Cullen Building Products has been operating successfully in Ireland for several years, supplying the industry with a wide range of engineered timber connectors. Over that time, its Irish business has grown dramatically, increasing turnover by 40% in each of the last three years. In response to this, in October 2004 Cullen formed a separate operating company based in Kells, specifically to service the Irish market. A year later it has consolidated its Irish presence by opening a purpose-built 10,000ft2 stock-holding and distribution facility in Kells.
Cullen managing director Doug Cullen is specific about the importance of recognising the differences in trading needs between the UK mainland and Ireland. He said: “Our experience in Ireland, where we now have a substantial customer base, has shown us that there are general similarities between the UK and Irish markets – the growth in timber frame and the popularity of engineered timber products for example – but there are also many differences which must be accounted for. These differences affect how Cullen distributes products; the types of products we manufacture; the literature we produce on those products; our website information.”
Market differences
Differences in Building Regulations and construction methods in Ireland are key areas of divergence between the markets and have necessitated the development and stocking of Ireland-specific products. As a result Cullen has put in place a New Product Development Programme designed to meet National Standards Agency of Ireland (NSAI) and European regulations. The first product launched was the ST-PFS-50, a 1.2mm steel timber frame holding-down strap, which can resist uplift forces of 3.0kN due to its crash form and the unique bird’s beak strengthening ribs, which reinforce the 90° bend section.
“The ST-PFS-50, which has been approved by the NSAI and exceeds Homebond (National Housebuilding Guarantee Scheme) specification, has been a very successful product for the company,” said Cullen’s Ireland sales director Dave Cleverley. “It’s an excellent example of how we used our existing timber frame expertise and adapted it to produce a product specific to the growing Irish timber frame market.”
The ST-PFS-50 was designed to be used with six number 3.35×50 A/R/S nails, the same nails as used for Cullen’s Timber Frame Wall Tie range. “The rationale for the common size of nail is to improve on-site practice, by reducing incorrect nailing, thus delivering savings in time and reducing wastage,” said Mr Cleverley.
Larger stockholding
Time is, of course, of the essence to building programmes in both the UK and Ireland. Cullen’s new facility has enabled the company to increase its stockholding by 100% and to reduce lead-time on many stock items.
Delivery is also a key factor and this will be facilitated by the company’s location in Kells, which enables it to distribute efficiently both north and south of the border – something customers appreciate.
They will also appreciate not having to travel to Scotland for technical training on new connector products, changing Building Regulations and so on, as this will now be provided in the new branch’s purpose-built training centre.
“It’s a case of bringing to Ireland the timber engineering and business expertise we have developed over decades in the UK market, while ensuring that our practices and products are constantly developing in response to the specific needs of our Irish customers,” said Doug Cullen.
