Semiton Ltd is a leading general building, contracting and project management company which has been operating from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary since 1978. The family-run business continues to go from strength to strength by providing an unrivalled service to an ever-growing client base.
Based on the Dungarvan Road, Semiton was founded in 1979 by Sean Murphy and is now fronted by his son Niall, who recently succeeded his brother Darren as managing director and has been part of the team for 30 years. Another sibling, Arlene, is employed as safety officer, Gezz Bayliss is the financial manager, while Peter Hogan is head of safety. The company employs 25 people directly and many more on a sub-contract basis. The name Semiton comes from the first letters in the names of Sean Murphy (‘Se’), Mick O’Hare (‘Mi’) and Tony O’Connell (‘Ton’), who had worked in construction together in Africa.
Superior workmanship, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients are the hallmarks of Semiton which has been consistently profitable, despite trading through several difficult economic periods. Health & Safety is also at the core of the business, and never more so than since the Covid-19 pandemic. The South Tipperary contractor’s reputation for quality construction and ability to complete projects on time and within the agreed budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from architects, design teams and scores of satisfied customers.
By employing highly-skilled people and using only the very best building methods and products, Semiton is able to deliver the highest quality construction to its clients. The company boasts an impressive client-base across a range of sectors, from Merck Sharp Dohme (MSD), Teva Pharmaceutical, Abbott Vascular Ireland and Amneal Pharmaceutical to the HSE, Musgraves Group, Dairygold Foods, Bulmers, Danone Nutricia and Tipperary County Council.
Semiton’s main suppliers are Chadwicks, Stakelums Home & Hardware in Thurles and Bretts Hardware in Mullinahone. It uses the same tried and trusted sub-contractors, including EHS Plumbing & Heating, Maher Electrical, Noel Walsh Construction, Top Class Painting and local blocklayers / plasterers.
“Commercial, pharmaceutical and civils are our bread and butter,” Niall Murphy says.
“We have partnered with MSD and its project managers for over 30 years, mostly on cleanroom and fitout projects. We also have a very good working relationship with Teva Pharmaceutical in Waterford and South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel.
“Our focus is very much on customer satisfaction. We pride ourselves on the quality and value-for-money we offer our clients. We will always go the extra mile for them. We retain a strong core of direct staff who know exactly what our clients want and what they expect.
“Furthermore, we employ specialist sub-contractors to supplement our direct labour force. All sub-contractors are subject to full internal quality and safety controls, and are fully certified and registered. Our people are our greatest asset.”
He continues: “We have an exemplary safety record which has been recognised by the CIF with several achievements and awards over the years, including Safe-T-Cert. We are currently taking advantage of our strong position and have a full order book for the next few months. There is a lot of work out there at the moment.”
Among Semiton’s current projects are school and housing developments in Littleton and Mullinahone respectively. The development at St Kevin’s National School in Littleton involves the construction of an extension to the existing school which includes an ASD unit, reception, office and storage area. A complete new mechanical and electrical package is included within the scope. Semiton is a relative newcomer to the educational sector, with this being only its second project for the Department of Education.
Semiton is also constructing 10 social housing units at Killaghy Crescent in Mullinahone for Tipperary County Council. The development comprises two two-bed and eight three-bed houses together with all associated external works and site development works. In addition, the contractor is developing 14 social housing units in Ballyclerihan, Clonmel and a further eight in Donohill village near Tipperary Town on behalf of the local authority.
Last year, Semiton completed a €2.5 million extension to the production hall at Danone Nutricia’s Macroom facility. The Clonmel contractor previously worked with the well-known yoghurt and baby food manufacturer in the 1990s and was delighted to collaborate with both themselves and Lynch & Associates Engineering Consultants again.
It is clear that Semiton is enjoying much success in the pharmaceutical and housing sectors, having initially made its name in the industrial and commercial sectors.
“We’re constantly evolving and looking at ways to diversify into different sectors. If you sit still, you will get left behind. We’re actively tendering for projects as we look to enhance our reputation across a range of sectors.
“We want to promote the company as much as possible. We have nearly 45 years’ experience behind us, but still face challenges on a daily basis. Covid, Brexit, soaring inflation and the war in Ukraine have made the last couple of years extremely challenging,” Niall adds.
‘Building with care’ and passionate about construction, Semiton would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, suppliers, architects and designers for their continued support as well as its staff and sub-contractors for their hard work, commitment and expertise.
Semiton Ltd
Dungarvan Road,
Clonmel,
Co. Tipperary
E91 EY13.
Tel: 052 612 3111
Web: www.semiton.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2023, Vol 9 No 4
