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L-R: Jack Sutcliffe (Powersheds CEO and Co-founder), Dan Wignall (Expect Distributions Operations Director), Simon Hobson
Yorkshire companies Powersheds and Expect Distribution strengthen partnership to drive Irish expansion
Garden building brand Powersheds is stepping up its expansion into Ireland, supported by logistics specialist and fellow Bradford-based business, Expect Distribution, as it responds to growing demand for adaptable outdoor buildings.
Building on the strong partnership between the two Yorkshire companies, Expect will support Powersheds’ expansion by providing the logistics capability needed to deliver its growing range of sheds and garden buildings to customers across Ireland. Marking the success of the ongoing relationship, Expect will also launch a fleet of delivery vehicles proudly emblazoned with Powersheds livery.
Alongside selling direct-to-consumer, Powersheds products have recently launched in B&Q Ireland, offering another major route for customers to purchase their high-quality garden buildings, with further large retail partnerships expected to follow.
Powersheds launched as a direct-to-consumer start-up in 2019, with a mission to do things differently. The business was designed to challenge the industry’s complexities, with a product that was simpler to make, stock, purchase, deliver and build. Capitalising on unprecedented demand for garden improvements during and after the pandemic, Powersheds quickly became a disruptor in a traditionally stagnant sector. Since then, the business has scaled to a leading brand in the industry, boasting partnerships with national retailers like Travis Perkins and B&Q Ireland.
Powersheds sees Ireland as a significant growth opportunity, with new planning rules making it easier for homeowners to create additional garden space. Where the previous limit was 25m², since July this year, larger detached garden structures like sheds of up to 30m² can be built without planning permission, subject to conditions.
The Irish government has also indicated that it is considering how its existing ‘rent-a-room’ tax relief scheme could interact with these newly permitted garden buildings. While no policy has yet been confirmed, the combination of greater planning flexibility, possible future financial incentives, and increased demand for storage and leisure space provides a compelling backdrop for Powersheds’ expansion into Ireland.
Jack Sutcliffe, CEO 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 said, “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.”
