberry and after two rounds of interviews I got the job. Four years later I moved back to Athboy as Branch Manager when that role became available. I really enjoy working with Glanbia and they have given me every opportunity possible to further my career and improve my skillset since I have started.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with? Yes, as branch manager in the store I really enjoy the day to day aspects of the job. The job is very hands on and I’m meeting customers who in time I have built a great relationship with. I have Glanbia ensure all staff have a happy work life/balance which is paramount in my opinion to keeping a low employee turnover. Many of the staff have been with the company for 40+ years so that in itself is a good sign that they had an enjoyable career with Glanbia.
What are your main tasks and responsibilities? My main job is to ensure the staff in the branch are happy and comfortable relaying our product information back to customers. We have a lot of customers who have accounts with us, so I must ensure their accounts are correct and bills are settled correctly. Stock management is an integral part of the job also.
What are the main challenges?
What has been your education road map to date?
What advice would you give to someone considering this job? The job involves a lot of dealing with people whether it is staff or customers, so people skills are so important. Having an interest in the agriculture or construction industry will definitely help someone excel in this industry, but above all else a ‘cando’ and positive attitude will carry you far. For more information or to start advertising your vacancies with Hardware Jobs visit www.hardwarejobs.ie or contact Aoife at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie.
Describe a typical working day. No day is ever the same, that’s for sure, but most days revolve around ensuring the branch runs as smoothly as possible, and customers are served in a timely and friendly manner. Glanbia have a very impressive hardware and agri-hardware selection, in the past few years my knowledge of products in this area 58
Darren Kelly, Branch Manager at Glanbia Athboy. September/October 2020
Training
Virtual & Online Training With the effects of Covid-19 still evident businesses have had to vastly (and quickly) change their operations and how they interact with customers. To help those who are looking to revitalise their skills and to change/update how they interact with their customers HAI have made available a number of virtual and online training options for the hardware sector:
Virtual Workshops (Via virtual classroom software like Zoom): Join industry peers and our experienced instructors for half-day or full-day virtual workshops on the following upcoming dates. Numbers are limited on these workshops so don’t miss your chance! Time Management Duration: Half-Day Date: To be confirmed Cost per attendee: HAI Member: ¤120, Non-Member: ¤170 This half-day workshop, delivered by Frank O’Toole, explores Best Practice Time Management Training and covers all aspects of planning and controlling your day to achieve optimum results with less stress. The purpose of the training is to equip all participants with a tried and tested blueprint for planning, organising, implementing and controlling their day the best way possible. Credit Control: From Start to Finish Duration: One Day (two half-day sessions) Date: To be confirmed Cost per Attendee: HAI Member: ¤210, Non-Member: ¤270 Declan Flood’s Credit Control workshop is delivered via Zoom over two half-day sessions for credit controllers, accounts receivable assistants and branch managers who are looking for tips, advice and strategies on how to manage their credit and develop an efficient and effective credit policy.
Company-Specific Virtual Training If your organisation is looking for company-specific training we have a number of instructors available to deliver tailored workshops for your team in topics including: • • • • • •
Stock Control Sales (for retailers/builders merchants and suppliers/ distributors) Customer Service Telephone Selling Skills Credit Control And more!
eLearning - Hardware Education Hub The Hardware Education Hub, our elearning portal, is available to HAI members to access a suite of modules in topics including: •
Social Media Fundamentals – video courses on topics including Google Analytics, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more
•
IT and Desktop Skills – including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word, and Cyber Security
•
Personal Skills – including Assertiveness, Conflict Handling and Negotiating Skills
•
Commercial Skills – including Telephone Skills, Handling Customer Complaints and Remote Working.
For queries about any of our training opportunities please contact Aoife Kinsella at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie or call 01 2980969.
