Celebrating 45 years in business, Ennis Electrical Supplies Ltd is a one-stop shop for all your wholesale and retail electrical needs. The family-business continues to go from strength to strength as owner Eric Flynn explains.
Ennis Electrical Supplies is synonymous with the supply of wholesale products and domestic appliances in the Mid-West region. Providing high quality brands with great customer service, the company employs 30 staff and has branches on Parnell Street and Quin Road Business Park in Ennis, and another in Nenagh Retail Park, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. All three outlets are both part of the Expert Ireland Group, which is Ireland’s largest electrical retailer with a network of 67 stores nationwide.
Expert Electrical stores are locally owned and run, and through the Expert Ireland Group, members are able to combine purchasing and marketing to enable them to offer their customers the best products from the leading brands and the best value-for-money. Furthermore, you can recycle your old and broken electrical appliances for free at any Expert Electrical store.
“We stock everything from a kettle and a toaster to a TV and washing machine in our retail division, and everything from switches and sockets to LED lighting and hand dryers in our wholesale division,” Eric says.
“We cater for all types of wholesale and retail products. We’re one of the very few electrical suppliers in the country that can say that. We have a large and loyal customer-base which includes electrical contractors, builders, DIY enthusiasts and homeowners.”
The company has come a long way since Eric’s father Paul set it up in 1976. “We started out on Parnell Street and opened the Quin Road branch in 2000. We operate the three retail stores hand-in-hand along with the electrical wholesale business from the Quin Road outlet.”
Electrical wholesaling has been a key part of the business since its inception and local contractors can choose from a huge range of high-quality products at unbeatable prices, coupled with a level of service that is second to none. This results in a high volume of repeat trade from satisfied customers.
The wholesale operation offers electricians everything they could possibly need, from bulbs to cable and wiring products and accessories, encompassing distribution and control, security and safety, heating and ventilating products, plugs, switches and sockets, tools and fittings, showers, alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and much more. Market-leading products are sourced from around the world to ensure customers get the best of what they need.
As part of the Irish Electrical Buying Group (IEBG), Ennis Electrical Supplies is perfectly positioned to service the electrical distribution network with a huge selection of top-line products at competitive prices. IEBG was founded in 2000 by four of the current members and has since grown to 17 members and 28 branches nationwide. Each IEBG member is an independent electrical wholesaler with vast experience in servicing the electrical distribution market.
“Being part of IEBG gives us increased buying power and access to a wider range of products. We joined the IEBG to be able to get the best possible prices and to then be able to pass them on to our customers,” Eric continues.
The three retail outlets stock an array of essential household appliances, including washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs, fridge freezers and TVs as well as tablets, laptops and small electrical appliances like kettles, microwaves, toasters, vacuum cleaners, irons and hairdryers. Special deals are available to builders, developers, property owners, householders or electrical contractors for entire fit-outs of new homes or apartments.
Eric is full of praise for his staff who are professional, knowledgeable and courteous. He also attributes the business’ longevity and success to the range of top brands it carries.
“Our people are our greatest asset. They know our products inside out and enjoy a great rapport with our customers,” the affable proprietor explains.
“We only deal with reputable wholesale and retail brands. Our best-selling wholesale brands would include Lumeno, Robus and Ansell lighting products, Click switches and sockets, ATC heating products and hand dryers, Mira and Triton showers. It’s all high-quality products at affordable prices.”
As an essential service, Ennis Electrical Supplies remained operational during the different Covid-19 lockdowns. “We continued to trade online and over the phone. However, the pandemic has and continues to pose major challenges, not least in relation to the availability of some stock. The delays and inflation caused by Covid have been a nightmare.”
Eric is joined in the day-to-day running of the business by his sisters Paula and Audrey, who work in accounts and operations. As a family business, they are able to offer the personal touch and customers know exactly who they are dealing with.
Ennis Electrical Supplies’ opening hours are 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday and 9am to 5.30pm on Saturdays. Eric would like to take this opportunity to thank his customers, suppliers and staff for their continued support.
Here’s to the next 45 years of this exceptional electrical supplier.
Ennis Electrical Supplies Ltd,
Quin Road,
Ennis,
Co, Clare.
Tel: 065 6829684
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2022, Vol 8 No 4
