Sustainable timber solutions from MEDITE SMARTPLY

Wood is one of the most effective carbon stores, absorbing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, and its benefits as a main building material is becoming more evident. MEDITE SMARTPLY, part of the Coillte Group, has continuously developed innovative, versatile and sustainable products, which are suitable for bespoke creations. MEDITE MDF and SMARTPLY OSB ranges include some of the most environmentally conscious building materials on the market. Following on from its involvement at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the company has partnered with multi award-winning garden designer Sarah Eberle at the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London later this year to showcase the company’s innovation and sustainable ethos; from its sustainably managed forests through to its commitment to creating products that contribute to healthier buildings. The main feature of the garden, inspired by natural vertical rock strata, will be created out of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX), a lightweight MDF panel guaranteed to last up to 50 years above ground and 25 years in the ground. It is especially beneficial in environments where humidity and varying weather are of concern. In addition, the garden will feature two SMARTPLY OSB products: SMARTPLY STRONGDECK, a high-performance engineered wood, tongue and groove OSB/4 panel, suitable for the most demanding structural applications, and SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT PLUS – a pre-primed structural OSB/3 site hoarding panel ideal for securing sites. SMARTPLY OSB is made from sustainable, fast-growing timber, as the brand only use forest thinnings of new-growth pine and spruce, including the tops which are not used to make any other wood-based product. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show will take place in London on 24th-28th May 2022. Those who join MEDITE’s online MDF community site can follow regular updates on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, share work, gain inspiration and win prizes that will enable the user to build bigger and better with MDF:

www.meditemakesitreal.com

UPCOMING BANK CLOSURES MAY AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS

2022 will see the face of banking in Ireland change yet again. With another 90 bank branches set to close this year Ireland will lose another tranche of its high street banks effecting both personal and business customers. Ulster Bank are ‘encouraging customers to get ready’ for changes coming as part of its withdrawal from the Irish market. Retailers in rural communities are hit the hardest. In many cases, owners and senior staff across the country will have a longer commute to the nearest bank branch to lodge cash, cheques or to collect coin and note floats. Companies are spending more time than ever cash handling and travelling to the bank instead of time on the shop floor where their expertise is most needed. Risk to the personal safety of those employees is also a major concern. Insurance cover must be adjusted to ensure the relevant level of cover is in place whilst carrying out bank walks. In what feels like yet another blow to business owners, bank processing fees have also reached a record high in Ireland with cash processing fees of up to 0.80c per ¤100 lodged. If upcoming bank closures will affect your business or if you are struggling with time and resources or are concerned about security and the high costs of lodging and withdrawing money- please feel free to reach out to Brink’s. Hardware Association Ireland have an affinity deal with Brinks who can offer your business a secure, cost effective solution. In addition Brink’s have a number of solutions that offer next day credit to your bank account ensuring deposits are in your account each day to meet the day to day needs of your business.

Feel free to reach out to discuss your options with Denise at Denise.McCarthy@Brinks.com or call 087 7614656 or 0818 111330.