My final company visit of the year was to Kelwood Beautifully Crafted Wood Windows and Doors (Kells Windows and Doors and Konic Doors), the latest member to join IWIN. Declan and Matthew Grimes, second-generation owner-managers, craft exquisite timber sash windows and exterior doors. The intricate detail and skilled craftsmanship that go into each of their products are world-class and unique in the industry.

Kells Windows has supplied prestigious homes across Ireland, the UK, and the US, and they are set to expand further into these markets. Everything is made to order and customised to client specifications. They use only premium hardwoods or Accoya, materials known for delivering outstanding performance for decades. The blend of fine detail and beautiful finishes, combined with exceptional durability, truly sets Kells apart in the market.

All of this is achieved by a highly skilled team operating in a modern facility equipped with multiple new CNC machines and an automated spray line. Impressively, they even mix their own colors to ensure they can guarantee the performance and finish of their products.

In addition to their standard offerings, Kells provides restoration services and bespoke designs, catering to both traditional and contemporary styles. Their commitment to sustainability is evident through their use of environmentally friendly materials and practices.

Declan and Matthew have ambitious plans to grow the company in 2025, and I have full confidence they have the products and team to do so.

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January 20, 2026
We were delighted to host over 20 companies for a factory tour, discussion on exporting with Gareth Sherry of IWIN , and for a presentation + meet and greet with John Kiely Limerick hurling manager. Congratulations to our team for putting this together. Thank you to all of our visitors and contributors. We look forward to further progression on export cluster discussions over the coming weeks and months. Carnehill Joinery Ltd , Carroll Joinery Ltd , Woodfit - Joinery and Acoustics , Truwood Ltd. , Topform Ltd , Timeless Sash Windows , Western Postform Limited , MFM Joinery , GEM Joinery , W.Howard Kildare , Mivan Ltd , Simon O'Keeffe Pembroke Alliance , Vision Creative Studios , Loughnanes Joinery , Canavan Joinery Services Ltd , Tretzo Aidan McKenna
By Gareth Sherry January 20, 2026
What an amazing week we had in Chicago! Myself, Eoin Ryan from The Galtee Group , and Damian Woods from W.Howard 'The MDF Specialists'​ attended the North American Building Material Distribution Association (NBMDA) distributors’ event, with over 1,000 delegates present. I had the privilege to do a presentation on behalf of the Irish Wood & Interiors Network ( IWIN ), showcasing the expertise and capabilities of our member companies. I also shared our collaboration with Cieblink , who are launching a Product Information Management (PIM) software we are starting to implement in the network. It was a brilliant opportunity to connect with dozens of prospective buyers, build key relationships, and generate leads for future business. We were lucky to be hosted by industry experts Freya Hannah (Cieblink) and David Smith from The David Smith Group, who introduced us to many of the top buyers/distributors in the US and Canadian markets. The event was packed with key figures from the North American and Canadian building materials supply industry, particularly woodworking products and sheet materials—a perfect fit for our network. We also had some great experiences exploring Chicago, including seeing 9-time Grammy winner, Buddy Guy, perform live—an unforgettable night! We toured the city and had a productive meeting with David O'Flaherty of Enterprise Ireland USA , who shared that Chicago is home to 200,000 Irish diaspora, 25,000 of whom are in construction—highlighting the strong cultural ties and opportunities for Irish suppliers in this market. The US is open for business—with trade from China down, buyers are actively looking for alternatives. For Irish companies ready to supply, there’s a real chance to make an impact. It was a smashing week, and we’re excited for what’s ahead! Thank you to Frederic Pare and Freya Hannah for the invitation to the event, and to Michael Wilbur for hosting such an excellent gathering.