GBP (£)
Monday 30th November -0001
50 years of excellence at Wesco
Wesco Electrical attributes its success to its quality service, large range of stock and technical expertise. The majority of its experienced staff have over 20 years’ service with the company and this deep industry knowledge is a key factor in the business’s success. The company is solely owned by Jimmy and Sheila Owens. Commenting on the 50th anniversary milestone, Jimmy enthused: “50 years is a long time to be in business but really it seems like only a year ago since Wesco Electrical Ltd, or as it was known then, Wholesale Electrical Supply Co. opened its doors in the Fair Green, Drogheda. “Throughout those 50 years there have been many ups and downs but without the support of our staff, customers and suppliers it would not have been possible to survive each of those challenges. I would like to thank all of them, past and present, for their support and loyalty and wish our current ones many happy and successful years of trading into the future.” Jimmy continued: “Our motto is ‘Take a genuine interest in our customers and their needs’. We have approximately 15,000 active stock lines, and if we still have not got what the customer requires, that’s no problem, if it’s available, we will get it.”
General Manager, Niall Curran added: “Wesco is a very people-centric company, and our focus has always been on the needs of both staff and customers. Having very experienced colleagues with many years of experience in electrical wholesale across different areas enables us to offer our clients a level of service above and beyond many of our competitors.” Managing Director Ann Owens said: “We are absolutely delighted to reach this milestone in business, and we couldn’t have done it without the great support from customers, staff and suppliers.”
WESCO WAS ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO A NEED FOR A LOCAL ELECTRICAL WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR
Wesco Electrical is solely owned by Jimmy and Sheila Owens. They are proud of the fact that it is a wholly Irish owned Independent Company. In 1973 its first location outside of Drogheda was at Academy Street in Navan, Co. Meath before establishing the first lighting showroom “The Light House” at that location. 1985 saw both Wesco and The Light House move to Cannon Row in Navan before eventually outgrowing this premises and moving to the current location in Mullaghbouy Industrial Estate in 2008.
In 1983 Wesco opened its third branch at Cutlery Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare before moving to a larger premises in March 2002. And in 1995 saw Wesco open its fourth branch at Friary Road in the centre of Naas town.
Then, in 1990, The Light House, a lighting showroom and sales outlet for trade and retail lighting was opened at the Drogheda premises. In 1999 both WESCO Electrical and The Light House premises were extended and are now twice their original size.
Wesco Electrical was a founding member of Fegime Ireland in 2002, the largest independent group of electrical wholesalers in Ireland.
In May 2002, Jimmy and Sheila appointed Matt Curran as Managing Director, Jean Callaghan as Financial Director, David Owens as Sales Director and, later, Ann Owens was appointed as a director in May 2006.
THE DEDICATED TEAM BEHIND WESCO
Managing Director - Ann Owens
Ann
joined the company after completing her degree in HR and has worked in various
roles throughout the business before being appointed Managing Director in 2021.
Ann still takes a very hands-on approach with The Light House side of the
business.
Sales Director - David Owens
David
has been in the business for just over 30 years and like many in a family
business started at the bottom and has grown up with the company over the years
through various roles before becoming Sales Director.
General Manager - Niall Curran
Niall
has Wesco in his blood having worked summers and weekends from his early
teenage years starting in the stores and progressing to sales and purchasing
during his time with Wesco. Niall worked for Intel after completing his
engineering degree before joining Fegime Ireland in 2007 to run their operations.
Niall spent 12 years working for Fegime in the electrical wholesale market
before joining Wesco in 2019 after completing his Masters in UCD Michael
Smurfit business school. Niall brings a lot of domestic and international
electrical wholesale experience to Wesco.
Project Sales Manager - Noel Lawler
Noel Lawler has been in the electrical wholesale business since 1991 before joining Wesco Electrical in 2019. Noel has a wealth of experience in the industry and is responsible for project sales with many of the larger customers as well as mentoring the next generation of salesmen. Noel said: “When I started with Wesco, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was much more than I expected. Wesco is a large independent distribution business with comprehensive stocks and experienced staff. The business is backed up with a solid financial base and large customer spread. It also has a large online platform and is continuing to invest in e-commerce and marketing.
“I
was delighted to open up new business opportunities in both the Supply and
Customer side of the business and I’m very appreciative of the welcome, help
and knowledge the Management and Staff have given to me since I joined. It is a
pleasure to work there, and I hope to continue working there for many years to
come.” “Wesco is
a large independent distribution business with comprehensive stocks and
experienced staff.”
