Versatile celebrates over 40 years of Innovation, Engineering Excellence, Bathroom and Wellness Solutions
For four decades, Versatile has been shaping the way people experience spaces, combining engineering expertise, design innovation and wellness-focused solutions to create environments that are as functional as they are beautiful. From bespoke bathroom interiors to advanced heating, cooling, ventilation and wellness systems, the family-owned company has built a reputation for delivering tailored solutions with exceptional attention to detail.
Based in Navan, Co. Meath, the company employs more than 40 people directly and is proudly celebrating over 40 years in business.
“It’s a family-run business,” says Aoife Byrne, Sales & Marketing Coordinator. “It started as a bathroom business, and over the years it has evolved into heating, cooling, ventilation and wellness solutions also.”
The intervening four decades since the company’s foundation have seen Ireland change beyond recognition, particularly in its citizens’ consumer habits. Bathrooms 40 years ago were of a simple standard, whereas bathrooms of today have become one of the most important statement rooms of a home.
Versatile’s unique selling point is its commitment to truly tailored solutions, working exclusively with European manufacturers to deliver bespoke products and exceptional quality.
“Tailored solutions are what we do best,” says Specifications Development Manager Ita O’Brien. “If a private hotelier wants something completely unique, we can provide that. The Italian factories we work with can manufacture bespoke furniture, tiles and finishes to the client’s exact specifications. The possibilities are almost limitless.”
“The team is superb,” says Aoife. “From the moment a drawing lands on Ita’s desk to final delivery and aftercare, the process is incredible. There is so much attention to detail, support and collaboration throughout.
“For us, the customer is king,” adds Ita. “Whether it’s a multi-national hotel group or a independent Hotel, everyone receives the same level of care and commitment. We work within every budget to help clients achieve the result they want.”
After 40 years in business, the team has encountered virtually every challenge imaginable, experience that proves invaluable, particularly when guiding designers or developers through hospitality projects for the first time.
“There’s so much repeat business coming through the door, on both sides of the business too,” she points out, adding that many customers are coming to them because their parents did so and they know that it’s a company in which they can confidently place their trust.
One of the key selling tools that the company possesses is the virtual walk-through; the 4-D theatre that allows customers to see and feel what a design will look like; to physically walk through an area and, through the VR headset, see how the proposed design will appear as a finished product before it’s finished. It’s a development that both they and their clients have loved.
“The cost of building physical sample hotel rooms is enormous. With the 4-D theatre, we can create the room virtually first, allowing the owner and designer to walk through the space and review every detail before installation begins. It completely changed the process.”
The technology now allows the team to resolve the vast majority of design decisions virtually before moving to physical installation, significantly reducing delays, costs and unnecessary revisions.
Creating memorable spaces, they believe, goes far beyond aesthetics. The experience of a room is shaped by every sense — how it looks, feels and even smells. To complement their showroom experiences, the company has introduced carefully selected fragrance and candle collections designed to enhance atmosphere and wellbeing.
Sustainability has also become central to everything the company delivers, driven largely by client expectations and changing industry standards. Water-saving technologies, sensor-operated systems and innovations such as ultra-low-flush toilets have become essential features, particularly in premium hospitality projects.
Alongside interiors and wellness design, Versatile’s has an engineering division.
“In heating, ventilation and cooling, we work across residential homes, hotels, healthcare settings, schools, universities and offices,” says Aoife. “It’s all supported by a dedicated engineering team.”
“The engineering team reviews every project in detail,” Aoife explains. “They assess the layout, functionality and technical requirements to ensure the space performs exactly as it should and create to heating and ventilation solutions tailored specifically for the environment.”
The company puts a strong emphasis on innovation and is always glad to welcome new graduates arriving with fresh approaches to solutions.
All the products that they recommend to their clients is physically researched by the team, who regularly attend trade shows and factory visits across the Continent to familiarize themselves with all the latest trends and products.
We trust and believe in the partners that we work with,” says Ita, “so we’re happy to bring clients to see where these products are made to understand the craftmanship and quality”
Inclusivity and accessibility are also key priorities within the company’s design philosophy. Ita is particularly passionate about ensuring accessible bathrooms receive the same design attention and aesthetic consideration as every other space.
““It’s just about making accessible bathrooms so that people who use them feel like they’ve been considered in the design.”
Innovation is a key driver and that is found all over the company and in their suppliers. Working with clients at the coalface, they are constantly looking at different products where their suppliers are always taking the lead on innovation. At the same time, they turn around to those working at the company’s Navan base and asking for the latest ideas from their team.
Ultimately, after 40 years in business, the company believes its success comes down to one simple principle: relationships.
Visit Versatile for more information: https://www.versatile.ie/
