Irish Construction News July August 2023 (Ireland's Top M&E Contractors)

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irish construction news

NEWS

5 Kara Stuart appointed as Collen Construction’s first CEO

5 LDA calls for more applications to Shared Equity home purchase schemes

6 Respond could triple the number of homes in construction under new funding changes

6 Kingspan announces acquisition of a majority stake in German natural insulation manufacturer Steico SE

7 Government announces measures to address derelict properties and MMC adoption in its ‘Housing for All July Update’

9 Towards NetZero Ireland Awards 2023 now open for submissions –Closing date for entries 07 September 2023

10 Event: – Repurposing vacant properties to address housing challenges – A Half-Day Seminar: Innovative solutions to tackle housing challenges in Ireland

13 Tuath Housing achieved unprecedented success with a record year in 2022

13 Dublin is the 19th most expensive global city in which to build – Turner & Townsend

CONSTRUCTION LEADERS

16 Dornan Group set to expand its European operations – Micheál O’Connor, Managing Director, Dornan Group

20 Ireland’s new MMC champion – Paul Tierney, Interim CEO, MMC Ireland

SUSTAINABILITY

24 IGBC Community of Practice aims to standardise embodied carbon data for building services equipment

25 IGBC launches Network of Building Professionals for Biodiversity

27 Healthy Homes Ireland calls on the government to address poor indoor environments

SECTOR FOCUS

28 Build Digital Project – Roll-out of digital mandate on public works contracts to start in Q1 2024

29 Construct Innovate welcomes its first 35 member companies

30 Mastertech Group – Realising the potential of people, technology, and ideas

IRELAND’S TOP M&E CONTRACTORS 2023

35 IRELAND’S TOP 20 M&E CONTRACTORS PROFILED

TOP CONTRACTOR

CHARTS

56 IRELAND’S TOP 60 CONTRACTORS 2023

58 IRELAND’S TOP 30 CONTRACTORS 2023 (INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER)

59 IRELAND’S TOP 50 CONTRACTORS 2023 (IRELAND TURNOVER)

60 IRELAND’S TOP 20 M&E CONTRACTORS 2023

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From the editor

The Irish Construction News’ Top 60 Contractors 2023’ had a combined turnover of €14.3bn in 2022, an increase of €3.1bn (28%) on the previous year’s total turnover figure of €11.2bn. They recorded €9.3bn in construction activity in Ireland, which is an increase of €2.4bn (35%) on the corresponding Republic of Ireland (ROI) figure of €6.9bn in 2021, and €5bn in exported services, and increase of €0.7bn (16%) on €4.3bn.

The overall figure indicates that Irish construction is a dynamic industry sector looking to the future with the ambition and hunger to deliver complex construction programmes at home and overseas, where its presence is growing substantially.

Although just a snapshot of the industry at a particular point in time, both of our Top Contractors’ issues show that the Irish construction industry, as a whole, is a worldbeater, with exports increasing strongly even in the teeth of massive inflationary and supply chain challenges, all coming at a time when the industry is transitioning to more sustainable construction methods introducing digital technologies and more efficient ways of working.

IRISH CONSTRUCTION NEWS TOP 20 M&E CONTRACTORS 2023

The focus of this issue of Irish Construction News is on the Top 20 M&E contractors, two of which – Mercury and Jones Engineering – had turnovers that exceeded €1bn. As you read the profiles, you will see how Irish M&E contractors continue to make massive inroads into Europe and other world markets, their services being sought by global giants for mission-critical data-centre,

pharma, life-sciences and energy projects. Their skilled workers, innovative approach and can-do attitude results in repeat business from their clients year after year.

In this issue, we also speak with Micheál O’Connor, Managing Director, Dornan Group, who discusses the M&E contractors growing markets in Europe and its growing offsite manufacturing wing.

Paul Tierney, Interim CEO, MMC Ireland, sets out his ambitions for the future of Irish off-site and other modern methods of construction and discusses how the sector and government can achieve greater synergy and increased housing output.

We profile Mastertech Group, an M&E contractor that debuts in this year’s Top 20 M&E contractors list and learn about its growth plans for the coming years.

Elsewhere, we have all the latest construction, engineering and sustainability news and analysis.

Please take a moment to scan the QR code below and sign up for our free e-newsletter. And, if there are any issues or stories you would like to see featured in Irish Construction News, email me at robbie@foundationmedia.ie

Kara Stuart appointed as Collen Construction’s first CEO

Collen Construction has announced that it has appointed Kara Stuart as the company’s first chief executive officer (CEO) after the completion of a strategic review of the business.

Kara Stuart, who has been with the business since 2006, takes up the role and will lead the management team through the next phase of Collen’s growth. The appointment marks an important juncture as the company builds out an experienced executive management team to strengthen the management of the company to facilitate further growth both at home and internationally.

Tommy Drumm, Managing Director, Collen, will work alongside Kara Stuart to progress the company’s development plans.

Commenting on the appointment, Neil Collen, Chairman, Collen, said, “Collen has a long and proud tradition in the construction industry stretching over the last two centuries. We, as a board, looked at how we can help ensure that we are wellpositioned strategically to grow further and strengthening our management is

a key component of that. Following the review and a selection process, we are pleased to have appointed Kara to lead the management team at this critical time”.

Kara Stuart is a chartered company secretary and governance professional. She will have overall control of the company, with sector leads reporting directly to her. During her 17 years with Collen, she has seen the business transform from a much smaller general contracting company with separate property development and design/ engineering capabilities to the large tier-one general contractor it is today.

Remarking on her appointment, Kara Stuart commented, “I am looking forward to leading Collen into the next phase of its development and guiding a team of talented executives both here and in our international offices. Along with my appointment, we have added to our executive strength with senior appointments in HR/People and Safety positions that are now importantly elevated to the executive level. I am genuinely delighted with the appointment and look

forward to working with everyone –colleagues, clients and suppliers – in my new role.”

Stuart’s appointment is a milestone for the industry and demonstrates that capable individuals can reach their full potential in the construction industry, regardless of gender.

LDA calls for more applications to Shared Equity home purchase schemes

Tánaiste Micheál Martin recently visited a Project Tosaigh development in Mallow, Co Cork, to meet new homeowners and hear of their experience of being able to purchase their own home with the assistance from the state-promoted First Homes Scheme.

The Tánaiste met new homeowners in Clonmore in Mallow, a development of 95 A-rated homes, which was delivered by the Land Development Agency (LDA) in partnership with Cork County Council and the O’Flynn Group.

The Tánaiste heard from purchasers about how they would have struggled to own a new home were it not for the possibility of buying through the Local Authority Affordable Purchase and First Homes shared equity schemes on offer.

One recent purchaser told the Tánaiste how he was worried about saving for a deposit needed to obtain a full mortgage while also paying rent but was able to bridge the affordability gap as he was eligible to purchase a home under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Other residents discussed the positive timeframe in which they could apply for schemes, with some moving into their new home less than six months after initially applying.

Affordable purchase homes have been launched by the LDA in Summerfields, Kilbarry, Co Waterford, in addition to Clonmore. The 92 homes in Kilbarry are being delivered through a partnership involving the LDA, Waterford City & County Council and the Whitebox Group. Further homes will be available in additional locations soon.

The Tánaiste said: “I am delighted to visit Clonmore and to meet new homeowners of affordable purchase homes. The government

has ambitious targets to deliver affordable and cost rental homes, and the LDA and local authorities are making significant progress. We are conscious of the pressing need to maintain momentum in this regard and to continue to ensure the delivery of more housing, but it is also good to recognise successful projects that are already delivering and to meet and engage with the homeowners who have benefitted from the work and the considerable investment involved.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin; Martin Ryan, new homeowner; and John Coleman, CEO, LDA, at the LDA’s Clonmore development in Mallow, Cork.

Kara Stuart, CEO, Collen Construction.

Respond could triple number of homes in construction under new funding changes

Approved housing body

(AHB)

Respond has welcomed the government’s announcement on funding changes for building cost rental homes.

The AHB has said it can triple the number of social and cost rental homes it has in construction to over 4,100 in the coming months. The organisation currently has 1,396 homes in construction. Supported by local authorities, Respond has secured fixed-price contracts with major developers and construction firms. It says it can vastly increase its social and cost rental homes in construction, subject to government support. These comments were made welcoming the government’s latest housing initiative regarding cost rental equity loan (CREL), which enables AHBs to deliver cost-rental homes.

Niamh Randall, spokesperson for Respond, expressed the organisation’s support for the initiative, commenting, “We are excited about the potential as we prepare to break ground on several large-scale developments that will deliver thousands of new homes for people who urgently need them. We have been working in the

background on this for some time, today’s announcements look very promising, and we are looking forward to receiving more detail.”

She added, “We could triple the number of social and cost rental homes we have in construction up to 4,100, subject to greater clarity and the workability of the new scheme. People urgently need the security of a place to call home, and they don’t have the time to wait.

Randall also said that Respond had

secured fixed-price contracts with a number of developers and contractors. “We have secured fixed price contracts with major developers and construction firms, in principle, supported at the highest level in local authorities,” she added, “We have been working closely with the state for some time now to help develop a sustainable and replicable cost rental model for the AHB sector, which could more deliver affordable cost rental homes in areas where they are most needed.”

Kingspan announces acquisition of a majority stakein German natural insulation manufacturer Steico SE

Kingspan Group plc has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Schramek GmbH (Schramek) to acquire circa 51% of the shares of Steico SE (Steico), with an option to acquire a further circa 10% of shares in Steico in the future.

Steico is the world leader in natural insulation and wood-based building envelope products, based in Germany and listed on the

unofficial markets of several German stock exchanges. It has a very well-invested asset base, with four large production sites comprising 27 lines located in Poland and France, including additional capacity nearing completion with up to €200m revenue headroom.

Steico had audited operating revenues of €445m in the 12 months to 31 December 2022 and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of €90m in the same period. As of June 2023, Steico guided 2023 revenues of circa €378m at an earnings before interest and taxes margin of 8% - 10% (FY22 14.6%).

The initial consideration for the shares will be €35 per share, plus potential deferred consideration of up to a further €35 per share contingent on the achievement of specified thresholds with a material uplift in profitability. The initial consideration of approximately €251.4m will be satisfied on completion, with 25% of the consideration potentially being exchanged for new shares in Kingspan (subject to Kingspan share price at completion). The consideration payable under the put and call option to acquire Schramek’s remaining 10% in Steico is for a capped amount based on a multiple of future earnings.

Gene Murtagh, Chief Executive Officer, Kingspan, commented, “The acquisition of a majority stake in Steico represents an exciting next step in our strategy to provide the full spectrum of insulation products. Its suite of wood-based building envelope solutions broadens our ability to enable our customers to meet their sustainability and energy performance needs. Kingspan’s global routes to market, paired with our drive to innovate and widen the applications of Steico’s current technologies, are key to our plans to bring Steico bio-based solutions to the next level.”

Elanora Court, a 153-unit Respond social housing development on Long Mile Road, Dublin.

Gene Murtagh, Chief Executive Officer, Kingspan.

Government announces measures to address derelict properties and MMC adoption in its ‘Housing for All July Update’

In its ‘Housing for All July Update’, the government has made several significant announcements, including ringfencing €150m in funding to end long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns and cities and a new commitment to widespread adoption of MMC for public housing.

The Housing for All July Update states that strong progress has been made this year, with building started on 13,000 new homes and record numbers achieving home ownership, boosted by schemes like Help to Buy and First Home.

Building started on 12,987 new homes in the first five months of 2023, up 7% compared to the same period in 2022. The future pipeline of home delivery is strong, with 11,659 new homes granted planning permission in Q1 2023. This represents an increase of 37.8% compared to Q1 2022.

URBAN REGENERATION DEVELOPMENT FUND

Under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF), a total of €150m is now available to local authorities for eligible towns and cities. Local authorities will receive a grant for the entire 100% cost of acquiring suitable properties identified within their communities, reflecting the high priority the government has placed on boosting accommodation and tackling dereliction. It complements several existing schemes to tackle vacancy and dereliction.

MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

Publishing the Housing for All July Update, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheal Martin, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien also signalled their commitment to boost innovation and capacity in the construction sector by publishing a Roadmap for Increased Adoption of Modern Methods of Construction in Public Housing Delivery. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has the potential to dramatically improve construction sector productivity, innovation, speed of delivery, sustainability and, ultimately, costs. The state has now embedded these innovative methods into its public housing programme.

Commenting on the report’s publication, Leo Varadkar said, “At the halfway point of the year, building has started on almost 13,000 homes, and we have strong momentum heading into the rest of the year. We are confident we will meet or exceed our house targets for the next year of 29,000 homes, student accommodation and refurbishments. Planning permissions granted in Q1 were 40%

higher than in the same period last year, and more people are buying their first home than in any period in well over a decade. Over 700 first-time buyers are being approved for mortgages every week. This is the highest figure since records began.”

RECRUITMENT

On the recruitment front, the report included measures to enhance construction sector capacity, such as a new action plan to promote careers in construction and international recruitment events in South Africa. In the first half of 2023, construction-related apprenticeship registrations increased by 7%, and apprenticeship certifications increased by 13% compared to the same period in 2022.

ADDITIONAL MEASURES

Other programme announcements include:

• Incentives to activate increased housing supply, including temporary waiving of local authority development contributions and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges.

• A review of the National Planning Framework has commenced, and a roadmap outlining the process and timeline for the revision has been published.

• The Land Development Agency commenced the procurement process for Phase 2 of Project Tosaigh.

• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant – Rates increased to €50,000 for vacant properties and €70,000 for derelict properties, with 20% more available to restore properties on offshore islands under the new National Islands Policy. The grant has also been extended to include rental properties and properties built up to and including 2007.

• An Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People has been published to facilitate disabled people to live independently in their communities.

• 12,300 older and disabled people will benefit from €83m in Housing Adaptation Grant funding.

• €62m in funding to deliver over 1,000 student accommodation beds, and work is underway to plan student accommodation across the technological higher education sector.

• Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) review published, underpinning the need for its continued operation in the market in order to support home delivery.

MMC has the potential to dramatically improve construction sector productivity, innovation, speed of delivery, sustainability and, ultimately, costs.

Winners and judges at last year’s Towards NetZero Awards.

Towards NetZero Ireland Awards 2023

now open for submissions – Closing date for entries 07 September 2023

The appetite and enthusiasm for the Towards NetZero Awards were very much in evidence late last year when approximately 100 industry leaders and net-zero champions gathered to celebrate the achievements of the various awards winners for the inaugural event. In doing so, they also set the benchmark for the 2023 awards, which include additional categories to accommodate the more diverse submissions now anticipated.

Last year, there were 12 awards and commendations handed out across six categories. The overall winners of the Towards NetZero Ireland Awards 2022 were as follows:

Commercial Building: ESB Offices, Commercial Block, BDP

Public Building: Donegal Town Garda

Station, Rhatigan Architects

Design Practice: Donegal Town Garda

Station, Rhatigan Architects

Retrofit of a Building: The Willows, Peter Nickels Architects

Housing Development: Highfield Park, MCA Architects

Net-Zero Champion: Tomás O’Leary, MosArt

TOWARDS NETZERO AWARDS 2023

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2023 awards and all you have to do

for the moment is express your interest in submitting a project or your practice or company, under the appropriate category, which you will find at www.netzeroawards.ie

ACHIEVING NET ZERO BUILDINGS

Achieving Net Zero buildings is a daunting objective but one in which architects, consulting engineers, mechanical and electrical contractors and building contractors are already showing admirable leadership. The Towards NetZero Awards are designed to recognise their achievements to date and to encourage others in their efforts to do likewise.

MAKE A SUBMISSION

Submissions are open to all construction disciplines and professions, while clients can also make a submission in conjunction with their building design team. A distinguished and experienced panel of judges will assess all entries submitted via the online process with shortlisted finalists being invited to a gala presentation ceremony.

Entrants must provide drawings, photographs and text to illustrate the concept, idea, functional strategy and physical execution of the submitted building in a meaningful and clear manner.

Each entry requires a minimum of six full-colour photographs which give clear

and comprehensive views in context, and in-design detail and execution.

A descriptive text of not more than 800 words explaining the project also must be submitted.

The categories for this year’s awards are:

• Commercial Building

• Public Building

• Industrial Building

• Apartment Development

• Housing Development

• Civil & Structural Engineering Project

• Retrofit of a Building

• Design Practice of the Year

• Building Contractor of the Year

• M&E Contractor of the Year

To facilitate the expected increase in entries for 2023 – and the additional number of award recipients – the presentation ceremony will now take place on Friday, 10 November 2023, in the prestigious venue of the Concert Hall in the RDS.

