Galway-based Seamus Walsh Plant & Agri Ltd was delighted to be named among the winners at the 2022 John Sisk & Son Supply Chain Awards.
The civils and groundworks contractor was presented with the ‘Supply Chain Partner of the Year for Civils’ accolade at the awards ceremony which took place in The Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday, November 10 last. The awards recognise excellence among Sisk’s supply chain partners across Ireland and Europe, and show appreciation for all the great work done together.
Sisk spends over €1 billion annually across its supply chain of almost 8,000 companies. Over 70 sub-contractors and suppliers were shortlisted for awards, having been nominated by each of Sisk’s business units and procurement respectively. Each business unit then selected its ‘Best Supply Chain Partner of the Year’ from the proposed shortlist following a thorough evaluation process.
“It was our first time to win an award like this so we’re thrilled. We were even surprised to be nominated because there are much bigger fish out there than us,” Seamus Walsh modestly says.
“It’s great recognition for the whole team and the hard work that the lads do. It’s also gratifying to be honoured by a giant of the construction industry like Sisk. We’ve partnered with Sisk since 2015 and have grown with them thanks to the work they’ve given us.”
Specialising in all aspects of groundworks and civil engineering, the contracting firm has come a long way since it was formed by Seamus in Claregalway in 2014. Hailing from a beef and tillage farm, he initially operated as a sole trader before establishing Seamus Walsh Plant & Agri Ltd in 2017.
“We started with three staff and now have 33,” Seamus reveals.
“Contrary to what our name suggests, we concentrate solely on civils and groundworks. We did a bit of agri contracting in the early days, but my brother Gary – who runs Gary Walsh Agri Contractors Ltd – looks after all of that now.”
Seamus Walsh Plant & Agri Ltd delivers high-quality groundworks and civil engineering projects on time and within budget. All employees are trained to be of a very high standard and are skilled, experienced and dedicated workers who complete projects that not only meet, but exceed customers’ expectations.
Complete client satisfaction is achieved through working together as a team and providing a reliable, efficient, value-for-money and all-round exceptional service. The Galway contractor has developed an excellent working relationship with many regular clients, including John Sisk & Son and Ward & Burke.
“I would like to thank John Sisk & Son, Ward & Burke, Coffey Construction, Wills, and Murnane & O’Shea who have given us the work which has allowed us to grow,” said Seamus.
The award-winning company owns and operates a modern fleet of excavators, trucks and plant which can undertake any civil engineering project. Seamus runs 12 Hitachi and two Kobelco excavators which range from five to 21 tonnes. He also has six John Deere tractors, three Renault eight-wheel tippers, one Volvo 10-wheel tipper and another Volvo articulated truck. There is also a Volvo A25 and delivery of a vacuum excavator is expected in quarter 1 of 2023. Other equipment includes rock-breakers, grabs and sheet pile drivers.
“Our aim is to be fully self-sufficient and to be a one-stop shop for the civil engineering and construction sectors. We pride ourselves on having the right people and machines for each job.
“We are very fortunate to have such brilliant people working for us. It’s easy to acquire machinery but not so easy to get good people for the right jobs. Our team of foremen, digger drivers, groundworkers and pipe layers are top-class. I can’t praise them enough.”
Most maintenance and repairs are carried out in house, except where machines that are under warranty require major repairs. The company’s main suppliers are Murphy Commercials for Volvo, Templetuohy Farm Machinery for John Deere, TBF Thompson for Hitachi and McSharry Brothers for Kobelco.
Seamus Walsh Plant & Agri Ltd is currently collaborating with John Sisk & Son on their Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade and Crow’s Nest Student Accommodation projects in Cork. Works on the Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade commenced in 2018 and include changes to the N8, the N25 and the N40, and links to the R623 in Little Island and Bury’s Bridge in Dunkettle, while also making provision for pedestrian and cycling facilities.
The Crow’s Nest Student Accommodation project at Victoria Cross comprises 255 beds. Seamus and his team were also previously involved with Sisk on the 134-bed Curraheen Point Student Accommodation project, which is also close to UCC.
“We’re doing the ducting, muck away, drainage and preparation for formwork, concrete and landscaping,” Seamus says.
“Our first major project with Sisk was the M17/M18 Gort-Tuam Motorway that was built by the Direct Route Consortium which included Sisk, Roadbridge and Lagan. It was a great one to get us established.”
As his company continues to go from strength to strength, the affable Claregalway man would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients and suppliers for their support as well as his staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise. “We’re a link in the chain,” he concludes by saying.
Seamus Walsh Plant & Agri Ltd
Cregmore,
Claregalway,
Co. Galway.
Telephone: 087 157 6002
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2023, Vol 9 No 3
