Based in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, Skyline Scaffolding Ltd has built an enviable reputation for delivering a quality service with a strong commitment to both customer service and safety.
This past year has been one like no other for the Irish construction industry. The Covid-19 pandemic, and the government restrictions which have followed in order to combat the spread of the virus, have seen construction businesses across Ireland impacted through regulations and temporary closures of non-essential projects.
Building Ireland caught up with company directors Kevin Walsh and Roisin Mellett to hear more about how the company is managing in the current situation and its plans for the future.
“There’s no doubt it’s tough at the moment for the whole industry and of course our business has been impacted,” said Kevin. “As a large part of our work is with pharmaceutical companies, we have been able to remain open but with significantly reduced activity, given the restrictions on construction projects. So it’s tough.
“From a practical perspective, in terms of the Covid restrictions, all our team are used to working in controlled environments which has been a help in adjusting to this new working environment, but it is a difficult and challenging time for anyone in construction.”
Notwithstanding the current pandemic, Kevin and Rosin are optimistic about the future for Skyline Scaffolding. With over twenty years’ experience under its belt, Skyline Scaffolding has come through tough times before.
Established in 1999, the company was initially involved in general construction. However, the decision was then made to specialise in servicing the pharmaceutical, food manufacturing and chemical industries. In order to differentiate itself, the company decided to focus on the key areas of service and safety and as a result, invested heavily across its business with its commitment to safety being recognised by the awarding of the Safe-T-Cert and the NISO Safety Award.
As Roisin noted: “As a small company, we have to be innovative and always look to the future and try to improve our standards.”
This focus on continuous improvement saw the company move into Layher System Scaffolding in recent years.
Layher System Scaffolding is a revolutionary scaffolding approach that is renowned globally for quality, safety and efficiency so it was a good fit for the company ethos. With training and support provided by Layher International, Skyline Scaffolding has become highly proficient in the use of Layher.
This was clearly demonstrated when Skyline Scaffolding erected a freestanding waterproof structure, with sliding roof to facilitate the prefabrication of a dryer in a weatherproof environment at Glanbia’s Plant in Belview.
This innovative solution delivered by Skyline Scaffolding was constructed so that the roof could be opened so that the dryer could be removed from the structure by crane when completed. By pioneering this approach, a whole new range of project opportunities for Skyline have emerged ranging from roofing during the addition of storeys to buildings or roof repairs, weather protection for new structures, roadworks on motorways and bridges, and numerous applications for events and festivals.
An unexpected outcome was that the projects undertaken by Skyline have featured in Layher international publications and ScaffMag, UK.
Today, the company’s ethos of service and safety remains as strong as ever. As Roisin commented: “We have to try and do all that we can to keep everyone safe – its our company ethos anyway, but in a pandemic, we all have to do a bit more.”
Looking towards the coming months, Kevin and Roisin are maintaining their positive outlook for their business despite these unprecedented times.
“It is going to be a challenging year,” Kevin admitted. “But we continue to be optimistic, stay safe and hope for a return to business as usual as soon as possible.”
We can all agree with that.
Skyline Scaffolding Ltd
Clonmel Business Park,
Cashel Road,
Clonmel,
Co. Tipperary
Tel: 052 6183885
