Chadwicks Wexford was delighted to be named ‘Branch of the Year’ at the inaugural Chadwicks Appreciation and Recognition Awards (CARAs), which celebrate and recognise excellence across the Group, from best-in-class customer service in-branch to colleagues who are making a positive contribution to their local community.
The 19-strong team at Chadwicks Wexford is led by branch manager Enda O’Brien who was recognised across the Group for his willingness to support colleagues in the Wexford branch and beyond. Chadwicks Wexford not only achieved a Great Place to Work score of 82%, which is testament to the camaraderie among colleagues in the branch, but also holds the highest number of sales per team member across the Chadwicks Group.
The Chadwicks Wexford team are deeply embedded within the local community, and in Wexford GAA in particular. As the local branch to Chadwicks Wexford Park, they have a close affinity to Wexford GAA and are happy to help with various activities at the stadium throughout the year.
“Having the naming rights to Wexford Park is great publicity for the Chadwicks brand,” Enda O’Brien says.
“The GAA is huge in Wexford and nearly all of us are involved with our local hurling or football teams in some capacity. Paul Roche and Martin Byrne hurled for Wexford as well as for their clubs Oulart-The Ballagh and Rathnure. I’m originally from Glynn-Barntown but am now involved with Ballyhogue. It’s nice to be able to give something back to your local community.”
Commenting on the ‘Branch of the Year’ Award, the affable branch manager explains: “We’re thrilled with it. To be the first-ever winner makes it extra special. The Award reflects well on the entire team who enjoy a great rapport with customers and make my job so much easier.
“Without a doubt, our people are our greatest asset. Most of them are long-term which speaks volumes for our branch and company. Two of the lads, David Brady and Anthony Canning, have been with us for over 40 years. Chadwicks are a great company to work for. They look after their staff very well and see the benefits of that.”
He continues: “We were chosen from 50 branches based on Sales, Health & Safety and a Great Place to Work. We scored highly in each category. We are extremely proud of our impeccable Health & Safety record, customer service and great range of products. We’re a one-stop shop for all your building, plumbing, DIY and equipment needs.
“You can get everything from a needle to an anchor here and are known for being one of the largest plumbing suppliers in the county.”
In total, 12 awards were presented at the inaugural Chadwicks Appreciation and Recognition Awards. The ceremony took place at the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, January 27 with 350 Chadwicks Group colleagues in attendance to celebrate the achievements of branches, departments and all colleagues around the country.
In congratulating the winners, Chadwicks Group CEO Patrick Atkinson said: “We are delighted to launch the first-ever CARAs which have been created to celebrate and recognise colleagues across the country for their hard work and commitment. At Chadwicks Group, our aim is to always provide our customers with excellence from best-in-class customer service to unrivalled product knowledge, and it’s our people that bring that excellence to life.
“That’s why these awards are so important and are an opportunity to show our appreciation for the people behind the brand. I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone here today for their amazing work, and for the support you’ve all shown one another through these awards.”
Chadwicks has had a presence in Wexford for over 50 years. The branch was originally located in the middle of the town beside Talbot’s Hotel before relocating to Drinagh Business Park in 2003. It represents all the leading brands, from Etex (formerly Tegral), Unilin Insulation, Gyprock and Murray Timber (Ballon) to Grant Engineering and Joule. Opening hours are from 7.30am to 5pm Monday-Thursday, 7.30am to 4pm on Fridays and 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Chadwicks is one of Ireland’s leading suppliers of builders’ and plumbers’ materials. Part of Grafton Group plc, Chadwicks Group has 50 stores and over 1,300 colleagues nationwide. Thanks to their unrivalled knowledge and expertise in the construction sector, Chadwicks have been part of the fabric of everyday life in Ireland for over 200 years, providing building materials to homes, hotels, farms, transport networks and every other form of business across the country.
The company’s origins can be traced back to 1818 when Thomas Heiton set up business in Dublin as a coal importer and distributor, meeting the needs of the growing city. In the early 1900s, the business diversified, adding a sector specialising in iron products, and from the 1960s onwards, additional products such as timber and plumbing products were added.
The Chadwicks business was founded 120 years ago by William Thomas Chadwick at Talbot Place, Dublin to supply builders’ merchants and the major building contractors with cement and plaster produced in Ireland and abroad. During this time, all deliveries to Chadwicks’ customers throughout Dublin city and county were by horse-drawn vehicles.
In the 1950s, the business expanded, moving to bigger premises in Walkinstown and adding new lines such as fire clay to its range of building products. Further expansion took place in the 1960s, and in 1967 the company opened its first branch outside Dublin in Kilkenny.
Today, Chadwicks has branches dotted all over Ireland, including Chadwicks, Cork Builders Providers, Davies, Heiton Steel, Telfords and The Panelling Centre, all offering customers a huge range of timber, building materials and home improvement supplies.
The award-winning company prides itself on offering competitive prices over a large range of products with highly-trained staff willing to help with friendly advice whenever needed. Complete customer satisfaction is always guaranteed.
As with all branches, Chadwicks Wexford team members have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the building materials they supply. So whether it’s doors and floors, insulation, energy saving products, plumbing and heating, landscaping, tools, paint, stoves or water conservation products, they have you covered.
Chadwicks Wexford would like to take this opportunity to thank its customers and suppliers for their continued support.
Chadwicks Wexford
Drinagh Business Park,
Sinnottstown Lane,
Wexford,
Y35 WY65.
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.chadwicks.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, June 2023, Vol 9 No 6
