The construction industry in Ireland has taken a turn for the better in the last eighteen months or so as the country looks to be finding its feet once again.
Five years of recession have hit the Emerald Isle hard with the construction industry taking the full brunt of the Celtic Tiger’s collapse.
Unfortunately, for many companies involved in this sector, the hit was too great and they were forced to close down with mounting debts one of the main problems.
However, it is no coincidence that longer more established companies in the building trade were able to tighten their belts and ease their way through such a difficult time.
Experience is key in any aspect of life, and especially in business where each decision has to be taken with the utmost care.
This is what got many of these long-standing companies through our latest economic crisis and for this month’s edition of Building Ireland, we profile one such company.
E. Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan) Ltd is a second generation family run electrical contracting business based in Co Westmeath.
Eamonn initially starting working for himself in 1975 having served his time as an electrician. Through the generosity of local builders and his own father, he was given a chance to prove himself and 41 years later, the company is going from strength to strength.
In 1988, a limited company was formed and they have been trading as E. Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan) Ltd ever since. Over the years, Eamonn and his staff built up a reputation for providing a reliable, efficient and competitively priced service to an ever increasing customer base. Repeat Business and long standing working relationships with local contractors like Kelly Builders (Rosemount) Ltd and PO Keenan Ltd are the foundation and cornerstone on which the company has been built.
Over the years, the customer base has evolved and the likes of Bennett’s, BAM, JJ Rattigan, Kilcawley Construction and many of the country’s top building firms have worked with E. Clarke Ltd.
In 2012, Eamonn made the decision to retire and hand over the day to day running of the business to his two sons Pat and Fintan.
Both the lads worked their way through various roles in the business before eventually becoming directors and for the past four years, they have used their father’s work ethic and their own knowledge to progress the business.
“Business is on an upward trend at the moment,” said Pat who came on board as an estimator in 2000. “I’ve seen a lot of changes since I first joined 16 years ago.
“The company was growing up until 2008 when the recession first hit and there was a significant reduction in work for the next few years. Our turnover reduced 50% year on year from 2008 – 2010 coupled with accounts being unpaid by liquidated creditors it was an extremely stressful and vulnerable time for the company. Thankfully Eamonn always operated a lean business model and this allowed us to stabilise relatively quickly.”
“We’ve been steady for the past number years and definitely there has been an upturn in work over the past year or two.”
Pat revealed that the company have been predominantly engaged in public sector contracts in recent years and are currently focused on three interesting University projects.
“We have two project ongoing in Maynooth University, A student accommodation project for JJ Rhatigan & Co. which will house almost 300 students over three apartment blocks, and The Education Hub for Kilcawley Construction. This project will be a mixture of administration and teaching space.”
Pat added that they continue to work for many of the same firms that have been working with Eamonn since the start.
“We would get a lot of repeat business and I suppose that’s a sign that we are doing something right”.
“Eamonn built a great rapport with businesses over the years, maintaining a solid working relationship with many contractors and clients, this is something that we are eager to continue, as well as developing new relationships of our own. Running any business is difficult you have to be careful with the decisions that you make. In saying that you can’t be over-cautious and you have to take a chance at times.”
“We have been relatively fortunate in recent years that we have been able to steadily grow the business without too much risk attached, our staff maintain good working relationships with the companies we are working with and it makes all the difference.”
Pat and Fintan are not ones to rest on their laurels as they are always actively seeking new opportunities, and striving to develop and grow their business. In recent years the company has achieved certification in both Quality and Safety management systems and are determined to improve on these systems on an ongoing basis in order to ensure the best end product for their clients whilst maintaining a safe working environment for their staff.
In terms of looking forward Pat outlined “We have developed the management system of the business over the past couple of years to achieve a more streamlined approach to our projects, with the aid of our long term core staff and some new employees we have the experience and the workforce to deal with a variety of contracts”.
“Irrespective of the scale or value of the contract every customer is treated with the same respect.”
Another crucial area of the business is the need to have the right dynamic amongst the workforce and Pat stated that this is essential to making the business work.
“We would offer apprenticeships every year. During the recession it was difficult to find apprentices as with the downturn the construction sector was a no go area, thankfully however, there is an uplift in interest in apprenticeships and that is good news as they are an important part of any contracting business. We’re fortunate to have a very good and loyal staff. In my time we have trained dozens of apprentices many who have remained with us and are now key members of our staff and others who now have successful businesses of their own.”
There is no doubt that E Clarke (Castletown Geoghegan) Ltd is a forward thinking and innovative company as Pat and Fintan bring the business forward over the coming years.
Contact Details:
E Clarke (Castletown Geoghegan) Limited
Address:
Castletown Geoghegan,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath
Phone: (044) 922 6113
[email protected]
Taken from Building Ireland magazine, May/June 2016, Vol 2, No 2
