Synonymous with the consistent delivery of outstanding products and service levels, Joyce’s Hardware & Home was nominated for three prestigious awards at the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards 2019. Building Ireland headed west to Headford in County Galway and spoke to Jim Joyce and his daughter Dearbhaile about this industry-leading, third-generation family business.
Providing customers with literally everything that’s needed to build and furnish a home from top to bottom and from start to finish, Joyce’s Hardware & Home is a family-run, independent builders and home providers that has been delivering the goods for nigh on seven decades.
The comprehensive range of top-quality products are offered at exceptionally competitive prices, backed up by the highest level of customer service to ensure that every interaction is a pleasant and cost-effective one. With value, quality and service prioritised, it’s little wonder that the well-appointed Headford, County Galway store continues to go from strength to strength … or that they were shortlisted for no fewer than three national awards at the 2019 Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards.
When the shortlist for the Octabuild awards was unveiled in August, Joyce’s Hardware & Home were one of six outlets nominated in the Excellence in Community Outreach category, while staff members Joe Geraghty and Patrick Burke were amongst the 13 candidates for the all-new Rising Star award – Joyces being the only store with two nominees in that category! The awards ceremony took place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Thursday night, November 7th and Jim Joyce was honoured to be so well represented on the night:
“We were absolutely delighted to get the three nominations,” he states. “My daughter, Dearbhaile, who joined the business full-time three years ago having received a fashion degree in New York, looked after the submissions and she did an excellent job. She’s a great asset to the business and it’s great to have the input of the younger generation bringing style to the household side of the business in particular.”
A modern, innovative and conscientious store, with a keen emphasis on eco-friendliness, the genesis of Joyce’s Hardware & Home goes back to 1951 when Jim’s father, Patrick Colm Joyce, set the business up. “It started as a food shop, then farm feeds and then hardware,” he reveals. “It was a travelling shop for 14 years and he purchased the site here in 1979.”
Over the intervening 40 years, ongoing reinvestment, forward thinking and subsequent organic growth have seen Joyce’s Hardware & Home evolve to its current status as the premier hardware and homeware providers in the region, operating from a modern, spacious nine-acre, two-storey site and generating direct employment for 38 highly-trained and experienced full-time personnel plus six more part time. As such a large employer, the business’ invaluable contribution to the local economy in inestimable…
“When my father built the complex here it was a three-acre site but it has since been extended to nine,” Jim continues. “We have quite a big footprint – there are only 2,000 people in Headford but we have customers across a wide area covering Connemara, Clifden, Cong, Ballinrobe, the Aran Islands, etc.”
Regarding the approach to offering unwavering customer service, which has led to the business’ enduring success as a viable commercial concern, Jim notes: “We are on the ground and we listen to customers and what they need.
“We essentially have a number of businesses rolled into one. First off, there’s the builders providers with plumbing and heating supplies and all building materials. We also have an agri department, specialising in farm feeds, fertilizers and agri supplies. The garden centre was started ten years ago and stocks a full range of plants, garden furniture, paving and decking, etc.
“Then, we have soft furnishings and that leads on to our domestic side… In the upstairs department, comprising 17,000 sq ft, there’s a full bathroom showroom with all the latest contemporary showers and baths as well as indoor and outdoor tiling. We also have a showroom with 40 doors on display and a vast selection of locks, hinges and handles, flooring from Canadia and Whiteriver, soft furnishings from Connolly’s in Monaghan, Respa beds, and lighting, supporting mainly Irish suppliers.
“We carry all the latest products and keep abreast of what’s in vogue. Even though we have been in business for a long time, this is anything but an outdated shop. We carry the very best of what’s on the market.”
The downstairs area covers some 30,000 sq ft and includes everything from household and garden products to outdoor lighting, a full stove and fireplace showroom, with 96 different units including multi-fuel and boiler.
With over 30,000 quality products in stock. Joyce’s Hardware & Home is one of the leading home suppliers in the west. One of their primary aims is to offer products at the best possible price and, as a member of the Allied Merchants Buying Association (AMBA), this is even more achievable as bulk buying offers the end customer better value for money. They are also a member of the Builders Merchants Federation in the UK and Euronics, Europe’s largest electrical buying group, which means access to the latest product ranges from top range brands at a competitive price. Having established and maintained firm relationships with leading suppliers across Ireland and Europe, Joyce’s Hardware & Home deliver securely and affordably to Ireland and the UK.
This year, the paint department – headed by Rising Star nominee Joe Geraghty – was revamped, while an interior designer joined the team. An impressive, modern, eco-friendly extension was added to the premises over the course of 2018 and 2019, including 7,000 sq ft for homeware, new toilets, a First Aid Room, baby changing and breastfeeding facilities, changing rooms and showers for those who avail of the Bike To Work scheme, a tea room, taps with instant hot water, etc.
Single-use plastic bottles have been eliminated as well as plastic bags. All lights are LED and a charging point for electric cars will be added.
This facelift has transformed the building, with no cost spared and everything finished down to the last detail – the inclusion of de-mist mirrors, for example. “We wanted to showcase what we can do,” Jim notes. “A lot of thought went into it and this extension gave us more space whilst at the same time modernising the store inside and out.”
It’s no fluke that Joyce’s Hardware & Home were shortlisted for the Excellence in Community Outreach Octabuild award. They are actively involved in supporting local clubs and initiatives and were also very active in the “Paint The Town” scheme in conjunction with local architect Helena McElmeel.
The all-new Rising Star Award at the Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards 2019 was introduced to recognise and encourage upcoming talent in the builders merchants industry. Open to any staff member under the age of 30, merchants were invited to nominate individuals who had performed above and beyond expectations in the business, the community and in their day-to-day dealings with customers.
Joyce’s Hardware & Home were delighted to have both Joe Geraghty and Patrick Burke shortlisted. “These guys are the epitome of our great staff,” says Jim. “We have an open-door policy here for our employees and personalities are very important to us. Joe and Patrick are both learning a lot every day and they’re also bringing a lot to the business.”
Dearbhaile continues: “The reason our company has grown from strength to strength over the years is due to our loyal staff and continued customer support. We enjoy great staff relations and the majority of them are long-serving employees. Michael Laffey is with us 52 years, Pat Moran has given 43 years’ service, while Mary Curran, Angela Kelly and Kieran Higgins are with us for 33 years. The staff really are like family to us”.
“It’s fantastic that we have been nominated for the Octabuild Awards. A lot of work has gone into transforming the store over the past 18 months and it’s great to see that being recognised and rewarded. Joe is very creative and Patrick is the friendliest person you could wish to meet – they both have very positive attitudes and it’s an honour to work alongside them.”
“We also have a staff training room, as training and staff knowledge are vitally important going forward,” Jim concludes. “We’ve had Wi-Fi and fibre optic installed through the entire building and are opening a coffee shop. People will stay longer if they can log onto the internet. It’s all about enhancing the customer experience and atmosphere. We have background music playing in the shop and nature sounds outside.
“We’re proud to say that this is a third-generation family business. Over the years, we have put a lot of money back into the business and brought it forward on a regular basis in order to be the very best we can be.”
This was reflected in Joyce’s Hardware & Home’s strong presence at the 2019 Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards!
Joyce’s Hardware & Home,
Galway Road,
Headford,
County Galway.
Tel: 093 34201
Email: [email protected]
Web: joycehardware.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/joyce.hardware.3
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2019/January 2020, Vol 5 No 11