“I thought the course was very good and very relevant. Declan has years of experience in credit control and it was great to hear about this.” Credit Control training attendee
September/October 2020
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Business Support
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
What standards organisations are doing to facilitate the digitalisation of construction
SEAN DENNISON GS1 Ireland
In the previous article we looked at how the construction sector has been undergoing a digitalisation process driven by such factors as Building Information Modelling (BIM), labour and skills shortages, catastrophic events such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the ongoing COVID-19 challenges. In this article, we look at what standards organisations are doing to facilitate the digitalisation of construction. BIM is the foundation upon which the digitalisation of construction is being built. Because BIM Level 2 was mandated by the UK Government in 2011, stakeholders in public projects there have had to adopt it. Ireland’s ‘Roadmap to Digital Transition’, 2018-21, sets out how BIM should be adopted here. Implementation has been slower than anticipated but an increasing number of projects are being managed using BIM models. However, the use of proprietary software tools is a barrier to open BIM. Identification is the key to capturing, sharing and using data so products, locations and assets need to be identified using open standards which are globally unique, interoperable and independent of any one stakeholder. In 2018 GS1 and buildingSMART International, two neutral, not-for-profit, standards organisations, agreed to collaborate to ensure that open interoperable standards are available in construction. They formed the Digital Supply Chain in Built Environment (DSCiBE) workgroup, consisting of industry stakeholders, standards organisations and solution providers, which has been working on achieving this. In parallel with this, the enabling ISO standards for BIM are being developed. These define the processes used to manage digital construction projects and show how to create data dictionaries and Product Data Sheets to enable data sharing. These will enable digitalisation of processes such as tendering, procurement, site logistics, information handover, and facilities and building management. Modern methods of construction (MMC) are utilising disciplines learned in the manufacturing sector such as automated ordering and replenishment, unique identification of the products produced and the sequencing of delivery to site to optimise handling, storage, and transport costs. GS1 standards have been used in manufacturing for over 40 years enabling unique product identification and electronic data interchange (EDI).
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The Grenfell Tower tragedy, and several subsequent events, have highlighted shortcomings in tracing the systems and products used in construction. Regulators will want to know what products and systems were used in construction, how they are related to each other and how they were tested. This data will need to be retained throughout the life of the structure and beyond. The EU Commission’s European Green Deal and the shortage of construction materials mean a heightened emphasis on the reuse of materials in construction. This means knowing exactly what is in a building at any point in its lifetime. Data from multiple projects will need to be retained by stakeholders in formats which will allow identification and analysis long into the future. It is highly unlikely that the proprietary identifiers from software systems will enable this. Three years of organisational technological change has had to happen in a few months due to COVID-19. The threat of COVID-like events will persist so the shift to working online has happened and there will be no going back. For remote working and online channels to work, organisations need high quality data and insight into their supply chains. All of the above examples call for globally unique, independent, persistent identifiers and traceability standards. In the next article, we will describe how the members of Hardware Association Ireland, many of whom are also members of GS1, can access our experience and expertise to ensure that they are ready for the digitalisation wave. Seán Dennison is Head of Industry Engagement and Technical Standards at GS1 Ireland. He has over 30 years’ experience in the Construction, IT, Food Manufacturing & Distribution, Retail & Wholesale FMCG and Forecourt Retail sectors. He participates in standards development in GS1 and is a member of the NSAI BIM Committee and the DSCiBE workgroup.
September/October 2020
Business Support IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
RONAN MCDONNELL The Logistics Consultants
Helping companies prepare for the post-Brexit environment
Ronan McDonnell is the Managing Director of The Logistics Consultants. Since 2017, he has worked with agencies including InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland on Brexit initiatives to assist a diverse range of companies prepare for the post-Brexit environment. The Logistics Consultants is an independent management consultancy based in Ireland specialising in matters relating to logistics and supply chain management. Its consultants have a detailed understanding of customs processes and administration. The withdrawal agreement reached last year between the EU and UK avoided the need for a hardening of the land border. However, customs checks are to take place on goods as they move between Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) and the island of Ireland. The European Commission recently warned of the need for businesses to prepare for deep changes in the trading relationship between the EU and Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) from January irrespective of whether or not a breakthrough can be found in trade negotiations; so there is no room for complacency or postponing readiness in the expectation that an agreement might ensure continuity. The following are some of the basic steps we recommend you should take to prepare for trade with Britain from January 2021.
