Scanlon Construction Ltd is a multi-faceted building and civils firm which continues to go from strength to strength after more than 51 years in business.
Based in the West Limerick village of Athea, Scanlon Construction Ltd was founded in 1973 by Tim Scanlon. For more than 21 years, the company is run by his son – also Tim – who is joined by a 10-strong team who in turn are supported and supplemented by the same tried and trusted subcontractors. It goes without saying that Scanlon Construction’s people are its greatest asset.
Experience, expertise, quality workmanship, value-for-money, versatility and an unwavering commitment to Health & Safety are other key selling points. The main contractor offers a diverse range of services, including commercial, industrial, fit out, residential and general construction as well as civil engineering work. It is engaged in both the private and public sectors, and can count the ESB, OPW, Limerick City & County Council and Limerick & Clare ETB, Kerry ETB among its most valued clients. Scanlon Construction is on both the OPW and ESB Power Generation Maintenance Frameworks on their Hydroelectric stations in Cork and Clare.
“Repeat business has been central to our longevity and success,” Tim Scanlon points out.
“We have been collaborating with many of the same clients for decades. The ESB, for example, has been a client of ours for over 40 years. We have worked for private, public, state and semi-state bodies, and our expertise has been associated with a wide range of work. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work, our ability to complete projects on time and within budget, and the long-lasting relationships we’ve built with our clients, subcontractors and suppliers.
“We’re also very proud of our team members, some of whom have been with us for a long time. They are always prepared to go the extra mile and can turn their hand to any job.”
Some of the projects the family business has worked on include the following: Electricity Generating Power stations; Fire stations; Golf Clubs (Ballybunion, Co Kerry and Limerick Golf Club, in Ballyclough Co. Limerick); Marine works (Jetties, Pier repairs); Listowel Courthouse; Hydrotherapy Pool; HSE / Healthcare centres; Educational Centres / Schools / Office buildings / Office Fit Outs; Libraries; Housing Developments – private and social; Pharmaceutical / Food Industry Plants / Production facilities; Banks; Footbridge works; Protected structures and Heritage / Restoration Work; and Wind Farms.
“We are the main contractor on the majority of projects we work on,” the affable managing director explains.
“We have a loyal and dedicated team of operatives, skilled trades and supervisors, and we also operate our own plant and machinery to execute the majority of works, ensuring greater on-site control, quality, supervision and adaptability to undertake works at short notice. Our excavators range from 1t to 23t, site dumpers from .8t to 9t and telehandlers from 6m to 14m.
“We also have specialist electrically powered and battery operated equipment (dumpers and excavators) that can work indoors and carry out intricate work in tight spaces such as classrooms with zero noise and emissions in an environmentally-friendly manner. Our high-spec dumpers result in reduced manual handling, less dependency on manpower and wheelbarrows with increased efficiency and production.
“In addition, we have our own workshop to keep the fleet in perfect working order with a mechanical fitter to carry out modifications and repairs. We have a contract with major plant OEWM to carry out periodic services at required intervals from main dealers.
“We are used to working to tight deadlines, executing jobs out of hours and on weekends where required to minimise disruption to production or others and ensure jobs are handed over safely, on time and on budget.
“Our ability to coordinate various trades and disciplines as a main contractor, with our individual plant and unique builder owned equipment, and having reputable specialists and supply chain to provide a turnkey solution, is a major advantage in carrying out works satisfactorily.”
Scanlon Construction’s client-base includes: HSE; Various Schools; TES Group; Shannon Commercial Properties (formerly Shannon Development); Wyeth Nutrition Ireland; Nestle; Limerick City & County Council; Kerry County Council; Listowel Urban District Council; Pfizer Nutritional Ireland Ltd; Teagasc; ESB Tarbert; ESB Moneypoint; ESB Ardnacrusha; ESB International; Endesa Ireland; ESB Inniscarra, ESB Carrigadrohid, Aughinish Alumina; NORA (National Oil Reserves Authority); Kentz Group; Balfour Beatty Ireland; Limerick Golf Club; Ballybunion Golf Club; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland; Cheshire Ireland; GAA Clubs; OPW; Kirby Group; HMV Engineering; Foynes Engineering; PJ Hegarty & Sons; Imtech Suir; Suir Engineering; Fingleton White; Andritz Hydro Gmbh (Switzerland); Duro Felguera ( Spain) and numerous private clients.
