Founded in 2010, OCC Construction is a progressive construction company that has steadily built its reputation for quality and innovation over the past 15 years. Building Ireland spoke with Senior Contracts Manager John O’Connell to hear more about the company’s current projects and its success at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards.
Operating with 65 full-time staff, the company is headed by M.D. Peter O’Connell and specialises in the rapid delivery of large-scale technically advanced projects by embracing modern methods of construction and innovative technologies that are transforming the future of construction.
Over the past fifteen years, OCC Construction has grown into a visionary leader within the Irish construction industry through an innovative approach, always pushing the boundaries to pioneer new ideas and methods to deliver projects to an award-winning standard while investing in the right people who always push for continuous improvement. This is reflected with the latest nomination for John O’Connell, who won in the ‘Future Leader’ category at the Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards.
Building Ireland caught up with the company’s Senior Contracts Manager, John O’Connell, to talk about the award. John brings not only technical expertise but also a natural ability to lead, inspire and find creative solutions, always looking for smarter, better ways of working. “We have a great variety of projects on board, including significant residential, commercial & Medtech projects from repeat clients. OCC is on a positive growth trajectory and is delivering larger and more complex projects year on year”.
“OCC has embedded Lean Construction principles and fully adopted the Last Planner System across our sites, improving communication, programme certainty, and team collaboration. Our focus on digital transformation has helped enable the company with more efficient project delivery.”
Current projects under OCC’s belt include a 40,000 sq. ft Centre of Excellence for Penn Engineering in Galway, a 102-unit residential scheme at Clai Mór in Galway, retrofit works for the HSE at University College Hospital, and ongoing residential developments in Athlone, Kinnegad, Ennis, and Galway city. Across all projects, the approach remains consistent: “Invest in good people, Educate the whole site team in Lean principals and deliver projects collaboratively with design teams and clients to ensure excellence is achieved.”
John’s role as Chairman of Engineers Ireland West Region reflects the same passion he brings to OCC, championing innovation, promoting engineering as a career, and driving conversations around sustainability and smarter ways of building. “We have a great team who are ambitious about setting new standards,” John says. “But we know that real progress comes from consistency, using accountability to deliver high quality, sustainable projects, backing your people, and always looking for the next way to improve.”
So, all of that considered, the burning question is what has been the secret behind the success of OCC Construction over these past 15 years?
“Firstly, our team, no one delivers a project alone. It takes a great team, collaboratively design programs with early sub-contractor involvement, and a shared commitment to doing the job right. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who care as much as I do about the work we deliver.
“Secondly, we have a customer-orientated approach and an unwavering commitment to delivering excellence with each project,” he stated.
In February, it was announced that John was nominated in the ‘Future Leader’ category at the 2025 Irish Construction Excellence Awards. The category recognises individuals who have shown exceptional promise and demonstrated excellence in their work, in the industry and among their peers in the early stages of their careers.
Speaking on the award, OCC Construction’s Senior Contracts Manager spoke of his delight and the honour of being shortlisted in such a prestigious category.
“It was a privilege to be nominated, and an honour for the company as well,” he said. “We were nominated at the ICE Awards last year and won the award in the Social Housing Under €5m category, so it’s a great honour to win again for both OCC and myself.”
It goes without saying that John is an integral part of the team at OCC Construction where strong leadership, professionalism and mutual respect drive every aspect of the company.
Since day one, it has continually worked closely with its clients in order to deliver tailored solutions that exceed expectations. To date the team at OCC has delivered exceptional results, maintaining the highest standards of quality, with the company’s ambition and innovation having set new benchmarks in construction and infrastructure solutions nationwide.
Looking at the months ahead business-wise, OCC’s Senior Contracts Manager is as optimistic as ever as the company looks to keep itself moving in the right direction. “We’re proud of how hard we’ve come, but we’re even more focused on where we’re going. It’s about keeping standards high, supporting our people and always asking how we can do it better,” John concluded.
OCC Construction
Gray Office Park,
Galway Retail Park,
Headford Road,
Galway (H91 FRW3)
Tel: 091 511445
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, Summer 2025, Vol 11 No 7
