After celebrating 50 years in business in 2021, County Clare based James Malone Construction has an unrivalled track record for completing a wide range of building projects to the very highest standards, with a particular emphasis on public sector and healthcare work in recent years. We spoke to managing director Ronan Malone to find out more about this vastly-experienced, industry-leading family business.
Since its inception in 1971, James Malone Construction has forged a stellar reputation across the greater Clare / Limerick region for successfully completing a wide array of building projects including one-off residential new builds, extensions and renovations as well as commercial, industrial and civil engineering work.
In recent years, under the guidance of the founder’s son, Ronan Malone, the company has carved a niche for itself delivering critical public sector and healthcare projects on behalf of prestigious clients such as the OPW and HSE, including the provision of numerous essential services during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Completing every project professionally and to the highest standards, with the keenest attention to quality and safety, James Malone Construction can also count Clare County Council, the Department of Education and Homebond amongst its host of regular customers as well as many private clients.
Construction was one of the many sectors in Ireland that stood up to be counted when Covid first visited our shores in early 2020 and James Malone Construction were not found wanting. Regarding the family business’ sudden elevation to becoming an essential services provider during what was an unprecedented public health emergency, hands-on MD Ronan reflects:
“We were kept going with the HSE work and we were delighted to have that opportunity. We got a call on the day that the first lockdown was announced to do Covid Assessment Centres in both Ennis and Shannon, renovating existing buildings to meet the new requirements.
“We had already completed quite a few projects for the HSE prior to that, mainly refurbishment work and maintenance. We put in a new cardiac assessment unit at Ennis Hospital last year and also worked on their Acute Psychiatric Unit. With healthcare work you are generally working in a live environment, which brings its own challenges, but we have a very good team and they excel in those situations.”
James Malone Construction employs a proven crew of seven full time, plus an extended team of tried and trusted subcontractors. “All the core members of staff have been here for 20+ years and they cover a wide range of skills and trades, from groundworks to carpentry and general labour and maintenance work. We have a pool of two or three subbies whom we work with regularly in each trade and we keep going back to them as we know we can depend on them to meet the high standards we expect. At the same time, they know us and what we expect from them,” adds Ronan, who has just taken on a new apprentice as he is acutely aware of the pressing need to bring as much fresh blood as possible through into Irish construction to try to safeguard against a potential labour shortage that could wreak havoc in the not-too-distant future.
“We need to encourage more young people into the industry,” the Clare contractor agrees. “The local secondary school invites me in once a year to give the students a talk about what it’s like to work in construction, to highlight the benefits and to discuss apprenticeships with them, the opportunities that a career in construction could present and what it’s like to run your own company.”
Speaking of which, what has been the key to the success and longevity of James Malone Construction, which has been at the forefront of the industry for half a century and counting? “It all comes down to customer service. You have to look after your customers and give them an excellent service and that will win you repeat business. My father would have built houses for the parents – and, grandparents, in some cases – of some of the people who are coming to me today. Your reputation is very important and if you give a good service people will either come back or recommend you to others.”
Indeed, Ronan is the third generation of the Malone family to offer construction services to the people of Clare: “James Malone Construction was formed as a limited company in 1971 but prior to that my father was a carpenter. He learned his trade off my grandfather, James McMahon, who was the local builder, carpenter and undertaken. My father started to build houses locally in West Clare and then moved into Ennis.”
Indeed examples of the high standard of work that the company has delivered are evident recently. One of James Malone Construction’s projects was featured on ‘Home of the Year’ last year and the company also constructed Nora Culligans Pub in Ennis which was awarded South West Innovative Pub of the Year in 2019
Ronan – who divides his time equally between site and the office – spent a great deal of time in his father’s company from when he was a young lad and developed a real passion for construction. He studied Construction Management at LIT and took over the family business in 2009, with James retiring some seven years later.
Generally covering Clare and Limerick, James Malone Construction is renowned both for general construction and public work, although it is in the latter direction that they have operated most in recent months and years. “While we still take on the occasional private house, our main focus now is on HSE and OPW projects as well as some maintenance work in Ennis and Limerick,” Ronan confirms. “Public work is our bread and butter and we supplement that with new builds or extensions, which keeps us ticking over nicely.”
Late in 2020, James Malone Construction delivered a rapid-turnaround refurbishment of Scariff Health Centre. Current or upcoming projects include a refurbishment of Kilrush Health Centre, a project with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, two private houses and a couple of residential extensions. “We have a good bit of work ahead of us and the future looks bright,” says Ronan. “Construction will change but we will change with it, as we have always done.
“The rising cost of materials is having an impact on everybody. Prices have gone crazy and next year could be very difficult, but at least the supply is coming back.”
For any company to reach its 50th anniversary is a massive achievement and this is certainly the case for a family business operating in an industry as volatile and demanding as construction. Ronan believes it is vitally important to afford people the utmost respect and to communicate both ways – knowing when to talk and when to listen:
“You have to listen carefully and interpret the client’s brief accurately, discuss their options and bring your own experience to the table to offer advice wherever appropriate,” he concludes. “After that, you need a good crew and you must focus on providing quality services with a personal touch. Communication and collaboration all the way through is also important – be honest and upfront and develop lasting relationships based on honesty and trust.
“Relationships are vital in this business. We’ve picked up a large amount of repeat business from second and third generations of families we worked for originally and that has served us well. For example, we built a house for a man 30 years ago and he recently asked us back to add on an extension in the same style of the original building. When you get a call like that it’s reassuring and you feel like you must be doing something right.”
Reputation is everything and it’s fair to say that James Malone Construction’s reputation for excellent workmanship precedes them!
James Malone Construction Ltd.,
Ballybeg,
Ennis,
County Clare.
Tel: 065 6829028
Mobile: 087 6697969
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2022, Vol 8 No 3
James Malone Construction Ltd.
