L-R: Louise Duffy, host, Stephen Lynam, Calor (headline sponsor), Gerry Tobin, Ideal Energy Distribution and Colm O’Regan, host.
Gerry Tobin, Chairman Ideal Energy Distribution.
Lifetime Achievement Award GERRY TOBIN - IDEAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTION KINDLY SPONSORED BY: CALOR
Gerry Tobin is described as a self-made person who has “been there, done that, worn and probably sold the T-shirt”. Currently Chairman of Green Technology Firm - Ideal Energy Distribution, Malahide, he began his career in PJ Matthew’s Baggott Street Heating Department in July 1969. The following years would see Gerry complete a marketing degree and given his first opportunity to manage and develop a new Mains and Drains department. This was the brainchild of the legendary Gus McHugh from Sligo. The Department was an enormous success and in 1980 he was appointed Manager of the new PJ Matthews branch in Santry. During the 1980s recession, the Gallagher family, owners of PJ Matthews, reviewed their Irish operations and decided to focus on the more lucrative UK market. In 1986, with business partners Declan O Donnell, Albert Carroll, Noel Mc Koen, he purchased the Davies of Fairview company. Two new firms – Drainage Systems Ireland and Plumbing Distributors Ireland
– were created in 1988 to focus on new opportunities and rolled into the Group. After developing and expanding the Davies site at Richmond Avenue, the business moved to a new Dublin location in Raheny in 2002, having opened a second showroom in Wicklow in 2000. After Grafton Group plc acquired Davies in 2006, Gerry stayed on as MD and served on the boards of Chadwicks Group and Grafton Group European Holdings, before resigning in 2019 to found Ideal Energy Distribution. The firm was created to market and distribute Ideal Heating, Groupe Atlantic and ancillary products, delivering more efficient traditional solutions and non-carbon alternative options to the construction industry. It has built a solid reputation over the last four years and has an ambitious business plan in place to become a leading player in the sector by 2029. Having worked in the industry for more than 50 years, Gerry has weathered several major recessions, a pandemic, the introduction of central
heating systems to Dublin and the transition from back boilers to oil boilers, natural gas and zero carbon systems. As a leader, he has provided a safe and enjoyable platform allowing colleagues to deliver on company goals. Bringing a light heart and good spirit to the workplace, he considers his colleagues and clients to be friends as well as business partners. Gerry has played Gaelic football with Innisfail’s GAA Club and is a keen golfer, having represented Malahide and The Royal Dublin Golf Club at interclub level. He is “well known, well connected and you would be hard pushed to find people to say a bad word about him which, given how competitive and how long he has been in the industry, is an achievement in itself”, said his nominee.
T: +353 (0)1 961 7700 E: info@idealenergy.ie www.idealenergy.ie
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