COMPANY NEWS
OVIA IRELAND - A NEW DIVISION OF CLICK LITEHOUSE AND SCOLMORE GROUP - LAUNCHES IN SEPTEMBER UNDER THE STEERAGE OF A WELL-KNOWN INDUSTRY FIGURE... NewOvia Lightingdivision launches in Ireland
Dan Hope, National Sales Manager, Ovia Ireland.
C lick Litehouse, part of the and lighting control products to the whole of Ireland under a brand new operation, Ovia Ireland. Headed up by Dan Hope, a well-known figure in the lighting industry, Ovia Ireland will operate as a stand-alone business that fully replicates the Ovia business operation in the UK with access to the same products, marketing support, technical support and new product development. Scolmore Group, is bringing the extensive range of Ovia lighting Dan has a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and contacts to bring to the new role, and talks to us about his new role as National Sales Manager and the aims of the new enterprise… EM: Dan, you are a well-known figure in the lighting industry, what roles have you previously held and how long have you worked in the industry? DH: I started with Ansell Lighting in 2014 as an Area Sales Manager and in
2017 assumed the role of National Sales Manager. I now head up Ovia Ireland as National Sales Manager. EM: What have you learned about the main needs and requirements of Ireland’s lighting contractors during that time? DH: There are four main needs that are vital to lighting contractors: 1) A quality product – one that is quick and easy to install and one that is robust and reliable. 2) Competitive pricing – it certainly doesn’t need to be the cheapest in the market, but at a price that the contractor can use within the budget constraints and still make a margin. 3) Product accessibility – this is even more important with the effects of Brexit this year. Products need to be available in Ireland for same day collection or next day delivery anywhere in the 32 counties. 4) First-class support service – contractors appreciate the support and guidance that industry experts can give them. A first-class lighting design service
with speedy turnaround and an excellent after sales service that they can rely on, are also invaluable to them. EM: What steps will you, and the company, take to ensure that Ovia Ireland meets those needs? DH: The focus has always been on bringing contractor-friendly, innovative products to the market, and that will continue. We have a significant number of new products launching in the near future and are continually driving new product development. We have recently acquired a new facility in Dublin adjacent to the M50 at Junction 9, and will have a significant stock holding, with dedicated collections area, interactive showroom and meeting facilities. We are currently recruiting to build the sales team both internally and externally and that team will continue to grow as we do, so that we can offer the very best service in the industry to our customers. EM: Dan, you hold an LIA Certificate and you’re a fully qualified emergency lighting commissioner. What benefits do these qualifications bring to your role and the service you can provide customers? DH: Lighting is a technical sale and very often we have to provide an engineered solution. Having the industry standard training and certificates gives customers, contractors and consultants peace of mind that we are qualified to offer these solutions and understand what we are specifying. EM: In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the lighting industry at the moment? DH: Due to the on-going pandemic, Brexit, increases in component and manufacturing costs, and massive price increases in transportation of goods, getting access to quality, competitively priced products is now a challenge and
Ovia Ireland lights up all rooms.
76 | IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE
FOLLOW US ON:
www.elecmagazine.com
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online