Scanlon Construction’s core values are reliability, responsibility and efficiency with a proven track record over half a century. As a result of its high flexibility, interactive methods and agile management structure, the Limerick contractor never fails to meet its clients’ needs. It strives to exceed clients’ expectations and endeavours to become an asset to their business.
Every project undertaken, regardless of the size, is given the same level of attention to detail to ensure unrivalled customer service. Tim and his team will help you through the construction stage and offer solutions that will suit your needs. Each project begins and ends with an absolute dedication to high standards and workmanship. From a one-off small job to a large project, the team is committed to high quality at every level.
All projects are undertaken with a professional commitment to Health and Safety, quality and the environment. Scanlon Construction has been a registered Safe-T-Cert contractor since 2016, over eight
years. Furthermore, it is a member of the CIF, IEI (Engineers Ireland) and Homebond, and is also a registered CIRI member.
“We actively review and promote our Health & Safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for all involved in the construction process as well as investing in ongoing training for our workers.
“Health & Safety is paramount on all of our jobs. We provide a safe working environment for everyone involved. We are proud of our Health & Safety record and work hard to maintain that. We have never had an enforcement or improvement notice issued in 51 years of business.”
Among Scanlon Construction’s recent projects was the enabling works contract for the new District Garda HQ in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. The OPW awarded the family business the enabling works package which consisted of the demolition of the existing station and ancillary building, site clearance along with the decommissioning and removal of all existing site services. Scanlon Construction Ltd is currently working on another Garda Station in Pallaskenry Co Limerick and has been awarded another Garda Station project for the OPW in Kerry.
The contractor is currently carrying out energy upgrade and universal access works at Pallaskenry Garda Station. This includes the installation of external wall and attic insulation, new thermal high-spec windows and doors, an air-to-water heat pump system as well as new fire alarms, solar panels and security lighting.
Other current / recent projects include access platform works and scaffolding works in the West and East Node plant room upgrades at MTU (Munster Technological University) in Tralee; recent award of almost 500 number base plate high strength non shrink cementitious grouting and formwork works to structural steelwork on the Power Plant infrastructure Gas Turbines for a new Emergency 450MW Power station in Tarbert Co Kerry, a 14-unit private housing development in Doon Road Tralee Co. Kerry; renovation and energy upgrade works to Limerick City & County Council social housing in Mount Collins; Co. Limerick with scaffolding and reroofing works to 6 number building roofs for ESB Hydro-Electric Scheme at Parteen Weir, Co. Tipperary.
Scanlon Construction also recently FastTrack completed the Raheen Campus canteen upgrade works at the Limerick & Clare ETB Training Centre in nine days, with a team of 27 personnel of various trades and disciplines during the long days which involved the installation of approx. 200m2 of safety flooring and 400m2 of PVC hygienic wall cladding, demolition of ceiling tiles, painting, catering equipment relocation and reinstallation as well as electrical and mechanical works.
“Thankfully, we’re very busy at the moment,” Tim reports.
“We have carried out several classroom and science room upgrades in schools along with various other maintenance works across a range of sectors. To date we have completed science room upgrades in 8 number rooms over 5 separate schools in Limerick And Kerry.
We own and possess specialist indoor electric plant/machinery- excavator, dumpers and concrete saws to work internally with environmental benefits, low noise, zero emissions or fumes with reduced manual handling work and labour dependency.
“We can carry out contract work as and when required. No job is too big or too small.”
Scanlon Construction’s regular subcontractors have worked for them regularly over the years, some of them for over 30 years on various jobs.
A qualified Civil engineer and MIEI by profession who has worked on projects in London, the UK and overseas in Australia, Tim would like to take this opportunity to thank his clients, suppliers and design teams for their continued support as well as his employees especially and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication, dependency and skill.
Here’s to the next 50 years of this exceptional family business!
Scanlon Construction Ltd
Building & Civil Engineering Contractors
Athea,
Co. Limerick.
Telephone: 068 42144
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October 2024, Vol 10 No 10
