Through steady investment and diversification, Coshla Quarries is futureproofing further an already robust and well-established business. Building Ireland returned to Galway and sat down for a coffee with manager Martin Collins to discuss some of the progressive steps taken by Coshla Quarries recently.
Supplying a broad range of premium-quality concrete, block and aggregate products to the construction industry across County Galway for coming up on two decades, Coshla Quarries is firmly established as a business with a proud past, busy present and bright future.
However, rather than resting on its laurels or showing complacency, the business is pushing onwards, investing in the future and developing new revenue streams to supplement the core quarry activities that have served it so well since its inception in 2007.
To this end, a substantial investment in upgrading and increasing the efficiency, capacity and productivity of the concrete plant in 2024 represented more than a statement of intent. “There was a massive investment in completely overhauling the concrete plant,” quarry manager Martin Collins confirms. “This facelift of the facility has improved the quality and also allows us to supply greater volumes of concrete more quickly if and when we need to.
“To safeguard any business, you have to invest in the future and we are no different. You are always seeking ways to improve your products and service, so we will definitely be looking for more ways to futureproof the business. In a quarry, you are always investing.”
To complement its status as a proven industry leader supplying concrete, blocks and aggregates to a who’s who of main contractors engaged in building, civil and infrastructural projects large and small throughout the county, Coshla Quarries has also recently become an agent for Ultracem – a revolutionary game-changing portland cement-based, pump-applied liquid floor screed.
This new generation cement liquid screed is the ideal choice for commercial, residential and self-build projects. “It’s a new product for us and it is going very well,” Martin continues. “We’ve teamed up with the manufacturer, RTU, who have produced a great product. It’s a powder that is mixed with cement, sand, water and chemicals into a liquid floor screed solution that’s compatible with all floor coverings.
“We supply it to the contractor laying the floor. The first job we supplied Ultracem for here in Galway was for an old house that was being upgraded. It’s proving to be very popular for use on residential houses. I knew liquid screed was becoming very popular, so I did a bit of research into potential partners and then contacted RTU in the North. We had them over at our plant and did some trials with the product and it has worked out extremely well for us so far.”
Focused very much on sustainability and customer / project satisfaction, Coshla Quarries has always been synonymous with quality products and unbeatable service, and this remains the case today. Supplying and manufacturing fully certified, high quality concrete and stone, Coshla Quarries operate two concrete batching plants to ensure reliable delivery of all products.
Each and every block carries the CE mark and is manufactured on site by their hard working and dedicated team of concrete experts, who are dedicated to helping customers meet their targets by offering expert advice and value for money.
Using GGBS from Ecocem, Coshla Quarries take every measure to reduce their carbon footprint while increasing the strength and durability of their products. Always keen to meet the ever-evolving needs of customers and their projects, Coshla can produce specific concrete mix requirements to suit more niche demands.
From footpath and pump mix to floor screed, Coshla Quarries offers a wide range of ready-mix concrete to suit the needs of every customer. All concrete comes fully certified and tailored to specified requirements and Coshla Quarries’ range of concrete products also includes air-entrained, dyed concrete and exposed concrete.
Be it for a new build, renovation or refurbishment, Coshla Quarries has a concrete block to suit all needs. Manufacturing low-carbon concrete blocks using 50% GGBS, all building materials from the quarry are environmentally friendly, strong and long-lasting. Block types supplied by Coshla Quarries include 4” blocks, 6” blocks, 4” soap bars, 6” soap bars and stock bricks.
Since opening for business, Coshla Quarries has delivered a vast range of products to contractors working on a complete array of project types not just in and around Galway city but across the county and far afield as the most western tips of Connemara. Such is the quality of both the products and the service that there’s never a dull or quiet day:
“Things are going well and we’re moving every day,” Martin confirms. “If the work is out there, we tend to get it and we receive a large volume of repeat business from satisfied customers.”
While the spiralling price of cement is problematic, generally customers appreciate the challenges facing supply lines: “We won’t take work on for nothing,” says Martin. “Cement is going up again, predictably, and we will have to raise prices again. It’s not the kind of news you enjoy giving clients. There has been at least one increase in cement prices per year for each of the past five years. Unfortunately, we have to move in line with that and I’d rather lose customers than lose money.
“Business at the minute is reasonably good and I’m optimistic that it will get busier. We’ve a few things kicking off at the moment and more work coming down the line so that’ll get us through the first half of the year anyway.
“Concrete, blocks and aggregates are our main sellers and there’s big demand for all of them. We’re selling a lot of aggregates. Last year we supplied all the aggregates to a new factory in Athenry and that was a big order. We can look after any requirement, large or small.”
Coshla Quarries provides direct employment for a team of twelve, while subcontracting all the crushing and up to 90 per cent of deliveries. On a busy day, activities here could be generating work for up to 40 people – another immeasurable boost to the local economy in these difficult times for all.
Coshla Quarries,
Cashla,
Athenry,
County Galway.
Tel: 091 389020
Mobile: 087 9663781
Email: [email protected]
Web: coshlaquarries.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, Summer 2025, Vol 11 No 7
