Vivalda Group, the UK’s largest distributor of architectural rainscreen facades, has invested €1.3m in a new distribution and fabrication centre in Naas, Country Kildare. A significant vote of confidence in the country’s construction sector, the new branch will provide property developers and contractors with access to the highest quality, non-flammable cladding products from a trusted supplier with a 24-year pedigree.
The new facility at Naas Industrial Estate measures an impressive 8,500 sq ft – eight times the size of Vivalda Ireland’s former nearby premises. The business now employs six people and is hoping to take on more staff later in the year to meet anticipated demand for its façade solutions.
Darren Bowden, Branch Manager of Vivalda Ireland is delighted with the new premises. He said: “This investment is so important as it enables us to both fabricate cladding boards and hold meaningful stocks here in Naas. Previously, we’ve been somewhat at the mercy of imports and transportation links from the UK. Now, with our own high precision beam saw, warehousing space and trucking we are the masters of our own destiny, which will allow us to provide a seamless supply service to Ireland’s construction sector.”
“Over time, we plan to take on additional general operative and office staff to cope with anticipated demand for our non-flammable architectural rainscreen cladding. With our new capabilities, we are confident that we can grow our business by 20 per cent in 2023.”
Backed by its well-established parent company, Vivalda Group, the Irish operation has invested more than €900,000 in premises and building works alone. A further €210,000 has been spent on transportation, logistics and fabrication equipment such as a Homag automated beam saw. Further investment is penciled in later in 2023.
The new investment Vivalda has put into its Irish operation has already paid dividends, with new contracts recently signed on the basis of the recent development. While the company is well known for its provision of cladding on high profile projects such as the DUB 94 data centre north of Dublin and a growing number of new Starbuck’s cafes, 2023 is likely to see more of this calibre of work.
Darren Bowden continues: “Our expansion benefits to the building trade by enabling shorter lead times (we will be stocking all of the ancillaries), while offering in-house fabrication and supply under the one roof. This is the first of its kind on the island, providing a world-class fabrication and distribution service of high-end cladding products from across Europe.”
Since its establishment in 1999, Vivalda Group has grown its turnover year on year. The business is involved in the distribution, fabrication and manufacture of non-flammable rainscreen cladding systems. The company employs 162 people across its operations in Birmingham, Cheltenham, Naas, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Manchester, London and Swanley.
