Cosgrove Electrical Services Ltd is an award-winning electrical engineering practice with a proven track record in delivering electrical solutions across the residential, commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare sectors.
Established in 1998 and based in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Cosgrove Electrical Services has grown to become one of Ireland’s leading electrical contracting firms. Supported by a team of experienced professionals and skilled electricians, the company’s goal is to deliver the highest possible standards and to exceed its clients’ expectations.
Cosgrove Electrical Services empowers each and every one of its team to deliver 100% on every project it undertakes. From first year apprenticeships up to senior management level, it invests in its people because they invest in the company.
Built on a reputation of Safety and Quality, Cosgrove Electrical Services boasts an impressive portfolio of iconic and large-scale projects, and has a wealth of experience in key areas such as substation electrical safety principles, lockout tagout procedures, arc fault and arc flash protection as well as many testing and fault-finding procedures.
The company aspires to set standards on every project, to learn from each project and to ensure a consistent approach to Safety & Quality. This is delivered through a series of CPD talks and seminars delivered on site visits. Cosgrove Electrical Services operates projects in three key stages – Pre-construction, Installation, and Commissioning and Soft Landing (Handover).
From the start of a project, the contractor brings its pre-construction team to the table to review each and every drawing and specification to ensure the highest standard can be delivered in compliance with the local authority requirements and Safe Electric. During the installation, the Cosgrove team ensures that all works comply with the first of its kind benchmark set out at pre-construction stage. They implement a strict quality regime that operates on a buddy system to ensure two of their team sign off on the installation as being safe and compliant.
The company has a series of dedicated champions for its systems, security, access fire etc, who assist during the installation and at the commissioning stage. It operates a strict lockout tagout system which gives accountability to all third-party energisation requests and also ensures an excellent safety record.
“Our people are our greatest asset,” Cosgrove Electrical Services Operations Manager David O’Donoghue notes.
“We have a list of long-serving members within our company who deliver projects to a very high standard with a company ethos of building solid and long-lasting relationships, and to conduct our business in an open and honest manner.
“Our business model is efficient and tailored to our clients’ needs. The key to our success is our ability to carry the lessons learnt onto the next job.”
Cosgrove Electrical Services closely watches changes in the market in terms of rapid build methods and aligns its workflow and resource levels to meet these demands. It always provides a team that understands not only the electrical service element, but the constructability sequence to aid the smooth completion and handover. The contractor offers efficiencies to the project programme based on utilising modern methods of construction such as lean stock control via its App which is a multi-user stock management platform for its team.
The company understands and appreciates the scale and complexity of each build, ensuring that the planning and preparation of the works provide a seamless built stage for the contract. Its vision is to maintain slow and steady growth with a mix of commercial and residential projects, and to maintain the highest standards within the electrical engineering industry.
Cosgrove Electrical Services’ key principles of business are to keep clients satisfied with its service delivery model which embraces the five essential performance markers of Health & Safety, Quality & Environmental, Programme, Budget and Collaborative Relationships. Its delivery team leads are Founder and Managing Director Joseph Cosgrove, Operations Manager David O’Donoghue, Purchasing Manager Meave McDonald, Contracts Manager Colm Daly and Project Managers Relu Jumatate and Paul Kavanagh.
David explains how Cosgrove Electrical Services has gone from strength to strength since its double success at the 2022 Electrical Industry Awards.
“We’ve completed three major projects in collaboration with Tier 1 main contractors since winning the Large Electrical Contractor and Large Commercial Project of the Year Awards two years ago,” he points out.
“The first was Lansdowne Place which is an international star grade development consisting of 217 luxury apartments. We were the only contractor to see it out until the end. The 7-star rating was an exceptionally difficult standard to achieve which underlined our commitment to the project.
“We then completed Cherrywood TC4 which was a mixed use development of 315 apartments. So happy was the main contractor John Sisk & Son that they shortlisted us for a Supply Chain Award which recognises excellence among Sisk’s supply chain partners across Ireland and Europe, and show appreciation for all the great work done together.
“The Cherrywood project also led to us being appointed by Sisk to their new Glass Bottle – Pembroke mixed use development of 570 apartments which will keep us busy for the next two-and-a-half years. The third major project we recently completed was SLX Cornerstone in Stillorgan. We were commended by the main contractor John Paul Construction for our collaborative approach and clear communication to our project deliverables.”
