2018 sees Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY in Co Leitrim marking 20 years since it first opened its doors. Building Ireland spoke to Joe Mulvey to learn more about the family business and what they have in store for the future.
When it comes to Building and Agri supplies few have earned as glowing a reputation for their service in the country’s northwest region as Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim.
The family run business has grown from strength to strength over the past 10 years, according to Joe Mulvey, having relocated to their current base in 2007.
Since that time, the supply of construction products has become a focal point for the company and with the economic downturn now well and truly in the past, things are looking very bright indeed for Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY.
Joe is one of three family members currently involved in the running of store and told Building Ireland what they’re all about when we caught up with him recently.
“We’re based on the Dowra Road in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim,” Joe outlined.
“The business was set-up on September 1st, 1998 and altogether we have nine staff working here with Tony and Kevin Mulvey as the directors.
“We do everything and anything here. The business was set-up as an Agri business and eventually developed into hardware and building supplies as well.”
The development continued further after the business moved to Drumshanbo in 2007, with building supplies becoming big part of their repertoire.
The decision to relocate was a bold one and could have been seen as bad timing, considering that the recession was just around the corner, but all involved persevered and Joe is glad to report that they’re now feeling the more positive effects of the current upturn.
“We built a brand new premises 10 years ago this year and after we did we decided to go into timber and gardening supplies,” he stated.
“Since then things seemed to have gone from strength to strength and we can’t complain. Business is good at the moment. We supply our customers with a good range of quality products from Agri to hardware and gardening as well.
“A free delivery service is also available with a lorry and a van on the road for us full-time, which we think is vital to provide a good service to our customers”
On the timing of the move to Drumshanbo, Joe added: “At the time we built in 2007 construction wasn’t our main business but we felt confident enough to build the premises that we’re now in – prior to that we had been renting, so it made sense for us.
‘’During the downturn things were tough but thankfully we got through it. We were also fortunate in that all our loyal customers stood by us and have done so down the years and we’re grateful to them for that’’
It has been a common theme for the Mulvey’s clientele to stick with them through thick and thin down through the years.
The family name has always been associated with supplying quality products from their stores in the Leitrim/Longford area, with the history dating back over a century, according to Joe.
“The family business probably started 100 years before my father took over the old Killashandra Store in Ballinalee, Co Longford, in 1989” he said
“From there things progressed and, as I said, we have really managed to grow from strength to strength since opening the new shop in 2007.”
In July 2013 we joined the United Hardware Ltd GROUP as a Homevalue member. This has brought great benefit to the business. Their huge buying power enabled us to buy better which in turn meant we could provide our customers with a bigger range of products and at more competitive rates. Their invaluable knowledge of branding shop layout and merchandising etc has been a great help. They provided access to new suppliers and new products ranges which we would have found difficult to access on our own. The regular flyers distribution has given us massive publicity.
As for business at the minute, it seems that Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY are more than holding their own in what is becoming an increasingly competitive industry with the construction market now having turned around nationwide.
While we aren’t flat out business wise in Drumshanbo, Joe says they can’t complain about how things are going at present.
“It’s steady as she goes! We are happy with current level of business,” he enthused.
“Where we are located is right in the middle of a large area and we’d have customers coming to us from all around.”
Next September will mark 20 years since Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY was officially set-up, so what has been the secret to the company’s success for two decades?
Joe feels it comes down to one thing in particular, providing a “Good Service” to our customers.
With an invaluable and knowledgeable staff at hand to implement this service, day in, day out.
“Our staff are from agri & hardware background and know what our customers might require to do a specific job. Our staff are knowledgeable, have huge experience and give good advice to our customers.”
It’s little wonder why Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY has such a steady flow of repeat business coming through its doors on a daily basis.
Now plans are in place for a new showroom which Joe believes will be completed by the end of the summer.
It’ll be the first piece of expansion to the premises since moving in 10 years ago and the man himself has pledged to keep the construction work for its locals.
“The plan is to put in a big showroom upstairs with doors and floors and bathroom suits” said Joe.
“With regards to the showroom though, we’ve always given any work we’ve had done here to local contractors and we’ll be doing the same again with it. Hopefully, we’ll get it built this summer.”
Either way, things certainly are looking promising out Drumshanbo way.
Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY
Address: Dowra Rd,
Drumshanbo,
Co Leitrim
Tel: (071) 964 1568
E-mail: [email protected]
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, October 2017, Vol 3 No 9
Mulvey’s Homevalue Hardware & DIY
