Yorkshire partnership supports Irish expansion

Two Bradford businesses are strengthening their partnership to support expansion into Ireland amid growing demand for outdoor buildings.

Garden building brand Powersheds is stepping up its Irish growth plans with logistics support from Expect Distribution.

The partnership will see Expect provide the delivery capabilities needed to distribute Powersheds’ expanding range of sheds and garden buildings to customers across Ireland.

A fleet of delivery vehicles featuring Powersheds branding is also being introduced as the relationship between the two Yorkshire companies develops.

The expansion comes after Powersheds products recently launched through B&Q Ireland, adding a major retail channel alongside its existing direct-to-consumer operation.

Further partnerships with large retailers are also expected as the company increases its presence in the Irish market.

Jack Sutcliffe, chief executive and co-founder of Powersheds, said: “Ireland is becoming a really exciting market for Powersheds, and we see a huge opportunity to grow there over the years. 

“Getting the logistics right is a huge part of making that possible. 

“Our products are large and heavy, so getting them from our Yorkshire factory to customers in Ireland requires a logistics partner we can rely on. 

“Expect have become a fantastic partner for us, taking the time to understand our business, products and ambitions. 

“They’re helping us put the infrastructure in place to enter and grow in new markets, which is exactly the kind of partnership we need as Powersheds continues to expand.”

Andy Taylor, operations director at Expect Distribution, added: “Powersheds is a great Yorkshire growth story and we’re delighted to be playing a part in the company’s continued expansion.

“Our relationship has developed into a genuine partnership. 

“As Powersheds has grown and entered new markets, we've worked closely with their team to understand and adapt as their business has evolved, developing bespoke solutions to support the growth of their business.

“Supporting deliveries into Ireland is an exciting next step and we’re looking forward to helping Powersheds build its presence there. 

“The Powersheds-branded trailers are also a fantastic visual representation of the relationship between our two businesses and we're proud to have them out on the road.”

Founded in 2019, Powersheds was established as a direct-to-consumer start-up with a modular product designed to simplify the manufacture, stocking, delivery and construction of garden buildings.

The company grew rapidly amid increased demand for home and garden improvements during and after the pandemic and has since established partnerships with retailers including Travis Perkins.

Powersheds sees Ireland as a significant growth opportunity following changes to planning rules in July.

Under the changes, detached garden structures of up to 30 square metres can be built without planning permission, subject to conditions, compared with a previous limit of 25 square metres.

The Irish government is also considering how its existing rent-a-room tax relief scheme could interact with the newly permitted garden buildings, although no policy has yet been confirmed.

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