SLX Cornerstone is a mixed use development comprising 232 apartments and retail, café and restaurant units, including amenities facility, all situated over a double basement. Working alongside a Tier 1 main contractor in John Paul Construction and bringing its team’s experience to the forefront of the pre-construction planning helped tune the delivery and pace of the installation. The results were excellent, exceeding the client’s expectations.
As well as Glass Bottle – Pembroke, Cosgrove Electrical Services’ current live projects include GDA Academic & Library Building, TUDb Blanchardstown Teaching Building and SDCC Residential Apartment Build.
Cosgrove Electrical Service has embraced LEAN construction techniques to maximise its outputs. Efficiency and productivity are paramount. As an industry-leading electrical contractor, it feels that adopting LEAN construction techniques offers a pathway to optimize operations, reduce waste and enhance project outcomes.
LEAN principles, derived from the industry, emphasise continuous improvement and the elimination of non-value-adding activities. When applied to electrical installations, these methodologies streamline processes, improve collaboration, and ultimately deliver superior results, keeping Cosgrove’s client-base happy and enhancing its commitments to deliver.
A big step in LEAN implementation is value stream mapping. The contractor analyses its workflows, identifying each step from initial design to project completion. By visualizing the entire process, inefficiencies become apparent, allowing for targeted improvements. Value stream mapping enables it to prioritise tasks, allocate resources effectively and minimize delays. Mapping also helps to identify lessons learned and improved processes.
Pull Planning versus traditional construction programmes often rely on rigid schedules and sequential workflows. In contrast, pull planning encourages collaboration and flexibility. The contractor’s electrical teams work closely with other trades and project stakeholders to coordinate activities based on actual demands. This proactive approach reduces bottlenecks, prevents overproduction, and fosters a culture of teamwork.
Together with its pull plans, the last planner system (LPS) empowers the contractor’s frontline workers to take ownership of project scheduling. Electricians collaborate with other key main contractor trades and other third-party specialists to develop short-term plans and identify potential obstacles. By involving those closest to the work in decision-making, LPS enhances accountability and fosters innovation. Moreover, it enables rapid response to changes, ensuring projects stay on track.
A cluttered and disorganised workspace can hinder productivity and safety. The 5S methodology – sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain—promotes a clean and efficient work environment. Cosgrove Electrical Services systematically organise tools, materials, loading out of areas and work areas, reducing search times, and preventing accidents.
Regular audits maintain the effectiveness of the system, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The site is always changing, so continuous review and assessment is key to optimize efficiencies.
Tool Management are tools that the contractor uses for communication and problem-solving. Its teams utilise visual management techniques to convey information quickly and accurately. From job site signage to white boards, visual aids enhance transparency, highlight priorities, and facilitate decision-making. By making information readily accessible, visual management minimises errors and fosters a culture of collaboration. Cosgrove Electrical Services utilises its 3D BIM model of key congestion points to identify buildability issues and map out routes to overcome clashes. With this technology at its fingertips, it aids quick resolution and maximizes efficiencies keeping the project moving.
Good communication with experienced coordination personnel is essential for timely project delivery. LEAN construction encourages close partnerships with the electrical plant and equipment supply chain. By involving suppliers early in the planning process, the company optimises material selection, pricing, and delivery draw-down schedules. Supplier involvement at the early stages reduces lead times, minimises waste and enhances overall project efficiency, removing the risks lead time has on the installation.
In summary, the LEAN construction techniques used by Cosgrove Electrical Services offer its teams a systematic approach to improving performance and delivering value to clients. By embracing principles such as value stream mapping, pull planning, and continuous improvement, optimised team workflows, reduce costs, and enhance project outcomes. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, the company offers the electrical contracting industry a chance to lead the way in building a more efficient and sustainable future.
Looking to the future, David says: “We’re becoming more selective about the projects we’re going after. We focused on a mix of residential and commercial projects last year. We’re finding that residential is where the market is leaning towards at the moment. We’re currently in talks with another Tier 1 builder about two hyper-scale projects in Finglas and Swords, and would love to win one of those. We have a lot of work ahead of us regardless.”
Cosgrove Electrical Services would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as its 100-strong team for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Cosgrove Electrical Services Ltd
Unit 220,
Block C,
Blanchardstown Corporate Park,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.
Telephone: +353 (0) 885 5088
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cosgroveelectrical.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September 2024, Vol 10 No 9