Financial Manager - Robert Callaghan
Robert
joined Wesco in late 2019 to manage the financial side of the business. Robert
also worked in Wesco during his teenage years before working for AIB and State
Street upon completing his university degree.
KEY
CONTRIBUTOR TO WESCO’S HIGH INVENTORY IS THE SERVICE LEVELS PROVIDED TO ITS
CUSTOMERS
Catering
for everyone.
One of
the key strengths of Wesco is the range of product supplied from quality
manufacturers and the volume of stock held across the branches. Sales Director
David Owens explained: “Wesco aims to cater for everyone and as a result we
stock many different brands across product categories. In Lighting, for
example, we would be stockists of Robus, Ansell, Thorn, Bell, SGD, Philips,
Prelux and Opple Lighting which gives our customers great choice and a solution
for every job they undertake whether it is a retrofit upgrade or new installation.
Wesco’s high inventory is a key contributor to the service
levels its customers have come to know and appreciate. Wesco offer a same day
or next day delivery nationwide through their own fleet of delivery vehicles
along with their logistic partners. Noel Lawler, Project Sales Manager, pointed
out that the business success is achieved through great teamwork: “We are
servicing customers daily all over Ireland despite being based in the east of
the country. Having product available when it is needed allows us to get it to
site very quickly helping to keep our customer’s projects moving and avoiding
downtime”.
Wesco have a very diverse customer base which is
advantageous when it comes to service delivery. General Manager Niall Curran
explained: “Our customers range from one-man electrical contractors through to
large organisations across domestic, commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical,
security and data centres. As a result of this we have both great knowledge
across various sectors and the products for each in stock which has helped us
attract a lot of new customers in recent years.”
WESCO STOCK A BROAD
RANGE OF PRODUCTS TO CATER FOR THE EVER-GROWING
CUSTOMER BASE…
Products
and services
Across the branch network Wesco have a great mix of
very experienced trade counter staff and a new generation of employees coming
through the ranks and learning. Added to this each of the 12 inside sales team
members all have from 15 to 30 years’ experience in the electrical industry. The Drogheda branch is the head office and
distribution centre for the branch network. Very large stocks of cable,
containment, lighting, wiring accessories, switchgear and security products are
managed by a dedicated warehouse crew led by Enda McKenna to ensure that both
customers and the branches have their orders fulfilled efficiently.
Wesco are stockists of the following ranges:
• Lighting: Robus,
Ansell Lighting, Thorn, Philips, Opple Lighting, SGD, Bell Lighting, Ovia and many more.
• Data, Fire & Security: Draka
UC, HKC, EI Electonics, ESP, Ventilux
• Wiring Devices: MK, Hager, Schneider, Deta, Gewiss, Garo, ABB
• Switchgear: ABB, Schneider, Hager, Eaton,
• HVAC: ATC Electrical, Rointe, Dimpco, Xpelair, Vortice
Wesco also stock a large holding of domestic, commercial,
industrial and specialist application cables.
For many years Larry Mulvany was the face of Wesco
to many suppliers as the purchasing manager and with over 40 years’ service
across sales and purchasing Larry played a big part in the success of Wesco
through the years. Today, Niamh Farrell is looking after the purchasing and
explained how recent years have made procurement more challenging than ever:
“Since the start of the pandemic purchasing has been a challenge through supply
chain issues, hyper-inflation on steel and copper pushing prices up and a
general demand on product that was unforeseen. We manage our purchasing quite
well and always try and stay ahead where possible and have increased our stock levels
considerable in the last two years to help meet the needs of our customers so
that we have the product when they need it.”
SINCE
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN 1972 WESCO HAS GROWN TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS IN IRELAND…
Global
growth
There have been many employees
and customers who have helped Wesco grow over the years and without the support
from their loyal customer base this would not be possible. 50 years on and
Wesco now service many large customers across Ireland and abroad. In recent
years Wesco has supplied customers working on projects in the United States,
Australia, UK, France, Holland, Germany and The Nordics.
Over the past 50 years many great customers,
suppliers and staff have retired or moved on and it would be impossible for
Wesco to be the business it is today without these people. Recently retired
Managing Director, Matt Curran, joined the company from school in 1973. Matt
worked his way up from the stores to trade counter, on to purchasing before becoming the General Manager. Matt oversaw
many changes in Wesco including the move to digitalize the business in the late
1990s when Wesco went live using a computer system for the first time. Matt was
promoted to Managing Director in 2002 and navigated the company through the
highs and lows of the early and late 2000s alongside Financial Director Jean
Callaghan.
