Since its inception in 1981, McMullanODonnell Ltd. has developed an unrivalled reputation for designing, manufacturing and installing high-quality, energy-efficient, bespoke uPVC and aluminium window, door and curtain walling systems. Building Ireland interrupted Commercial Estimator Michael McMullen’s busy schedule to get an update on this industry-leading operation.
A household name across the island of Ireland, McMullanODonnell design, manufacture and install a comprehensive range of commercial and domestic windows. doors and curtain walling systems, invariably completing every project to the most stringent specifications.
All windows, doors and architectural glazing facades are manufactured and installed to the most-exacting standards so as to guarantee excellence in performance, security, longevity, reliability and low maintenance – from plain casement to fully-reversible and sliding sash windows to fully composite doors for the domestic sector as well as aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling facades for the commercial sector.
Established in Benburb, County Tyrone by Peter McMullan and Francis O’Donnell more than four decades ago, McMullanODonnell also has on office in Dublin and showrooms in Sligo, while the recent addition of a state-of-the-art engineering facility to fabricate their own aluminium flashings for commercial projects represents a invaluable asset to the company going forward.
“Having our own aluminium manufacturing plant provides us with greater certainty as we are relying less on outside suppliers. When you are manufacturing all your own systems, it really helps with the programme and gives us much better control of everything,” states Michael McMullan.
MMOD is a one stop shop, fabricating all their products in-house, including their PVC / aluminium framing, double- / triple-glaze units, with their own engineering plant for fabricated flashings, etc. From being able to provide this service, they can offer a full ten-year warranty / guarantee on all their PVC products which offers security and is very popular with an extensive customer base.
Equally at home working on a domestic new build / retrofit project or installing brand-new window, door and curtain walling systems on a large commercial premises, McMullanODonnell undertake a wide range of aluminium projects of varying sizes and complexities within the commercial, education, transport, leisure, health and retail sectors. The business is split approximately one-third commercial aluminium / two-thirds private PVC domestic dwellings.
Their portfolio of successfully completed projects includes CDE Global, Craigavon Area Hospital, Down Leisure Centre and various Costa outlets throughout Ireland, while some other recent projects include Southern Regional College Armagh; AIB Bank, Belfast; and a design and fit aluminium project at the Lely head office in Eglish, County Tyrone comprising custom windows and doors with Lely branding.
Some ongoing projects at the time of writing included aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling for the new build St Mary’s National School in Maynooth, another full package at Naas Community College, a couple of high-profile commercial projects in the Belfast area, Stena Line’s T2 terminal, a large volume of work on modular builds destined for England and one-off domestic projects. Particularly busy across the whole of the North including the border counties, with the Sligo showroom taking in a lot of custom from the West and their sales team in Dublin taking in a large catchment from the East and the city, the company operates its own modern, fully-equipped fleet of vans and trucks, which travel daily to a vast range of sites island-wide.
McMullanODonnell have every requirement covered from casement windows, bay windows, vertical sliding sash windows, angles, arches & features to sun lounges, patio, French & bi-folding doors, decorative & feature glass, entrance & panel doors, composite doors and complete architectural aluminium systems
“Typically, we would be working on numerous jobs at once, between large and small projects, and all jobs are equally important to us,” Michael stresses. “They all count and we strive to achieve complete customer satisfaction on every project. A few small jobs don’t be long adding up to one big one!
“We really appreciate the smaller jobs as they help to fill in the gaps between the larger commercial projects and we approach every one of them with the same attention to detail, maintaining the highest standards and quality control in terms of design, manufacture and installation.”
Between office staff, fabricators and fitters, McMullanODonnell currently generate employment for a vastly-experienced, highly-skilled, thoroughly-motivated and client-focused team of up to 180, including their own in-house draughtsmen, estimators and contract managers as well as their own in-house sales team for their PVC division, with the entire team working together with one common goal to achieve excellent craftsmanship and customer satisfaction through the provision of unbeatable domestic and commercial window and door solutions.
McMullanODonnell are constantly progressing and innovating, this steady, organic expansion due in no small way to the company’s continuous focus on top quality products and total customer service, with all solutions provided at competitive prices. The company utilises the very latest developments in computer-aided machining and production to guarantee optimum precision. Cognisant of the fact that good results are not dependent on top-of-the-range technology and machinery alone, they employ a proven team and dedicated specialists, with the provision of a full design-manufacture-install package ensuring complete quality control and critically that there are no unforeseen disruptions to the programme. Thus, every project is completed to the agreed specifications, on time and within budget, invariably meeting if not exceeding expectations.
Offering an extensive product range to satisfy even the most discerning and particular requirement, McMullanODonnell provide a bespoke solution on every door, window or curtain walling system / package provided. Aesthetic appeal goes hand in hand with technical reliability and flexible application, with all systems fulfilling the latest energy performance requirements and complying with the standards set by the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT).
MMOD is a family-run business, with six family members directly involved. They pride themselves on being very hands-on from the top, with every member available for direct contact with customers. They like to pay particular attention to their showroom and customer service as they believe selling a quality product with a friendly face is key. They pay particular attention to everything from showroom sales and quality of manufacture to final install on site, with a meticulous and conscientious approach as nothing can be neglected from any end of the spectrum.
“We tend to find a lot of our custom comes from word of mouth through previous customers, family relations and friends, along with repeat customers, and from this we find our growth has come naturally. We are however fully aware that your almost only as good as your last job, so it is imperative to try keep on top of quality workmanship and management within the company on a daily basis.
“We’re very busy at the moment so hopefully onwards and upwards,” Michael concludes. “The company is currently growing in response to increased demand for our products and services. Some private developments – in particular replacements – were affected slightly by the early stages of Covid but thankfully nothing major. We quickly adapted to the new working conditions and put in place all the necessary Health & Safety protocols.
“But, generally speaking, due to both repeat custom and word of mouth, we’re experiencing an increase in demand and the business is going very strong at the moment. We won’t be taking our eye off the ball – we’ve always insisted on the highest possible standards and we will continue to look after all of our customers by providing them with the best products money can buy and the highest level of customer service through every stage of their project.”
McMullanODonnell Ltd.,
101 Drumflugh Road,
Benburb,
County Tyrone,
BT71 7LF.
Tel: 028 3754 8791
Email: [email protected]
Web: mcmullanodonnell.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2022, Vol 8 No 8
