From powder coating to making sanitising units
By Mary Dennehy
A FAMILY-run Tallaght company is back in business after diversifying into sanitising units.
Started in the back garden of Andy and Margaret Dowdall’s Bohernabreena home in 1985, Tallaght Powder Coating (TPC) has grown significantly over the past 35 years.
Tallaght Powder Coating staff at their premises
Out-growing its original home, the company is now located in the Ballymount Industrial Estate and is run by Andy and Margaret’s children, Suzanne, Michelle and Andrew.
Speaking with The Echo, Suzanne said that over the years her father Andy instilled the importance of diversification.
“Businesses definitely have to adapt”, Suzanne said.
“My dad always said over the years, ‘diversify, diversify’.
“We’re hoping it all goes well now and as businesses start to open that they get in touch.”
Like many local businesses, March was an uncertain and challenging month for Tallaght Powder Coating, which had to shut shop – laying off most of its staff.
“We had no choice, we had to shut shop”, Suzanne said.
“March was a scary time, we didn’t know what was going to happen or how long it would take us to get back working.
“We were open the odd day in March and April for essential work… and that kept us going.”
However, after dad Andy approached his children with an idea for hand sanitising units, the business is manufacturing again – with eight employees back working this week.
“We’re not at full capacity yet but have eight staff back working…and have taken eight people off the Covid-19 payment”, Suzanne said.
“We’re hoping within the next couple of weeks to get the full crew back.”
Tallaght Powder Coating, which won the Business category at last year’s Tallaght Person of the Year Awards, is manufacturing sanitising units with or without sanitisers.
Starting as a small work shed in the back garden of a Bohernabreena home, Tallaght Powder Coating is now a leading trade powder coater in the country.
They also paint all types of metals for industrial and commercial uses, interior/exterior fittings, and an array of creative work such as alloy wheels, motorcycles, bicyles, sand-blasting and antique restorations.
Follow Tallaght Powder Coating on Facebook, visit Tallaght Powder Coating or call 4564020.
Look out for Tallaght Powder Coating on RTE Nationwide on Wednesday 20th May
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