Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), the national representative body for over 370 hardware and DIY retailers, builders merchants, and manufacturers and distributors across Ireland, has appointed Sean Moran as its new President.
Sean is CEO and majority shareholder of the Home Project Centre Group, which currently has 14 trading units around the country, employs 250 people and operates trading brands including TJ O’Mahonys, C+D Providers, PH Ross, Commons Hardware and McCarthys Hardware.
Sean has served as an executive board member of Hardware Association Ireland for the past four years and as Treasurer for the last two, working to ensure continuity in the organisation’s strategic development. In his new role as President of the organisation, Sean plans to focus strongly on supporting members in the run up to Brexit. He also wants to increase industry engagement with the latest technologies, ensuring members are equipped to avail of process streamlining developments to help them respond quickly to changes in consumer behaviour.
He will also work to grow and refine the services that Hardware Association Ireland offers members, including detailed market intelligence and sales information as well as specialist training and business development support. It also supports smaller members by negotiating offers on services such as card payment services, insurance, cash-in-transit and employment advice. As the voice of the Irish hardware industry, Hardware Association Ireland also works very closely with Government and its agencies to improve the sector.
During his career, Sean Moran has held a variety of senior positions across the construction and supply of building materials sectors, including as Financial Controller and Managing Director of Stone Developments, part of the Sisk group of companies. A qualified accountant, Sean first became involved in the builders’ merchant sector in 2001 as Managing Director of the McMahon Group.
Commenting on his appointment, Sean Moran, President of Hardware Association Ireland, said: “With its focus on the entirety of the hardware and builders’ merchant sector, Hardware Association Ireland is a unique organisation, ideally placed to support what is once again a thriving industry, and provides members with a forum to engage and network with similar businesses and share experiences and opinions from across the industry.
“There are a number of pressing issues currently impacting our members, not least the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, but also the somewhat dysfunctional residential construction market. There is an urgent need to close the gap between supply and demand and increase the availability of finance. I’m honoured to be serving as President and looking forward to working closely with the Executive Committee to tackle these challenges and respond effectively to the needs of our members.”
Hardware Association Ireland represents over 370 members at all levels of the supply chain, from national and international companies, to multi-branch retail chains and smaller independent hardware businesses. The sector generates employment of 19,000 persons, and contributes nearly €377m in tax to the Irish economy each year.
Hardware Association Ireland produces an award-winning bi-monthly magazine called The Hardware Journal and runs The Hardware Show, which will take place in Citywest on 17th and 18th February 2019.