The closing date for entries is Friday 07 September 2023

For more details

or to register your interest, visit www. netzeroawards.ie or scan QR code

Repurposing vacant properties to address housing challenges – A Half-Day Seminar: Innovative solutions to tackle housing challenges in Ireland

Maximising the use of our existing housing stock, especially in our towns and cities, is a key priority of the government’s Housing for All strategy, and it represents a critical element of a sustainable housing policy.

The Irish construction industry, government bodies and financial sectors have long grappled with the challenge of vacant properties and underutilised spaces. These properties not only detract from the aesthetics of our cities but pose safety risks and hinder communities’ overall growth and development.

When left empty, vacant properties can accelerate neighbourhood and community decline, depreciating property vaules and attracting anti-social behaviour resulting in decreased quality of life for local communities.

To breathe new life into vacant properties, it is imperative to think beyond conventional uses and explore the creative use of space.

Monoma Ireland is the Irish wing of Mosaic World, a Dutchbased company that has connected a wide variety of people with the broadest range of available, affordable living spaces, from raw concrete studios to carpeted flats, as well as providing services that help protect and nurture communities, keeping them safe and social as they grow.

Monoma Ireland, acting on behalf of owners of vacant Irish properties, renovates and manages properties for a fixed period and creates vibrant living and working spaces, helping to address the current housing crisis and arresting community decline. In doing this, Monoma is creating new living spaces where there were none.

Monoma Ireland’s overall objective is to bring empty properties back into use by creating homes, communities and working spaces.

Repurposing vacant properties can also create vibrant communal spaces, such as art galleries, co-working hubs, community centres or temporary pop-up shops. This approach not only activates previously unused areas but also fosters community engagement and economic development.

David Arkins, Commercial Manager, Monoma Ireland, explains, “Flexibility is key when managing vacant properties as they come and go. The main goal is to keep buildings across Ireland in perfect condition and quickly at hand for their next owner.”

Monoma Ireland has a number of clients that have engaged them to repurpose, fit out and manage their vacant properties to prevent them from being vacant while they process their longer-term plans for them.

Keith Brennan, Director, Grant Thornton, is one client who has already engaged the company. He explains, “While waiting for a permanent solution, we put vacant properties under management with Monoma to protect them from derelict and value loss. Temporary use provides a lot of advantages for all involved.”

Monoma Ireland is now looking to bring this concept to a wider audience and estimates that it can change the dynamic of towns across the country that are blighted by vacant properties at this time.

David Arkins adds, “There has been much debate about what needs to be done with vacant and derelict sites across Ireland, but there are tested and proven solutions available to property owners, managers and local authorities to maintain the value of their vacant properties while also adding to the social and commercial value of the communities where they have properties. The concept can also be applied to derelict properties that have been taken over by local authorities.”

ROUNDTABLE SEMINAR

Monoma Ireland in association with Irish Construction News will host a pivotal roundtable seminar at the Carlton Hotel Dublin

Airport between 12pm and 3pm on 28 September. It will include high-end discussions regarding transforming vacant premises, modular housing units suitable for multi-purpose, and creative use of space, all with the goal of creating affordable housing.

The roundtable event will be a platform to discuss successful case studies, financing options, and strategies to make such investments economically viable.

MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS AND RESIDENTS

Successful management of buildings and residents is crucial in transforming vacant properties into thriving urban spaces. This includes developing sustainable maintenance plans, managing utility services, establishing clear guidelines for residents, and fostering a sense of community within these spaces.

By collaborating and sharing experiences, housing professionals can collectively devise innovative management solutions that will ensure the long-term sustainability of revitalised properties.

The round table event presents a unique opportunity for contractors, developers, local authorities and other stakeholders to collectively address the issue of vacant properties in Ireland. By exploring the creative use of space, encouraging property investment and development, innovative housing solutions and discussing effective management strategies, we can reshape urban living and breathe new life into our communities.

Together, the construction industry, government bodies and

Residential space at Project Plotterweg in Amersfoort, The Netherlands.

Monoma converted an old office building in Amersfoort, The Netherlands, into various home types, with shared facilities and communal spaces to really connect with each other.

finance agencies can create sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant urban spaces that will define the future of Ireland’s built environment.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Property managers, real estate agents, building contractors, approved housing bodies, government bodies and local authorities with a stake in addressing the housing crisis.

WHY ATTEND?

• Be part of an innovative solution to repurpose out-of-use building stock

• Get a return and protect your empty building stock

• Help address Ireland’s homeless challenges

Ticket price: €49, including table seat, lunch buffet and drinks; Limited number of places available

Register your interest for this critical round table event taking place between 12 PM and 3 PM on 28 September at Carlton Airport Hotel and find out more information on how we can pave the way for a more prosperous and thriving urban landscape in Ireland by visiting www.monoma.eu/en-ie/roundtable-ie or scan the QR code

Office space at Schæffergården.

Schæffergården is an estate outside of Copenhagen comprising hotel and conference centre. Monoma Denmark transformed it into a vibrant office community and attractive living spaces for students.

Residential space at Schæffergården.

Tuath Housing achieved unprecedented success with a record year in 2022

Approved housing body (AHB) Tuath Housing delivered over 1,900 homes across 19 local authorities in 2022, according to its annual report for 2022, which was launched by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien.

2022 was a ground-breaking year for Tuath, as it surpassed all previous records by delivering 1,983 homes, catering for the housing needs of over 4,000 people. Moreover, the association achieved an exceptional annual turnover of €102m, spending €422m on the delivery of new homes nationwide.

Tuath also significantly strengthened its workforce by welcoming 59 new staff members, with staff numbers now exceeding 180 employees across five offices throughout the country.

The annual report highlights several noteworthy accomplishments from the past year. Among them are the successful conversion of Park West Plaza in Cherry Orchard, Dublin, transforming the office space into residential units, and the restoration of the historic Ellis Court building on Benburb Street. These projects exemplify Tuath’s commitment to revitalising communities and preserving Ireland’s architectural heritage. Additionally, the launch of the Tenant Engagement strategy underscores Tuath’s vision of becoming a frontrunner in engaging and empowering tenants in the years ahead.

In line with its broader objectives, Tuath actively participated in the introduction of cost-rental housing. Through this new model, the organisation delivered 256 cost-rental homes in 2022, making a significant contribution to the provision of affordable housing in Ireland.

Tuath has numerous ongoing projects, with over 2,300 homes

under development. The organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to work with its many partners, continuing to invest in people, places, and communities.

Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Brien said, “I want to congratulate Tuath on what has been another outstanding year. One of the many highlights of my job is getting to visit new developments and see people get the keys to their forever home. Tuath made that a reality for more than 4,000 individuals and families in 2022. Through Housing for All, AHBs such as Tuath will play an increasing role in the provision of social and affordable housing, and I look forward to continuing to work with them.”

Dublin is the 19th most expensive global city in which to build – Turner & Townsend

According to the latest ‘International Construction Market Survey’ (ICMS) from Turner & Townsend, Dublin is ranked as the 19th most expensive city in the world to build in and the second most expensive in the EU, after being overtaken by Munich (17th), with an average cost per square metre of €3,409 and €3,482, respectively.

The ICMS states that construction businesses across Europe are reporting reduced activity, as confidence and private investment is hit by steeply rising construction costs, shortages of materials and

labour, and difficult financing conditions due to higher interest rates.

However, Ireland is proving resilient, and construction is set to grow in 2023, partly helped by relatively low labour costs. Construction wages in Dublin average €43.80 per hour, compared to €48.30 per hour in London, €74.80 in Munich, and €110.6 in Geneva.

Inflation across Europe is expected to cool significantly this year, with an average forecast of 6.4% for 2023 over the 16 European regions surveyed – down from 12.7% in 2022. Dublin’s is forecast to be lower than the average at 5%.

The picture across Europe comes in the context of a global construction slowdown, as appetite for real estate investment worldwide is being curbed by a combination of high inflation, labour shortages and rising interest rates that are acting as barriers to project finance.

From a survey of 89 global cities, the US dominates the rankings of the most expensive places to build, with six US cities in the top 10. New York is the most expensive market, with an average build cost of US$5,451 (€5,451) per sq metre.

Philip Matthews, Managing Director Ireland, Turner & Townsend, commented, “The construction industry in Europe and beyond faces headwinds on multiple fronts. Against a backdrop of rising costs of construction, higher interest rates, and market uncertainty, Ireland is proving more resilient than many of its counterparts. But this must not make us complacent. Clients need to keep close to supply chains and work with them to highlight and mitigate any risks as early as possible and ensure delivery pipelines can be met.”

At the launch of the Tuath Housing Annual Report 2022, (L to r): Prof Paddy Gray, Chairperson, Tuath Housing; Dominika Werecka, Tuath Housing tenant; and. Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Philip Matthews, Managing Director Ireland, Turner & Townsend.

Prefabricated Underfloor Heating – The Future of Underfloor is Here!

Underfloor heating combines high comfort levels, low maintenance and excellent energy efficiency — for these reasons, such systems have become popular in many European countries. Listening to the feedback from investors, designers and installers, Pipelife has taken the next step by adding prefabricated underfloor heating to the product portfolio. Pipelife’s Ireland’s Technical Manager Michael Geary explains the solution and the advantages it offers throughout the construction process.

WHAT IS PREFABRICATED UNDERFLOOR HEATING BY PIPELIFE

Pipelife’s prefabricated underfloor heating solutions entail a comprehensive service that covers everything from the design to the assembly and delivery of underfloor heating

systems. The prefabricated mats and prefab manifold cabinets boast exactly the same customizability and benefits as standard hydronic underfloor heating products while speeding up the installation process 3-6 times.

The solution is particularly advantageous for large-scale building projects, such as residential complexes, row houses, hospitals, hotels and nursing homes.

COMBINING END-TO-END SERVICE WITH PREFAB

From finding qualified workforce and meeting project deadlines to keeping up with increasing customer expectations and regulations, the buildings sector currently faces plenty of challenges. Developing endto-end services is a way building material suppliers can help mitigate these issues, and prefabrication is one of the areas with large

yet relatively untapped potential.

“In many countries, like in the Netherlands for example, there is a growing demand for prefabricated underfloor heating mats,” says Michael. “We wanted to combine such a product with other services that we have been offering to our clients, such as design support and preassembled manifolds, creating a unique, all-inclusive offer on the market.”

ACHIEVING HIGHER INSTALLATION EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY

Construction projects are frequently delivered late and exceed their original budget. Prefabrication allows avoiding unplanned costs while taking significantly less time than traditional on-site construction.

If installing standard underfloor heating

in a room of 20 m2 typically takes 20-30 minutes, prefabrication allows completing the same task in just 5-7 minutes — offering major gains for contractors as well as investors.

Furthermore, Pipelife’s prefabricated mats and manifolds are assembled in factory-controlled environments by trained professionals using only top-quality materials. The process eliminates risks of typical installation errors, such as deviations from the drawing plan or incorrect connections.

This way, prefabrication not only allows achieving higher reliability and excellent service life of the installed heating system but can also help optimize supervision onsite.

“As the whole system is produced, preassembled and delivered by a single supplier, the reliability from the technical standpoint is very high — facilitating and speeding up the commissioning,” explains Geary.

OFFERING FULL DESIGN SUPPORT

Underfloor heating systems are known for their long, maintenance-free service life. If functionality issues arise, they often can be traced back to poor design. The optimal heat output of each system must be carefully calculated and depends on multiple factors, such as the insulation and age of the building, heating zones desired, heat sources available, and even the selected floor finish.

As designing heating systems requires in-depth expertise and is time-consuming, Pipelife offers full design support as part of the solution. With a design team that has more than a decade of design experience and in-depth industry background, almost 300 design projects were completed last year alone.

The service saves project designers hours of tedious work. A fully tailored heating system design, considering the unique conditions and requirements of the particular project, is prepared and sent to the

customer in just a few days.

“This way, we can ensure the best technical solution for our clients while saving time for project designers — who can focus on other tasks or even take on more projects,” sums up Geary. “As time pressure in the building sector keeps increasing, just as expectations of project safety and quality, such a service is a win-win solution.”

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INSTALLERS

Reports show an acutely growing shortage of skilled workers in the EU, slowing down the completion of the started projects and, if unresolved, impeding future growth of the construction sector.

Prefabricated products can be installed in a shorter time and by fewer people, compensating for the lack of high-profile installers many countries in Europe are struggling with.

“Nowadays, installers are typically paid either per project completed or per square meter installed. As the demand for qualified installers is high, they often have to decline requests. Our solutions enable installers to accept more projects as they can complete their tasks faster,” explains Geary.

The new prefabricated underfloor heating solutions do not eliminate the need for skilled construction workers on-site, as their expertise is still required to carry out specific tasks like connecting the mats to a manifold and pressure testing.

“Our prefabricated underfloor heating is tailored to each project; these are not generic products that will be available in depot stores,” Geary asserts. “The installation process is faster and simpler compared to standard underfloor heating systems, but it requires supervision and assistance from qualified specialists.”

UP TO 30% HIGHER COST EFFICIENCY

As construction material costs keep rising, the profit margins for investors and contractors have eroded over the last few years. Prefabrication is a way to address the inefficiencies that standard construction entails and minimize material waste, helping alleviate the cost increases.

The data from already commissioned prefabricated hydronic underfloor heating projects in the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Serbia show impressive cost-efficiency improvements compared to traditional underfloor heating systems.

“Considering the time savings and efficiency gains throughout each step of construction, the overall cost savings are 20-30%,” says Geary. “Our completed prefab projects clearly show how stepping away from the standard approach can open up new opportunities in the buildings sector.”

Micheál O’Connor, Managing Director, Dornan Group.

Dornan set to expand its European operations

Micheál O’Connor, Managing Director, Dornan Group, speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about how the M&E contractor has been expanding its service offering to meet clients’ changing needs. He also reveals the one work concern that keeps him awake at night.

Whether building state-of-theart data centres or life-sciences facilities in Ireland or mainland Europe or fabricating and installing complex M&E assets in 30-storey office blocks in the centre of London, Dornan is constantly evolving to meet and exceed its clients’ needs.

With over 1,000 people directly employed and 4,000-plus people across its sites on any one day, Dornan’s primary markets include data centre, life sciences, pharma and commercial/institutional building sectors, with a client base comprising many of the world’s leading blue-chip companies.

Dornan offers the full range of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and commissioning services, enabling it to take any project from early engagement and drawings to final handover and commissioning. Its investment in technology and modern off-site fabrication facilities has enabled it to achieve unprecedented quality, efficiency and safety levels on its projects.

Dornan’s investment in in-house technologies enables all its project stakeholders to remotely collaborate with access to three-dimensional designs and documentation shared in real-time as

projects progress.

Its proprietary cloud-based project management software facilitates remote working and project progression. It measures progress on a site and incorporates tools for QC and testing, providing accuracy for ordering, preventing human error and bringing greater cost certainty and control of components into the projects.

Augmented reality technologies are also used to show what will be fabricated, and then on project completion, photographic records are used to compare installations to their digital twins.

Dornan’s investment in modern off-site manufacturing facilities enables modules to be fabricated in controlled environments before being shipped to sites, reducing construction workforce requirements and improving overall quality and safety.

Dornan’s UK off-site fabrication and assembly facility in Coventry has proven to be particularly effective in meeting clients’ needs in London’s high-rise office market. The Coventry plant has the capacity to carry out fabrication and preconstruction assembly of modules using the design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) concept. From there, assets can be

transferred to the tightest of sites in London’s city centre for insertion into position.

Delivering quality is also a core driver of the company’s teams. Handover documents, records and drawings are digitised, with all tests, inspections and checks recorded digitally.

EXCEEDING CLIENTS’ EVOLVING NEEDS

Heading up Dornan’s operations, managing Director Micheál O’Connor says the fundamental ethos of Dornan is to achieve excellence in quality, innovation and delivery on every project.

“We at Dornan are all about achieving client satisfaction by safely delivering quality projects,” Micheál O’Connor explains. “We have taken huge strides in recent years, particularly since the start of Covid, in maximising the potential of digital technologies to help us help our clients realise their project ambitions.”

Micheál O’Connor took up the managing director role in the middle of the Covid pandemic in 2021, and he has since been overseeing change in how the Cork-headquartered contractor has been delivering its services. He highlights the need for any organisation, no matter how big it is, to be agile and able to move to meet the changing needs of the dynamic market it operates in.

DORNAN’S PERFORMANCE

O’Connor explains that while the market was slow to recover following the Covid pandemic, it is now on a steady growth curve, creating opportunities for those who can take them on.

“After a drop in activity in 2021, Dornan got back into growth territory in 2022, and we’re expecting that growth to continue over the next 12 months and beyond, he comments. “This reflects some of the changes that have taken place in Dornan and the broader industry since Covid. For instance, there have been changes in the level of responsibility our clients are looking for us to take on, and Dornan has responded well to this.

“Our business breaks down geographically as Ireland, 25%; mainland Europe, 50%, and the UK, 25%.”

DORNAN IN EUROPE

He says that Europe presents a huge growth opportunity for the firm as it moves with its existing client base.

“We see ourselves expanding further into Europe in the next few years. We took on our first contract in Switzerland – a life sciences project – in 2022.

“By sector, data centres represent about 50% to 60% of our business, with life sciences about 35% of our business. The balance of work is in shell and core office space and science-based buildings in London and the surrounding region.”

Like several other Irish M&E contractors that have been successful in developing overseas markets, Dornan first moved with clients that had contracted the company in Ireland.

“We first moved into northern Europe with a number of our data centre clients. Some of these clients are now expanding into southern Europe, and we would expect to move with them and expand our terrain as a

consequence.

“A new trend we have noticed with a number of our clients, particularly data centre ones, is that they are looking to specialist contractors like ourselves to provide an even larger service package. Some clients are retaining general contractors to carry out the shell and core structure and site infrastructure only, and they are then looking to M&E contractors to complete the full fit-out of their facilities’ spaces In accordance with this, we’ve expanded our offering to encompass whole fit-outs. This is a small departure from our traditional core services, but the new services include project management of all services. Life sciences clients are also looking for similar services now. In the past, clients typically retained a design engineering service to represent their needs; now, they’re looking to include more pre-engineering works in the M&E contractor package. This is a good thing because it gets us involved at an earlier stage, which is hugely beneficial to the project efficiency and gives better value for money.”

DORNAN IN THE UK

In the UK, Dornan primarily focuses on high-rise office, medical, educational and science-based buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

“In the UK, we also experienced a small dip in activity after Covid,” he explains. “A substantial part of our UK business is in commercial office space in London. As you can imagine, post-Covid, if you were an office developer, you would have been reflecting on the need for office space in to the future. So, there was a bit of a hiatus at

Office space for London-based client.

“I think not enough is made of the fact that we’ve developed a unique skill set in Ireland around how large-scale facilities are designed and built.”

first. But, we are now seeing growth with a considerable amount of investment and development in the UK. Thankfully, we are also seeing a level of foreign investment coming back into the UK.

“There is also growing interest in investing in UK hyperscale data centres and life sciences projects. Even though the latter investment is not on the ground as of yet, there are positive signs.”

Dornan’s UK operations set-up is a good example of how the company incorporates off-site manufacturing into its operations. The company’s off-site plant in Coventry fabricates and assembles modules, or “assets”, for high-rise office space in the centre of London.

Micheál O’Connor explains, “Our goal is to take as many hours off the city sites as possible because of the logistical issues of those sites. We fabricate all horizontal and vertical service distributions in Coventry. When a building ranges anywhere from 20 and 30-plus storeys, we assemble the vertical distribution of services off site in Coventry. We then bring it to site and drop it down from above into the vertical risers. The off-site assembly is delivered with floor plates and all ancillary elements. The on-site team connect it in to the building. We also assemble basement plant off site. Some of the buildings we work on can be served by up to four storeys of basement plant. We fabricate

the horizontal distribution of services for these areas in Coventry and transfer to site for installation in London. We also fabricate and deliver complete rooms, such as fully fitted out plant rooms.”

EARLY CONTRACTOR INVOLVEMENT

O’Connor says that as the contractor has developed long-term relationships with clients, projects have benefitted from early contractor involvement, particularly in planning for offsite elements.

“As a result of being brought on earlier on contracts and clients asking Dornan to take responsibility for a greater amount of the project work, we have brought in greater efficiencies, time and cost savings,” Micheál O’Connor explains. “For instance, by being brought on board early, we can set out space for plant rather than sizing the plant to fit the space.”

DFMA PLATFORM

Dornan’s DFMA platform facilitates integrated design, manufacture assembly, installation and commissioning. The platform sits on top of the whole project process, even if work goes to a third party who might be commissioned to assemble skids for an asset. Client engineering teams can interface with the platform to monitor the progress of assets.

“DFMA is a repository for all the design information and hosts all work in progress, photographs and videos of the scale and development. The platform is also a repository for all quality documentation and so forth associated with an asset. And the platform sits on top of the assembly items we bring to site, be they assembly items that we do ourselves or assembled through a third party.”

The DFMA platform was developed inhouse by the Dornan apps team. The apps team has developed a range of bespoke apps and software, such as in-house progress measurement tools. D’Prism is an app that tracks snagging and punch items. The company also uses apps for the training of staff and subcontractors.

“We can put a particular focus on the training and skills required for an upcoming project,” Micheál O’Connor adds, “By doing this, we have been able to eliminate many snags at source.”

DATA CENTRE DEBATE

Micheál O’Connor comments that criticism of data centre energy consumption in the media is misplaced, and he believes that the wrong questions are being asked.

“The negative narrative in Ireland about data centres is completely wrong,” he explains. “Those questioning data centre energy consumption are getting things the wrong way around. They should be asking about how we can generate more energy from renewable resources in Ireland to support data-centre clients. Most hyperscale data centre clients in Ireland are blue-chip companies with global operations. They offer so much more to the Irish economy than just data centres. They bring a huge amount of new technology. They offer huge employment opportunities directly and indirectly in industries that support them. So, these companies must be supported and encouraged to set up here. Globally, there is still a huge demand for data, and how technology is evolving, be it smart technology for cars or other modern products, it’s all driving demand for data, and that demand has to be met. If we can’t meet the demand in Ireland, there are plenty of countries across Europe that are prepared to step in. So, it’s incumbent on us as a nation to look for solutions rather than problems. For instance, facilitating the generation of more clean energy and the utilisation of heating generated by data centres for residential communal heating schemes would be a major development in this field.”

RECRUITMENT AT DORNAN

Micheál O’Connor says that recruitment is an ongoing challenge across the industry. To meet Dornan’s needs, they have expanded their geographic net and engage closely with

Staff at Dornan Group’s offsite facility in Coventry.

Client asset being prepared for distribution from Dornan’s Coventry offsite facility.

local schools and colleges.

“We’re recruiting people from all over Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. One of the beneficial outcomes of Covid is remote working. A small cohort of our employees can work remotely, and we have some team members working remotely in foreign countries.

“We have also introduced a broad inclusion and diversity programme. This is linked to the fact that 75% of our business is outside of Ireland. We place a lot of emphasis on embracing other cultures and the traditions of other nationalities. But we also bring a level of Irishness to those cultures. We had great success recently winning the Nordics GAA Championship with a Dornan team based in Denmark.”

Dornan also places a big emphasis on supporting STEM promotion and engages with local schools where its outreach teams work to encourage young people, particularly females, to consider careers in engineering.

“Traditionally, this sector has been largely male-populated, O’Connor continues. “Through engagement with schools and our bursary programme we are trying to encourage more females into the engineering sector. We have put a lot of work into broadening our horizons across gender and geographies. We want Dornan to be as diverse as possible, and when any new person joins our team, we want them to feel they are an integral part of our broader business.”

WELLBEING AT DORNAN

Micheál O’Connor says that Dornan takes the wellbeing of its staff very seriously. It would seem, based on some of the awards that Dornan has been picking up recently, that this is having an impact.

In the past year, Dornan has been recognised as a Great Place to Work” in Ireland. It ranked in the top 30 of the Sunday Independent ‘Ireland’s Best Employer’s 2023’, and it achieved IIP Gold Certification with Investors in People (UK) for its relentless pursuit of excellence in people management, leadership, and continuous improvement.

“We have a world-class wellbeing programme,” Micheál O’Connor explains. “It has been recognised in Ireland and more recently in the UK.

“To a large part, our success in supporting staff can be attributed to our focus on wellbeing, and of course, our emphasis on safety, as well as our learning and development programmes. We want all new recruits to feel they are part of something special here. The key is having mutual respect across the business. At the end of the day, we’re all people, irrespective of where we come from, irrespective of our beliefs, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. And, at Dornan, we look to include everybody

and expect everyone to treat each other with mutual respect.”

OUTLOOK

Micheál O’Connor says that Dornan’s core businesses are all robust and will remain so into the coming years.

“Data centres look really strong. The life sciences sector had been developing in cycles of peaks and troughs. But this has changed in the past few years, and it is now very solid, with a good pipeline for the coming couple of years. In fact, we see many more foreign clients targeting Ireland for the development of campuses, which is an incredible testimony to Ireland as a nation.”

When asked what he thinks continues to make Ireland such a popular destination for foreign direct investment, he answers that people often reference the skill sets we have in Ireland and the educated workforce that we have to operate these facilities, but there is another crucial factor.

“I think not enough is made of the fact that we’ve developed a unique skill set in Ireland around how facilities are designed and built. In all of my engagements with clients of this nature, I notice that they place a huge emphasis on Ireland in terms of reliability of delivery when they come here. That is something that we should all be proud of.

“Each new facility requires an investment of anywhere from €500m to €1bn and sometimes even more. When a company invests that level of capital in a facility, they need certainty that they will get the right end product when they need it. So, the ability to deliver is huge. The Irish engineering and

construction industries have proven that we can engineer, we can build, and we can deliver the highest quality facilities on time and within budget. That’s a huge thing for these clients and a testament to the fact that Dornan and many other Irish contractors are seeing huge success in Europe. It is incredible to think that we are exporting this unique skill set that we’ve developed over the past 50 years in Ireland.”

HEALTH & SAFETY

In closing, Micheál O’Connor references the one thing in his job that does keep him awake some nights.

“There is a huge emphasis on health and safety in Dornan. We put a huge effort into looking after the safety of our people and our on-site supply chain. I am delighted to say we see improvements year on year. Keeping people safe is the one thing that keeps me awake at night. In our business, at the moment, we have up to 4,000 people on site or at our facilities on any given day. It only takes a second for an incident to occur, and that is a lot of seconds to be managed every working day of the year. And sometimes on sites that is 24/7, because you are including night shifts as well. We would not be able to keep people safe without our health and safety staff’s dedication, the care taken by our project teams, and the consideration they give to other workers. It’s a huge task that is constantly evolving as we work in dynamic environments. It takes a huge effort to keep everyone safe, and I am grateful to everyone who has dedicated themselves to doing this,” Micheál O’Connor concludes.

Office space for London client.

Ireland’s new MMC champion

In the wake of the government reaffirming its commitment to MMC and resourcing academic research and development, Paul Tierney, Interim CEO, MMC Ireland, speaks to SEAN MURPHY about what this means for the sector and the readiness of association members to help deliver Housing for All and Project Ireland 2040 goals.

Interim MMC Ireland CEO Paul Tierney was less than a month in the role when we spoke to him in Croke Park, where he had just played host to Irish and international leaders at the inaugural MMC Ireland National Conference.

While new to the role, Paul Tierney is a familiar face in the Irish offsite and modern methods of construction (MMC) sector. After a Dublin start to his career, he spent much of the past 15 years in the UK, in his role with ESS Modular, working closely with UK government departments on the frameworks enabling MMC adoption. He has now returned to Ireland, determined to share this learning for the benefit of the Irish state and the Irish offsite and MMC industry.

He explains his decision to take on the MMC Ireland position, “When I was asked to take on the role of CEO of MMC Ireland, I knew it was something I really wanted to do. MMC is beyond an interest or even a passion for me. I know I can assist by advising the Irish government and industry in applying lessons learnt over the

past 10 years in the UK. My involvement in working with UK MMC frameworks over the past decade has given me greater insight into what works and what doesn’t, and what the industry needs in order to ramp up output,” Tierney says. “My primary role now is to advise on aligning government MMC programmes with the expanding capabilities of Irish MMC manufacturers and contractors. There is no conflict here. We all want the same thing, a sustainable MMC industry for Ireland and a sustainable, buildable pipeline for our members.”

AN ACCIDENTAL CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION

Decades of experience across the UK and Ireland convinces Paul Tierney that MMC is critical to significantly improving construction sector productivity, certainty and sustainability. Coming from an accountancy and financial background, he took up his first role in modular construction when he was 20 years of age while studying at night. The eldest sibling to three sisters, he grew up in Drimnagh,

Paul Tierney, Interim CEO, MMC Ireland.

Dublin. His mother worked in the home and as a carer, and his father was a career waiter who spent more than 20 years working in AIB Bank Centre in Ballsbridge. He recalls how his parents emphasised the importance of education and curiosity, creating a library of inspiration through the Encyclopedia Britannica series and gifting the pre-teen with a Commodore home computer – a rarity at that time –which he credits for his early love of technology and all innovation.

“I’ve had a computer from I was 11 years old, and my school, St James’ Street CBS, was one of the first few schools in the country to have a fully fitted computer room since 1984, so computer language and IT came naturally to me. There was a time in my late 20s when I had the opportunity to leave my then role and move into IT. It was the first and only time I considered leaving construction.”

A sense of responsibility towards others was instilled in the MMC Ireland CEO from an early age.

“In terms of work influences, I learned a lot from watching my dad,” Paul Tierney continues. “He has always had a strong work ethic, and he values trusting relationships. When he retired, AIB hosted a send-off for him in Bank Centre, and it really struck me how well respected he was by the people who turned up to wish him well; people he had worked alongside over the years – peers he had worked with and for, including former CEOs and chairmen. It made me aware of the impact we can have on others. I have always felt responsible to others, probably from my position as eldest sibling to three sisters. And then, of course, when you become senior in a role, you are responsible to your team, the business and the people around you. So, I’ve always held to that. I like being responsible to others, and I get a lot of value from that. It is why I feel so strongly about my MMC advocacy.”

In his second year studying accountancy at the College of Commerce in Rathmines, Paul Tierney was offered a job in the accounts department of a company called the Dublin Futures Exchange. He accepted, believing it, naturally enough, to be a futures derivatives trading company. When he arrived at the office in Dublin Port on his first day, he learned that the company was trading as Euro Cabin Hire, a portacabin rental company serving the construction industry. And here began Tierney’s accidental career in construction. The product evolved through many economic cycles to steel-frame temporary and steel-frame permanent accommodation, while the business evolved alongside it to become Extraspace, then Extraspace Solutions, and then ESS, a recognised leader in modular construction

across Ireland and the UK.

BUILDING A BRAND

He credits early expansion into the UK market with the survival of the company during the economic crash in 2008.

“As the core of the business was construction, the impact of the crash was keenly and immediately felt. As part of its expansion strategy into the UK, we were appointed to a couple of government frameworks in the UK in the previous 12 months, and, in hindsight, the support from the owners and the new market opportunities from these frameworks in the UK secured the future of the business. The company went on to become a key framework supplier to the UK government, focusing primarily on education, which more than compensated for the lack of business in Ireland at that time.”

In 2016, Paul Tierney, his business partner Ronan Smyth, and the then management team undertook a successful MBO and focused on growing the business in Ireland and the UK, specialising in delivering innovative MMC solutions for clients in the healthcare, commercial and education sectors. Earlier this year, Tierney exited the business after its acquisition by the innovative construction firm ISG in March 2022.

Paul Tierney with board members at the inaugural MMC Ireland National Conference in Croke Park.

“It is difficult to overstate the potential MMC holds to transform project delivery in Ireland – higher quality, programme and cost certainty, and sustainable as standard”

MMC ADOPTION IN IRELAND

After decades of building the ESS Group across Ireland and the UK and positioning it as a leader in transforming the construction industry, he is now on a mission to translate this hard-fought experience into learnings for the Irish MMC industry.

“I know there is a better way to deliver the vital homes, schools and infrastructure that Ireland needs right now. Our members know it too. But this is a critical time for MMC adoption, and Ireland cannot afford to get it wrong. Our members are already delivering excellent projects faster, safer and more sustainably; the state’s role must be to facilitate this through the right procurement models and frameworks. Frankly, it is difficult to overstate the potential MMC holds to transform project delivery in Ireland – higher quality, programme and cost certainty, and sustainability as standard – this is what modern construction offers by default, and it is what we need as we drive towards a net-zero future.”

MMC Ireland, as a body, acknowledges the huge intent of the government to facilitate offsite and other modern methods of construction. Critically, this intent is backed up by resourcing at a scale never seen before in this country. It is important for the industry to collaborate to fill the technical knowledge gaps that exist.

According to Paul Tierney, many MMC Ireland members have been exporting MMC solutions and expertise for years with the support of Enterprise Ireland. So, while the size of the sector is relatively small, the capacity and capability of the companies within that sector well exceed the current level of demand. More importantly, there is a willingness to build and manufacture for Ireland.

He comments, “It makes much more sense for our members to be building for Ireland first and then going beyond, which our members are happy to do. The experience is there. The willingness is there. The expertise is there. It’s all there waiting to be tapped into by the government. MMC Ireland is acting as a knowledge bridge, ensuring the state gets access to this bank of project experience and expertise.”

The ongoing delivery of modular homes to address the refugee accommodation crisis is just one example of how state agencies can be better supported by collaboration and early engagement with the industry. However, the representative body’s CEO is quick to point out that offsite and other modern methods of construction offer much more than just an emergency response, they are the future of successful project delivery.

THE TIME FOR MMC IS NOW

There can be no doubt that the tide is turning in favour of offsite and other modern methods of construction, specifically for housing delivery and, most notably, public housing delivery. In an effort to tackle the housing crisis and expedite the construction of social homes, the Department of Housing is set to embrace MMC to deliver

approximately 1,800 social homes over the next two years. The department’s latest Housing for All update included a comprehensive ‘Roadmap for increased adoption of MMC in public housing delivery’, signalling a shift towards more efficient and sustainable housing solutions.

“By embracing MMC from the design stage, the department believes it can shrink delivery times for typical social housing projects from 18 to 12 months, resulting in significant cost savings. The long-term goal is to apply these innovative technologies to the majority of the 9,000 to 10,000 social homes to be delivered annually under the Housing for All strategy.

To support this transformative shift, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien has established a €100m fund to alleviate local authority loans on sites suitable for social housing projects utilising MMC. Currently, local authorities carry a hefty €300m in land legacy debt, accumulated from loans taken to acquire land for housing development. In a groundbreaking move, the department has already refunded land debt totalling €94m on 26 sites. However, these refunds are contingent on local authorities embracing the new technologies and design-built procurement, with construction expected to commence in 2023 or 2024. The department has earmarked 35 sites across 12 local authorities for development using MMC, identifying approximately 10 specific housing types that can be efficiently delivered on these sites.

Paul Tierney adds, “The advantages of employing MMC are evident, with potential reductions of 20% to 60% in delivery time, 70% in on-site labour, significant improvements in working conditions and wellbeing for its workforce, and a substantial reduction in embodied carbon.”

MOVING FORWARD

While collaborative work on the standardised layouts is ongoing, Paul Tierney and his MMC Ireland members wholeheartedly welcome the government’s robust commitment to increasing the adoption of all modern methods of construction.

“There is an ongoing collaboration between our members and government to create a sustainable MMC industry in Ireland – all of our combined knowledge, project experience, and technical expertise is at the service of the state right now in tackling Ireland’s housing crisis,” he explains. “We do not underestimate the scale of the challenges ahead, however, working collaboratively with the state and with academia, Ireland’s MMC sector has already stepped up to the challenge. For that, we are proud and grateful. But we are only getting started, there is a lot more to be done,” he concludes.

To learn more about MMC Ireland or for information about membership, visit www.mmcireland.ie

Paul Tierney addressing the MMC Ireland National Conference 2023 in Croke Park.

SMARTPLY OSB: Enhancing efficiency and performance in offsite construction

In the world of offsite construction, it is crucial to select materials that deliver exceptional performance, efficiency, and durability. Among the array of options available, Oriented Strand Board (OSB) stands out as a smart choice for housebuilders. OSB, an engineered wood panel, offers numerous advantages for offsite construction projects.

One key advantage of OSB lies in its structural strength and stability, making it a preferred material for various applications. Comprised of multiple layers of thin wood strands arranged in a cross-oriented manner, OSB exhibits remarkable dimensional stability and an impressive load-bearing capacity. These qualities make it an ideal option for flooring, roof sheathing, and wall installations in offsite construction.

A SPOTLIGHT ON SMARTPLY OSB

MEDITE SMARTPLY produces a wide range of versatile, environmentally conscious OSB panels for the market. SMARTPLY OSB is manufactured by compressing precisely engineered strands of woods with no added formaldehyde resins at high temperature to create an incredibly strong and versatile panel. All panels are manufactured in accordance with EN 300 performance standard and are suitable in service class 1 or 2 applications.

The benefits of using SMARTPLY OSB go beyond its inherent strength. Its versatility allows for adaptability and ease of use in various construction projects, such as modular homes and prefabricated structures.

One of the benefits of SMARTPLY OSB

panels is that they are easier to work with. The panels have no structural defects such as knotholes and core voids. Those working with the product can be sure of achieving consistent results as the panels cut easily and will not delaminate.

SMARTPLY panels are cut to size in the factory, making the SMARTPLY OSB range ideal for offsite and modern methods of construction (MMC) as well as traditional construction.

There are two grades of SMARTPLY: OSB/3 (which includes a flame retardant specialist panel) and OSB/4. Our SMARTPLY MAX OSB/3 and ULTIMA OSB/4 panels are ideal for timber frame applications. Their strength and moisture resistance make them the ideal choice for a structural solution for both large- and smallscale house building projects.

A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE

Sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration in construction. MEDITE SMARTPLY aims to become recognised as an industry leading sustainable manufacturer by moving towards carbon neutrality by 2030 – and ultimately –becoming net zero by 2050. Our products are made from sustainable wood, sourced from our responsibly managed forests and are fully certified, UKCA and CE marked.

SMARTPLY OSB is made from FSC certified timber from sustainable, fastgrowing pine and spruce, which includes the tops that are not used to make any other wood-based product. Because OSB is made of wood strands the whole tree is used, and

nothing is wasted.

SMARTPLY OSB panels offer numerous benefits to housebuilders, enhancing efficiency and durability in construction projects. Its structural strength, moisture resistance and ease of installation, make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.

Discover more about SMARTPLY’s innovative range of OSB products and how they can benefit offsite construction: https:// mdfosb.com/en/products/smartply-osb.

About MEDITE SMARTPLY

MEDITE SMARTPLY is part of Coillte, an innovative, FSC certified Irish forestry and forest products manufacturer. Based in Clonmel and Waterford, Ireland, MEDITE SMARTPLY produces a versatile range of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) building products.

IGBC Community of Practice aims to standardise embodied carbon data for building services equipment

The Irish Green Building Council has called for interested building services engineers to join a Community of Practice for Engineers to gather data on the embodied carbon of products being supplied for building services.

Alack of environmental product declarations (EPDs) for building services equipment means gathering information on embodied carbon for this equipment in Ireland is difficult. Currently, the calculation methodology CIBSE TM65 appears to be the best route to gather consistent embodied carbon information for building services, and the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) uses this method. However, to address the shortfall in consistent and reliable data, the IGBC has established a Community of Practice for M&E Engineers with the intention of getting members to get suppliers to provide data on their products in line with TM65. This would further the goal of building a consistent shared body of knowledge.

Müge Karasahin, Director of Sustainability, Ethos Engineering and Chair of the Community of Practice for M&E Engineers, says that sustainability is at the core what Ethos Engineering’s operations, and like many other firms, Ethos is always looking for ways to reduce carbon in projects, but a lack of good embodied carbon data on engineering equipment makes this very challenging.

“As an engineering company, sustainability is high on the Ethos Engineering agenda. We are always looking for ways to reduce carbon in the built environment – operational and embodied,” Müge Karasahin explains. “We saw a lack of data on the embodied carbon of M&E equipment, and we wanted to address this.

“Initially, we considered reaching out to a few M&E practices

Sector leaders participating in previous IGBC Community of Practice workshops.

Müge Karasahin, Director of Sustainability, Ethos Engineering and Chair of the IGBC Community of Practice for M&E Engineers.

ourselves to see if any would be interested in collaborating to find solutions. However, we thought it would be better to contact the IGBC, as it is working to develop a better national understanding of whole-life carbon.”

Müge Karasahin says that the main barrier to getting necessary data is the absence of specific EPDs for services equipment. “Without EPDs, it is difficult to access reliable and consistent data on the embodied carbon emissions associated with products, she explains. “EPDs evaluate the environmental impact of a product from raw material extraction to disposal. The absence of EPDs means the embodied carbon assessment may be incomplete, as it might overlook certain stages or components of the product’s life cycle.”

EPDs use standardised methodologies and metrics. This enables comparison between different products. Without this information, knowing which product is better (less embodied carbon, less environmental impact) than the others is impossible. Therefore it is not possible to make informed decisions to reduce embodied carbon.

The objective of the Community of Practice is first to standardise how M&E embodied-carbon studies are carried out in Ireland. Producing a standard way of requesting manufacturer information will increase the M&E product data pool.

Müge Karasahin adds, “We would like to identify the most commonly specified equipment and what data in the form of EPDs already exists.”

The systems to be covered by the Community of Practice for M&E Engineers include:

• In-built lighting systems (Light fittings, control systems and sensors)

• Energy systems (Heating plant and distribution, cooling plant and distribution, electricity generation and distribution)

• Ventilation systems (Air handling units, ductwork and distribution)

• Sanitary systems (Cold and hot water distribution, water treatment systems, drainage system)

• Other systems (Lifts and escalators, firefighting installations, communication and security, installations, telecoms and data installations)

• B1 Refrigerants (Refrigerants).

WHO SHOULD GET INVOLVED

The Community of Practice for M&E Engineers will comprise anyone with an interest in this area who feels they may have something to contribute or learn. The group will meet quarterly to share information and case studies, ask questions, and invite companies addressing the embodied CO2 problem to present and share their knowledge to disseminate it throughout the industry.

Müge Karasahin explains that whole-life carbon is currently not regulated in Ireland.

“From an EU level, several countries have already regulated or are in the process of regulating whole-life carbon. For example, in the UK, Part Z, an industry-proposed amendment to UK Building Regulations 2010, is published. This outlines requirements for assessing whole-life carbon emissions and limiting embodied carbon emissions for all major building projects.

“We need to catch up. Developing a supportive regulatory environment for embodied carbon is one of the steps in IGBC’s ‘Roadmap to decarbonise Ireland’s built environment across its whole life cycle’. The community of practice will support IGBC’s efforts; if we work together as an engineering community, this work will be done faster and more efficiently,” she concludes.

If you are interested in learning more or joining the Community of Practice for M&E Engineers, please email stephen@igbc.ie

Irish Green Building Council launches a Network of Building Professionals for Biodiversity

The Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) has launched a new Community of Practice on Biodiversity and the Built Environment.

The Community of Practice is a networking group for building professionals and property managers working on biodiversity and the built environment in Ireland. Its objective is to provide a forum for industry leaders to share information on challenges and best practices and to learn from each other. Members of the group include architects, developers, ecologists, engineers, investors, planners, property managers and representatives from local authorities.

The network launch coincided with the publication of an IGBC built environment and biodiversity factsheet.

Launching the new IGBC factsheet on the built environment and biodiversity, Malcolm Noonan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said, “The findings of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss are clear: We must all do more to protect nature. I am delighted to see the IGBC bringing together this group of leading building and property professionals to address this issue in the construction industry. I hope the factsheet launched today will empower everyone in this sector to take concrete steps towards protecting and enhancing nature.”

The factsheet’ Biodiversity and the Built Environment’ offers useful insights to those working in the construction and property industry on what can be done to help nature thrive in the built environment and, in doing so, address the climate crisis. The launch of the document follows a successful webinar series, where experts showcased solutions and tools and shared best practice to protect biodiversity when designing, constructing, renovating or using buildings.

Susan Vickers, Chair of the Community of Practice, commented, “As a sector, there is so much we can do to better protect and enhance biodiversity and play our part in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, and in doing so improve people’s quality of life. I am looking forward to working with all members of the Community of Practice to learn from each other and to start making a meaningful impact in our field”.

The Biodiversity factsheet is available at www.igbc.ie or scan the QR code

Left to right: Dr Una Fitzpatrick, National Biodiversity Data Centre; Susan Vickers, IGBC Biodiversity & the Built Environment Community of Practice; Minister Malcolm Noonan; Neil Menzies, Hibernia Real Estate Group; Irene Rondini, IGBC; and Marion Jammet, IGBC.

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Healthy Homes Ireland calls on the government to address poor indoor environments

government departments and agencies. A centralised, coordinated leadership approach is needed to deliver best practice.

EDUCATION & UPSKILLING

While the IEQ of new homes built to current building regulations should be very high, it can vary significantly in existing homes. HHI, therefore, recommends defining IEQ best practice in Irish homes and promoting the skills, funding and policy mechanisms that can deliver healthy and energy-efficient homes.

Healthy Homes Ireland (HHI), an initiative promoting the case for healthier, greener homes, recently presented its extensive report of policy recommendations on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Kieran O’Donnell.

Supported by VELUX and the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), HHI is a steering group of building and environmental experts from the housing industry and academia.

OUR PLACE: TOWARDS HEALTHIER, GREENER HOMES

The report, entitled Our Place: Towards Healthier, Greener Homes, is a result of two years of research, facilitated by CBRE Ireland, into how public policy, building industry practice and other factors have helped or hindered the achievement of healthy homes.

Describing the report as “a roadmap for change,” Kevin O’Rourke, Chair, HHI, said, “There is no doubt that issues in poor indoor environmental quality identified in this report are further compounded by skills and labour shortages, insufficient rental accommodation and increases in fuel prices. However, with the comprehensive research work commissioned by HHI, we now have practical solutions to address this pressing issue. We are calling on the government to action what we have proposed, including a central leadership body on IEQ, greater education and upskilling in the industry and a public awareness campaign to inform people how to run an energy-efficient and healthy home.”

The report outlines recommendations across six key areas, compising – Leadership, Education & Upskilling, Occupant Empowerment, Regulation, and Knowledge & Funding. HHI highlights Leadership and Education Upskilling.

LEADERSHIP

A review of relevant government policies found limited focus on IEQ standards in existing homes. The issue of healthy homes is also highly technical, and funding programmes and policies involve several

CSO data from 2021 states that more than 40% of rental homes have a BER of D or lower. These lower-rated homes are more costly to heat, leading to low temperatures and issues with dampness and mould. Many tenants living in housing with poor energy efficiency struggle to pay inflated heating bills and have limited options to remedy the situation.

IMPROVING BUILDING ENERGY RATINGS

Marion Jammet, Head of Policy and Advocacy, IGBC, commented, “Ireland’s ambitious retrofit programme to deliver 500,000 homes to at least a BER of B2 by 2030 provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance people’s health and wellbeing. High-quality energy renovations, when associated with adequate ventilation, not only reduce carbon emissions but they can also improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Our report is grounded in industry expertise to support the government to act to deliver greener, healthier homes.”

Neil Freshwater, Public Affairs Manager, Great Britain and Ireland, VELUX, concluded, “Indoor environmental hazards, such as damp and mould, excessive noise, cold or lack of daylight are all too common. In fact, according to our latest Healthy Homes Barometer research, 24% of households in Ireland are negatively affected by poor indoor climate and exposed to at least one of these hazards. The work undertaken by HHI addresses this issue head-on and gives Ireland the opportunity to show leadership to ensure all homes, whether existing or new, meet indoor environmental quality best practice.”

HHI will continue to advocate for the integration of health considerations into public policy and industry delivery of both new build and retrofitted homes in their planning, design, construction as well as householder operation.

To read the full report, visit www.igbc.ie or scan the QR code

Industry-led report sets out clear recommendations to advance healthier, greener homes, as survey reveals 24% of households in Ireland are negatively affected by poor indoor climate.

Pictured from left to right: Marion Jammet, Head of Policy, Irish Green Building Council; Kevin O’Rourke, Chair, Healthy Homes Ireland; Rachael McGinley, Head of Sustainability, CBRE Ireland; and Neil Freshwater, Public Affairs Manager, GB & Ireland, VELUX.

Build Digital colloquium – Roll-out of digital mandate on public works contracts to start in Q1 2024

The Build Digital Project recently held a colloquium at the Construction Industry Federation’s headquarters, at which it set out its programme of work and key objectives.

The recent Build Digital Project (Build Digital) colloquium, hosted at the Construction Industry Federation’s (CIF’s) headquarters, provided an opportunity for industry representatives from CIF, RIAI, ACEI, SCSI, Engineers Ireland and the Building Materials Federation to inform the Build Digital team on precisely what digital transformation looks like to their businesses and for their supply chain, as well as what they want to see Build Digital deliver over the next few years.

Build Digital’s core objective is to transform Irish construction by enabling all stakeholders, particularly SMEs, clients, and suppliers, to develop, maintain, and continuously improve their capabilities as digitally enabled, standards-based, agile, collaborative and sustainable participants in the delivery of Project Ireland 2040.

The colloquium included presentations from Pat Lucey, Chair, Build Digital Project Steering Group; PJ Rudden, Chair, CSG Innovation and Digital Adoption Group; Neil Kerrigan, Head of Industry Led Research & Collaboration Programmes, Enterprise Ireland; Stephen Lynam, Technical Advisor, Office of Government Procurement (OGP); Robert Moore, Project Lead, Build Digital Project; and Dr Clare Eriksson, Project Director, Building Digital Project.

In his opening remarks, Pat Lucey commented, “Good information

management is happening for private clients, and this has helped the public sector, but it needs to be driven by the public client now.”

PJ Rudden emphasised the importance of collaboration and digital for delivering quality infrastructure for the National Development Plan on time and on budget, while Robert Moore acknowledged that the level of industry engagement at the event showed that Build Digital is extremely important to the sector.

In his presentation, the OGP’s Stephen Lynam set out the intended timing of the roll-out of the digital mandate on public works contracts, explaining it will commence in Q1, 2024 and will be introduced on an incremental basis over the next four years.

Enterprise Ireland’s Neil Kerrigan commented that construction is one of the best sectors in the Irish economy, but it doesn’t get the recognition it should get. “For the first time, we have now organised the sector around the seven action areas under the leadership of PJ Rudden, and it is undergoing a huge transformation.”

The Build Digital colloquium was hosted by Fiona O’Carroll, CEO, Digital Mindset, who has a wealth of experience in digital transformation in other industry sectors. She outlined the importance of having good leadership and culture due to the disruption caused by new technologies to ways of working and that this is evident in all industries.

The colloquium was closed by Dr Clare Eriksson, Project Director, Build Digital. Dr Eriksson said that the initial aim of the workshop was to talk about the value and benefits of the project and that delegates gave Build Digital a clear sense of direction on what is important to them on their digital adoption journey. Reiterating what Fiona O’Carroll had said about leadership and culture, Dr Eriksson concluded by saying, “Consideration for people and culture is critical to drive change through and to make change happen, and raising awareness and confidence around digital technology in the construction sector and raising awareness of Build Digital is going to be key to achieving this.”

To get involved or learn more about the Build Digital Project, visit www.builddigitalproject.ie or email, robert.moore@builddigitalproject.ie

Delegates at the Build Digital colloquium

Some of the speakers at the Build Digital colloquium (L to r): PJ Rudden, Chair, CSG Innovation and Digital Adoption Group; Pat Lucey, Chair, Build Digital Project Steering Group; Neil Kerrigan, Head of Industry Led Research & Collaboration Programmes, Enterprise Ireland; Dr Clare Eriksson, Project Director, Building Digital Project; and Robert Moore, Project Lead, Build Digital Project.

Construct Innovate welcomes its first 35 member companies

Construct Innovate unveils its first 35 member companies as the University of Galway launches a new Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation.

Construct Innovate, Ireland’s national research centre for construction technology and innovation hosted at the University of Galway, has announced Technological University Dublin as a new academic member and 35 companies as the first associate members

Member companies will be supported by academic researchers and empowered to take ownership of the research, development and innovation activities required for their continued progression.

Construct Innovate provides access to a knowledge, business and innovation ecosystem to comprehensively deliver a broad agenda of strong innovation, engagement, excellence and impact in the Irish construction and built environment sector.

Dr Magdalena Hajdukiewicz, Co-Director, Construct Innovate, commented: “Construct Innovate was founded just over a year ago with our official launch in December 2022, and six months later, it is very exciting to see the growing network of Construct Innovate. We are designing Construct Innovate to be inclusive for all stakeholders in the Irish construction and built environment sector, which builds on its current capacity and accelerates research and innovation.”

The announcement of the growing membership of Construct Innovate follows an academic industry meeting day (AIMday), the first networking and workshop event where members posed business challenges and sought new knowledge and solutions through workshops with multi-disciplinary groups of academic research experts.

As a result, the first research themes have been identified, with working groups now being formed around these themes that

include research and industry partners. The research programme of Construct Innovate will be driven by those multi-disciplinary and intersectoral working groups to ensure research is focused on industry needs.

Colm McHugh, Centre Manager, Construct Innovate, said: “Seeing the positivity and engagement that our industry members and academics brought to the first AIMday was very encouraging. It demonstrated the scale of the issues that the industry faces in transitioning to a more modern, productive and sustainable sector, but also the appetite and energy that is being brought by stakeholders to overcome these challenges. Construct Innovate will work to continuously facilitate vital research to assist our industry in this process.”

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

To coincide with the announcement of growing membership of Construct Innovate, the University of Galway has launched a new Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation, which starts in September 2023.

Professor Jamie Goggins said: “The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation was developed in response to critical and proven skills needs in the construction and built environment sector. It is a one-year, part-time programme that aims to equip students with key knowledge and skills needed to develop sustainable technological solutions to the challenges facing the construction and built environment sector in Ireland and elsewhere.”

The course is funded through the Government’s Human Capital Initiative to provide 90% funding towards fees, and fees are fully covered for those unemployed.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation will enable prospective students to:

• Develop skills in digital adoption, sustainability and modern methods of construction (MMC)

• Develop critical thinking, curiosity and problem solving to manage the innovation process

• Identify opportunities (and challenges) for innovation in the construction sector

• Create novel construction technology solutions to previously unmet, undermet and unrecognised problems

• Continue their professional development to meet the future needs of the construction sector.

NEW CONSTRUCT INNOVATE MEMBERS

The first 35 Construct Innovate member companies are Arup, BDP Ireland, Burlington Engineering, Cairn Homes, CPAC Modular, DBFL Consulting Engineers, D/RES Properties, Ecocem Ireland, Ecological Building Systems, Future Planet, Geoscience Ireland, G-Frame Structures Ltd, Glenveagh Properties PLC, GLF Facades Specialists, Henry J Lyons, HTL tech, IN2, Inspired Innovation, Kore Insulation, KRA, LMC Group, PM Group, Retrokit, RKD, RPS Group, Sheridan Woods Architects & Urban Planners, John Sisk & Son, Stewart Construction, Scott Tallon Walker Architects, Tempo Housing, ToGather Homes, Unlin Insulation, Velux and Ward & Burke.

To learn more, visit www.constructinnovate.ie

Dr Magdalena Hajdukiewicz, Co-Director, Construct Innovate, addressing delegates at Construct Innovate AIMday networking and workshop event.

Mastertech Group – Realising the potential of people, technology, and ideas

Irish Construction News Top 20

The Mastertech story dates back to 1989 when Masterair Services was established to offer an air-handling maintenance service for plant assets manufactured by Masterair Sales Ltd. Over time, it expanded its team of technicians through a well-structured apprentice

programme. As demand for services increased, the company also grew its service offering.

In 2015, after a management buyout led by joint managing directors Shay McConnell and Aidan Conway, the company rebranded to Mastertech, a brand that is now widely recognised across the industry.

Mastertech specialises in installing and maintaining heating, cooling, and ventilation systems for various sectors such as commercial and industrial buildings, data centres, education, and medical facilities. With a team of over 150 people, the company has over 40 apprentices in plumbing, mechanical, electrical, air-conditioning, and refrigeration.

MASTERTECH PRINCIPLES

Mastertech is committed to nurturing its employees and encouraging them to build long-term careers within the company.

According to joint managing director Shay McConnell, Mastertech’s guiding principles

are centred around fostering a collaborative working environment that allows team members to develop and advance within the company.

“Our management team is deeply invested in the business’s success, and we have worked tirelessly to cultivate a sense of teamwork,” he explains. “It may sound like a cliche, but I genuinely believe this is the dynamic we have achieved at Mastertech. Our team is incredibly strong, built on a foundation of trust and open communication. We value traditional virtues such as honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness, which have been critical to our organisation’s growth and prosperity.

“We are proud to have more than 150 employees, many of whom have completed our apprenticeship programme and have been with us for numerous years. Additionally, we support and encourage our staff to pursue further education once they have completed their apprenticeships.”

Mastertech Group, which makes its first appearance in the

M&E Contractors listing this year, has experienced substantial growth in recent years as it expanded its service offering to meet clients’ changing needs.

The Marker Hotel, Dublin.

Mastertech’s apprenticeship programmes are the backbone of its operations.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Throughout the initial Covid-19 shutdown in 2020, Mastertech maintained communications with clients to determine how it could best support them in reopening their operations. After three months of inactivity during the Q2 2020 lockdown, there was a surge of schools preparing to reopen in July.

Shay McConnell describes how the company adapted to help its clients, “Thanks to our open online engagement with clients and team members, we developed a plan to assist them with their ventilation and water management needs,” he says. “For example, 50 schools in Dublin for which Mastertech maintains hot water systems required upgrades for their ventilation systems, which had to function on a full fresh air basis to reduce potential risks. When the time was right, we were ideally placed to meet their needs. In the subsequent months, we went on to install new air purification and management systems in schools and medical facilities across the country.”

In 2021, Mastertech established a telecommunications division that assisted in the implementation of the national broadband rollout by installing sub-ground ducts and chambers to facilitate the routing of cables.

Both of these examples show the agility of Mastertech in responding quickly to clients’ changing needs. But to be successful at doing this, the company needs a team that is highly motivated and understands what is required of them.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

Mastertech’s 40-plus apprentices account for more than a quarter of its entire staff.

“We value our apprentices and ensure that our team leaders provide them with the necessary time and support to excel in their

apprenticeships,” explains joint managing director Aidan Conway. “We want our apprentices to serve their time, gain their qualifications and then flourish in careers with us. We have a mentoring environment that fosters growth, and we facilitate further education opportunities for our team members.

“We also take great pride in having a growing number of female apprentices currently serving their time with us.”

Aidan Conway continues, “Ultimately, supporting our apprenticeship programme and creating pathways to advancement within the company is all about succession planning. This is an essential aspect of our business. When people move up through the ranks, we want someone from within the company to be in a position to replace them. When new staff members see this, they are encouraged to stay and commit to us.”

RECENT PROJECTS

Mastertech’s recent projects include the Marker Hotel in Dublin’s docklands, where a focus on system efficiency and sustainability was key. Mastertech has also worked extensively for Carton House, conducting a complete mechanical and electrical upgrade, which also includes a service and maintenance contract.

Additionally, Mastertech has worked extensively on several data centre projects and continues to upgrade and maintain various property types for leading clients within multiple sectors, ranging from commercial property to healthcare, government entities and facilities management.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is a critical aspect of Mastertech’s operations. The company aims to provide clients with genuine and measurable sustainable solutions rather than just engaging in greenwashing.

Paul Kane, Head of Commercial Development, Mastertecch, explains, “We have been focused on advising clients on sustainability in recent years, as we understand their concerns about this issue. We aim to establish an authentic process that ensures value for money and meets the necessary criteria. We strive to work closely with clients to ensure that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a real and achievable goal for everyone involved, including contractors and end users. This objective is a top priority for us, and we are committed to making it a reality.”

He continues, “We recently gave a presentation to the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management on the importance of life cycle costs. Our presentation highlighted the significance of sustainability and the need to select appropriate products and systems while

following accurate research. Ultimately, we want to assist clients in achieving their sustainability goals, whether it involves new or existing equipment, and we want to ensure that the entire process is transparent and measurable from beginning to end.”

DIGITECH

Mastertech dedicates a significant amount of time to onboarding at the start of a project to meet its clients’ digital requirements effectively.

It utilises various digital packages across the business, such as an internal ABM programme for day-to-day operations, an Avetta package for health and safety compliance, and BIM, CAD, quantity surveying, and project management packages that are all integrated and communicate seamlessly.

Paul Kane comments, “Our handover process is also changing. Gone are the days of handing over a lever arch folder full of papers. At handover, we provide clients with a digital package. We are currently in the process of further enhancing this package. We have engaged an agency to develop a comprehensive digital handover package that meets our clients’ operational and maintenance needs.”

MANAGING INFLATIONARY CHALLENGES

The past few years have seen everyone affected by inflation and supply chain problems. The Mastertech team believes that it is crucial that long-term sustainability is at the forefront of all decision-making and that this type of thinking should be deeply ingrained across the sector.

Shay McConnell explains, “Clients want sustainable solutions, and they want to prioritise this over short-term inflationary obstacles. Sustainability should not be viewed as a challenge but rather as a solution. Such a perspective will strengthen and expand the sector.

“Mastertech is ideally positioned to help clients. We can provide advice, install plant and equipment, commission, monitor and maintain it, ensuring that clients get a professional service from an aligned organisation. Our focus is now on helping clients become more sustainable. We fully understand what needs to be done to achieve this and are transparent in our dealings.”

IN CONCLUSION

Mastertech’s evolution has ensured its capacity to manage projects of varying sizes. Shay McConnell concludes by saying, “Our ability and agility to respond promptly to clients’ unique requirements is one of our key strengths. Our team is the backbone of our success, and their dedication to their work motivates us to keep moving forward and expand our business.”

Build360.ie a revolutionary platform dedicated to promoting circular economy practices in the built environment sector

This year’s Circular Economy Hotspot Dublin 2023, a prestigious international event focused on sustainability, saw the launch of the new and innovative Build360 website (www.build360. ie). Build360, is a comprehensive platform dedicated to promoting circular economy practices in the built environment sector in Ireland - serving as a circular economy learning, information, and resource hub. It features an extensive repository of best practice resources available in various formats, including PDFs, videos, Excel tools, podcasts, and more.

The built environment sector is responsible for 40% of the total EU final energy consumption, approximately 35% of the EU GHG emissions, and accounts for half of all the extracted materials in the world (EC, 2020a). Additionally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) represent 25%-35% of all waste generated in the EU. In Ireland, there has been a clear correlation between construction output and CDW production, with estimates of 17.8 million tonnes in 2007 dropping to just over 3 million tonnes in 2014, mirroring the dramatic economic growth and subsequent sharp decline over that period.

The most recent EPA data from 2021 highlighted a significant increase of 2.6

million tonnes between 2018 and 2019 to a total figure of 8.8 million tonnes, which clearly demonstrates the significant challenges facing the sector and highlights the fragmentary and reactionary approach to waste prevention, resource efficiency and

circular economy principles across the value chain.

Dr Mark Kelly, Atlantic Technological University and one of the key partners in developing the Build360 website believes the industry needs support and guidance

in meeting these challenges that will require a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable approach underpinned by the circular economy principles of minimizing resource use, reuse (including refurbishment and repurposing), design out waste, design for optimisation (longevity, flexibility, adaptability, disassembly and recoverability), standardisation or modularisation, performance as a service, responsible design and construction (use of low impact materials, use of recycling content and secondary materials, reduce construction impacts).

The Build360 website aims to support industry professionals throughout the entire value chain, academics and students who wish to learn more about how they can drive and lead the transition towards a decarbonized circular economy. This initiative is a collaboration between the Build360 research group and the Galway-Mayo Centre for Sustainability in the Atlantic Technological University (ATU), the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices and is funded by the EPA through the Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN).

The Build360 website launch aligns strategically with the recent release of the Draft National Waste Management for Circular Economy report, which highlights that construction and demolition waste accounts for 58% of the total waste generated in Ireland.

To explore the Build360 website and access its wealth of resources, please visit www.build360.ie

About Dr Mark Kelly

Dr Mark Kelly is the Head of the ATU Galway-Mayo Centre for Sustainability and a Senior Lecturer in the ATU Galway-Mayo Department of Building and Civil Engineering. He leads the Build360 research group and has over 20 years of experience leading national projects on construction and demolition waste management, resource efficiency, education for sustainability and the circular economy.

Dr Mark Kelly is the Head of the ATU GalwayMayo Centre for Sustainability and a Senior Lecturer in the ATU Galway-Mayo Department of Building and Civil Engineering.

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IRISH CONSTRUCTION NEWS

TOP 20 MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS 2023

ROBBIE COUSINS, Editor, Irish Construction News, introduces the ‘Irish Construction News Top 20 Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Contractors 2023’ and explains how the list was compiled.

Irish Construction News is delighted to publish the Irish Construction News Top 20 Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Contractors 2023 listing. This is a snapshot of the overall Irish M&E sector at the end of 2022.

Over the past few years, Irish mechanical and electrical contractors have been making a significant impact both domestically and internationally. Many of them are earning a higher percentage of their income from their overseas projects each year. Their success can be very much attributed to relationships built with foreign direct investment clients in Ireland who then have contracted them to deliver in other countries. The delivery record of Irish M&E contractors in sectors such as data centres, life sciences and pharma has meant that they have built up unique expertise in these fields.

Irish M&E contractors have also been quick to innovate and set the standards for others to follow. This can be seen in the large number of successful M&E contractors that have made substantial investments in offsite fabrication facilities, as well as the care that is being taken by them to ensure that their teams are reaching their full potential through in-house career and personal development programmes.

Ireland’s Top 20 M&E Contractors 2023 had a combined turnover of €5.2bn in 2022, an increase of €700m on the €4.5bn in 2021. They recorded €2.5bn in exported services and €2.7bn in activity in Ireland. The entry figure for inclusion in this year’s Top 20 was €18.6m.

HOW THE TOP 20 MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS LISTING 2023 IS COMPILED

Foundation Media Ltd, the publisher of Irish Construction News and the constructionnews.ie, compiles the Irish Construction News Top 20 Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Contractors Listing 2023.

Contractors are listed according to their overall turnover figure (combined Irish and international) for their last trading year. We record each company’s Republic of Ireland (ROI) turnover and international turnover figure, where available. Turnover figures are sourced directly from contractors. Companies must have their primary business based in the Republic of Ireland to be included in the list.

Foundation Media contacted M&E contractors directly to request available turnover figures for the business year that concluded on 31st December 2022 or their business year-end that was closest to this date. All end-of-business-year dates are recorded in the entries.

The turnover figures requested must relate to Irish-based building contractors or Irish-based subsidiaries of foreign-based M&E contractors. Companies are also asked to return the overall turnover figures for business conducted in Ireland and internationally. This includes turnover related to direct overseas trade conducted by an Irish subsidiary of a foreign-based company. Each company making a return must have this return validated by a director of the business or accompanied by an auditor’s letter that verifies the returned figures. All returns received were checked and verified by the editor of Irish Construction News.

Rankings for inclusion in the Irish Construction News

Top 20 Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Contractors

Listing 2023 are based on the overall turnover figures supplied.

Bolands Mills, Dublin – Jones Engineering

Porterstown BESS, Co Kildare – Kirby Group Engineering.

Pipework on roof of Frankfurt data centre – Lynskey Engineering.

Bonham Quay, Galway – King & Moffatt.

Mercury is a European leader in construction solutions. The company builds and manages complex engineering and construction projects for the world’s leading corporations.

Mercury’s solutions help deliver technologies and life-changing advancements that connect people, communities, and businesses, giving them the power to achieve incredible things.

The company’s commitment to the client establishes the contractor as a strategic partner at the centre of everything, with a bold promise to always deliver. This dedication turns clients into partners and people into teams, building relationships that thrive.

50 YEARS IN BUSINESS

In 2022, Mercury marked its 50th year in business and undertook a comprehensive restructuring, which involved a significant update to core principles and capturing the views of the company’s key stakeholders in line with its ‘Beyond 50’ strategy.

Mercury’s core beliefs centre around four values: ‘Brave’, ‘Dynamic’, ‘Make it Happen’ and ‘Work Safe, Home Safe’. These principles

inform Mercury’s operations across key sectors in 13 countries.

Mercury is led by a multidisciplinary team of diverse individuals, steered by CEO Eoin Vaughan and a leadership team who are passionate about creating change. With a direct workforce of 3,700 people, Mercury’s teams possess a determination and sharp focus, which enables the company to deliver with certainty time and time again. Mercury

offers its people the chance to realise their full potential with challenging opportunities on leading-edge projects.

SAFETY AT MERCURY

Safety is Mercury’s anchor value, and the Work Safe, Home Safe mindset is firmly fixed in every individual, team, and rank throughout the company. It underpins its

delivery, training and processes and is a fundamental component of every facet of the business.

Mercury emphasises a behaviour-based approach to safety, which means that every individual across the company is responsible, and safety is embedded in their DNA.

SUSTAINABILITY AT MERCURY

The company has a strong commitment

1MERCURY

TOTAL TURNOVER: €1.7BN

ROI TURNOVER: €581M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €1.119BN

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Mercury House, Ravens Rock Road, Sandyford Business Estate, Dublin 18

PHONE: 01 216 3000

WEB: www.mercuryeng.com

KEY EXECUTIVES: Eoin Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer; Frank Quirk, Chief Operations Officer; Managing Directors: Alan Gorman, Alan Clinton, Rory O’Brien, Dermot Gildea, Colin Keane, Stephen O’Shea, Stefan Zöller, Tony Duddy; David Byrne, Pre-construction Director; Paul Carthy, Business Development Director; Joanne Cluxton, Group HR Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Specialist Contractor

to reducing its environmental footprint across operations as they build sustainable communities through the best practices in environmental, social and governance (ESG).

Mercury received a ‘B’ rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as well as achieving a silver badge of recognition from Ecovadis, highlighting a commitment to working in line with firm science-based carbon reduction targets. As an industry

leader, Mercury is passionate about inspiring decisive climate action across the construction sector.

Its clear strategic direction allows the company to harness the momentum built over the last 50 years to deliver success in the face of an ever-changing industry.

Mercury continues to drive change and transformation as a European leader in construction solutions.

JONES ENGINEERING

TOTAL

TURNOVER: €1.083BN

ROI TURNOVER: €663M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €420M

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Jones Engineering House, 83 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4.

PHONE: 01 474 9800

WEB: www.joneseng.com

LINKEDIN: Jones Engineering

TWITTER: @JonesEngHQ

KEY EXECUTIVES: William Harrison, Chair; Stephen McCabe, CEO; Shane Gillece, COO; Barry Gatenby CFO; Carmel Walsh, CPO.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical, Electrical, Process, Fire Protection Contractors and Offsite and Modular Construction.

Jones Engineering is a global engineering contractor headquartered in Dublin with operations throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the Middle East. It specialises in delivering multi-disciplined engineering contracts, offering a complete range of engineering and building services.

Jones Engineering’s skills, experience and commitment to excellence ensure the company delivers complex projects across a range of specialist sectors, including life sciences and healthcare; high-tech manufacturing; data centres; food and beverages; industrial and commercial; public; and renewable energy. The company is committed to ongoing innovation and expanding its presence into new areas of focus, such as hydrogen plants and battery manufacturing.

JONES ENGINEERING PEOPLE

Jones Engineering is an equal opportunities employer passionate about developing talent. Its most important asset is its people, and it is immensely proud of its talented workforce of over 4,000 individuals. The company is deeply committed to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusivity and respect within the workplace.

JONES ENGINEERING HISTORY

Jones Engineering has a rich history dating back to 1890 when the original company - HA O’Neil Ltd - was founded. From the Irish Civil War to the Covid-19 pandemic, Jones Engineering has endured through its commitment to excellence, innovation and the development of talent. Its success over the past 130 years can be attributed to this ethos and to its staff, many of whom have spent decades with the company.

Jones Engineering is led by a

management team, restructured in 2022, with long-serving staff at the helm. CEO Stephen McCabe has spent 36 years with the company. COO Shane Gillece is similarly experienced, having worked with Jones Engineering since 1989. The management team is focused on expansion of the company’s global offering alongside international partners and leading a culture of openness, inclusivity and excellence.

COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Jones Engineering has established a responsible business framework to manage its environmental and social impacts. The company has aligned its responsible business framework to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically:

• Good Health & Wellbeing

• Decent Work & Economic Growth

• Climate Action

• Industry Innovation & Infrastructure

• Reduced Inequalities

• Sustainable Cities & Communities

To make a difference in these areas,

Jones Engineering divides its sustainability work into four key pillars: ‘People’, ‘Planet’, ‘Products & Services’ and ‘Community’, with key themes under each. It is committed to continually assessing its sustainability policies and revising its ambitions.

COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION

Jones Engineering’s unwavering commitment to innovation drives it to stay at the forefront of technology and regulations. Recently, it made a significant investment in the NavVis VLX3 mobile mapping system, revolutionising its geo-survey division.

The NavVis VLX3 is a leading wearable mobile mapping solution, capturing detailed reality data for complex indoor and outdoor sites. Operators can comfortably scan at a walking pace, thanks to its precision SLAM technology.

This innovation benefits clients across all sectors and represents the future of mobile mapping, offering unparalleled data quality and faster turnarounds when integrated with Jones Engineering’s existing services like terrestrial laser scanning and drone lidar.

Taghart Wind Farm.

Bolands Mills, Dublin.

INTRODUCING

Firestone roofing, wall and lining systems are becoming Elevate. Our name may be changing, but the same people, products and standards you trust will remain.

Go to HolcimElevate.com for more information.

DORNAN GROUP

TOTAL TURNOVER: €468M

ROI TURNOVER: €150M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €318M

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: 10 Eastgate Avenue, Eastgate, Little Island, Cork.

PHONE: 021 233 0900

WEB: www.dornangroup.com

LINKEDIN: Dornan Engineering Ltd

TWITTER: @TheDornanGroup

KEY EXECUTIVES: Brian Acheson, Chief Executive Officer; Micheál O’Connor, Managing Director; Joe Conway, Head of Business Development, Ireland.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical, HVAC & Electrical Installation.

Dornan Group is a leading mechanical, electrical, and HVAC engineering and construction company renowned for its exceptional projects across various sectors in Europe. Overcoming the hurdles presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, Dornan has experienced a remarkable recovery, with 95% of projected turnover for 2023 already secured. The company’s primary focus lies in the data centre, life science and commercial sectors, which have shown significant growth across Europe.

Dornan’s investments in advanced integrated systems have seamlessly bridged the gap between locations, enabling real-time communication and immediate access to critical data, resulting in improved operations and successful project delivery. Examples include Dornan’s in-house capability of using animation to demonstrate timeline and construction sequence on projects, 4D capability and 360 walkthroughs.

SAFETY AT DORNAN

At the core of Dornan’s operations lies a firm commitment to safety. Its exceptional teams, comprising talented and diligent professionals, consistently go above and beyond to uphold the highest safety standards in every project. Its Project NorthStar won a Merit Award at the 2023 International Safety Awards.

Speaking about the awards, Micheál O’ Connor, Managing Director, Dornan Group, commented, “We are thrilled that Project NorthStar has been honoured with a prestigious Merit Award at the 2023 International Safety Awards. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to prioritising safety and ensuring the wellbeing of our colleagues. The merit award not only acknowledges Dornan’s dedication but also highlights our industry-leading efforts in maintaining a safe and secure working environment for team members.”

INSPIRING FUTURE ENGINEERS AND CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS

Committed to inspiring future generations, Dornan operates a STEM initiative that offers valuable learning experiences focused on engineering and construction, exposing students to real-world career opportunities. Additionally, Dornan is active in promoting gender diversity in the construction industry. The Woman@Dornan Network, established in 2021, celebrates the remarkable contributions of women in engineering and construction, showcasing role models and empowering others.

Dornan places its greatest hope in the next generation, envisioning its ability to innovate sustainable solutions and shape a greener world for all.

A ‘GREAT PLACE TO WORK’

Dornan also has been recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and among Ireland’s Best Employers, showcasing its commitment to fostering an exceptional work environment where team members can thrive. Furthermore, Dornan’s UK team achieved the prestigious GOLD accreditation in the ‘Investors in Wellbeing’ section by IIP. Dornan is delighted to have received these accolades, which recognise its commitment to excellence in people management, leadership, and continuous improvement.

Dornan Group team after receiving the Merit Award for Project NorthStar at the 2023 International Safety Awards.

Kirby Group Engineering is a privately owned Irish firm with an enduring reputation for delivering world-class projects and real value for its clients.

Started by Tom and Michael Kirby in Limerick in 1964, the company directly employs over 1,400 staff across Europe, with total revenues of €454m.

Kirby is a leading provider of mechanical and electrical engineering contracting services, as well as specialist power (high voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV)) design and construction services, with clients across sectors including life sciences, industrial, renewables and data centres.

Since its establishment almost 60 years ago, Kirby Group Engineering has consistently stayed true to its core values of ‘People’, ‘Safety’, ‘Quality’, ‘Delivery’ and ‘Value’.

RECENT PROJECTS

Kirby provides its engineering and construction services to the world’s leading companies.

Some of the recent projects in Kirby’s portfolio include many large-scale leading-edge data centre projects for confidential clients, world-leading semiconductor projects and a number of major life science projects. Within its power division, Kirby recently delivered key technologically advanced battery storage projects and numerous electrical substations, as well as work on key interconnector/ distribution projects.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Kirby has embraced the possibilities of digitisation within engineering, using state-of-the-art 3D technology to facilitate off-site manufacturing wherever possible. This has enhanced quality and safety as well as offering a more efficient and cost-effective service to its valued clients. To this end, the company has appointed Mark Danaher, Associate Director – BIM/ Technical Services, to head up a large-scale transformation of practices, which will include the rollout of software to centralise information, the creation of a data environment at Kirby, the implementation of AI as an IT support system for staff, and the further development of Kirby’s digital

4

KIRBY GROUP ENGINEERING

TOTAL TURNOVER: €454.1M

ROI TURNOVER: €269.3M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €184.8M

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick.

PHONE: 061 226060

WEB: www.kirbygroup.com

LINKEDIN: Kirby Group Engineering

TWITTER: @KirbyGroupEng

KEY EXECUTIVES: Mark Flanagan, Group Managing Director; Jimmy Kirby, Executive Chairman; Henry McCann, Group Operations Director; Derry McMahon, Group Finance Director and Company Secretary; Conor O’Brien, Group Commercial Director; Aidan J Kerins, Group Business Development Director; John Grogan, Group Engineering Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering.

construction hub.

Mark Danahar’s new role is one of a range of senior appointments announced in 2022.

KIRBY BURSARY

To run alongside other schemes for nurturing talent, such as its successful apprenticeship and graduate programmes, Kirby introduced a bursary programme in 2022. The company awarded bursaries to four female students at third-level institutions across Ireland as part of its ongoing drive towards gender diversity in the fields of engineering and construction. The bursary scheme was open to women studying electrical, mechanical or building services engineering. This offers academic scholarships, along with paid placements on some of Kirby’s international projects with mentorship and guidance from senior engineers.

COMMUNITY

Kirby has a strong history of leading community and charity projects, and September 2022 saw the inaugural Kirby Way Cycle, a mega-charity event that involved 180 cyclists setting off from Kirby’s headquarters in Limerick and cycling to Dublin via Galway. Participants included employees, friends, families, clients, and supply chain partners. It raised almost €500,000 for Kirby’s chosen charities; the Galway-based National Breast Cancer Research Institute and Self-Help Africa.

Continuing its tradition of supporting those in need, Kirby donated more than €100,000 to charities in Ireland and abroad last Christmas, with Focus Ireland, UNICEF, The Society of St Vincent de Paul and Cliona’s Foundation the recipients of €50,000, €25,000, €15,000, and €12,000, respectively.

Commenting on the company’s achievements and projects, Mark Flanagan, Group Managing Director, Kirby, said, “We’re immensely proud of the huge strides we have made in the past 12 months, not just in terms of delivering top-quality services to clients globally across sectors such as data centres, industrial, life sciences and energy, but also in terms of the ongoing drive towards fostering an inclusive workplace where every staff member feels part of a sustainable, dynamic and progressive team. The camaraderie witnessed at our hugely successful Kirby Way Cycle in September, and our business results across Europe are testament to that.”

Female recipients of the Kirby bursaries in 2022.

The Kirby Way Cycle.

Porterstown 30MV Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, Co Kildare.

Suir Engineering is a European contractor with nearly 40 years of experience delivering mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (M, E&I) services. It is a leader in its fields in Europe, employing 1,500 direct employees and an expected turnover of over €400m in 2023.

The sectors in which Suir Engineering operates include data centres, energy power & renewables, pharmaceutical and food & beverage.

SUIR ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Suir Engineering’s recurring customers, both in Ireland and overseas, account for the majority of its business. Suir continuously examines each client’s operations to better comprehend their specific needs and sets in place the structures that will enable it to do so.

Recent projects in Ireland include its Castlelost Flexgen project, STATCOM projects, a Kilkenny cheese plant and Abbott Liberty facility. In the UK, its recent works include a Botly 50MW BESS and data-centre fit-out for a confidential client. On mainland Europe, its work includes a FRA12 project and data centre fit-outs in Germany, CPH07 and Project Wildcat in Denmark, and data centre fit-outs for major blue chip data centre clients in Sweden.

