Bathroom and plumbing suppliers AJ Plumbing has just presented their newly refurbished showroom at the Ballynahinch branch. After 11 months of hard work, the new space now features baths, showers, furniture, ceramics, LED mirrors, heated towel rails, taps, accessories and tiles, all readily available from established brands and following the hottest trends for the bathroom market in 2023. The Ballynahinch team offers the outstanding customer service that AJ Plumbing clients have grown accustomed to during the company’s 44 years of operation both here and in the other three branches in the South Down area: two in Newry and one in Banbridge.
Founded in 1996, the branch has been through several transformations, especially to expand its warehouse. “With the increase in plumber and customer business we thought it was time to renovate and extend the showroom to meet both plumber and private customer expectations,” commented Clifford O’Brien, Director at AJ Plumbing. “AJ’s has gone from strength to strength over the last four decades, and now our products and customer service can be offered to private and commercial customers and hoteliers not only in Newry and Banbridge but also in Ballynahinch,” explained Verona McKeating, Bathroom Showroom Manager Site & Commercial Pricing.
The upper floor is dedicated to commercial projects, while the downstairs displays AJ Plumbing’s residential lines. The overall look is the result of the teamwork between Director Jonathan O’Brien and his eye for high-end product and unique designs, Sales Design Consultant Francis McGivern and the sales team. “We follow the market trends and deal with established, reliable suppliers with whom we have established lasting relationships to ensure that we are not only selling good quality products but also parts and guarantee,” Verona commented.
Quality customer service
“Our customers are blown away by the new showroom, and a lot of new customers said they had been recommended by friends,” Clifford explained. According to Verona, what really makes a difference is the quality customer service offered at AJ Plumbing, “It all comes down to customer service, you don’t get that kind of communication online. You can ring any member of staff and they will do their utmost to deal with your request.”
That rapid growth can be attributed to the company ethos, which remains as true today as it did 44 years ago – the customer is number one, no matter what. “It’s a family-run company, and their family values remain true today. The staff know the business inside out and newcomers are trained in the same core values,” she added.
The demand for AJ Plumbing in the area they cover has grown, and clients often comment on how the quality of customer service draws them back every time. “The customers are at the very heart of AJ, and that is why they have been coming back to us for the past 20 years,” Verona said.
AJ Plumbing also caters for all plumbing and heating needs and delivers all over Ireland, North and South.
Humble beginnings
AJ Plumbing Supplies Ltd was established in 1979 by Jim O’Brien. He started working from a couple of small sheds at his parents’ home in Newry before building a property to accommodate plumbing materials and a bathroom showroom. It wasn’t long before the company had outgrown its limited space, and AJ Plumbing’s headquarters were founded in the Greenbank Industrial Estate. The Banbridge and Ballynahinch branches opened their doors in 1996 and Elite Bathrooms, also in Newry, in 2005.
AJ Plumbing’s impressive growth over the past 44 years can be attributed to Jim’s commitment to the customer and his insistence on a diverse stock. “Our father always says, carrying the right stock is the key to success. A lot of our customers return to AJ Plumbing because of the large range of stock we carry,” said Clifford O’Brien, Director at AJ Plumbing.
Commercial success
Verona is also happy to report AJ Plumbing has worked on several prestigious projects in the hotel business, such as Carrickdale Hotel & Spa in Dundalk, the Kileavey Castle Hotel in Armagh, the Four Seasons Hotel & Leisure Club in both Monaghan and Carlingford and the new boutique Avoca Hotel in Newcastle. AJ has also delivered several office blocks in Dublin and, most recently a 500 bed student accommodation in Leopardstown.
For the full feature on AJ plumbing, check out Ireland’s Plumbing and Heating Magazine Issue 112 Mar-Apr here.
AJ Plumbing Supplies Ltd, 45 Lisburn Rd, Ballynahinch, Co. Down, BT24 8TT.
T: +44 (0)28 9756 4636 – E: info@ajplumbing.co.uk
www.ajplumbing.co.uk
