Coming up on 30 years as a limited company, Mulcahy Construction Ltd is a business which has prided itself on delivering outstanding quality and design on its projects since ‘Day One’. Building Ireland caught up with one of its three directors, David Mulcahy to hear more about the continued growth of this thriving venture and the projects it’s currently immersed in.  

When Edel and Joe Mulcahy first set-up their construction venture back in 1992, they did so with the intention of one day running a business which provides a client focused service determined by the delivery of projects and services based on key principles of time, cost and quality.  

Today, that is very much at the core of what Mulcahy Construction is about as the family-run firm continues to add to its already impressive project portfolio. 

The company currently employs 30 full-time staff and uses a team of subcontractors which can fulfil all of its contractual obligations from concept to completion. 

Building Ireland spoke with David Mulcahy to discuss the ins and outs of the business and its ambitions going forward. 

“We’re coming up to nearly 30 years as a limited company now next year and, right now, business is steady for us,” he outlined.  

“Obviously, it has its challenges with the way the industry is at the moment with prices and the economic scenarios but, overall, the company is doing well.  

“We have a good steady flow of business and the book is full up to the end of the year. We are continuing to grow as a business, adding continuously every year to new ways of doing things and keeping up with the new way the industry is continuously changing with your BIM and all the ever-changing environmental standards, safety standards. We are keeping up to date all the time.” 

Working in the commercial, industrial, residential, health and education sectors sees Mulcahy Construction Ltd keeping its books full year-round.  

It’s the Tipp-based company’s policy to produce a very high standard of workmanship on each project it undertakes, on schedule and at competitive rates.  

Right now, it is immersed in numerous projects which David himself was good enough to shed some light on. 

“As a business, we have a wide range of different projects. The healthcare industry is probably one of the largest that we have,” said the director, who, having previously worked part-time, joined his family’s company on a full-time basis 10 years ago after having worked in the UK following his college days. 

“We’re currently constructing three number community dwellings in Pallasgreen in Limerick for the HSE. We’ve recently completed a new mental health facility in Dungarvan called Sea Breeze for the HSE, and we have recently completed an upgrade of the Paediatrics Ward in the South Tipp General Hospital for the HSE. 

“The HSE is a big client of ours, very important to us. Each year we’re carrying out fairly large-scale projects in the region of €3 to €5 million and also doing continuous maintenance with them across the South East. 

“We have other projects that are on-going. We would do a lot of industrial commercial work, recently completing a new 20,000 square foot warehouse for a local pharmaceutical company called Clonmel Healthcare. 

“We have a project on-going in Powerstown Racecourse which is a new jockey and weigh room facility with a stand, and we are carrying out work with the local pharmaceutical companies Boston Scientific and Abbott Vascular as well.” 

He added: “We do a good bit of the high-end residential work as well, so currently carrying out a project in Straffan in Co Kildare, and we would do a lot of our own developments as well. 

“We recently completed a 10-unit development, 10 two-beds, called Abbey Lawn. That’s completed there now and we’re just about to complete an apartment and commercial building in the centre of Clonmel.” 

The track record of the business is an impressive one and has helped to establish it as one of the most progressive construction companies in the South East. 

So, what has been the secret behind its success over these last three decades? 

“I suppose, from when the business was first created, Joe and Edel had a very hands-on approach delivering quality and had a hands-on approach in being always there for the client for any questions or queries,” said David. 

“Over the last 30 years, we’ve tried to continue that with each client that we have and that stands to us and gives us the repeat business. 

“Nearly 70% of our work annually would be through repeat customers, repeat business. I suppose, safety & quality is the main thing and being there to assist and help and being honest with the client. 

“There’s obviously challenges there with every project and it’s just being open and coming to the table with solutions, not problems.” 

It should also be noted that Mulcahy Construction has been thoroughly committed to continuous improvement of safety standards and performance with zero accidents as its target. Maintaining the “A” Grade status with Safe-T-Cert is a key target that is set annually.  

Health & Safety is the number one priority when it comes to this family venture and significant resources are deployed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees, “Build with Safety – Finish with Quality”  

Looking at the months ahead for the company, David says they are eager to continue the growing trend. 

“The target for the group is to continue to grow steadily over the next number of years, increasing the workloads annually, developing the company in terms of its staff and trying to bring everyone along with us,” he stated. 

“We wouldn’t be here without our staff. We have great staff with us and some with us since day one and others 20 years. We have some great young new staff that are key members of the team and are basically keeping the day-to-day show going. 

“It’s to grow them into senior roles and to establish the business stronger than it is so that it’s here again for the next 30 years.” 

Mulcahy Construction Ltd is a registered contractor with S.E.I. Ireland and are members of the Irish Homebuilders Association and the Master Builders & Contractors Association. 

Mulcahy Construction Ltd. 
Powerstown, 
Clonmel, 
Co Tipperary 
Tel: +353 (0)52 612 4599 
Fax: +353 (0)52 618 2482 
Email: [email protected] 

This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, September, Vol 11 No 10

featured, Mulcahy Construction

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