John Kelly, who just assumed the role of CEO at Suir Engineering, will guide the company in positioning itself for the future and the enormous growth prospects that the company has while ensuring that it continues to deliver the high standards of performance that its

5

SUIR ENGINEERING

TOTAL TURNOVER: €313.1M

ROI TURNOVER: €242.1M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €71M

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Unit 9A Cleaboy Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, Waterford.

PHONE: 051 359500

WEB: www.suireng.ie

LINKEDIN: Suir Engineering

FACEBOOK: Suir Engineering

INSTAGRAM: Suir Engineering

KEY EXECUTIVES: John Kelly, CEO; Ronan Tyrrell, Finance Director; Fintan McCleane, Commercial Director; Patrick Aylward, Operations Director; Joe Lavin, Operations Director; John Flynn, Region Director; Mark Duffy, Scandinavian Region Director; Claire Cusack, HR Director; Andrew Norris, Quality, EHS and Continuous Improvement Director; David Phelan, Business Development Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Process Engineering.

customers have come to expect.

SUIR ENGINEERING PEOPLE

The foundation of Suir Engineering’s success as a company is its workforce. Every member of the team at Suir Engineering is respected and encouraged to accept personal responsibility and given support to grow to reach their full potential. Suir Engineering has a great history of retaining employees and developing talent from an apprentice level to directorships.

INNOVATION AT SUIR ENGINEERING

One of Suir’s guiding principles as a business is innovation. The efficiency of Suir Engineering’s organisation has been enhanced by digitalisation and innovation.

The contractor is a strong proponent of the paperless construction site, and its resources include BIM, off-site fabrication and manufacturing, and lean construction. These technologies, along with modern methods of construction, allow it to realise projects faster, more efficiently and more cost-effectively, with added benefits for a greener future due to reduced energy use, improved reductions in waste and increased efficiency through modern technologies.

This is a clear advantage for its customers, partners and the company. These innovations have also had the benefit of driving continuous improvement across the company in safety, quality, employee job satisfaction and the reduction of its carbon footprint.

HEALTH & SAFETY AT SUIR ENGINEERING

The health and safety of Suir Engineering staff is a crucial pillar of the contractor’s critical success factors. Suir Engineering has established, documented, implemented, and maintains its integrated quality, environmental and health and safety management system, and it strives to continually improve the system’s effectiveness in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018. This enables Suir Engineering to provide safe and healthy workplaces, prevent work-related injury and ill health of workers, and continually improve its OH&S performance.

Our services

We offer years of experience shaping concrete and cutting holes and conduits in solid floors and walls

Diamond Core Drilling

Wire Sawing

Concrete Cutting Walls

Concrete Cutting Floors

Wall Chasing

Brokk Remote Demolition

About Us

Ralkore Ltd is a company specialist in core drilling and concrete cutting services

Based in Dublin, Ireland, we are able to provide nationwide services, including the North of Ireland, and also UK, 24 hours a day and 7 days per week.

HIGH QUALITY GUARANTEED

Founded in 1992, Designer Group is now a leading innovative and sustainable provider of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering solutions. The business provides trusted MEP expertise for clients on an international scale, across Ireland, the UK, Europe, Africa and North America, with a client base spread over 14 sectors, including data centres and life sciences.

As a trusted and reliable partner of choice, Designer Group has delivered challenging projects across the data centre, life sciences, industrial, manufacturing, commercial, sustainability, infrastructure and energy sectors. Designer Group’s outstanding people, with the quality of its delivery and personable approach, have built its longstanding reputation in the industry.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

Designer Group employs an exceptional and engaged team of more than 1,000 people. Underpinning its people approach are its core values of ‘Safe’, ‘Trust’, ‘Respect’, ‘Challenge’, and ‘Deliver’. These values set the tone for everything it delivers for clients and people.

Designer Group promotes a strong culture of learning and development, most recently launching its group-wide ‘Performance Excellence’ appraisal programme, designed to support employee progression and development. It is recruiting and developing apprentices, graduate engineers and surveyors to support its growth plans while continuing to invest in its award-winning DG Training Academy.

Further proof of Designer Group’s successful investment in its people is the achievement of being the first contractor ever to be awarded the NISO Supreme Safety Award two years running, as well as the large number of repeat business opportunities it has secured over the years, recognition from clients for the quality of the Designer Group team.

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE

Designer Group is committed to reaching net zero carbon by 2035 and has a dedicated team supporting the delivery of its sustainability strategy. The business has been involved in a number of cuttingedge renewable energy projects, supporting a cleaner energy future

DESIGNER GROUP

TOTAL TURNOVER: €220M (ESTIMATED)

ROI TURNOVER: €120M (Estimated)

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €100M (Estimated)

YEAR-END: 31/03/2023

ADDRESS: Clyde House, IDA Blanchardstown Business and Technology Park, Snugborough Road, Dublin 15.

PHONE: 01 860 0520

WEB: www.designergrp.com

LINKEDIN: Designer Group

KEY EXECUTIVES: Michael Stone, Chief Executive Officer; Paul Nicholls, ROI & International Managing Director; Paul Waugh, UK Managing Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

through the design and building of complex infrastructure, including completing the construction of three large biomass facilities in Africa. These plants now operate 24/7, 365 days a year, delivering significant reductions for its client’s carbon footprint.

Designer Group is always seeking to push the boundaries in delivering sustainable, innovative environments. It utilises the latest building information modelling (BIM) technology, and it works from the assumption that all of its services can be prefabricated.

DELIVERING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Designer Group’s latest international milestone projects include expansion into the Nordics and North America, adding to its global presence. It is currently delivering the second and third phases of a mission-critical 36MW data centre facility in Norway and is close to the completion of another data centre project in Sweden.

The group has also recently commenced a significant biomass project and supporting infrastructure in Mexico.

In the UK, its growth plans are well underway to substantially increase work in the aviation sector, and the completion of the One Nine Elms landmark towers in late 2023 will reaffirm its reputation for delivering the tallest residential towers in Europe, using cuttingedge prefabrication technology for leaner, greener and safer operations.

The group is poised for further growth in the life sciences and industrial sectors, having recently completed work on a number of large pharmaceutical and related clean-room projects.

DESIGNER GROUP VISION

Designer Group has a compelling vision, and with its recently approved growth strategy being implemented at pace by the leadership team, it has an exceptionally strong, committed order book with existing and new clients.

Looking ahead, Paul Nicholls, ROI & International Managing Director, Designer Group, says: “I am delighted to be leading Designer Group at this exciting time. We have a dynamic growth strategy and a superb team, which is grounded by our company values, focused every day on delivering for our clients.”

DHAS Data Centre Phase 1, Norway.

Electrical and instrumentation installation contractor STS Group employs over 1,600 staff working across some of the world’s most prestigious projects within the life sciences, data centre, energy, and food & beverage sectors.

STS GROUP MARKETS

The data centre market has remained stable, with STS Group clients pushing ahead to build additional phases across existing campuses along with new developments both domestically and internationally.

Life sciences has seen phenomenal growth over the past several years, with 2022 seeing continued spend on new production facilities and capacity expansion programmes for vaccine production. Gene therapy is another critical area of growth, mainly throughout mainland Europe, with some large-scale investments made by companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb and Johnson and Johnson. Last year, STS Group commenced work in the Netherlands on a large-scale cell gene therapy facility for a leading blue-chip multinational that, when built, will be the largest of its kind in Europe.

STS Group has a healthy order book of work and continues work on multiple data centre projects domestically and internationally with some of the most recognised US-headquartered technology brands.

Cork remains a strong hub for life sciences, with small, medium and large projects in Blarney, Little Island and Ringaskiddy for leading healthcare brands.

In 2022, STS Group entered the Austrian market and is currently working on data centre projects in Vienna, with further opportunities to expand the business with additional spend tipped for the sector in the region. Similar to previous new regions entered, STS Group’s model is to expand operations in EMEA by leveraging capital projects and utilising that opportunity as a springboard for further in-country development both with new clients and sectors.

TECHNOLOGY

STS Group has kept abreast of developments and opportunities associated with adopting modern methods of construction (MMC) and digital technology by further developing its internal BIM capability, most recently receiving ISO 19650-2:2018 accreditation in 2022.

As more clients seek to utilise off-site construction, STS Group has continued to expand off-site prefabrication/construction facilities to

6 SPECIALIST TECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES (STS GROUP)

TOTAL TURNOVER: €220M

ROI TURNOVER: €73M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €147M

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Block10a, Cleaboy Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, Waterford.

PHONE: 051 508 009

WEB: www.stsgroup.ie

LINKEDIN: Specialist Technical Services (STS Group)

KEY EXECUTIVES: Richie Hogan, Managing Director; Liam Linehan, Business Development Director; Terry Kelleher, Finance Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Electrical and Instrumentation Installation Contractor.

meet these needs with facilities in both Dublin and Cork.

STS Group has continued its lean journey with all management and supervision undertaking lean training to understand the tools associated with reducing waste and improving project delivery. A recent initiative included the creation and rollout of bespoke STS Group Last Planner boards.

SUSTAINABILITY

STS Group recognises that the company’s activities have an impact on the environment, and, with that, it is committed to protecting the environment, preventing pollution and enhancing its environmental performance. Through implementing an environmental management system, STS Group works to prevent pollution and protect the natural environment from harm and damage as a result of its activities, along with improving its waste management practices.

STS GROUP STAFF

While resources remain a challenge across the industry, STS Group’s direct hire model and large workforce means the company is strategically pursuing opportunities where capacity is becoming available to alleviate exposure to the issue.

Health, safety, and wellbeing are central to the STS Group culture. With the pressures of the modern world ongoing, STS Group recognised the importance of supporting its employees and offers a comprehensive wellbeing programme that is active throughout the year. This year, for National Workplace Wellbeing Day, STS Group hosted a healthy breakfast for all of its employees to drive home the importance of eating well and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Events like this are scheduled on a regular basis throughout the year.

STS Group is committed to a culture of inclusion. The company has a diverse staff, across all age ranges, from young people entering trades to people at senior management level with four decades of experience.

During Pride Month, STS Group showcases its programmes to promote and support diversity in the workplace. STS Group launches a companywide awareness campaign for Pride Month each year whereby employees across the group come together to enjoy a coffee morning with doughnuts inspired by the iconic rainbow flag to learn about its origin, what it represents and why it is celebrated in June.

King & Moffatt Building Services is an award-winning mechanical and electrical contractor with over 400 directlyemployed personnel. It has over 45 years of experience in the building services industry and an annual group turnover of over €155m.

The company’s mission is to be the mechanical, electrical and process (MEP) partner of choice to key clients in all locations and sectors it operates in by providing efficient design, installation and maintenance services on all their sites and connected assets. It works closely as a partner with clients to ensure completion on time, within budget and to each client’s satisfaction.

King & Moffatt is certified to ISO9001 Quality Management Standard, ISO14001 Environmental Management Standard, ISO45001 Health & Safety Standard, and is Safe-T-Cert accredited.

KING & MOFFATT IRISH PROJECTS

The contractor has great experience in logistics, food, pharma, data centre, and advanced manufacturing sector projects and fully

KING & MOFFATT BUILDING SERVICES

TOTAL TURNOVER: €155M

ROI TURNOVER: €48M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €107M

YEAR-END: 30/06/22

ADDRESS: Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

PHONE: 071 962 0378

WEB: www.kingmoffatt.com

LINKEDIN: King and Moffatt Group

KEY EXECUTIVES: Pat King, Group Managing Director; Brendan Sweeney, Group Chief Operations Officer.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Design, Installation and Maintenance of Mechanical and Electrical Services, Offsite Prefabrication.

understands the complexities and challenges of delivering these projects. It is also involved in high-profile Irish projects, such as Unit E, Baldonnell, Dublin; Bonham Quay, Galway; Technimark, Longford; LIDL RDC Mullingar; North City Civic Depot, Dublin; and Unit 4, Quantum Logistics Park, Co Dublin.

KING & MOFFATT UK PROJECTS

In the United Kingdom (UK), King & Moffatt has been involved in a number of major projects over the past year, such as the Alexander Stadium redevelopment in Birmingham, which was used last summer for the Commonwealth Games. Other significant projects include SmartParc Derby, Slough Data Centre, Pinewood Studios and LIDL RDC Luton, which is King & Moffatt’s largest project to date.

King & Moffatt is also a finalist in two UK awards this past year; MEP Specialist of the Year and Specialist Project of the Year (Value over £5m) in the Construction News Specialist Awards 2023, which celebrates the best specialist contractors in the UK.

KING & MOFFATT EUROPEAN PROJECTS

King & Moffatt continues to view mainland Europe as a strategically important market for the company. It has been active on multiple data-centre sites in Frankfurt over the past 12 months, as well as several other logistics and hospitality sector projects around Germany.

INNOVATION AT KING & MOFFATT

King & Moffatt’s two newest companies, King & Moffatt Offsite and King & Moffatt Connected, continue to go from strength to strength. These companies greatly strengthen the group’s design, build and maintenance offerings – with a particular focus on critical areas such as BIM, offsite prefabrication, and facilities management.

The contractor’s Carrick-on-Shannon offsite campus totals 40,000 sq feet, including a training facility and is specially fitted out for mechanical and electrical prefabrication. The team at its offsite facility delivers offsite prefabricated MEP solutions to its contracting businesses day-in-day-out in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. Its offsite MEP solutions improve the speed of delivery, safety, and quality.

Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

Bonham Quay, Galway.

Founded in 1972, Radley Engineering celebrated 50 years in business last year as one of Ireland’s leading mechanical engineering companies.

Radley Engineering has a track record in delivering projects across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, oil/gas, pharmaceutical, biopharma and food/dairy.

Radley’s wide range of services includes:

• Process and utility pipework fabrication and installation

• Process equipment rigging and installation services

• Process vessel fabrication and installation

• High purity systems, including passivation and soft part change out

• Off-site manufacturing (OSM)

• Managing multi-disciplined subcontractors, including HVAC, scaffolding, cranage, insulation, painting, NDT, etc

• Commissioning support.

9

RADLEY ENGINEERING

TOTAL TURNOVER:

ROI TURNOVER: €84,767,599

€86,955,871

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €2,188,272

YEAR-END: 31/07/2022

ADDRESS: Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

PHONE: 058 41199

WEB: www.radleyeng.com

LINKEDIN: Radley Engineering Ltd

KEY EXECUTIVES: John Radley, Managing Director; Thomas Radley, Managing Director; Brian Gill, Finance Director; Kevin Walsh, General Manager/Director; Caimin Radley, Projects Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical Manufacturing, Fabrication, and Installation.

RADLEY ENGINEERING CLIENTS

Radley Engineering is a customer-focused company that has delivered and continues to deliver critical projects to its clients. Its client list includes many leading multinational corporations that it collaborates with on design and engineering through early contract engagement. Radley Engineering encourages and promotes early contractor engagement, modular design, and an integrated project delivery (IPD) approach by offering modular construction experience to maximise off-site manufacturing (OSM) opportunities for its clients. Its goal is to enhance safety, quality, cost and scheduling during the construction and turnover phase of clients’ projects.

Most of Radley Engineering’s business comes from repeat clients in Ireland and Europe. Recent projects include pharmaceutical projects for Regeneron in Limerick, Eli-Lilly in Kinsale, Bio-Cork in Ringaskiddy and MSD at its Carlow and Ballydine sites.

MSL ENGINEERING LTD

TOTAL TURNOVER:

ROI TURNOVER: €69M

€77M

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €8M

YEAR-END: 31/03/2023

ADDRESS: Ringport Business Park, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

PHONE: 021 451 3550

WEB: www.mslengineering.ie

LINKEDIN: MSL Engineering Ltd

YOUTUBE: MSL Engineering

KEY EXECUTIVES: Brian McGrath, Managing Director; Leonard Cronin, Operations Director; Paul Coughlan, Engineering Director; Kevin O Sullivan, Commercial Director; Dave Ronan, Projects Director; Conor McGrath, Production Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical Engineers and Contractors.

MSL Engineering Ltd is a full-service mechanical engineering contractor operating across a wide range of industry sectors. With over 40 years of expertise and a flexible project management approach, MSL delivers best-in-class projects utilising BIM and modular fabrication processes to the highest standards of workmanship, safety, quality and reliability.

MSL SERVICES

Founded in 1979, MSL Engineering specialises in the fabrication and installation of process, utility and high-purity pipework, platforms and steelwork, and equipment installation across many industry sectors.

