Wicklow headquartered Hickey Electrical Services has been supplying a top quality service to a large customer base for almost 20 years now.
Indeed, Brian Hickey will celebrate 20 years in business next February, which in itself is a remarkable milestone, given the turbulent times that has struck all involved in construction.
For this month’s edition of Building Ireland, we profile the business and speak to Brian about the services that they provide.
“We service a range of sectors including commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical and domestic, while we employ the best in qualified electricians,” said Brian.
A lot has changed in the industry since Brian first started serving his time all of 40 years ago. “I started off with Patrick Lynch’s which is now part of the Jones Group and my first job was working on the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre in 1976.
“After ten years I left to join the newly former H Shiels where I was Contracts Manager for 12 years then before I set up on my own, so I had plenty of experience and a few contacts to get me started, but yeah there has been a massive amount of changes over the years and the majority are for the benefit of the Electrical trade.”
Hickey Electrical Services Ltd employ 20 and Brian revealed that they are busy once again following a few leans years that hit the industry hard.
“The recession was tough for us as it was everyone, we had to scale back down to seven employees, while we didn’t take on any apprentices during that period as I felt there was too much uncertainty in the industry and it wouldn’t be fair on them to not have continuity of work and proper training.”
Brian added that since the recession hit, it is hard to find qualified electricians after a lot of them emigrated towards the end of the noughties.
“I’m lucky to have a core group of lads that are with me a good few years and they are experienced at what they do and know the standards we operate too, but with regards taking on new electricians that have a few years’ experience, it is hard to do as they are not around.
“Fortunately, we can cover the workload at the moment and we have a number of projects ongoing at the minute including the new temporary HQ for the ESB on East Wall road while they redevelop their headquarters in Fitzwilliam Square over the next few years.”
Following the recession, Brian decided to move office from the city out to Newtownmountkennedy in Co Wicklow. “We had been in Sandyford but rent was cheaper out there at the time and we are still only a few minutes away from Dublin, so it has worked out very well for us. The majority of our work is still based in the city and we are a site based contractor anyway.”
Hickey Electrical Services have been involved in projects for Terenure College in recent times also, while one of the main contractors that they have continually worked for are Collon Construction.
The company is R.E.C.I registered, while Brian has served as The Association of Electrical Contractors (Ireland) A.E.C.I President 2012-2014 and is still an active committee member of the group.
“My role entailed overseeing the association and dealing with any issue that might arise, while negotiating with unions or whoever else we needed to contact.”
As stated, the company offers a wide range of services and whether it be fire alarms, emergency lighting, structured cabling or maintenance, Brian and his staff are capable of dealing with any electrical project.
Safety is a key area for this electrical contractor and nothing is left to chance as both the safety of the employees and the client are paramount. We engage external safety auditors which stops complacency creeping in.
“We ensure a high level of safety on our sites, and all personnel are receive continual education and regulatory certification. Our Electricians offer a comprehensive skillset in maintenance and call out services, BIM and CAD design, estimation, accounts and NSAI certification for the emergency lighting systems. At HES we are particularly proud of the high proportion of repeat work we receive from satisfied consultants and clients.”
As technology advances and plays a bigger part in the construction trade, it is important to move with the times and HES is not afraid to do so and Brian states that they are now using Building Information Modelling (BIM).
“This is an intelligent 3D model-based process that equips architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.
Our investment in technology, means a more intelligent project design phase, a reduction in RFIs (requests for information) and change orders, a faster installation timeline and greater cost control. All of these factors work to the benefit of our returning clients.”
Brian and his wife Eileen who looks after the accounts have worked hard to build the business over the years and the best form of advertising is word of mouth, so here are a couple of testimonials from clients.
Collen Construction: “Collen Construction have worked with Hickey Electrical Services on numerous projects over the past twenty years on commercial, industrial, educational and residential projects.
“Hickey Electrical have adhered to our highest Safety, Quality and Environmental standards, completing projects on time and within budget and we would have no hesitation in recommending them as a highly competent Electrical Specialist Contractor.”
Terenure College: “Hickey Electrical have been providing electrical maintenance services to Terenure College since 2004. Hickey Electrical are the sole provider of our reactive and corrective electrical maintenance. Our premises include a Junior School, Senior School, Kitchen, College Chapel, Swimming Pool and private community building.
“In addition, Hickey Electrical carried out a complete electrical re-fit as part of a total refurbishment of our Community Building in 2007 and our Swimming Pool in 2008. Both projects were carried out in a timely manner and were completed within budget.
“We would have no hesitation in recommending Hickey Electrical to any company. Their work ethic is superb and their workers are friendly, trustworthy and very efficient.”
Contact Details:
Hickey Electrical Services
Tel: +353 86 820 5252
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, November/December 2016, Vol 2 No 7
