IN THIS ISSUE
Editor’s COMMENT
CONTENTS
ISSUE 130 MAY/JUNE 2026
Conflict highlights fuel alternatives
Our thanks to the exhibitors and visitors making Plumbex Limerick a great success. Among attendees this year was The Peaky Plumber Lee Brown, who features in this edition with the first of his new column series looking at how to make the most of your time at trade shows. His tips should prove useful for both exhibitors and visitors to Plumbex Dublin, which returns to the National Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown over September 9-10. Congratulations to Thermoparts in Dublin and Irwin M&E in Portadown, celebrating their respective 15th and 30th anniversaries with profiles inside, as well as our cover star EPH Controls on its new HQ in Cork. Our team stopped by for a quick tour and, by all accounts, world class is no exaggeration. Features this edition include Pipes, Valves & Fittings and Low-Carbon Heating, while OFTEC analyses the impact of the US/Iran conflict on the price of home heating oil, potentially strengthening the case for fossil fuel alternatives such as hydrotreated vegetable oil. Alyson Magee THE TEAM: Managing Director Karen McAvoy Editor Alyson Magee Media Manager Jacqui Fairley Media Advisor Grace McSherry Production Lead Julie Anne Guiney Designer Amie Boyle Head of Digital Creative Michael Joyce Office Manager Andrea Simpson
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10 Major investment: With a new world-class 60,000sqft Cork HQ and a steady pipeline of well-engineered products, market leader EPH Controls is primed for its next phase of growth. 13 Expert eye: In his first trade advice column, The Peaky Plumber Lee Brown weighs up trade shows alongside top tips for maximising your attendance as a visitor or exhibitor. 23 Merchant expansion: Beggs and Partners has boosted its branch network to 14 with the opening of a new trade counter and bathroom showroom at The Junction in Antrim. 30 Carbon calculator: Pipelife Ireland has gained Environmental Product Declarations for its full Qual-Pex Plus+ range of easy-lay pipes to help the trade comply with new regulatory requirements. 63 Supplier profile: A strong work ethic and focus on customer service have paid dividends for Clondalkin-based Thermoparts Heating & Plumbing Supplies as it celebrates 15 years of trading. 74 Case study: Navien UK’s NPE-24SWE units have been selected as the best solution to replace old floor-standing storage heaters with pinhole leaks in the kitchen of Belfast City Hall.
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