Ensure you have an EORI Number You will need an EORI number in order to import goods from Britain. This can be obtained online with Revenue and the process takes 10 minutes. Determine who is responsible for customs procedures and paying tariffs In the delivery of goods from the seller to the buyer, it is the Incoterms that defines who is responsible for paying for and managing a shipment, including insurance, documentation, customs clearance, and other logistical activities. So, are your suppliers in Britain responsible for delivering to your door or must you import the goods into Ireland? The Incoterms will determine who is responsible for paying the charges and tariffs, so you should review contracts with suppliers in Britain to understand your obligations in respect of customs and logistics. Decide who will process customs declarations You can engage a Clearance Agent to act on your behalf when liaising with Revenue or else you can fill out and lodge the forms – this latter option will require training and customs clearance software. There is currently a scarcity of skilled Customs Agents, so you should act promptly. September/October 2020
Compile a list of commodity codes Even if you plan to engage a Clearance Agent to act on your behalf, you will be responsible for ensuring the correct commodity codes for your goods are used when processing an Import or Export Declaration. Also, a commodity code is required to establish the tariff associated with a product. So, it is vital that you compile a comprehensive list of commodity codes for all of the products you are likely to import from Britain. This can be a complicated process depending on the number and complexity of products. Check the Rules of Origin Depending on the form of any trade agreement agreed with the UK, certain goods may qualify for lower or zero tariffs depending on where the product originated. So, checking the rules of origin is essential in order to establish if your goods might qualify under a free trade agreement. Engage with suppliers in Britain You should assess whether your suppliers in Britain are prepared for international trade post-Brexit. • Have they got a UK EORI number? • Do they understand Customs procedures? • Have they got a solution in place to process export declarations? • Are the hauliers they use familiar with customs procedures and the necessary documentation required? • Are they aware that all wood packaging material (including pallets) must meet the ISPM 15 standard? Get Assistance www.prepareforbrexit.ie provides insights into the key Brexit issues and the supports available to enable Irish businesses to strengthen their position and avoid trading disruption. The Revenue Commissioners website is a useful source of information www. revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/brexit/index.aspx InterTradeIreland provides useful information, including a Tariff Checker on its website, and provides funding for businesses to engage specialist consultants to assist them with Brexit planning www.intertradeireland.com/brexit/funding. You should check with your Local Enterprise Office regarding Prepare Your Business for Customs’ workshops and Customs Insights courses. www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-BusinessSupports/Brexit/Customs-Training/
The Logistics Consultants m: 00353 86 8385278 e: ronan@thelogisticsconsultants.com w: www.thelogisticsconsultants.com
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COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Covid-19 has turned the Workwear industry on its head What a year it has been for those in the workwear and PPE industries! The industry began the year cautiously optimistic – with projections of 5-10% growth predicted for the industry over the year. Covid-19 has turned the industry on its head. With growth in the sector now estimated to reach up to 40%, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), efforts to meet this demand have manufacturers and retailers struggling to keep up. The price of raw materials have increased exponentially and impacts on supply chains have been felt in every sector as the Covid-19 effect keeps on coming. Builders Merchants & Hardware stores on the ground are reporting record growth in this category during the months of June, July, and August. Many are up over 60% over these months and showing no signs of slowing down. Where the focus at the start of the year was on garment design and wearable tech, this has now shifted and all focus is on the production of face masks and visors. Reusable and disposable options of both are plentiful. Suppliers are striving to innovate and create comfortable options that meet industry needs but it seems the hunger for these items cannot be satisfied as long as Covid-19 is with us. 62
A huge driver of growth within the sector has long been the ever-increasing burden of responsibility on employers. Constantly evolving legislation means that employers need to have all their bases covered to comply with current relevant Health & Safety legislation and Public Health advice. Most business’ to be operational, have had to spend on face masks and workwear as well as instore signage and screens that are currently necessary. Growing Trends: Where many industries have been negatively impacted by the onset of Covid-19, the workwear and PPE industries have seen exponential growth driven by the crisis. However, it is anyone’s guess as to where this road will take us. Companies are hiring cautiously to meet the demand. It is important now for retailers to keep well stocked on products in this category while remembering to also mind their core business – a feat that is hard done in the midst of a pandemic! Thanks to Anne McNicholas, Portwest for her assistance in compiling information for this introduction.
