Ferm Engineering Ltd is a leading mechanical and electrical engineering company based in Donegal Town. Its core business is contract facilities maintenance and providing managed solutions in the fields of mechanical, electrical and energy-related services.
Also known as FERM ENG LTD, the business was established 11 years ago by Jim McCabe to service the changing needs of the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors in relation to mechanical and electrical engineering, and the growing requirements for expertise in the renewable energy sector. The initials FERM stand for Facilities, Electrical, Renewables and Mechanical.
Having worked for over 25 years as facilities manager in a major pharmaceutical company, Jim has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area. He holds third level qualifications in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering and Business Studies, and combines these with a hands-on and practical solution to every situation. Ferm Engineering can advise on the optimum solution to any engineering problem.
The company provides engineering support to high-end mechanical and pharmaceutical companies as well as to the educational and healthcare sectors. Its value proposition couples renewable and conventional technologies in a coherent fashion to maximise the benefits that renewable energies offer. Ferm Engineering’s mission is not just to sell products, but to supply successful solutions.
The family-run business has the facilities and expertise to prepare and develop drawings and specifications. It employs highly qualified and skilled craftspeople and engineers to carry out on-site installation work, and supplies a wide range of products in relation to the services it provides. The installation crew have senior trade certificates in either electrical or mechanical fitting disciplines, while the engineers in the design office are qualified to degree level and are members of Engineers Ireland.
“We specialise in mechanical, electrical, facilities and renewables, which includes solar thermal, heat pumps, wind turbines and solar photovoltaic,” Jim explains.
“We have been successfully trading since 2006 by providing a quality and efficient service to our clients. We’re committed to combining quality with efficiency in every project we undertake. We offer high standards of quality and safety, and pride ourselves on customer service. We always go the extra mile to make sure that the client and the main contractor are 100 per cent satisfied.”
He continues: “We offer the complete package in terms of mechanical and electrical engineering, which suits those who are involved in both trades. We have grown to employ 30 staff consisting of engineers, purchasing and quality control personnel, fitters, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and general operatives, and also have a number of subcontractors on our books. It’s a real team effort here.”
Among the services offered by Ferm Engineering are facility maintenance, electrical contracting and renewable energy. The company offers a range of management services for commercial or industrial facilities from an ongoing maintenance perspective. This 24/7 service covers heating and air conditioning systems, electrical systems, production equipment, rodent control, landscape maintenance, waste management, housekeeping, major repairs and refurbishment.
“We do a lot of maintenance contract work for the pharmaceutical sector,” the affable managing director says.
Ferm Engineering also provides a full electrical contracting service that includes complete new build installation, complete building rewiring, fire alarm systems, security access and lighting systems, and IT cabling and networking for the commercial and industrial sectors as well as complete new build installation to your specification from standard installation to more advanced solutions, including home networks (Cat 5E / Cat 6), home cinema, surround sound, multiroom audio and CCTV for domestic customers.
Ferm Engineering brings together its expertise in both the electrical and mechanical engineering fields to put functional solutions together in the area of renewable energy. The company holds a strong belief that by coupling together complementary renewable and conventional technologies in a coherent fashion, it can maximise the benefits and savings that renewable energies offer.
As a company, Ferm Engineering strives to deliver an excellent service on time, within budget and to the highest standards. It has successfully completed projects in the commercial, industrial, healthcare and educational sectors. Recent contracts have been undertaken in Letterkenny General Hospital, Donegal Town Community Hospital, IT Sligo, Plunkett College and Cathal Brugha Barracks (both Dublin). Currently, Ferm Engineering is carrying out an electrical installation for a fire sprinkler system at a Donegal Pharmaceutical facility.
“We’ve just finished the Letterkenny and Donegal Hospital jobs,” Jim explains.
“Working alongside the main contractor Dorrian Construction, we were the electrical contractor on the upgrade of the Acute Mental Health Unit in Letterkenny. We were also the electrical contractor on behalf of McHugh Construction on the Donegal Town Hospital contract. We looked after the electrical and mechanical works at Plunkett College and Cathal Brugha Barracks for Glebe Builders, while the scope of works at IT Sligo included mechanical installation as well as pipework and air conditioning for Boyle Construction.”
Ferm Engineering places a strong emphasis on health & safety, and complies with all regulations and codes of practice in relation to health, safety and welfare. All staff receive regular training in this regard.
Jim is joined in the company by his son James, who is a project manager. Ferm Engineering dovetails with McCabe Architects, which is run by another son, Declan. Also based in Donegal Town, the practice has undertaken a number of award-winning projects nationally and internationally, and has gained national acclaim for the architectural and cultural success of its ecclesiastical projects.
Ferm Engineering Ltd
Old Laghey Road,
Donegal Town,
Co. Donegal.
Telephone: +353 74 9740768
Fax: +353 74 9721707
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.fermeng.ie
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, July 2017, Vol 3 No 6
