United Hardware is a buying group for DIY/builders merchants and hardware stores in Ireland. It was created in 2009 through a joint venture between two existing buying groups, Associated Hardware and National Hardware. United Hardware has over 120 member stores, including several store chains, that benefit from combined purchasing power. The buying group has a dedicated team of buyers that source products from local and international suppliers to negotiate lower prices and increase members' margins. United Hardware also develops own-brand products and provides marketing, warehouse, and business support services to its members.

1. 1
Our Introduction

2. Irish buying & marketing group for builders
merchants, DIY &
home & garden retail stores.
2
Who are we?

3. 3
• United Hardware is a Joint Venture between two
buying groups, Associated Hardware & National
Hardware which was created in 2009.
•There are 34 Arro & 53 Homevalue stores operating
under the United Hardware buying group throughout
Ireland.
•Overall there are 120 DIY/Builders Merchants stores as
members of United Hardware.
• We have several chains of stores to include Mc Mahon
(12 branches), J P Corry (10 branches) & Glynns (3
branches), Cooneys (5)

4. • Members benefit by combining both
groups purchasing.
• United Hardware is now a
considerable buying power in building
materials & hardware industry.
• Sole purpose of United Hardware is
to source & buy better for members.
• By independents pooling together we
are stronger.
AHL
€55m
NHL
€45m
UHL
Buying
€100m
50% shareholding each

5. 5
• From paint to power tools, plaster board to ply, hard wood
flooring to wood burning stoves, housewares to gifting our
huge inventory of products make Arro/Homevalue a one stop
shop for a small home renovation job to a full construction
project.
• Members of United Hardware avail of offers circulated from
head office staffed with 5 full time purchasing personnel.
• Central Billing - Associated & National Hardware pay the
supplier directly for orders placed on behalf of members.

6. BANDON CO-OP ARRO
BANDON, CO. CORK
3,500 sq metre,
3 branches

7. E.E.C HARDWARE ARRO
BALBRIGGAN, CO. DUBLIN

8. GRANGE HOMEVALUE
OCTABUILD 2013BALDOYLE,
DUBLIN 13
3,500 sq metre
DIY/Builders
Merchants Store

9. SHANNONSIDE
HOMEVALUE
ENNIS, CO.CLARE

10. Commercial Support
•Sales and Marketing
•Warehouse
•Central Billing and Admin.
10
Our Services

11. DEDICATED
COMMERCIAL BUYING
TEAM
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12. 12
DEDICATED COMMERCIAL BUYING
TEAM
David Farrell - Commercial Manager
Blane Mac Donnell - Heavy Hardware
Aidan Ellis - Light & Heavy Hardware
Jacqueline Howley - Light Hardware

13. 13
• The key factor in a Buying Group is having an excellent Buying Team
working on behalf of its members.
• Our Buying Team is made up of four professionals with over 100 years of
buying experience.
• Each member of the buying team specialises in specific product ranges.
• Members view the Buying Team are an extension of their business.
• Buying team regularly meet local distributors and travel extensively to
Europe and Far East to increase member margin, drive improved product
deals and source new products.
• We challenge the Buying Team to have an F.M.T.V. each month.
• Independent merchants working solely cannot dedicate enough time
negotiating with local distributors and travelling to foreign manufacturers to
drive margin.
BUYING STRATEGY

14. 14
BUYING STRATEGY
By having a buying requirement on behalf of 100 stores & a product value
of €100m United Hardware has two key buying initiatives to maximise
margin for its members.
Best Prices
Group Rebates
Promotions
Support
Bulk Pricing
Local
Distributors
Direct from
Manufacturer Europe &
Far East
Distributed ex AHL
warehouse
Net effect is to increase
members margin.
Own
Source
Product

15. 15
UNITED HARDWARE HAS
INVESTED IN MANY OWN
BRANDS FOR THE LIGHT &
HEAVY SIDE OF THE
BUSINESS

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BRAND ARCHITECTURE

17. WAREHOUSE FACILITIES
8 ACRE SITE, 80,000 SQ FT PURPOSE BUILT WAREHOUSE,
65,000 SQ FT FREE STANDING WAREHOUSE SPACE,
2,000 PALLET LOCATIONS, EASY ACCESS FROM M50
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18. MARKETING SUPPORT
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Store Marketing Support, National
and Local.
Store Development
Online Marketing Tool Kit
Merchandising
Store Audits

19. ARRO SAMPLE FLYERS
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20. INDIVIDUAL STORE SUPPORT
POSTERS, NEWLETTERS, NEWPAPER ADVERTS, FLYERS,
WEBSITE BANNERS, RADIO ADV, OUTDOOR & INDOOR SIGNAGE
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21. STORE DEVELOPMENT
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22. 3D STORE PLAN LAYOUTS
3 DIMENSIONAL FLOOR PLANS AVAILABLE WITH
END CAPS & CUSTOMER FLOW IN PLACE
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23. IT & Admin Services
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24. IT & Admin Developments
•Sales Reports
•Electronic Invoicing
•Portal Functionality
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