“Many staff have helped
shape the business over the years and this continues
to this day with the next generation of dynamic managers coming through the
ranks.”
PROXIMITY
OF THE BRANCH IS PERFECTLY LOCATED TO SERVICE MANY CUSTOMERS IN DUBLIN…
Drogheda
Branch
The Drogheda branch currently
has 27 staff based here servicing this location along with dedicated accounts,
administration, finance, marketing and sales support for the entire business.
Having moved to the current location just two minutes from junction eight and
nine on the M1 in 1976 the head office has undergone plenty of changes over the years including doubling the size of the building in the
1990’s. The proximity to Dublin allows the team in Drogheda to easily service
many customers in Dublin on a daily basis.
Branch manager Keith Lynch joined Wesco in 1999
and has gained a wealth of experience over the years. Keith began on the trade
counter before moving into the internal sales office and key account
management. Keith was promoted to branch manager in 2021 and commented: “We
have a great team here in Drogheda that all pull together and work as one unit.
We have multiple vans and our lorry on the road daily delivering products to
our customers wherever they are located.”
A
DEDICATED TEAM AT WESCO’S DROGHEDA BRANCH ENSURES EXPERT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
FOR CUSTOMERS…
Branch Manager, Keith Lynch spoke of how proud he
is of the fact that Wesco is celebrating its 50th year: “It’s a great
achievement to reach 50 years as a family business and I know we are in a great
place moving into the next 50. I’m proud that most of our staff are local and
that Wesco helps support the locality as a result.” Supported
in the sales office by Paul Sheridan, Leighton Irwin and Noel Lawler there is over 90 years of
electrical wholesaling experience in one office which is a great resource for
their customer base. Karl Mulroy has been with Wesco since 1995 and with
Fergus, Ken and Ruairi alongside at the trade counter there is a great
relationship with customers who are greeted with a smile to go with the
knowledge and experience. Behind the scenes a dedicated group of people help keep
Wesco functioning in the accounts and administration departments.
The Light House showroom is located upstairs in
Drogheda where Karen and Jane are on hand to offer expert advice and guidance
to customers from all over the north east and beyond. A large selection of
decorative lighting, costal grade exterior lighting, garden and wall lights
along with artwork, gifts and mirrors are on display to both trade customers
and the general public.
“The Wesco way has always
been to deliver a superior service to our customers and that is something that
we will continue to do moving forward” Branch
Manager Keith Lynch.
EXPERIENCED
AND KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS
Navan
Branch
Wesco Navan is conveniently located to service
Meath, Dublin, Cavan and the surrounding areas and was originally opened at
Academy Street, Navan in 1973. It then moved to Cannon Row and subsequently to
the current location in Mullaghbuoy just outside Navan town centre which is two
minutes from the M3 motorway. Wesco Navan was originally managed by Phil
Hegarty for many years and the branch has grown in recent times with 15 staff
members.
Managers Derek Meehan and Colm McDermott have over 50 years of
service between them. Coupled with Damien Carolan’s 20 years this branch has a very experienced and knowledgeable team
supporting their customers.
Derek Meehan commented: “I joined Wesco 26 years ago and have
worked in the branch from the ground up. I learned an incredible amount from my
previous manager Phil Hegarty throughout the years.
“Over those years I have seen a lot of change in the electrical
trade, but our focus has remained constant. We have an excellent relationship
with our customers and as the products and requirements change, we always keep
our eye on the ball and move with the times”,
Colm McDermott added: “I’ve seen a lot over the years, and I
have worked in Wesco from the highs of the Celtic Tiger era to the lows of the
recession and more recently the pandemic. We have great customers here and I’d
like to think they would say the same about myself and the team here.
“Everyone here has a genuine desire to service the needs of our
customers and go that extra mile when necessary. We take great pride in our
work and our ability to advise customers and source products and solutions or
any project.”
Navan is also home to the Light House, one of
Ireland’s premier lighting showrooms. Our experienced staff Kathleen, Liz, Ruth
and Anita have a fantastic selection of interior, exterior and garden lighting,
art, homewares and gifts. The Light House is predominantly retail orientated
but acts as a great value-added service for Wesco customers and their clients
who can browse the showrooms to get advice and ideas for any project.