September/October 2020
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Portwest and Base Footwear…the ultimate partnership in safety Portwest has long been established as a household name in workwear and safety. In business since 1904, their range of workwear and PPE can be seen in action in many industries in Ireland and across the world. From construction, mining, oil rigs, civil engineering, food production and so many more, the Portwest name has long been synonymous with providing safe and affordable workwear for employees in every walk of life. Now, the Portwest offering has been taken up another level. Earlier this year, Portwest invested in Base Footwear, a premium Italian safety footwear company. Much like Portwest, Base Footwear is produced with the values of safety, comfort and value. Also, like Portwest, Base operate under on the premise of constant innovation – they hold a number of patents for the safety footwear they produce that are completely exclusive to Base. Some of these patents include: •
Dry’n’Air Technology: a patented footwear technology by Base that guarantees air circulation within the shoe
•
Smell Stop Anti-Odour Lining – prevents odours and helps the foot stay healthy
•
All Terrain – a cleated outer sole which gives excellent grip on many different types of ground
and style. The DX4 collection combines high performance stretch fabrics with robust oxford panels to provide unparalleled ease of movement and supreme flexibility. What defines this collection is the cutting- edge designs which allow for a full crossover from work to leisure activity. Customers will notice that the trousers in the range contain free knee pads. The DX4 stretch trousers have been particularly popular with the Irish tradesman who wants style, comfort, functionality and durability from their work clothing. In April, Portwest launched a range of Covid-19 PPE and workwear to help get industry moving again. The range includes visors, reusable masks, and social distancing products. Normally it takes up to two years to develop a new workwear product range. This range was developed in a month by the product and marketing team based in Westport Co Mayo. For more information on the new Portwest product ranges, call 098 51777 or speak to your Portwest Account Manager.
These features combine with the most premium of leathers and trims to ensure the wearer has an all day comfort experience. And now, the great Base product comes complete with the great Portwest customer service. For orders over ¤1500, Portwest will provide a complimentary suite of merchandising stands, including a Base Footstool, a self-standing merchandising unit and a countertop display. The Portwest team will call to your store to ensure it is looking its best and help advise you on the best-selling lines, ensuring you always have the best stock on your shop floor. Portwest Launches new ranges in 2020 Portwest have also launched the new DX4 collection this year. This contemporary collection combines all the technical features required for modern workwear, with many clever innovations to ensure the wearer achieves maximum function
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COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Hellberg Safety in association with Snickers Workwear Hellberg, founded in 1962, have over 50 years of experience in hearing and face protection. With knowledge, experience and the latest technology they offer reliable safety and communication solutions which contribute to end-user’s wellbeing in their daily working environments. “This is a great brand and fits well with our Snickers Workwear and safety footwear brands - Solid Gear and Toe Guard.” says David Macken, MD Hultafors Group Ireland. “The Hellberg goal is to set and maintain the very highest standards in comfort, design and performance. New to Ireland, the Hellberg brand has developed a presence in over 40 markets worldwide with its own R&D, production and assembly operations at the headquarters in Stenkullen”. Hellberg Safety only uses high quality materials tested in their own laboratories for optimal performance. All of their products are independently tested in “real-life” situations, to ensure a product that is comfortable and reliable in any situation or environment.
SECURE Electronic hearing protection • XSTREAM Bluetooth® hearing protection with excellent sound quality for a great listening experience. • ACTIVE allows you to communicate with your colleagues, hear warning signals and other important information while protected from hazardous noise. • RELAX protects your hearing while you enjoy listening to your favourite radio station. Easy to reach controls let you tune the AM/FM radio accurately. • REACT allows you to listen to AM/FM radio and communicate with your colleagues while still being protected from harmful noise. • SYNERGY offers wireless connection via Bluetooth® to your mobile phone. Make phone calls and stream your choice of sound entertainment without compromising your safety. • All models are available in Headband and Cap/Helmet mount.
Products categories in the range include, • SECURE Passive Protection • SECURE Electronic hearing protection • SAFE Face Protection
SAFE face Protection • The SAFE 1 carrier mounts easily to any SECURE headband style hearing protection, and is as easily removed. • The SAFE 2 visor carriers are designed to be combined with safety helmets and SAFE visors, with or without hearing protection. • The SAFE 3 carriers can be used as a stand-alone visor carrier or together with SECURE neckband. • Hellberg’s smart uniform design gives you a multiple choice of visors.
SECURE Passive Protection • Available in Headband, Cap/Helmet mount and Neckband options. • Light and durable construction with Premium soft cushions. • Available in three protection levels, clearly indicated with bright safety colours for easy identification and selection.
