Across Limerick city and county – and the greater Mid West region – WKS Ltd. is firmly established as an industry-leading three-pronged contractor specialising in electrical contracting, security systems and property services. We interrupted managing director Brendan Quinn’s busy schedule to get an update on this exceptional, multifaceted operation.
Having initially started up as an electrical contracting company (specialising in domestic, commercial and industrial installations) in 1984, WKS Ltd. has evolved to also provide unrivalled services across the security and property sectors. From its base at the heart of Limerick city, WKS uses a twenty-strong crew of highly-skilled local craftsmen to invariably deliver unbeatable, value-added results.
The company’s longstanding status as an integral part of the local community is never more evident than around this time of year as WKS are renowned for installing, commissioning and maintaining Limerick city’s spectacular selection of Christmas lights.
As registered members of RECI, AECI, EQA, PSA and Safe Electric, WKS offer a full range of bespoke commercial and industrial electrical and security contracting installation and maintenance services including lighting and emergency lighting systems, mains and sub-mains installations, PAT testing, containment, computer networking, intruder alarms, fire alarms, surveillance systems, security lighting, access control, CCTV, etc.
Complete electrical installations are carried out by vastly-experienced and fully-qualified electricians, ensuring excellent cable craft whilst allowing WKS to design and install a bespoke system to suit the client’s precise requirements. WKS Electrical Contractors install CAT5 cable, CAT6 cable and fibre optic cable systems and excel in everything from control systems, process control, automation and building management systems as well as festival and events lighting.
Meanwhile, having also branched into property services, they have the capacity to provide rapid turnkey services on a range of projects from office fit-outs to kitchens / canteens and / or bathrooms / toilets, with all trades, skills and crafts available in-house. As an approved home repairer / insurance rebuild contractor, WKS provides exceptional property services across counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
Consistently serving the needs of clients such as Stryker Howmedica, the OPW, HSE, Limerick City Fire & Rescue Service and Limerick City Council, WKS are busy across all three fronts at present, generating direct employment for an experienced and skilled team, with five fully-equipped service vans on the road.
The business is fronted by managing director Brendan Quinn, who rose through the ranks internally, having joined as a labourer when WKS was formed back in 1984. Regarding the key to the company’s enduring success, longevity and commercial viability, he notes:
“It’s vital to give the customer exactly what they ask for and, to achieve this, there can’t be any breakdown in communication. We always spend time teasing out exactly what the client wants and needs. Proper planning is absolutely essential on any project – be it electrical, security or property – and we always carry our site surveys.
“As we have our own architect, we can get drawings done up quickly and professionally and we can arrange planning permission internally. So a lot of it comes down to careful planning and preparation as well as obviously adhering to all the existing Health & Safety and building regulations. We’re PSA-registered for security and Safe Electric registered for electrical work, with all work carried out to the highest standards.”
Having worked as company manager for the previous seven years, Brendan became MD in 2019 when founder Rose Smith retired. Today, he is greatly assisted in the day-to-day running of WKS Ltd. by property services manager Leanne and electrical & security manager Mike.
Brendan is very much a hands-on director and he boasts a wealth of practical, on-site experience in both building and electrical work. “I joined as a labourer and started my electrical apprenticeship in ’96 before qualifying in 2000,” he reflects. “Coming from a building background, I have a keen interest in all aspects of construction.”
In response to the steady growth of the business, WKS recently relocated to new larger premises at St Patricks Hill, incorporating a purpose-built office space and warehouse / stores. Is further growth on the horizon? “To be honest, we’d be happy enough to remain at the size we’re at for the time being as we are very busy and also at the right size from a HR and wage-bill point of view,” the MD reveals.
Having previously completed multiple projects for the HSE, WKS remained busy during the recent public health emergency shutdowns as they were brought on board as an essential services provider to carry out a range of Covid support work.
For the past 30 years, WKS has been synonymous with installing the Christmas lights on every street, bridge and walkway along the river in Limerick city – an undertaking which brings immeasurable joy to locals and visitors alike. As with all projects delivered by this highly professional company, an enormous amount of planning is invested into this annual endeavour.
Work commenced on testing the lights in the first week of October as the lights are traditionally switched on five weeks before Christmas. As with every project WKS undertakes, the results are nothing short of perfect!
WKS (Electrical Contractors) Ltd.,
Unit 3,
Parkes Yard,
St Patricks Hill,
Limerick..
Tel: 061 419626
Mobile: 086 8657187
Email: [email protected]
Web: wks.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February 2022, Vol 8 No 2
