Providing a comprehensive range of personnel and material hoists to construction and refurbishment projects nationwide, Builders Hoists is an industry-leading specialist that has remained very much in the ascendant since its inception in 1995. Building Ireland touched base with managing director Lorna Peate to get an update.
Priding themselves on being able to offer imaginative and innovative solutions to access problems that cannot be solved using the standard approach and equipment, Builders Hoists Ltd. design, supply and install bespoke, project-specific passenger and goods hoists and mast climbing work platforms to a steady succession of landmark projects not just within the capital but the length and breadth of the country.
Due to their proven professionalism and client-focussed approach, Builders Hoists boast an unrivalled track record for excellence, having delivered their unique specialist expertise to an extensive portfolio of projects for a veritable who’s who of contractors for coming up on three decades.
With their reputation for invariably delivering outstanding solutions and service levels preceding them, Builders Hoists are invariably the first port of call for clients with an awkward or complex access conundrum to solve. Now firmly established as Ireland’s premier provider of access hoists and platforms to construction, the progressive, innovative and extremely safety-conscious team at Builders Hoists remain thoroughly committed to reaching new heights of innovation, performance and safety.
Managing director Lorna Peate is pleased to report that it’s all systems go at Builders Hoists these days: “Business is good and we’re going strong,” she confirms. “There’s a lot of construction and refurbishment work going on and as a result we’re very busy, thankfully.
“Over the last few years we’ve focused on improving our service and becoming as responsive and efficient as possible. We’re constantly refining, tweaking and improving our services and processes, improving our systems and upskilling our people.
“Because we have shown our customers what we can do, we get a lot of repeat business and we have a lot of specialist equipment out on site at any given time. Although Covid was a worrying time for everybody involved in construction, we got through it and are coming out the other side now. There’s plenty going on and we have orders coming in all the time so we can’t complain.”
During the height of the pandemic, Builders Hoists accommodated their staff as a matter of priority. “They are our greatest asset and we kept them going any way we could,” Lorna reflects. “While we were closed down, we refurbished all the machinery and got a lot of other work done behind the scenes. There were still essential jobs that had to be done, including work on power stations, etc., so that kept us ticking over as well.”
From UCD to the Old Central Bank and the Central Plaza on Dame Street, Dublin Landings on North Wall Quay, Dublin and Cork Airports, Cork County Hall, Edenderry Power Station as well as Dublin’s tallest structure at Capital Dock, countless projects in the IFSC and a highly specialised contract working on Covanta’s Dublin Waste-to-Energy project at Poolbeg, Builders Hoists have successfully combined excellent machinery, personnel and services levels to provide intelligent, functional and safe access equipment to a lengthy list of major projects nationwide.
At the time of writing, one of the many ongoing projects was Cooper’s Cross, the John Sisk led landmark six-acre, mixed-used office and residential accommodation city centre development in Dublin’s historic North Docks, where a typically project-tailored solution was provided, comprising mast climber access with a bespoke sliding deck for additional access to smaller areas.
“We work with the brilliant engineer Paul Sexton (SCEG Ltd.), who really understands machinery. Any time we go to him with an idea, he knows how to make it work,” says Lorna.
“We also do a lot of fit outs and have machinery on a large fit out job on Mount Street at the moment. We provide machinery to Tinnelly Demolition as well, and currently have work with them and BAM.”
Builders Hoists can supply goods only or passenger only hoists or even a combination of goods and passenger hoists as required, providing a range of hoists with varying cage sizes, loading capacities and lifting speeds, culminating in maximum productivity on all contracts large and small.
Proven to cut labour costs as well as shortening production times, their mast climbing work platforms grant fast and efficient access, representing a superior alternative to traditional scaffolding for cladding and glazing work, for example. Providing maximum convenience, they can be erected and dismantled in a fraction of the time required to install and remove conventional scaffolding.
Over the decades, Builders Hoists have been involved in a wide range of projects from multi-storey tower blocks to underground shafts. They work with customers to formulate and implement their access requirements in a practical way which will improve the construction programme.
Fronted by a dedicated team of experienced and highly-trained personnel who will find the best solution for even the most challenging projects, they offer a complete range of specialist machines to suit all applications, from simple scaffold and gantry hoists to high-capacity travel platforms.
Loading decks provide a safe and efficient means of loading and removing materials to and from a site where space and access are limited. The fixed platform deck provides an excellent means of access for goods and equipment to the work floor, while the rolling platform can be extended and retracted into the face of the building, allowing access to several levels if required.
On all projects undertaken, Builders Hoists work hand in hand with the client to achieve solutions that are both effective and competitively-priced. An extremely flexible service is available, including 24/7 back-up. The fact that Builders Hoists Ltd. boast an unblemished, uninterrupted track record of working regularly for all the leading main contractors speaks for itself.
Meanwhile, to meet all industrial rope access needs, Buiders Hoists can also provide highly-qualified and skilled rope access technicians and suspended cradles through sister company Abseil Access Ltd., which is also ran by the Peake family.
Suspended cradles – work platforms hung from a height which can be raised and lowered by powered winches – are perfect for a variety of works such as cleaning, maintaining and installation on any building or structure. These are ideal when access is restricted at ground level or if the work is out of reach of traditional methods such as cherry pickers or MEWPs.
As one of the leading rope access companies on the Irish market, Abseil Access Limited operates to the highest industry standards and safety levels. They conduct work in full compliance with the IRATA International Code of Practice and Health and Safety standards and requirements.
Abseil Access Limited specialises in services for construction, energy, oil and gas industry, providing a wide range of rope access services, such as work at height, difficult to access areas, fall protection and confined space solutions. Their portfolio includes inspection and testing, coating and painting, façade installations, cleaning and maintenance, lifting and rigging at height or depth.
Over the past decade Abseil Access has developed a comprehensive work approach and unrivalled work ethic, offering excellent inspection, access and lifting system solutions across the Republic of Ireland.
Their rope access specialists are highly trained, have considerable amount of experience and undergo a strict selection process prior to taking their place as a part of our team. They are independently assessed and qualified by IRATA assessors. Re-assessment takes place every three years.
When it comes to access problem solving and delivery, nobody does it better than Builders Hoists and Abseil Access, who between them have every eventuality covered.
“We tend to get a lot of the complicated, bespoke and awkward jobs. That’s what we specialise in and we pride ourselves on solving problems. We have a great team of project managers here who can think outside the box and consistently provide solutions,” Lorna concludes.
That’s why Builders Hoists continue to reach new heights!
Builders Hoists Ltd.,
Newpark,
The Ward,
County Dublin,
D11XT9V.
Tel: 01 8041530
Email: [email protected]
Web: buildershoists.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February 2023, Vol 9 No 2