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Xstream
Without Compromise.
Bluetooth® hearing protection with excellent sound quality for a great listening experience.
Bluetooth® for music streaming and phone calls
Unique speaker design with fantastic sound quality
IPX4 Waterproof
Built-in speech microphone Boom-mic as accessory
USB charging 3 hour quick-charge
50 hours run-time 100 hours stand-by
Hellberg Safety is a part of Hultafors Group with brands such as: Snickers Workwear | Hultafors Tools | Solid Gear Footwear HULTAFORS GROUP IRELAND Unit B5, Calmount Business Park, Dublin 12 • Tel: +353 (0)1 409 8400 E-mail: info@hultaforsgroup.ie www.hultaforsgroup.ie
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Timberland PRO: Responsible innovation Popular clothing brand Timberland has recently reinvigorated its workwear range, Timberland PRO, including the launch of new products spanning footwear, trousers, tops, jackets and accessories. All products across the Timberland PRO range are of a premium quality and have been engineered to deliver maximum comfort, durability and performance by using the best fabrics available - as well as new fabric technology created by the brand. High performance design Clothing technology developed by Timberland PRO includes Rain Repel, a fabric with an outer layer that resists moisture penetration, plus WickWork, which is used in t-shirts to help pull sweat away from the body and move it to the shirt’s surface for faster evaporation. Examples in footwear include Timberland PRO’s Independent Suspension Network Technology - a multi-density outsole featuring comfort lugs that adapt to varying worksite conditions, providing an additional layer of cushioning, support and stability.
Every item in the new range has been created with particular trades in mind, incorporating features designed to meet the demands of a typical working day in those industries. Focus on the environment An ethos of sustainable innovation guides all Timberland PRO designs, with every element of product creation considered for its impact on the environment - without compromising on durability and performance. This includes fair, safe and nondiscriminatory workplaces and a responsible supply chain. A number of the brand’s products include the use of materials such as recycled PET plastic, organic cotton and recycled rubber. For example, Timberland PRO’s ReBOTL Fabric used in its clothing contains at least 40% recycled plastic from bottles that are collected and recycled, while the ReBOTL materials used in its footwear contain at least 50% RPET. Further examples of environmentally responsible technology that’s used in Timberland PRO designs include: •
The Thermolite T3 Ecomade Insulation featuring in the new jacket styles: a high-performance insulation that offers warmth without feeling heavy and is made from at least 35% recycled materials
•
Cordura Eco Fabric used in the Hypercharge Textile Boot: water resistant and resistant to tearing, this features a minimum of 40% recycled yarn content
As well as its core aim to create workwear that’s both high performance and environmentally responsible, Timberland PRO’s designs are ideal for those who need to look professional regardless of their working environment. Ideal for those who like the Timberland style and prefer a smart-casual look, but with a design that works hard for them. Interested in becoming a stockist? Please contact: Peter_Dunican1@vfc.com, mobile 087 9660561
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WE DESIGNED SOLUTIONS THAT INCREASES FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT WITHOUT SACRIFICING DURABILITY.
Timberland, , Timberland PRO, the PRO logo are trademarks of TBL Licensing LLC. © 2020 TBL Licensing LLC. All rights reserved.
THE NEW PERFORMANCE WORKWEAR AND SAFETY FOOTWEAR RANGE FROM TIMBERLAND PRO®. BECOME AN OFFICIAL STOCKIST TODAY. CONTACT PETER TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION: e PETER_DUNICAN1@VFC.COM t 087 9660561.
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
The gloves are on Covid-19 will present new challenges to businesses on how best to protect their staff. People who previously did not have to wear gloves at work may now have to, so selecting the right glove for the job is crucial. Keeping stocks of single use nitrile gloves available for essential services & those that really need them is critical, and when you consider the global shortage of these types of gloves, a reusable, washable alternative may be your and your customer`s best option. Something to consider when selecting a glove is not only how it can protect the hand, but how it will impact the skin. What makes ATG® gloves so different to any other gloves on the market is the lengths they go to achieve this. As a fully integrated manufacturer of work gloves, they operate a strict zero outsourcing policy, so they have the ability to control every area of the glove production. Cleanliness matters… and never more so than now. ATG® have always known this, and that is why they incorporate their HandCare® program into every glove they make. Not only do they make certain that all the elements used in their manufacturing process are safe for their employees, they also wash all the gloves after the production process using rainharvested water to make sure their customers benefit from protecting their hands with what are probably, not just the cleanest, but also the skin-friendliest gloves on the market today.
