SHANNON INSULATIONS owner Des Briody has been forced to let five staff go in the last two months as the economic downturn bites into his business. His company, based in Killucan, Co Westmeath, has been installing insulation in buildings including homes, schools, factories and warehouses since 1974. He now employs 15 people and fears he may have to lose more staff before September.
He estimates revenue has declined up to 50 per cent this year compared to 2008, with the commercial and domestic sides of the business equally affected.
To fight the fall in trade he is taking a more direct marketing approach to increase customer numbers by knocking on doors and going into supermarkets.
“From one and a half years ago people were getting a little bit more restrained, but it is probably a global thing. It seems to be tightening and tightening, and people are putting on the brakes in regards to spending. It is not a case of people not having the money to spend, they just don’t want to spend it.”
He adds that banks are not helping the situation by refusing loans to small and medium businesses. “People who would normally have been given money to buy stock are not getting the same facilities. They are not accommodating people in the same way they would two, five or even 20 years ago. They should be more flexible.”
RENEE JONES
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