Having successfully run Davitt Cleaning for 21years, and following a fire in January 2007 that totally destroyed their business premises, Tommy and Margaret Davitt have turned disaster into opportunity. Fern Green, the new renewable energy centre and headquarters for Davitt Cleaning, will employ 4 and 22 staff locally respectively, looking at recruiting further staff before the end of the year.
“When we set about re-building, we decided to turn the project into an eco friendly building. This led to the idea of a renewable energy centre of excellence, as we tried to source as much renewable energy products and found that while there were a considerable number of renewable product companies in the country no company could offer all products in a one stop shop,” explains managing director Tommy.
“Fern Green is a great success story and I am delighted to come and give my support to Tommy and Margaret,” said Minister Noel Dempsey. “Their project should be an inspiration to other businesses not only in Wexford and the South East, but businesses all over Ireland. Reducing our carbon footprint and helping tackle global warming is a growing challenge today, in Ireland and across the world. Bringing their expertise on renewable solutions to Ferns, Fern Green will help the local community build a better and sustainable future for generations to come.”
In September 2008, the Davitts entered a building contract with American Timber frame Company for the construction of the new premises and has led to the renewable energy centre opening in July 2009 with John and Joe Walsh of American Timber frame bringing their expertise into the new company as sales directors.
For the project, the Davitts used mainly craftsmen and eco building solutions available locally, when possible. The showrooms are of complete timber frame construction with a double entrance door (wheelchair accessible) and sleek polished concrete floors. The range of products on display goes from energy efficient light bulbs and energy efficient lighting, to solar parasols, bio-ethanol fires and fuels, heat logs, woodchip pellets, wood chip and log stoves, composite decking and eco friendly cleaning products for the household.
“We also have a working wind turbine and energy cabin on site which are accessible to the public while accompanied by our staff,” he adds.
The showroom opening hours opens 9-9 for the first week with meetings by arrangement with energy experts. After that, the centre will be open from 8.30am to 6pm Mon to Saturday, on Sunday from 12.00 noon to 6pm or by appointment after hours