Hardware Matters

Hardware Matters - Episode 10

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 SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Episode 9

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 MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Episode 8

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 MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Episode 7

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 MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Bonus Episode 4

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 MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Bonus Episode 3

In this bonus episode of Hardware Matters the focus is on family businesses. We hear about Cork owned company Dosco, which is around since 1884 and Paraic Horkan tells us how his family business evolved.
PRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Bonus Episode 2

In this summer special we take a look back at some of the highlights from the first ever series of Hardware Matters. H is for homes; A is for Amazon; R is for Retrofit… Enjoy!
PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters - Bonus Episode 1

This is the first of our summer specials in which we take a look back over the highlights of the series so far. In this bonus podcast we’re reflecting on this year’s Hardware Conference. It’s held every 2 years and this year’s event took place in Killenard in Co Laois in April. We had a short report on the conference in episode 1, but in this longer report as well as hearing from economist Jim Power and HAI President Paul Candon, Michael Stanley from Cairn Homes talks about the challenges in the planning system and trend spotter Steve Collinge tells us why he’s disappointed with smart homes.

Hardware Matters EP6

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is the main driving force behind retrofit in Ireland. Roisin talks to Dr Ciaran Byrne who’s Director of National Retrofit with SEAI. Ciaran talks about the penalties Ireland may face for not reaching national targets, the difficulty in finding contractors to do the work, and some of the schemes that are available for homeowners – for instance the pilot scheme for traditional homes which allows the use of not certified insulation material like sheep’s wool.
Ted Laverty, founder of website, Onlinetradesmen.ie discusses the shortage of skilled labour in the construction industry. Ted suggests changes that should be made to the way apprenticeships work. He believes low pay early on in the career of an apprentice acts as a deterrent to many.
Derek Deasy is Sales Manager with Hultafors Group LTD. He talks to Roisin about how workwear has changed through the years. For instance, where heavy footwear made of steel was once commonplace, nowadays comfort, durability and safety are all important factors.
PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen

Hardware Matters Ep5

Former RTE reporter Fergal Keane has renovated an old stone farmhouse near Baltimore in West Cork. The building was vacant for two decades, the roof was falling in, the wood needed to be replaced and all the floors had to be dug out. Fergal tells Roisin about the particular issues he faced in undertaking such work and the huge sense of achievement in completing the job.
Tommy Smyth is HR consultant at Tom Smyth and Associates. He joins Roisin to talk about the whole issue of employment law. Dignity at work, harassment, bullying and social media activity are among the issues that business owners need to know how to handle.
Jim Copeland tells Roisin about the latest issue of the Hardware Journal, the official magazine of Hardware Association Ireland. The magazine wants to hear from the oldest Hardware Store or Builders Merchant in Ireland. 
PRESENTER/RESEARCHER: Roisin MurphyPRODUCER: Fergus SweeneyEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Paul Allen