Quality workmanship has been the bedrock of Callaghan Electrical since its inception 28 years ago. This exacting ethos remains very much at the heart of the industry-leading Cavan-headquartered electrical contractor today.
The firm continues to set the standards in delivering high-specification electrical installation, fit out and maintenance contracts for large-scale residential, commercial and public sector developments.
A national provider of electrical contracting services established in 1996 by Kieran Callaghan, Callaghan Electrical has built a reputation for quality, trust, integrity and commitment amongst design partners, developers, architects and direct clients alike.
Fronted by a 75 strong team of skilled electrical practitioners, the Cavan-based company provides the full suite of electrical contracting services across design & build, installation, fit out, maintenance and support. Throughout their decades in business, they have consistently demonstrated their ability to adapt and evolve their offerings, solutions and delivery approaches to meet changing market requirements and a growing client base.
The Callaghan Electrical portfolio of completed projects is as breath-taking as it is diverse, with key long-term clients including renowned main contractors McGarrell Reilly Group and Elliott Group, and public sector organisations such as the HSE and OPW.
Today, Callaghan Electrical holds specialist, niche electrical expertise and capability across the commercial, residential, healthcare, education, industrial and lighting sectors. The company is always driven by a quality ethos. This encompasses their people, their processes and their technology, and means that for all engagements, they bring a solution-focused approach to meet each client’s and project’s specific electrical requirements.
A trailblazing firm when it comes to embracing pioneering technology, systems and innovation, Callaghan Electrical announced in May that it had become the first construction subcontractor to secure funding under the Enterprise Ireland ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative.
As part of the wider government ‘Housing for All’ Programme, the ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative aims to achieve faster, higher quality construction of housing by providing funding support for productivity training, innovation and digitisation.
The ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative applied at Callaghan Electrical will support the firm as it puts ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC) such as LEAN, sustainability and digitisation at the centre of its operations through investment in staff training, skill futureproofing and management development.
Founder and MD Kieran Callaghan observes that the programme “empowers us further to drive efficiencies across our business and to deliver the essential electrical work packages at scale and at pace while protecting the ‘quality from start to finish’ ethos we are known for”.
While large commercial and multi-unit residential developments account for a substantial percentage of the day-to-day workload at Callaghan Electrical, no two days are ever the same with plenty of variety on the menu. “We cover literally all sectors of the industry from housing and apartments to schools and HSE and OPW work,” confirms the hands-on business owner/leader.
“I started off in ’96 with one van and when you start out like that on your own you have to do invoicing, sales, purchasing and deal with revenue and the banks and you get to understand every parameter of the business – that has certainly stood to me.”
Kieran has surrounded himself with an exceptional team and he doesn’t need any prompting whatsoever before declaring that Callaghan Electrical would not be where it is today without the invaluable contribution of his staff: “The most important part of our business is our people and we’ve been very fortunate to have employed a lot of very loyal and dedicated people over many years. There are a lot of ‘lifers’ working here, and they mean absolutely everything to our business.
“We have organically grown, together, as a team. Of our 14 foremen, for example, only one of them didn’t start here as an apprentice. So that gives you a good indication of our retention levels. We also have different people who specialise in different areas of the business and that helps make us very strong as a company. If you don’t have these good people, then you won’t have a business, especially in the service industry. I’m very, very proud of the team we have.
“We have all grown within the business, have grown together, and have grown stronger as a team. And we have learned together. Every day is a learning day, for all of us, including myself. I put procedures in place to help the team but we aren’t micromanaging them. I give them the tools and they take responsibility for their work. I’ve invested a lot in technology and that allows us to keep growing the business and also to ensure that our quality is always high.”
Generally, Callaghan Electrical covers a catchment area that runs from Cavan to Dundalk, up the east coast and back along the M50, taking in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath and Dublin along the way, including projects in Clonee, Lucan, Finglas, and other areas.
The main ongoing project is The Crossings at Adamstown – comprising 436 residential units across three contemporary apartment blocks, where Callaghan Electrical is delivering a full electrical installation package for Elliott Group. This is a 20-month contract and Callaghan will have up to 60 of its team on site at the height of the project.
Other live projects at the time of writing included an industrial unit at the Finglas Junction off the M50 for Eamon Costello, a primary healthcare unit for Elliott Group, a housing scheme with McGarrell Reilly Group and upgrade works on various Garda stations.
“We’re very lucky with the work we have on at the moment,” notes Kieran, humbly. “We’ve also started doing lighting upgrades using the latest LED technology which can enhance the building and the fabric of buildings. A couple of examples of these close to home are Cavan Courthouse and Cavan Cathedral.”
Working on old heritage buildings is another exclusive area where Callaghan Electrical has built up an excellent track record down through the years. It is specialist work requiring specific electrical skills and know-how to protect the fabric and structure of often protected buildings.
Callaghan Electrical has developed into an electrical contractor of choice and this has not happened by chance. A firm focus on delivering quality has been the cornerstone of this success story and it’s no surprise to learn that quality rather than growth will remain the goal going forward:
“Quality has always been key and that’s why major clients like Elliott Group and McGarrell Reilly Group keep coming back to us,” Kieran concludes. “There is no plan to chase growth and we won’t overstretch or take on too much work. We’ll continue to do quality work – that’s the plan!”
Callaghan Electrical,
Drumlaunaght,
Stradone,
County Cavan.
Tel: 049 4330111
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October 2024, Vol 10 No 10
