Growth for the E/D/E Group: With effect from 1 July 2023, United Hardware, the most successful buying group in Ireland for independent building contractors, plumbers, hardware and timber merchants, is cooperating with E/D/E subsidiary EDE International AG.
With a group turnover of over € 520 million, over 2000 employees in its branches and over 6000 available products, United Hardware is Ireland’s preferred buying group for hardware.
In May, the group visited E/D/E Group in Wuppertal-Langerfeld for the first time to see the buying association’s services and brands for themselves.
A visit to the eLC logistics center was also on the agenda.
Cooperation at eye level for effective synergies
The signing of the contract on site laid the foundation for the cooperation.
The first few months of the cooperation between EDE International AG and United Hardware are all about cultivating relationships with the distributors of the Homevalue stores in order to familiarize them with the products and services of the E/D/E Group.
The connection to the electronic warehouse eLC is one of the first steps in the cooperation, the expansion of which is already being planned.
Among other things, cooperation in the area of the FORTIS trademark, a partnership with the European competence group EHN and use of the financial services of ETRIS BANK are being considered.
Freek Dekkers, Sales Manager at EDE International for Northern Europe, says: “With United Hardware, we have a strong partner at our side with a nationwide presence in Ireland. With its specialist dealers and suppliers, it offers the optimal conditions and thus the basis for effectively creating synergies!”
A strong partnership with benefits for both sides
David Shakeshaft, Commercial Director of United Hardware, is confident that the cooperation is a promising decision for the future: “This partnership is a win-win situation for the independent operators of our stores, as the cooperation with EDE International enables us to offer them even better conditions and a wider range of products.”
Annegret Franzen, Managing Director of EDE International, summarizes: “The success of E/D/E and EDE International AG is characterized by strong partnerships at eye level – we are very pleased to be able to enter into a promising cooperation with United Hardware in Ireland – with benefits for both sides.”
Press release as PDF for download: 20230619_EDE_Press_Release_EDE_International_New_Cooperation_with_Irish_Purchasing_Group_United_Hardware
