NEWS AND PRODUCTS

Waterford North Quays boost

The government has given approval for €170 million of investment in the Waterford North Quays Infrastructure Project, which will improve sustainable access between Waterford’s North Quays and the city centre.

Fay to chair Ibec group

Engineering Industries Ireland, the Ibec group that represents engineering businesses, has appointed Niall Fay, Director of Grant Engineering, as its new Chair.

Marking the appointment, Mr Fay stated: “The very real threat of climate change around the globe requires flexibility and agility from the Government and the engineering sector, collaborating to help reduce the dependency on carbon and manage industry activities in a more sustainable way.

“Furthermore, with international trade facing many new barriers and previously stable economies looking increasingly risky, the lack of an export credit agency is becoming even more of a serious problem for Irish engineering exporters. As the only material EU country that does not have a state-backed export credit insurance or agency, Ireland is putting itself at a competitive disadvantage against other EU competitors that can access such schemes and we are at risk of losing, long-established engineering multi-nationals with a base here.

Ronan O’Brien, CIF South East Branch Secretary, said “The North Quays development is a prime example of public investment encouraging private investment. In this case a €170.6m investment from the government will facilitate an estimated €350m private development.”

Brooks Group acquisition

Brooks Group has acquired Kildare Builders Providers Ltd in Kildare Town, bringing its network of outlets to nine in seven counties across three provinces.

The company, which is one of the leading timber and builders’ merchants in the country, expects turnover to exceed €125 million for the year-end 2022. It plans to expand further both organically and by acquisition.

Brooks Group has been an institution in the Irish construction industry since its inception. The company returned to Irish ownership in 2021 when it was purchased by Murdock Builders Merchants, a family-owned business based in Newry.

“It is imperative that we underpin our competitiveness by putting in place a State-backed export credit insurance scheme and an Export Credit Agency to ensure Irish engineering businesses can compete on a level playing field on the international markets

Sirus ‘decarbonise with heat pumps’

Sirus had a large turnout at is “Decarbonise with Heat Pumps” lunch time seminar at The Marker Hotel recently. After brief introductions over lunch, Dara Connolly from ESB Smart Energy Services gave an overview on energy credits.

He was followed by Micheal Ó Conghaile from Sirus who gave a concise presentation on heat pumps, including high temperature CO2 heat pumps and magnetic-bearing heat pumps. He also suggested some natural heat sources and explored opportunities for heat recovery. This presentation was followed by a very engaging Q&A session with lots of technical questions facilitated by Felipe Ruiz Guerrero from Engie Refrigeration. Sirus were very pleased with the level of audience participation and thanked all for attending and engaging so proactively.

Those present included representatives from Axiseng, Cundall, Homan O’Brien, JV Tierney & Co, Jacobs, JAK Consulting Engineers, MALONE Group, PM Group, Ardmac, Winthrop Technologies, Diageo, Meta, MSD Ireland, Veolia Ireland and ESB.