EXCELLENT
RAPPORT ATTRIBUTED TO SUCCESS OF NAAS BRANCH…
Naas
Branch
The Naas branch was opened in 1995 as a response to
a growing customer base from the Naas area being serviced by the Newbridge
branch. David Owens was the branch manager in the early days before moving into
his current role of Sales director. Nowadays Eamonn Wyse, who has been with
Wesco since 2007 runs the branch alongside Robert McLaughlin on the trade
counter.
Commenting on his time with Wesco in the Naas branch, Eamonn
Wyse said: “With nearly 20 years of experience working for Wesco in Naas, I’d
like to think that we have built up a very good rapport not only with the
regular Tradesmen, but also the walk-in customers. From helping Contractors to
get their supplies, to making sure anyone stuck for a particular lamp or type
of cable, we’re always ready to help as best we can.
It’s a pleasure to serve the people in Kildare and to know we’re
providing the best possible service we can. Here’s to the next 50 years!”
The Naas branch is conveniently located in the
centre of Naas town and whilst it is the smallest of the Wesco branches it has
the support and backup of the Newbridge branch just a few minutes down the road
BLEND OF
EXPERIENCE AND YOUTH IN THE NEWBRIDGE BRANCH MAINTAINS AN EXCELLENT SERVICE TO
CUSTOMERS…
Newbridge
Branch
Originally opened in 1983
before moving to a larger premises in 2002 Wesco Electrical in Newbridge
services a large customer base across domestic, commercial and industrial
customers. Willie Dunne joined Wesco in 2001 working in the Newbridge store and has
worked his way up through the ranks to become branch manager.
Willie said: “After 21 years employed in our Newbridge branch,
I’m so proud to be still involved in the day to day running of a wholly Irish
owned company. Trading conditions have changed dramatically in my years, but
Wesco Electrical’s service and competitiveness is still thriving and improving
in the present day. We have navigated very difficult times in recent years and
that could not have been done without the support from everyone in the branch.”
The Newbridge branch services customers all over
Kildare, Dublin and surrounding counties on a daily basis with familiar faces
Fergus Pearson and John Brecknell known to many within the trade and the local
community. There is a very good blend of experience and youth in this branch as
Willie helps to train the next generation of electrical trade counter staff to
continue exceeding the expectations of customers both new and old.
WESCO WILL
ENDEAVOUR TO SERVICE ITS EVER-INCREASING CUSTOMER BASE IN NEW MARKETS AS THE
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO EVOLVE…
Bright
future ahead
The company has ambitious plans going forward to
build on the success and growth of the past 50 years. A clear business strategy
and growth of e-commerce and online business will play a crucial part in the
continued success and growth of the business. Niall explained: “We have a very
clear business strategy moving forward built on the foundations that has made
Wesco successful over the last 50 years. As a company we are constantly looking
to improve and adapt to the market needs of our customers. We have taken steps
in the background to ensure that the business is in a position to be flexible
without compromising on our ethos of quality products and service.”
The growth of e-commerce and online business is an area where
Wesco and The Light House have been looking to capitalise on in recent years.
Sarah McArdle who works for Wesco in marketing explained: “We are very excited
to be working on expanding our online presence to deliver our superior service
and quality products to customers and businesses all around Ireland.
“It is important to us to keep up to date with the rapidly
changing online world and my goal is working to ensure that Wesco is known not
only locally but also online. The Wesco Instagram and Facebook are being used
as an informational hub to attract new customers, you will find infographics,
video content and real customer project pictures to illustrate the huge range
of products we have in-store and online.”
Wesco Electrical and The Light House are currently transitioning
through a changing of the guard phase which is being well managed. Managing
Director Ann Owens commented: “As we celebrate 50 years in business, we’ve also
had to negotiate a lot of change. One of our key strengths is our staff and
their loyalty which has meant that we had several very key employees all retire
within a few short years. Thankfully we have been able to plan around this and
recruit talent to come in and work alongside so many of our existing long
serving staff members”.
The most challenging period for any family-owned
business is the transition period when the next generation takes over. Careful
succession planning by the directors of Wesco ensured that when Managing Director
Matt Curran and Financial Director Jean Callaghan were retiring their
successors were hired and in place almost a year in advance to help smooth the
transition when almost 100 years of experience is leaving.