MSL’s service offering includes modular fabrication and assemblies, managing multi-discipline subcontractors including HVAC, scaffold, craneage, insulation, painting, NDT, etc, while utilising BIM and 3D modelling design processes.

MSL MARKETS

With a workforce of over 700 people, MSL has grown to become one of the leading players in an industry that has seen parallel growth in the pharmaceutical, biopharma, semiconductor, chemical, oil and gas, energy, data centre and food & beverage sectors.

Originally established to provide craft support to the fledgling but now defunct NET plant in Marino Point, Cork, over time, the business expanded its client base and developed a reputation for reliability, engineering excellence, and the ability to get the job done.

Retaining the roots of the original founders of the business, the company is a wholly owned Irish entity and has organically evolved from providing support services to local industry to a position where it now competes successfully for large-scale engineering projects and provides a full range of engineering and constructability solutions to clients throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Working in inherently hazardous industries, the business has always taken an uncompromising approach to safety. This can be seen in its high standards and long-standing safety record, its ISO45001accredited safety management system and its behavioural safetybased systems of work.

MSL’s desire to continuously improve to stay ahead of the competitive curve has led it to identify and invest in new business processes in recent years. As a result, the company significantly

increased turnover and expanded its area of operation to include the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark.

EARLY CONTRACTOR ENGAGEMENT

MSL encourages and promotes early contractor engagement and an integrated project delivery (IPD) approach by offering modular design and modular construction experience to maximise offsite manufacturing and fabrication (OSM) opportunities for clients.

The company’s investment in digital technologies means MSL continuously improves its BIM offering to clients and its digital project delivery (DPD) capabilities.

Reflecting strong growth, MSL has invested in a modern 140,000-sq-foot fabrication facility in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. This new facility, adjacent to the newly relocated Port of Cork, includes a large-scale modular fabrication workshop, a piping fabrication workshop and an 8,000-sq-foot clean piping workshop. This enables MSL to continue to service all its existing clients and expand and develop relationships with new clients in Ireland and abroad.

Brian McGrath, Managing Director, MSL, comments, “Our focus in developing a standard of performance is to ensure all MSL personnel are empowered to achieve their full potential and are recognised for doing so. Our performance standard defines how well each function or task must be performed in order to meet or exceed expectations, thus, ensuring our standards are best in class.”

With continued growth, a new modern fabrication facility, ISOaccredited management systems in Safety (ISO45001), Quality (ISO9001), and Environmental (ISO18001), and investment in new innovative business processes, MSL Engineering Ltd continues to challenge itself to deliver the highest standard of service that it believes is deserved and expected by its clients.

MSL’s Engineering’s Port of Cork facilities.

BMD & COMPANY LTD

TOTAL TURNOVER: €68.1M

ROI TURNOVER: €68.1M

YEAR-END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: 8 Eastgate Avenue, Little Island, Cork, T45NF24.

PHONE: 021 486 9500

WEB: www.bmd.ie

LINKEDIN: BMD Co Ltd

KEY EXECUTIVES: Kevin McCarthy, Managing Director; Paul Keegan, Offsite Manufacturing Director; Kieran Murphy, Director, Munster Region; Kevin McKiernan, Director, Eastern Region; Dominic O’Sullivan, Engineering Director Kieran Horgan, Finance Director/Company Secretary; Frank O’Keeffe, Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Process Mechanical Contractor.

With almost 50 years as one of Ireland’s leading mechanical engineering companies, BMD & Company Limited (BMD) has a track record of delivering projects across a wide range of industries, including life sciences, semiconductors and chemicals.

BMD is a customer-focused, solution-driven company that has delivered and continues to deliver mission-critical projects to its clients.

BMD SERVICES

BMD’s wide range of services includes:

• Process equipment rigging and installation services

• Process and utility pipework fabrication and installation

• High-purity systems and specialist services, including passivation

• Off-site manufacturing (OSM)

• Mechanical design services (LOD 200 to LOD500)

• Production and utility plant maintenance services.

BMD’s client list includes many leading multinational corporations. It also collaborates with its customers’ design and engineering partners on early engagement activities to accelerate project programmes.

BUSINESS UPDATE

BMD continues to experience strong growth across the business, which is primarily driven by large-scale capital projects in Leinster and Munster regions.

It continues to build out its management team with the recent internal promotion of Tony O’Keeffe to the role of estimating and business development manager, the hiring of Dominic O’Sullivan into the engineering director role and most recently the hiring of Gráinne Hegarty for the company’s HR management position.

These appointees each bring a wealth of experience to their roles, and BMD is delighted to have such talented people choosing BMD as the company where they can advance their careers.

Lilly biotech production facility in Kinsale. Greenfield production facility, Portlaoise.

BMD cleanroom facility.

CJK ENGINEERING

TOTAL TURNOVER: €62,105,417

ROI TURNOVER: €62,105,417

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Unit 1 The Business Centre, Stadium Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 11.

PHONE: 01 882 9700

WEB: www.cjkengineering.ie

LINKEDIN: CJK

TWITTER: @CJKEngineering

KEY EXECUTIVES: Vincent Bruen, Managing Director; Eamonn Thornton, Operations Director; Aidan Bird, Pre-Construction Director; Conor Kearney, Executive Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering.

CJK Engineering is an Irish-owned mechanical and electrical services contractor established in 1998. Based in Dublin, the company has steadily expanded its operations over the past 25 years and employs 350 people.

CJK’s success results from its dedication to building lasting relationships and a commitment to excellence in the data centre, industrial, pharmaceutical, public and commercial sectors. It partners with private clients, electrical consulting engineers, building contractors, architects and quantity surveyors to deliver best-in-class mechanical and electrical services.

In 2021, CJK acquired McGrattan and Kenny, a mechanical services contractor, in a move that will lead to 100 new roles being created to bring the group’s headcount to 400 people by 2025.

CJK ENGINEERING PROJECTS

CJK’s portfolio of recent and current projects includes the completion of several pharmaceutical and industrial projects for clients Amgen, MSD and Takeda, as well as works for Dublin Airport, Facebook, Beaumont Hospital, VHI and the OPW and the new 205,000-sq foot Garda HQ in Dublin city centre.

CJK ENGINEERING STAFF

CJK Engineering is led by a multidisciplinary senior management team from diverse backgrounds, steered by managing director Vincent Bruen. They embody CJK’s values and are committed to attracting, retaining and progressing talent within CJK.

CJK Engineering lives by its values – People, Respect, Energy, Quality and Knowledge – and these values form the foundation of how its management team grows the organisation. As a result, CJK has a reputation for its unique culture underpinned by its commitment to its employees.

13

LYNSKEY ENGINEERING LTD

TOTAL TURNOVER: €54,100,000

ROI TURNOVER: €29,830,000

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €24,270,000

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Dartmouth House, Kylemore Road, Dublin 10.

PHONE: 01 460 1556

WEB: www.lynskeyeng.ie

LINKEDIN: Lynskey Engineering Ltd

KEY EXECUTIVES: Sean McElligott, Managing Director; Kevin Carolan, Company Secretary; John Brierton, Director; Bernard Corrigan, Director; Noel Gavin, Director; Eamonn Heery, Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical Engineering.

Lynskey Engineering Ltd, founded in 1964, is one of Ireland’s leading mechanical engineering contractors. It has a reputation for quality installations delivered on time and within budget.

Lynskey operates on the basis of delivering quality design, construction, installation and maintenance of mechanical systems within Ireland and mainland Europe, and in the process building sustainable relationships with clients, its supply chain, employees and site teams to deliver class-leading projects in a spirit of cooperation.

LYNSKEY ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Lynskey Engineering provides services to a broad range of sectors, including data centres, industrial facilities, commercial developments, retail, healthcare and hotels.

During 2022, 45% of the group’s turnover was from outside of Ireland. Overseas work took place in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and France. In Germany, Lynskey has undertaken some of its largest projects and has had a continuous presence there since 2010. The company is scheduled to reach substantial completion on a 27MW data centre in Frankfurt at the end of 2023 and completed a large hotel in Mannheim during 2022.

Recently completed projects include data centres in Ireland, Germany and the UK; a landmark store for Primark in Belfast; and a major extension to Kerrygold Park in Mitchelstown.

Current projects include data centres in Ireland and Germany; Four Park Place (a 22,000-sq-metre Grade-A office development); Blackrock clinic extensions; Integer medical devices facility, Galway; retail developments in France, Poland and Ireland; and a power generation plant in Dublin.

MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION

As part of an industry move towards MMC, the proportion of Lynskey projects being undertaken off site is increasing. Off-site fabrication is yielding improvements in the timescales for project delivery, while quality is being improved by moving fabrication off site.

Facebook offices, Dublin 4.

600mm pipe at roof level on a Frankfurt data centre.

& ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

14 LEO LYNCH TOTAL TURNOVER: €48M

ROI TURNOVER: €48M

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: 16 Fonthill Industrial Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

PHONE: 01 626 1144

WEB: www.leolynch.com

LINKEDIN: Leo Lynch

KEY EXECUTIVES: Philip Smith, Managing Director; Karl Brennan, Financial Director; Ciaran O’Donnell, Business Development Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical & Process/Mechanical Engineering Services.

Leo Lynch was established in 1956 and is one of Ireland’s leading mechanical and process-mechanical engineering contractors. Operating from its headquarters in Fonthill, Clondalkin, with off-site manufacturing facilities in Naas and Kilkenny, Leo Lynch provides high-quality construction services to the biopharma, microelectronics, data centre, medical technology, food & beverage and commercial sectors.

It takes pride in delivering a quality, value-added, safe service and building long-lasting client relationships through teamwork, cooperation and delivery of a world-class service. It has worked with many of its clients for over 25 years, including most of the top multinational organisations operating in Ireland.

LEO LYNCH CLIENTS

Long-term clients include Pfizer, Alexion, BMS, SK biotek, Alkermes, Astellas, Diageo, Takeda, Glanbia, IPUT, Analog Devices, Tyndall National Institute and a confidential major semiconductor manufacturer. Ciaran O’Donnell, Business Development Director, Leo Lynch, comments, “Existing, repeat-business clients are a mainstay of the business and are truly valued.”

BIM INVESTMENT

Philip Smith, Managing Director, Leo Lynch, comments, “Our ongoing investment in BIM tools and our design team has transformed how we work and is generating significant benefits for our clients and Leo Lynch. We use Navisworks, iConstruct, CADWork and other packages as part of the scanning, design and client modelling process.”

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

Leo Lynch’s next phase of development will see it expand into the UK and mainland Europe. Philip Smith explains, “Cathexis Holdings, a US-based investment house made a major investment in the business in 2022. This will greatly boost our expansion plans for the UK and Europe.

15 TRITECH GROUP TOTAL TURNOVER: €39.5M

ROI TURNOVER: €39.5M

YEAR END: 31/08/2022

ADDRESS: Clonlara House, Clonlara Road, Baldonnell Business Park, Dublin 22.

PHONE: 01 413 1000

WEB: www.tritech.ie

LINKEDIN: Tritech Group

KEY EXECUTIVES: Joe Delaney, Managing Director; Peter Keane, Maintenance & QEHS Director; Fergal Reilly, Electrical Director; Chris Duffy, Electrical Operations Director; Stephen Keane, Mechanical Operations Director; Barry Kennedy, Pre Construction Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical, Electrical and Maintenance Engineering Contracting.

Tritech is a mechanical, electrical and maintenance contractor that was founded in 1999.

The company has an enviable reputation for providing specialist mechanical and electrical engineering services, which is reflected in its year-on-year strong growth.

Having ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System accreditation across all service divisions has enabled it to demonstrate that it has an independently verified and structured approach to completing projects to the highest standards.

Tritech is continually evaluating new products, technologies and innovative solutions in service execution so as to exceed expectations while delivering quality and value.

The company’s success is based on the extensive experience of its highly skilled staff.

The senior management team, many of whom have come through the Tritech system, nurtures a corporate culture that respects and embraces diversity and facilitates each employee in becoming the best at what they do and a respected member of the Tritech family. To this end, Tritech also provides continuing professional development for its staff through accredited training courses.

Tritech managing director Joe Delaney says that Tritech’s mission is to deliver complex engineering projects that deliver on building optimisation. “We do this while, at the same time, building strong relationships with our clients and forging solid working partnerships with design team members and real estate professionals.”

He continues, “What keeps this two-pronged mission on course are our five guiding principles: People, Process, Performance, Partnering and Prevention. The first of the five Ps – People – is the most important part of our business. Without the trust and respect of our clients, our partners, and most importantly, our staff, we could not do what we do so well.”

Recent projects completed by Tritech include Staycity Aparthotels Little Mary Street, Dublin; a mission-critical data centre for Elavon; St Mary’s Hospital, Dublin; Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, St James Hospital, Dublin; Amgen facility upgrades; and The Reflector Building, Hanover Quay, Dublin.

Dublin Airport Authority Terminal 2 Energy Centre.

St Mary’s Hospital annexe building, Dublin.

17

WELTEC

TOTAL TURNOVER:

€30,001,373

ROI TURNOVER: €26,700,564

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Six Cross Roads

16

BUTTIMER

TOTAL TURNOVER:

€30,785,702

ROI TURNOVER: €13,940,756

INTERNATIONAL TURNOVER: €16,844,946

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Cahir Business Park, Cahir, Co

Business Park, Waterford.

PHONE: 051 594000

WEB: www.weltec.ie

LINKEDIN: Weltec Engineering.

TWITTER: @WeltecEng

KEY EXECUTIVES: Ger O’Leary, Managing Director; Shane Ryan, Operations Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical, Electrical, Process Engineering

18

ROCKWELL ENGINEERING

TOTAL TURNOVER: €24.7M

ROI TURNOVER: €24.7M

19

T BOURKE LTD

TOTAL TURNOVER: €23M

ROI TURNOVER: €23M

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: T22 Maple Avenue,

Stillorgan Industrial Park, Co Dublin.

PHONE: 01 295 2721

WEB: www.tbourke.com

LINKEDIN: T Bourke & Co Limited

KEY EXECUTIVES: Niall Bourke, Managing Director; David Bourke, Operations Director; David Doherty, Business Development Director; Patrick O’Reilly, Financial Controller.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

20

MASTERTECH GROUP LTD

TOTAL TURNOVER:

€18,599,973

ROI TURNOVER: €18,599,973

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

Tipperary.

PHONE: 052 744 1377

WEB: www.buttimer.com

LINKEDIN: Buttimer Engineering

KEY EXECUTIVES: Fergal Buttimer, CEO; Michael Murphy, Engineering Director; Sean O’Sullivan, Technical & Innovation Director; Denis O’Shea, Production Manager; Cian Corbett, Operations/ Contracts Coordinator; Declan McGrath, Sales Director; Tom Cahill, Financial Controller.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical Engineering.

YEAR END: 31/12/2022

ADDRESS: Clogheen Business Park, Blarney Road, Cork.

PHONE: 021 421 1000

WEB: www.rockwell.ie

KEY EXECUTIVES: Michael Field, Owner; Martin Conheady, Managing Director; James Devaney, Engineering Director, Mary Hickey, Financial Controller.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

ADDRESS: Unit 9, Whitestown Business Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

PHONE: 01 413 3828

WEB: www.mastertech.ie

LINKEDIN: Mastertech Group

TWITTER: @MMastertech

KEY EXECUTIVES: Shay McConnell, Joint Managing Director; Aidan Conway, Joint Managing Director.

KEY ACTIVITIES: Mechanical & Electrical Engineering.

Plant room from a recently completed Bausch & Lomb project.

Port facility in Poland.

Radiation Oncology Centre at University Hospital Galway.

Rockwell Engineering pharma project in Cork.

IRELAND’S TOP 60

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TOTAL TURNOVER EXPORT SECTOR TURNOVER IRELAND TURNOVER

Garda Security & Crime Operations Centre, Dublin – John Paul Construction.

CGI of Waterford North Quays Infrastructure Project – BAM Ireland.

CONTRACTORS 2023

The Mercian, Birmingham – John Sisk & Son. LIDL, Dock Road, Limerick - Monami Construction.

TOP 30 CONTRACTORS (EXPORTS) 2023

22 Bishops Gate, London – Errigal Contracts. (Lourdas Photography)

Alexander Stadium, Birmingham – King & Moffatt.

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COMPANY TURNOVER SECTOR IRELAND

TOP 20 MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS 2023

DHAS data centre, Norway – Designer Group.

Porterstown 30MV BESS project, Co Kildare – Kirby Group Engineering.

Project Northstar – Dornan Group.

Bolands Mills, Dublin – Jones Engineering.