consumers the confidence that ATG®’s full range of work gloves are “dermatologically safe” and the science and research behind them is robust having undergone a rigorous independent test process. And if all that wasn’t enough, to help fight the spread of Covid-19, the MaxiFlex® Ultimate™ gloves with Ad-apt® cooling technology and MaxiDry® Gloves are now certified to retain their mechanical protection properties when washed at 60°C , above the WHO recommendation of 56°C required to kill the SARS Coronavirus. “Against viruses and/or bacteria, Heat at 56°C kills the SARS coronavirus at around 10000 units per 15 min (quick reduction) - Source: WHO” For further information, email: sales@keypoint.ie or contact your local Keypoint representative.
This means when you buy a pair of ATG® gloves, they can guarantee they are “Fresh out of the pack” and are certified as such by Oeko-Tex® according to Standard 100. To go one step further, all ATG® gloves are dermatologically accredited by the Skin Health Alliance to be skin friendly – a first in the safety industry. The SHA seal gives
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PROBABLY THE SKIN FRIENDLIEST GLOVE ON THE MARKET
TM
against viruses and/or bacteria
Heat at 56°C kills the SARS coronavirus at around 10000 units per 15 min (quick reduction). Source: WHO
Dermatologically accredited by the Skin Health Alliance Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® Prewashed prior to packaging + Washable at 60°C
Protecting you at work www.keypoint.ie
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Mascot Workwear Online Mascot Workwear International is a leading designer and manufacturer of quality workwear. Present in Ireland for over two decades, it has two proven online options for retailers in the Hardware, DIY & Building Materials sector. The first option is for those who already have an online shop. You get all Mascot products in your webshop. Mascot takes care of stock management and the shipment of goods to your customers. This streamlines orders and deliveries with less processing and fewer costs for online sales. The second is for those retailers who do not already have an online shop. Set up is straightforward, you get your own complete Mascot online-shop. This comprehensive webshop, includes all Mascot products, in all colours and sizes. Mascot maintains your webshop and will help with marketing and promotions. The company will provide efficient shipment of products to your customers on your behalf streamlining orders and deliveries, including logo print. Providing less processing and fewer costs for online sales. MASCOT has a wide assortment of workwear for men, women, and children, but it is also essential for them to offer innovative service solutions that makes the day easier for it`s distributors and end users. MASCOT has one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest stock of workwear with more than 700 unique products that ensures that they can offer wearers the best workwear solution. All orders are processed within 24-48 hours from a fully automated, ultramodern logistics center with a continuous inventory of more than 5 million products. Further details are available from ecommerce@mascot.uk.
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MASCOTÂŽ WORKWEAR
Quality garments that sell
Increase your online sales MASCOT has the right tools for you
Get your own, complete MASCOT online-shop 3 You get a comprehensive webshop that includes all MASCOT products, in all colours and sizes 3 MASCOT maintains your webshop 3 Help with marketing and promotions 3 Efficient shipment of products to your customers on your behalf 3 Streamlined orders and deliveries- including logo print 3 Less processing and fewer costs for online sales
If you have your own webshop 3 You get all MASCOT products in your webshop 3 MASCOT takes care of stock management and the shipment of goods to your customers 3 Streamlined orders and deliveries 3 Less processing and fewer costs for online sales See more about these concepts by scanning the QR Codes or accessing the URLs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlk1P8wE5mk
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We provide set-up, support and help. Contact us at ecommerce@mascot.dk for more information.
