Longevity is a good gauge when trying to find out how successful a business has been. The longer a company has been in business more than suggests that they have been providing an excellent and reliable service to their customer base.
And for this month’s edition of Building Ireland, we profile a Limerick based construction firm that when it comes to longevity is rivalled by very few.
Scanlon Construction Ltd is a family run business that was established 48 years ago by Tim Scanlon. Snr, now retired. Through hard work, determination and an eagerness to please their customers, the company has gone from strength to strength over the years.
These days Tim’s son, Tim is at the helm of the business which is based in Athea, in West Limerick. Focusing on, commercial, industrial, fit out, residential and general construction and civils work, Scanlon Construction Ltd has built many hundreds of houses over the years including bespoke one off and housing developments.
The company Scanlon Construction Ltd has been trading since 1991. “We are a Main Contractor working on Building and Civil Engineering Works carrying out works in the Commercial, Domestic, Industrial, Educational, food/factory production type environments,” explains Tim.
“Prior to this date the Managing Director operated as a sole trader since 1973. The company prides itself on the completion of projects to the highest possible standards and our repeat business with several clients emphasises this principle. We have worked for private, public, state and semi-state bodies as main contractor and our expertise has been associated with a wide range of work.”
Some of the projects the company has worked on include the following:Electricity Generating Power stations; Fire stations; Golf Clubs ( Ballybunion, Co Kerry and Limerick Golf Club, in Balyclough Co. Limerick); Marine works (Jetties); Listowel Courthouse; Hydrotherapy Pool; HSE/Healthcare centres; Educational Centres/Schools/Office buildings/Office Fit Outs; Library; Housing Developments private and council owned; Pharmaceutical/Food Industry Plants/Production facilities; Banks; FootBridge works; Protected structures and Heritage/Restoration Work; Windfarms.
Some of the clients Scanlon Construction Ltd have worked with and for include, to mention just a few: HSE; Various Schools; TES group; Shannon Commercial Properties (formerly Shannon Development); Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland; Nestle; Limerick County Council; Kerry County Council; Listowel Urban District Council; Pfizer Nutritionals Ireland Ltd; Teagasc; ESB Tarbert; ESB Moneypoint; ESB Ardnacrusha; ESB International; Endesa Ireland; Aughinish Alumina; NORA (National Oil Reserves Authority); Kentz group; Balfour Beatty Ireland; Limerick Golf Club; Ballybunion Golf Club; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland; Cheshire Ireland; GAA Club’s; OPW; Kirby Group; HMV Engineering; Foynes Engineering; PJ Hegarty & Sons; Imtech Suir; Suir Engineering; Fingleton White; Andritz Hydro Gmbh (Switzerland) as well as numerous private clients over the years.
“We have been the Main Contractor on the majority of all of the projects undertaken as listed above. We have a loyal and dedicated team of operatives, skilled trades and supervisors and we also possess our own plant and machinery to execute the majority of works ensuring greater on-site control, quality, supervision and adaptability to undertake works at short notice.
“We have been engaged for numerous years as the Civils Contractor for building and civil engineering works including ongoing maintenance with Nestle, one of the largest food producers in the world, in Wyeth Nutrition, Askeaton, Co Limerick.
“We are used to working to tight deadlines, executing jobs out of hours and on weekends where required to minimise disruption to production or others and ensure jobs are handed over safely, on time and on budget.
“Our ability to coordinate various trades and disciplines as a main contractor, with our individual plant and equipment and having reputable specialists and supply chain to provide a turnkey solution is a major advantage in carrying out works satisfactorily.”
Using a reliable, experienced and competent staff of 10 to 15 depending on how busy they are as well a core of tried and trusted specialist sub-contractors, this Limerick based company cover a catchment area that not only includes their native county but parts of Kerry, Clare, Tipperary, Cork and Galway as well.
Scanlon Construction Ltd strives to provide the best value for money possible for their clients. This process begins at the early contractor involvement/tender stage. Their in-depth knowledge of construction costs allows them to develop the construction in the most cost-effective manner.
“We service a large customer base and have the knowhow and capability to take on any project where our services are requested. We go through the design of each project with the customer and if we can offer any advice based on our long term experience, we will, but at the end of the day, as long as the customer is happy that is all that matters,” said Tim.
The company delivers solutions that are functionally efficient at the most cost-effective rates on the Irish market. They have developed a strong network of clients over the years; built on trust, sound ethics and the repetitive delivery of successful projects. That is why they are confident in their abilities to deliver an excellent service.
The company’s core values are reliability, responsibility and efficiency with a proven track record with repeat business from many clients. As a result of its high flexibility, interactive methods and agile management structure, the company can always meet its clients’ needs. It strives to exceed clients’ expectations and endeavours to become an asset to their business.
The most competitive prices are always guaranteed as Tim explains: “We try to be as competitive on price as we can without comprising the quality of the project and that’s a big reason why we’ve been successful.”
Tim and his team prides themselves on the level of services they provide for their clients. This has led to many repeat customers both private, state and semi state. They listen to their customers’ needs and are always willing to go the extra mile that is required in order to deliver quality solutions with high levels of workmanship.
“It has to be acknowledged the team behind Scanlon Construction Ltd are the backbone of the company. We appreciate our suppliers and manufacturers of materials, sub-contractors and clients but most of all the employees, many who have been with the company for 20- 25 years. Their longevity is a testament of the company’s ethos and valued staff,” said Tim.
Every project they undertake, regardless of the size, is given the same level of attention to detail to ensure unrivalled customer service. They will help you through the construction stage and offer solutions that will suit your needs. Each project begins and ends with an absolute dedication to high standards and workmanship. From a one-off small job to a large project, the team are committed to high quality at every level.
“We see a lot of repeat customers on the books here. We place a huge emphasis on quality and doing the job right the first time and I think customers appreciate that.”
Scanlon Construction Ltd.’s consistently records high levels of repeat business and receives a large amount of business from referrals which are both down to the fact that they are professionals who care about build quality and client satisfaction.
“A lot of our work has been obtained through word of mouth. I don’t tend to advertise a lot. We just let our work speak for itself. As the saying goes: One good job can sell another.”
The company’s objective is to constantly deliver a friendly and approachable service with professional project management. Tim is a qualified engineer having gained work experience in the UK and Australia.
“We work with the client during the construction process and ensure that they are kept up to date on the project, and they appreciate being kept informed as well.”
All projects are carried out with a professional commitment to health and safety, quality and the environment. Scanlon Construction Ltd are a registered SAFE T Cert contractor and have been for a number of years. This is an independently, accredited safety management system.
“We actively review and promote our health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for all involved in the construction process. And invest in ongoing training of our workers.
“Health and safety are paramount on all our jobs and the safety of our employees and the sub-contractors that we use is paramount. We provide a safe working environment for everyone involved. The Covid issues brought in have all been implemented by us. We have a good H&S record and we work hard to maintain that. We have never had an enforcement or improvement notice issued in the 48 years of business.”
Accreditation wise, the Scanlon Construction Ltd are also members for almost 30 years with CIF, members of Engineers Ireland (IEI), Homebond and also a registered CIRI member.
“We have also acted as and taken on the role of PSCS on projects as main contractor for the last 15 years.
“We try our best to keep our customers happy and as I said, the emphasis has always been on quality. We source the best of materials majority of which are sourced here in Ireland.”
Like us all, the company was forced to cease works during the early stages of the first lockdown due to Government restrictions in March 2020, but since then they have been kept going and Tim is eager to see some resemblance of normality returning to the country as they strive to meet their customers’ demands over the coming months.
“Hopefully, we will get back to normality soon, never before has the constriction industry been closed for a quarter of a year, this backlog will hopefully result in increased workload. I don’t know will things ever be the same again, but we just have to get on with it, play our part and work safely.
“We are looking forward to our 50 years in business in 2023 and will have a celebration then for sure, COVID free hopefully,” concluded Tim.
Contact Details:
Scanlon Construction Ltd
Building & Civil Engineering
Contractors
Athea, Co. Limerick
Telephone: (068) 42144
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, July, Vol 7 No 7
