Features

DPPS Contracts – experts in heavy civil construction

6 Dec , 2024  

Operating in Ireland, the UK and Europe, DPPS Contracts specialises in reinforced concrete works, precast concrete installation, groundworks and labour hire. Building Ireland sat down with directors John and Kevin McCafferty to learn more about this industry-leading family business.

Celebrating ten years in business in the UK, DPPS Contracts is an international construction company with a wealth of experience in many aspects of the construction industry. Having undertaken large contracts in formworks, groundworks, paving and general construction over the past decade and counting across Ireland, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, DPPS have built up a diverse and impressive portfolio. 

Experts in heavy civil construction, DPPS Contracts boast an exemplary track record delivering a diverse array of major infrastructural projects at home and abroad, from bridge structures, water treatment plants and underground carparks to industrial, commercial and domestic concrete, roads, factory floors, wind farm FRC works, stands/terraces in football stadiums (including The Brandywell in Derry and Tynecastle in Edinburgh), retaining walls and culverts, marine and coastal protection works and anything and everything in between.

With projects ranging in value from €10,000 to €5,000,000, no job is every considered too large or too small.

At the very heart of DPPS Contracts is an unswerving company ethos of Safety, Quality, Results, which has led to an enviable record of invariably completing projects on time and to budget. Here in Ireland, DPPS has had the distinction of working repeatedly alongside a veritable who’s who of Tier One contractors and reputable companies throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Each of the four core divisions – Concrete Works, Precast Installation, Groundworks and Labour Hire – consists of foremen with over ten years’ experience, high quality carpenters, experienced finishers, and many other driven, hardworking operators. DPPS Contracts also has a dedicated engineering design team to supply temporary works drawings and calculations if required.

The head office in Termon, Donegal oversees Irish operations while the Derry office looks after DPPS UK activities, with a depot based in Essex also. During the past four years, DPPS Contracts have also expanded into European markets, most notably Sweden and the Netherlands. The European division is headquartered in the Netherlands.

Now generating steady employment for a team of up to 80 between Ireland and the UK, DPPS Contracts was founded by cousins John McCafferty and Kevin McCafferty, who as Managing Director and Construction Director respectively remain the key driving forces behind this multifaceted and progressive heavy civil construction company today.

A hands-on director who spends much of his time on site, Kevin learned his trade as a block layer and also gained a wealth of experience in formwork before setting up DPPS Contracts in partnership with his cousin during the height of the recession. “While we do some general construction, it’s mainly reinforced concrete work, precast installation, groundworks and labour hire – those are the four key services,” he confirmed in a conversation with Building Ireland.

Reflecting on the genesis of this multi-award-winning family business, John continues: “The company was formed initially in Ireland in 2010 and we then went to the UK ten years ago. We came back to Ireland in 2016 and kept the two companies going from then onwards, while we also now have a company in Europe.”

Fully Constructionline and Construction Industry Federation compliant, DPPS Contracts offer turnkey solutions to all project types and have the distinction of having worked on landmark sites dotted throughout Ireland (from Donegal to Cork and Louth to Galway) and the UK (from the Shetland Islands to London, Manchester, Cornwall, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and everywhere in between) including formwork, concrete and groundworks projects at UCD, UCC, UCG, University of Sussex, Riverhouse in Smithfield, Clancy Quay, etc.

It is not uncommon for a DPPS Contracts project to be extremely complex and technical. Indeed, this is where their vastly-experienced and highly-skilled team really come into their own.

One good example of an unusual, complex and bespoke project was the £15m upgrade to Lochmaddy Pier on Scotland’s Isle of North Uist, which included extending the pier using a 3,200-tonne concrete structure which was constructed within the famous Harland & Wolfe dry dock in Belfast. Once constructed and cured the dry dock was flooded and the giant structure was then towed the 400 miles to its final destination in Lochmaddy. This project went on to win “Best Marine Project” at the Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2024.

Another novel project was the conversion of an old prison into the award-winning, five-star Bodmin Jail Hotel, where DPPS looked after the groundworks and concrete works package, including car parking.

Greenock Ocean Terminal was another interesting project where the team constructed four 60m long concrete pontoons within the Greenock Dry Dock which was then flooded and the four pontoons were towed out to the Clyde and put into position.

A major current project, in conjunction with man contractor BAM on behalf of Waterford City & County Council, is the public infrastructure works at Waterford North Quays, comprising enhanced multi-modal access routes, an integrated transport hub including the relocation of Waterford train station to a more convenient location, and the sustainable transport bridge.

Kevin and John would like to take this opportunity to thank all the loyal and hardworking staff, suppliers and contractors for all their support and efforts over the years, and would also like to mention all off their loyal clients, both old and new, for their support over the years.

Special word off thanks must go to both of their families who allow them the time to concentrate on building DPPS into the successful company it has become over the years.

DPPS Contracts,

Currin,

Termon,

County Donegal.

Tel: 074 9119533

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.dppscontracts.com

This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2024, Vol 10 No 12