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Solid Fuel market proves to be resilient The Hardware Journal asked Eddie Scaife, CEO, Solid Fuel Trade Group, www.sftg.ie to outline the current state of the solid fuel market from their perspective. Despite the increase in carbon tax, growth in unregulated fuels (sod turf and wood), the dramatic fall in the price of domestic heating oil and gas, and the ongoing issue of a potential nationwide bituminous (smoky) coal ban, the market for solid fuels has proven quite resilient. The carbon tax receipts for solid fuel for last winter (19/20) indicate a growth of approximately 20% over the previous year (18/19) and are broadly in line with 17/18. Perhaps we should not be surprised as almost one home in eight or 600,000 people in Ireland depend on solid fuel as their primary form of home heating. The majority of these homes are in rural areas and many are classified as “fuel poor”. For many households solid fuel remains critically important each winter. As expected, an additional carbon tax levy of ¤6 per tonne was confirmed in October last year but its application to solid fuels was deferred to May this year. This means an increase of ¤0.72 on a bag of coal / smokeless fuel. In July this year Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that the programme for Government commits to increasing carbon tax to ¤100 per tonne by 2030, through annual increases of ¤7.50 per annum to 2029 and ¤6.50 in 2030. The Minister intends to offset, in part, these price rises through increases in the winter fuel allowance as well as additional funding for the warmer homes schemes. Though there will be additional funding for home retrofits, the scale and cost of
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the challenge will ensure that many households will continue to rely on solid fuel as both a primary and an important secondary heating source. An extension of the bituminous coal ban will come into force from 1st September 2020. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment have published an interactive map on their website which shows existing low smoke zones as well as the new ones. In summary the Regulations prohibit the burning, marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal within a low smoke zone. However, there are circumstances where a retailer, within a low smoke zone, is able to store and deliver bituminous coal from their premises. Details are available on the DCCAE website www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/ Smoky_Coal_Ban_FAQ_Retailer_Supplier.pdf The issue of untaxed solid fuel remains a serious threat to the industry. The Sale of Illicit Goods Bill proposed an approach to tackling the illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol and fuel products. However, this Bill has a challenge in receiving the necessary support. The issue is raised time and again by public and industry representatives but as yet an effective mechanism to curtail this activity has yet to be found. With rising carbon taxes and higher VAT in Ireland and no equivalent taxes and lower VAT in Northern Ireland this problem is likely to get worse. Every effort must be made to bring a workable solution to this problem.
September/October 2020
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Solid Fuel more essential than ever Stafford Fuels look ahead at the new fuel season Managing Director of Stafford Fuels Ltd, Andy Maher takes a look at the new fuel season ahead and offers the following observations. “A lot of the old uncertainties remain (Nationwide Smokeless Ban – rising Carbon Tax – emissions issues – climate change) with a major new uncertainty added with Covid-19. Taking a narrow Solid Fuel view, much like Grocery, solid fuel will most definitely be needed. With additional people working from home and increased unemployment, demand for the coming season is likely to be equal to or greater than last season, all depending of course on our old friend – the weather. The trade has always had a significant order by phone and deliver to home element, this will likely get ever more pronounced. There are headwinds of course, the most significant being the ¤18 per tonne including VAT (¤0.72 per 40 Kg bag) price increase mandated by the Government imposed increase in Carbon Tax. This is very frustrating for the trade as they see increased across border trading in product where Carbon Tax and VAT have not been levied. Without efforts at significant enforcement this trade will increase greatly. Also, the Bituminous ban – On the face of things the extension of the ban to 13 towns with populations over 10,000 people should be a positive move. However, the reality on the ground is likely to be different. With smaller and smaller areas subject to a ban it is too easy for a person to drive fifteen minutes down the road, legally purchase bituminous coal and bring it back and burn it in the low smoke zones (LSZ). This deprives the established merchants within the LSZ of badly needed business. Proper enforcement and a very strong public information campaign are needed to counteract this phenomenon.
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In reality, the introduction of a Nationwide Smoky Coal Ban is needed to simplify this whole situation. Despite these difficulties there will be a future for solid fuel. It will include a very significant element of biomass when technology and price can come together to provide a quality product at an affordable price. In the meantime, the trade will continue to provide a vital quality service.”
