Bolger Agri & Hardware Merchants in Co Wexford has been providing its customers with quality down through five different generations of the Bolger family. Building Ireland spoke with David Bolger to learn more about a company which has become a dynasty, dating all the way back to 1884.
Business has been good lately at Bolger Agri & Hardware Merchants and, to no real surprise, company director David Bolger likes to see it that way.
David and his brother Peter are now the fifth generation of the Bolgers to take over the running of the Wexford-based family business, with one particular huge development in the company’s long history having taken place 17 years ago – the opening of a hardware store.
It meant two different bases of operation for the first time in 116 years, which worked out perfectly considering there had been a new dynamic pair of Bolgers recently brought in to head up the company.
“We have a hardware base in Ballycogley, Crosstown, Killinick and then our agri and manufacture is in Ferns,” outlined David.
“The place in Crosstown was built in 2000 and altogether the business has been going since 1884 – there have been five generations of Bolger’s altogether through the business.”
He continued: “There’s approximately 25 staff between both locations and I’m a director with the company.
“My brother Peter is the managing director and he is also the Nutrientist for the agri section while I look after hardware. Our mother and father are still involved as directors on the board of John Bolger & Co Ltd.”
Incidentally, David Bolger was a founder member of A.H.L back in the early 1970s.
In 2000, Bolgers of Ferns purchased J.J. Stafford’s Agri-business in Ballycogley. The purchase included approximately 20 acres of land and part of this was used to build a 20,000 sq. feet state-of-the-art Hardware and Agricultural Branch. This branch can be found on the Kilmore Quay road in South Wexford.
Since that time, the business profile has changed and in response the company has adapted well in both boom and recessionary times.
Current managing director Peter and company director David are charged with upholding a tradition, even as the climate of trading and business demands become increasingly complex. Continued commitment, adaptability and flair are essential requirements of a sustainable business.
Each generation of Bolgers have recognised and fulfilled these requirements and continue to ensure the success of the company into the future.
As explained, David’s brother Peter looks after the agri end of the business, with Bolgers Animal Feeds manufacturing the prestigious range of Five Star premium coarse animal feeds spanning Dairy, Cattle, Sheep and Horse enterprises.
Apart from providing an extensive range of coarse foods for commercial livestock Five Star Animal Feeds also manufacture a unique and specialised range of bespoke rations to suit every individual farm.
The production facility maintains specific feed safety and a quality standard incorporating a HACCP plan and a complete traceability system, covering all aspects of animal feed production.
David explained that the agri end of the business played a crucial part during the economic downturn, with the Irish construction industry having taken such a heavy hit.
“We took over the hardware part of the business from JJ Stafford Ltd after they decided to sell back in 2000,” he said.
“Up to 2007-2008, it was very busy and then the bubble burst. We were able to survive and actually ended up depending on the agri end and it kept us going.
“Since 2015, business has been gradually increasing across all fronts. It is very gradual though and since the start of 2017 we can see that there has been a lift, which bodes well for the future.
“People are more confident now than they were 10 years ago and they’re spending money again, upgrading their houses.”
With two different locations in Wexford, it would be safe to assume that a high volume of the business which Bolger Agri & Hardware Merchants receives comes from within the Model County.
However, the company currently has four vehicles on the road delivering products to its customers and David also pointed out that their social media presences has helped them gain a further reach when it comes to new clientele.
“A lot of them are mostly around south Wexford. Our Facebook page has really helped to bring us people from all over the country though,” he stated.
“There’s only one crossroad in Ballycogley and we now have people moving into the area from all over. A lot of English people have moved into the area and French, German and even people from Australia.”
So what’s the secret? What has the Bolgers’ customers coming to them first ahead of other competitors to the point where they are now in operation for a remarkable 133 years.
“Everybody has a choice. With some people it could be price, with others it could come down to quality,” said David.
“In Ferns, one particular customer has been bringing in barley to us for 63 years now and we’ve had employees here that would have worked for us for up to 50 years.
“We are altogether here; it’s like a family and we’re very fortunate to have people that have spent so many years with us.”
David also underlined that customer service is something of the utmost importance when it comes to ethos of the company.
“Customer service is very important to us and it’s something that we really try to set out and achieve,” he said.
“If we haven’t got a product that you’re looking for here, we will try and source that product.”
Based on the evidence, it’s not hard to understand why the Bolgers have created such a long and successful story in south Wexford.
John Bolger & Co. Ltd.
Miltown, Ferns,
Co. Wexford
T: 053 9367840
F: 053 9366922
Loc8 code: ST6-76-D03
Bolger Agri & Hardware Merchants
Ballycogley,
Crosstown, Killinick,
Co. Wexford
T: 053 9135357
F: 053 9135753
Loc8 code: ZTS-46-88G
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, May 2017, Vol 3 No 4
