HAI CEO Annemarie Harte visited Rawlplug’s large warehouse on the outskirts of Drogheda during the week sterling plummeted to 91p against the euro. That plunge in value made Commercial Director Paul McCormack’s planning significantly harder as budget season began. However, as Annemarie learned, Rawlplug, a manufacturing specialist in anchoring and fixing systems, is ready to face the challenges ahead with determination and confidence based on a heritage of almost 100 years of innovation, reliability and safety.
In 1919, the Rawlplug Company Ltd was born after John J. Rawlings’ development of the first-ever specialist wall fixing product. His revolutionary Fibre Plug was the product from which the modern range of Rawlplug fixings was developed.
The company expanded dramatically and today it is one of the world’s leading fixing manufacturers distributing its products on every continent. Innovation remains at the heart of its success, including significant developments of torque-controlled anchors and chemical systems for safety-critical applications.
Paul anticipates significant growth in 2017 based on the launch of additional upgraded and brand new technically approved products, as well as the reliability and expertise of Rawlplug’s new Technical Service. In fact, Paul is using the company’s stand at the upcoming Hardware Show to display only new products as he believes visitors to the show are primarily there to find something new and innovative. Rawlplug is proud that it is the first manufacturer to have European Technically Approved (ETA) certification on its Rawlbolt, a shield anchor that expands in the wall. Paul believes that verified quality standards are vital as there are some products on the market that are not fit for use. Rawlplug places a strong emphasis on the wide range of ETA products that it offers.
New Rawlplug trade range
The new Rawlplug Prepack Fixings Range comes pre-packed with QR codes to help with installation and is colour-coded for easy identification depending on the nature of the job. I noted that this is useful for the DIY enthusiast as well as the tradesman and no sooner did I mention “hanging curtain poles in plasterboard that crumbles like sand” than Paul shows me a sample of the array of pre-packs available. They’re called Project Solution Kits and I’m very impressed by how far this particular area of the industry has come when I see individual flat screen TV kits, shelving kits and outside light kits.
Substrates
Rawlplug manufactures and supplies various types of fixings and fasteners intended for use in different substrates. Numerous surveys show that consumers hesitate over which product is best and are keen to seek expert and knowledgeable advice. In order to meet these expectations, Rawlplug is introducing a colourcoded system on its new trade range to categorise products for use in various substrates and applications (See Table 1). All the information, such as installation instructions, drill size and barcode, is presented clearly on the back of the packaging.
Rawlplug has become increasingly aware that merchants and hardware retailers are finding it more difficult to control stocks of loose products in their stores. Problems that arise in-store include theft and wrong product selection at the cash desk. In turn, stocktaking can be a major problem if incorrect products have been booked out over the previous 12 months. The new Rawlplug trade range offers a solution to this problem with fixings in small quantities and in barcoded bags. With the company supplying the complete range of fixings and fasteners in competitively priced and well-designed bags, retailers’ staff will no longer have to guess the type and size of a fixing, Rawlplug says.
Investing in Innovation
On the question of competition, Paul says that it’s important to be informed about the marketplace but he believes the business is not primarily about analysing your competitors; it’s about looking at your own business and your standards. “It’s so important to have excellent service, including next day delivery,” he says, highlighting Rawlplug’s commitment to innovation and to being category ‘captain’ in its sector. “Research and development is imperative. R&D ensures new, innovative products, new packaging and new, improved marketing.”
Launch of Rawlplug Technical Service
Rawlplug says it is the first fixings distributor in Ireland servicing merchant and DIY stores to offer a technical advisory service. Paul notes: “Our trained engineer will provide a complete package of technical support, from the design stage of a project
to its completion.” Rawlplug’s service includes the recommendation of an appropriate product, taking into account structure, life expectancy, location, load applied, and all other relevant factors. Rawlplug is pleased to check the design and specification of any product from lightweight fixings to heavily-loaded, safety-critical anchors. “This ensures that there is correct specification of fixings to meet required safety loads and that the fixing works satisfactorily throughout its product life.”
Rawlplug and the environment
Rawlplug is committed to making the company environmentally sustainable:“Minimising our environmental impact is certainly a priority. An example of the company’s dedication to this principle is the development of new eco friendly product packaging, which contains special fibres, conforming to a sustainable brand image while not sacrificing quality or appearance.”
We finish our discussion by looking towards the New Year. The Hardware Show will be the main platform for Rawlplug in 2017, so a visit to their stand is a must. Paul concludes by promising that customers and potential customers can look forward to new high quality products and innovative marketing ideas from Rawlplug over the next 12 months.
If you have a story to tell as a supplier or manufacturer in the Irish market, please contact Annemarie on 01 298 0969 or annemarie@hardwareassociation.ie for more information.