Arigna Fuels offer a full range of smokeless fuels Arigna Fuels in Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, manufacture HETAS approved, www.hetas.co.uk/fuels, Irish made smokeless, solid fuels, for both open fires and closed appliances. The two most popular products made by Arigna Fuels are ‘Cosyglo’, a HETAS approved fuel for open fires / stoves and ‘Ecobrite’ a HETAS approved fuel for solid fuel cookers and stoves. Cosyglo provides higher heat and has a lower ash content than traditional solid fuels. Ecobrite is long lasting, clean, and especially suited to solid fuel cookers and stoves and also provides excellent heat to radiators. It is clean burning so will not dirty your customers glass fronted stove. Arigna Fuels offer a full range of smokeless fuels for this coming winter season. As well as the established HETAS approved products Cosyglo and Ecobrite they also offer, ‘Cosyflame’ a 50-50 mix of Cosyglo Smokeless ovoid’s and Union nuggets, which is an ideal replacement for bituminous coal. Also 100% ‘Union nuggets’ and ‘Grade A Welsh Anthracite’. All products are available in 20kg and 40kg bags except Grade A Welsh Anthracite which is only available in 40Kg. For more information visit www.arignafuels.ie, E-mail info@arignafuels.ie or call 071 96 46002. September/October 2020
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COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Briquettes remain a firm favourite Bord na Móna Home Heating will continue providing warmth to over a million people in increasingly sustainable ways. For decades Bord na Móna has brought the comfort and magic of a real fire into Irish homes and today continues to lead the way in designing an innovative and convenient range of home heating solutions for Irish consumers. The Bord na Móna Briquettes a traditional part of Irish heritage consistently delivers a quality performance, are easy to light, with a high heat output, long burn time and are suitable for stoves and open fires. Briquettes remain a firm favourite in Irish fireplaces today. In recent times the business introduced the Nugget in a 20kg convenience size bag offering all the great benefits of the original iconic Briquette allowing consumers to enjoy a fast lighting warm fire. Confirming its commitment to the Home Heating category Bord na Móna is expanding its sustainably sourced 100% natural carbon neutral wood log range. The business is adding a new Kiln Dried Birch Hardwood log pack to the Premium Kiln Dried Ash already proven popular for their quality performance. With less than 20% moisture the logs provide a high heat output and burn longer with low ash making them the perfect choice for stoves, open fires and chimeneas. Kiln Dried Kindling and Air Dried Logs are also all available in convenient carry home packs, are easy to display, easy to store and all designed to meet the needs of the modern shopper looking for a fast lighting hot fire for a shorter night in.
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Many consumers are time poor and are seeking out more convenient fire heating solutions and the Bord na Móna high performing Firelog, Firelighter and Eco-Log is designed to meet these everyday needs. The Eco-Logs are 100% natural made from sawdust and wood chips, are clean to handle and are growing in popularity and demand with shoppers. An extension to the Oak Eco-Log 8 and 16 pack is the New 16 Pine Eco-Log format offering customers and consumers an even better choice. Their condensed design is dry, easy to light creating an odourless fast lighting fire. The extra fast lighting Quicklog is a great success with consumers, creating the perfect base to get a fire established conveniently, cleanly and quickly. It is now also available to purchase in a take home convenient box size of 10. The full Bord na Móna range of home heating solid fuel solutions are suitable for open fires and stoves and your customers are assured of the highest quality products at a price that suits their budget. Bord na Móna provide a tailored after sales service, with product point of sale solutions available to educate and support a great consumer shopping experience. Further information is available from your business development executive or contact the customer support team at 1850 744 755.
September/October 2020
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COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Superser, the perfect solution Supersers The Flogas Superser is the solution for retailers to help their customers successfully manage heating costs in their homes. The contemporary Flogas Superser heaters are fitted with easy glide castors for hassle free movement from room to room. ‘Flogas Superser Heaters are the perfect solution for your cost conscious customers. They are an economic solution to instantly spot-heat a room which many customers find far more economical than turning on the central heating’ Said Eoin O’Flynn of Flogas Ireland, the exclusive Superser distributor in Ireland and the UK.
Gaslight Cylinders Flogas Gaslight cylinders are the smart choice for those camping, caravanning, boating, barbequing or using patio heaters. The innovative, lightweight Flogas Gaslight cylinder helps the customer avoid heavy lifting, and the semitranslucent exterior ensures they will not run out of gas. Available in 5kg and 10kg cylinders. www.flogas.ie
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Keep them snug with Superser er Exclusive distributor for Superser heaters in Ireland d In this chilly current climate, your customers will be looking for new ways to heat their homes this Winter. So why not offer them a super snug alternative? Super economical, super-efficient and exclusive from Flogas. Superser is the simplest way to heat any room in an instant. • The original mobile gas heater • Leading brand – highest quality
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September/October 2020
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