Hardware Matters

Steve Collinge is Managing Director of Insight Retail Group Ltd, an agency which looks at trends in the hardware and home improvement sector. Steve tells us why “white van man” may become a thing of the past and we hear what’s in store for fads like panelling and decking.

Derry Casey is Managing Director of South Coast Sales, a family business in Cork. Derry tells us how his father started the business 35 years ago with the support of Derry’s mother and the children’s allowance. He also talks about how the business has evolved over the years.

Patrick Rogers Ltd, now trading as Topline Rogers, is one of the oldest businesses in the country. Managing Director, Padraic Rogers talks to Roisin about how the business started as a tearooms 155 years ago and then expanded into groceries, hardware, motorbikes and tractors. Over time it then shifted towards builders’ providers, hardware and supplies.

PRODUCER: Fergus Sweeney
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Paul Candon, the CEO of United Hardware and the President of HAI talks to Roisin. We hear about the thinking behind the company’s partnership with DID Electrical and the importance of the instore experience for the customer.

Dosco (D. O’Sullivan & Co.) is one of the country’s leading manufacturers and distributors of sweeping brushes, paint brushes and household products. The company’s Managing Director, Pat Casey and Sales Director George Kenefick talk about the company’s heritage, their new facility in Little Island and the manufacturing process.

Staff shortages is one of the biggest problems facing merchants and suppliers today. Surveys indicate that nearly half of all new hires in the hardware industry leave before the end of their probation period. In this episode we hear a report from a recent HAI talk on the issue.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy
PRODUCER: Fergus Sweeney
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, tells us what the Government is doing to encourage more young people to take up trades. And Patrick Atkinson, the CEO of Chadwick’s Group talks about apprenticeships. Patrick is also a board member of Solas, the Further Education and Training Authority.

Martin Markey, the CEO of the Hardware Association Ireland, tells Roisin about the organisation’s pre-budget submission.

Dermot O’Leary, chief economist with Goodbody, tells us about the number of houses he expects to be built in the next 18 months and why apartments are critical to any progress.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy
PRODUCER: Fergus Sweeney
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Kilsaran is a leading Irish Manufacturer of concrete products. CEO Barry Rafferty tells Roisin about the company’s origins, it’s projects and his own career.

Declan Flood is Chief Executive of Irish Credit Management Training. Declan stresses the importance of having a dedicated professional to chase payments and make sure the bills are paid in full and on time.

Jim Copeland, the editor of the Hardware Journal talks to Roisin about the latest issue. We hear about the “Vacant to Vibrant” initiative and the market intelligence which shows that the backlog of housing will take years to catch up with.

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy
PRODUCER: Fergus Sweeney
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

In every episode of Hardware Matters we are forced to edit interviews because of time constraints. In this bonus episode we’ll hear bits of interviews which didn’t make it into the original podcast. Included here are Denis Jastrzebski talking about how to get the best from AI and Ciaran Byrne from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland who talks about the health benefits of a good retrofit…

PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin Murphy
PRODUCER: Fergus Sweeney
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen