Hardware and Builders’ Merchant store members of United Hardware from around the country have recently been honoured for achieving exceptional standards in retailing at the third ever ‘United in Excellence Awards’ ceremony, hosted by comedian Mario Rosenstock at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan.
EEC Homevalue Balbriggan won the overall and highly coveted award, ‘United in Excellence Store of The Year 2022’, beating competition from over 160 other exceptional stores.
Paul Candon, Group CEO, United Hardware said: “The United in Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate best in class offerings, standards, and customer service across the industry. Our winning members have significantly raised the bar when it comes to excellence in retailing and have proven that they are some of the very best hardware stores in Ireland”.
“The awards come at a particularly interesting time for our sector as we emerge from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and as we face into new challenges for the future. The awards present a timely milestone to reflect on our journey since our last awards, and to acknowledge the incredible efforts made by all stores and the hardware sector in responding to and supporting the communities in which they operate throughout the pandemic.
Congratulations to all winners and to all who were nominated at this year’s event and thank you to our main sponsors on the night Dulux Paints, Irish Cement, Glennon Brothers, Calor Gas, Mannok, Kilsaran, Xtratherm, Grundfos, and silver sponsors Portwest, Milwaukee & Wavin”.
John Clare and Seamus Ennis, Directors at EEC Homevalue Balbriggan said: “We are delighted to be receiving the award on behalf of the whole team in recognition of all the hard work, dedication, and determination they have put in to ensuring that we continue to grow and meet the expectations of our customers”.
“Our store recently underwent a significant expansion following investment of €4m to ensure that EEC Homevalue customers can get everything they need all under one roof, from simple DIY products to full construction supplies and materials, we carry everything for every project. Furthermore, our knowledgeable and friendly staff make customers experiences with EEC Homevalue easy, pleasurable, and affordable, and we’re proud of the impact we can have in improving customer experiences and supporting them with any project, big or small.”
The event involved the presentation of 33 awards over various key business categories such as paint, customer service, light hardware & DIY, merchanting and best regional store. As part of the nomination process, every group member store across the entire network must comply with a strict set of criteria, to ensure that the highest possible standards are continuously upheld. This involves an assessment by Store Operations which also includes an independent mystery shopper audit by an external third party.
On the evening a cheque to the value of over €20,000 was presented to United Hardware’s chosen charity, The Peter McVerry Trust.
THE FULL LIST OF NATIONAL WINNERS:
United in Excellence Store of The Year 2022
EEC Homevalue
Best Regional Store in Munster
Bandon Co-op Homevalue Kilbrogan
Best Regional Store in Leinster
EEC Homevalue
Best Regional Store in Connacht
P.J Kelly’s Homevalue
Best Regional Store in Ulster
Donegal Town Hardware Homevalue
Best Garden Centre
Kean’s Claremorris
Guaranteed Irish Advocate of The Year Award
Lambert’s Homevalue
Best Digital Presence
Smyth’s Homevalue Enniscorthy
Best Merchanting Store
Rooney’s Homevalue
Best Customer Service Excellence
Nioclas O’Conchubhair Homevalue
Best Paint Store
Smyth’s Homevalue Enniscorthy
Best Light Hardware & DIY Store in Ireland
EEC Homevalue
Best Heating & Plumbing Store in Ireland Greenline Plumbing
