Based right beside Croke Park at 10B Russell Street, Dublin 1, Plumb Merchants Ltd is Dublin city’s one-stop shop for heating and plumbing supplies. Building Ireland touched base with its proprietor Kevin Sullivan to hear more about the state of business at the moment for his store and what its plans are for the foreseeable future.
When Dublin native Kevin Sullivan first set-up Plumb Merchants Ltd a decade-and-a-half ago, he did so with the intention of one day heading up a store which would be renowned for the quality of its service amongst customers.
Today, this Dublin 1-based operation is very much a leading supplier of heating and plumbing materials to the public and trade and, perhaps above all else, cannot be beaten for its levels of excellent service.
Right on the doorstep of the iconic Croke Park, Plumb Merchants Ltd employs five people from its base at 10B Russell Street, Dublin 1, and leads the way in the supply of top-quality branded heating and plumbing products to the commercial, domestic and industrial sectors.
Building Ireland caught up with Kevin Sullivan to hear more about the ins and out of this business and what he feels separates it from the competition.
“We divide the business into three main areas. They are plumbing, heating, and DIY, if you like” he outlined.
“In the plumbing side, wet rooms, power showers, bathroom furniture and walk-in facilities, and, on the heating side, there’s a huge emphasis on efficiency.
“If you go any further than that, on the heating side, you’re going down a rabbit hole and you may never get out of it. To isolate any particular products, we’re a little bit unique because of where we’re located because we have no idea what’s coming in the door next.
“Generally, there’s a seasonal aspect to it. But, honestly, because of where we’re located in Dublin 1 and the age profile of the buildings around us, which varies from very, very old to ultra-modern, we have no idea what we’re going to be asked next.
“But I do cast a small shadow over the quality of what has been built in the last 20 years and I’ve no hesitation in saying that.”
Rewind back to where Kevin first started out in this game and you’re talking the best part of half a century.
It was May 1, 1978 when the Dublin native first delved into heating and plumbing supplies and, as he himself puts it, he has been “knee-deep in the industry” ever since.
As for Plumb Merchants Ltd, it officially opened its doors on January 14, 2010 and business is in a good place right now for the company.
“Business is brisk and getting better. Our portfolio of hotels, hostels and accommodation for example, is growing steadily and it’d be a strong part of our business,” said the store’s proprietor.
“Our walk-in business would have tripled in the last few years and, I’m being deliberate when I say these things, because they’re the actual facts. We have had to broaden our stock range to accommodate considerable changes in the industry. And, equally, we’ve had to keep up with the technological changes because the heating side of the business is changing rapidly.
“Together with that, the plumbing side of the business is also changing rapidly for example the colours that are now being introduced regarding brassware, and there is a huge emphasis on showering and a much wider range of installation options in bathroom furniture on offer to the end user.
“In addition to that, more people are travelling abroad and now want the water facilities that they find on the continent. For example, high pressure everything and, obviously, there’s a huge emphasis on heat pumps, which I remain to have a very large question mark hovering over the term heat pump, but that’s for another day.
“That’s kind of a warning, buyer beware. Anybody in the industry will see precisely where I’m coming from there.”
Since ‘Day One’, customer service has been paramount at Plumb Merchants and it continues to supply a comprehensive range of bathroom, heating and plumbing products to a wide range of customers across the commercial, industrial, domestic and DIY sectors.
Kevin and his team work alongside leading manufacturers on order to provide customers with new product innovations and the best range of market-leading brands at competitive prices.
With a reputation which is second to none, the store on Russell St caters for everyone from main contractors, developers and plumbers to property owners, local authorities and major corporations.
With its customer base continuously growing, Plumb Merchants also supplies very specific products to the domestic and hotel markets, with property and hotel maintenance being its core business.
So, all of that considered, the clear question is what has been the secret behind the continued success of Plumb Merchants over these past 15 years?
For Kevin, he puts it down to one key factor above the rest.
“It’s down to the service. There is only one word in our business and that’s ‘service’,” he stated.
Looking towards the coming months for the company, Kevin’s keen on keeping things on the same trajectory business-wise and, overall, his tone is very positive when talking about the future for Plumb Merchants.
“I would be very optimistic for the future in all aspects of the business and the growing population will be an advantage to everybody in my sector of the industry.”
The Dubliner concluded: “I would forecast an estimated 8% to 10% growth year on year.”
Opening hours at Plumb Merchants Ltd are 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm on Fridays and 8.30am to 11.00am on Saturdays.
Kevin wishes to take this opportunity to thank his customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as his staff for their dedication, hard work and expertise.
Plumb Merchants Ltd
10B Russell Street,
Dublin 1,
D01 WC63.
Telephone: 01 860 3943
Mobile: 086 782 7559
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October 2025, Vol 11 No 11
