“Hi … I am Odran Cafferkey, and I am one of the Area Sales and Specification Managers in Ireland, for both Gerflor and Gradus Ltd. I also specialise in Industry and Pharmaceutical industry solutions.”
What do you like about your role and the sectors you work in?
I like the constant variety of each day, it can change every minute, different enquiries need to be managed carefully, when assisting my customers with product specifications for flooring and accessory solutions for various applications and markets. It is rewarding to have such a vast portfolio within the Gerflor and Gradus offer, with such a wide range of world class products to choose from, it reinforces our market position as a market leader in interior building products and enables my clients to have a wide choice for all their projects and for all their budgets. It is most satisfying to see an early specification solution being carried through to the completion stage in the finished building, whether this is for a refurbishment or new build.
What challenges are driving many businesses today in the markets you work in?
The biggest challenges that I encounter include, firstly, the Building Industry in sourcing sustainable solutions that are keeping up with the carbon footprint required for projects. In addition to this is the challenge of addressing how the Construction marketplace can resource quickly and efficiently skilled flooring contractors/installers for key projects, due to a drop off in the number of apprentices available and limited new people entering the trade.
What are your favourite Gerflor and Gradus solutions and why?
My favourite solutions from Gerflor include the vast array of dedicated and specialist vinyl solutions for the for the Industrial sector. Our Cleanroom products such as Mipolam Biocontrol Performance, and ESD products such as Mipolam Biocontrol EL5 are available in contemporary designs, whilst also meeting the stringent and demanding requirements of the Industry market. The Patented Clean Corner System is also another game changer, this innovative product aids the control of contamination and can be combined with selected Gerflor surfaces.
My favourite solution from Gradus is the Esplanade Primary Barrier Matting collections, when correctly specified, they help our clients to minimise the risk of slip accidents caused by wet flooring, reduce maintenance costs and improve the appearance of internal floorcoverings by significantly reducing the amount of dirt and moisture tracked into a building. The barrier matting cannot only be used at a building's entrance and access points but also in other areas that are subject to increased risk of soiling and heavy wear. In many cases the optimum performance is achieved by combining different types of barrier matting.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I am also a Coach who mentors and trains the local Cork Special Olympics Swimming Club. In addition to this, of course, I enjoy Swimming, in particular Sea swimming, but also any form of sports and exercise including tennis and walking, as well as reading to wind down and I have a lifelong obsession with music and Connacht Rugby.
If you need specification advice, then contact Odran today.