Thomas Lyons 
Longevity and success are two terms that are often used together when discussing businesses that have been around for decades. Timbertrove and Dualtron are two such companies that have withstood the test of time and continue to thrive in their respective sectors.
Timbertrove, an award-winning family business, has been in operation for over 30 years. The company’s initial operations began in the Dublin Mountains in the early 1980s, and it was officially established in 1986 as O’Kelly’s Sawmill and The Shed Man. Today, Timbertrove is a 100% Irish-owned family business that specializes in the design, manufacture, and installation of high-quality timber products.
Shirley O’Kelly, a director of Timbertrove O’Kelly Sawmills and Country Store & Café, runs the business with her husband Henry and their children, Danielle, Ciara, and Conor. Shirley believes that Timbertrove’s success is due to differentiation through innovative design, quality materials and craftsmanship, and superior customer service. The company takes pride in being able to offer customers a wide variety of different timber products and quality-made wooden fencing.
Timbertrove’s team of expert carpenters will happily sit down and discuss all of your specific requests, taking note of any legal concerns, and create a design based on your ideas. As the leading supplier of top-quality garden sheds in Dublin, Timbertrove is passionate about providing customers with a first-class service from the initial consultation through to the installation. Timbertrove’s premium range of timber sheds is designed and manufactured in the Dublin Mountains, guaranteeing they’re 100% Irish made.
Over the past 10 years, Timbertrove has gained a reputation within the locality and beyond for the superior quality of its home baking. The Country Store & Café was established in 2009 and has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Shirley explains that the café was her ‘baby,’ and happily, it was what turned the sawmill business around in the recession.
Shirley and her family have learnt what it takes to run a successful business over the years. The key elements are passion, determination, resilience, and working smart. Being innovative, adaptable, and maintaining continuous improvement as the business grows are crucial, as is never being afraid to take advice and then going with your gut.
In addition, Shirley says constant learning, through reading and listening from other successful entrepreneurs, is key. Surrounding oneself with great people who have experienced similar setbacks and challenges, building a good team around you, hiring people who have the skills you don’t, giving them authority, and being honest, trusting and respecting your employees are all vital.
She also lists building good relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as providing top quality products and service. Don’t take shortcuts. It’s vital to have a clearly defined structure for each role and try not to bring the business into the family home. What happens at work should stay there.
Being an entrepreneur looks exciting, but it’s also hard work, sometimes very hard work, Shirley says with obvious feeling. And when things get tough (which they will), Shirley advises staying positive, looking for the opportunities and reminding oneself why they started the business in the first place. Always be prepared to fight for your business.
Dualtron, founded in 1991, is an Irish company that specializes in cash processing and payment solutions for Banking, Retail, and Hospitality sectors. Dualtron has also developed bespoke software solutions for the Healthcare and Food Service industries. Since day one, the company’s customer-focused team has developed solutions and processes that help customers run their businesses better.
Dualtron is the number one supplier of banknote sorting equipment for bank branch and retail ATM sites, and supports more than 3,000 cash handling devices in every town and village in Ireland with its experienced engineers, through on-site and remote support. The company’s EPOS and cashless payment systems are used by more than 100,000 users every day, many of whom are household names, including I.T., Retail, Banking, Telecoms, Utilities, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing companies, as well as Universities, Hospitals, and Schools.
Dave Byrne, founder director of Dualtron, says that their motto is ‘You can count on Dualtron’, and they pride themselves on their reputation for rapidly resolving customer issues. This helped them win the Services category in the Small Firms Association National Business Awards 2017.
When it comes to longevity and success, both Timbertrove and Dualtron have proven that they have what it takes to withstand the test of time. Through their dedication to quality products and services, superior customer service, and a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, these companies have earned their place as industry leaders in their respective sectors.
