Ian Barrett & Ronan Ginnell - Joule

Year: 2011

Category: Emerging

Sector: manufacturing, environmental

Since being formed by Ronan Ginnell and Ian Barrett, in late 2007, Joule Solutions has grown to be one of Ireland’s largest manufacturers of solar panel and tube systems, and hot water cylinders.

College friends, Ginnell and Barrett, both studied building services engineering at DIT Bolton St and this inspired their interest in developing efficient and cost-effective applications for renewable energy sources.

Joule solutions’ core business lies in the design and production of copper and stainless steel hot water cylinders and solar thermal heating systems.

These innovative, green-tech products are manufactured and distributed from the company’s 40,000 sq/ft distribution facility in Ballyfermot, south Dublin.

Ginnell and Barrett are committed to investing into continuous research and development in order to ensure that its product range is the market leader in its field, and believe that Joule differentiates itself from its competitors through the provision of superior product knowledge and customer service.

To this end, the pair has further invested in the business by constructing a state-of-the-art training centre where product installers can get detailed training on each aspect of the Joule product line.

This ongoing commitment to education and training forms an integral part of the company’s philosophy and its overall vision to provide the best possible product and service to the end-customer.

Employment figures within all sectors of the organisation currently stands at 24, but with the company growing at a rate of 35- 40% per year, a major expansion is planned into the UK market in 2011.

Products: Joule has a broad customer base supplying copper and stainless steel hot water cylinders and solar thermal heating systems to heating and plumbing merchants throughout the country.

In November 2010 Joule was awarded the prestigious NSAI Certification on all three types of solar heating systems that it supplies to the industry, recognising that Joule is a leading manufacture within the renewable sector.

Customers: Joule operates a nationwide next-day delivery service to over 200 customers nationwide.

These include: Grafton Group Plc, BHT Group (Heatmerchants), Associated Hardware Plc, National Hardware, Independent Heating & Plumbing Merchants Nationwide.

What vision prompted you to start-up in business? Our vision was to create a fresh, new business with innovative ideas which would separate us from our competitors, whilst building on our educational background within the industry.

What are the biggest challenges you faced starting up and how did you overcome them? Our biggest, and ongoing, challenge is to deal with the difficult economic conditions in which we operate.

The company was formed towards the end of 2007, at the beginning of the economic turbulence the still prevails.

We’re very fortunate to work with a strong team on a daily basis, and that helps us to strive to overcome all the challenges that we face.

What motivates you to succeed? We are definitely motivated by the fantastic team that surround us on a daily basis.

What is the best business advice you ever received? Always keep your feet on the ground.

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