25 years in Business

Wood Innovations celebrated 25 years in Business

Since commencing trading in June 1996, Wood Innovations has transformed in terms of scale, product mix and the market place in which it trades. However, the essence of the business does not differ much from how it set out all those years ago. Philip Martin and Dan McCreanor (our founders) have remained very hands-on in growing and refining the business model whilst bringing on board the right people to ensure the business progression. Philip Martin reflects that,

“In 25 years trading, everything has changed but nothing has changed because the business has always revolved around strong relationships amongst our colleagues and with our customers”.

Philip Martin, Founder & Director

The business has evolved from simply importing and distributing smooth flooring and accessories to becoming a key player in developing and marketing new products and services, in what has become a fast changing, fashion market for wood flooring , in all its guises.

25 years ago, the aesthetics of both laminate and real wood flooring were limited to mainly natural oak, beech, maple and cherry options, in plank or 3-strip alternatives. Now both the real wood and man-made decors are mostly Oak based, however the shading and colour choices are almost limitless!

Throughout the years, we have remained focussed on delivering a high level of customer service, whilst increasing the emphasis on providing the right marketing tools to support its retail customers in growing their businesses, in close partnership with our team.

Since our inception, when the company traded from portacabins and a small warehouse facility at the existing HQ site in Warrenpoint, we have been growth driven and have made huge strides in sales turnover and staff numbers, which have grown from 4 to 30 people. We now trade from 2 depots, with the GB depot having moved to a larger warehouse and office facility in Walsall, near Wolverhampton, in recent months.

At our core, Wood Innovations could be simply described as “a buyer and seller of wood flooring, in its various guises”. However, the reality is much more complex insofar as our success is dependent on many people and skills, including purchase and sales expertise, focussed marketing and branding, strong inward and outward logistics and robust financial controls. Without motivated people behind all these functions the business would not have survived and thrived and it is this strong emphasis on individuals, by the owners and senior management team, that has guaranteed its success.

A “family business” sentiment is maybe best represented by the fact that the very first employee in Wood Innovations, Ms Edwina Flynn, has re-joined us last year and has become, and will remain, a key player in the future strategy and growth of the business. The senior management team, in consultation with the whole team, is currently refreshing the company’s 5-year business plan to include significant growth objectives for both GB and Ireland, strategies for personal growth and wellbeing for all employees and setting down clear goals to minimise Wood Innovations’ carbon footprint at all its locations.

Edwina says,

“I am delighted to have re-joined the Company and I look forward to using my strengths in personal leadership and my business acumen experience to further enhance the business and deliver the vision and strategy in the years ahead”

Edwina Flynn, CEO

The future looks bright for everyone involved at Wood Innovations, we have blended a strong mix of youth and experience across all departments, which leaves it well positioned to remain at the forefront of the smooth flooring industry and able to exploit all the opportunities that are unfolding in this new digital age!