Established in Hacketstown, Co. Carlow 17 years ago, Smith Groundworks & Civil Engineering Ltd has worked in all sectors of the construction industry on a wide range of groundworks, roadworks, demolition and civil engineering projects.
The family-run business specialises in all aspects of earthworks from bulk excavations to foundations as well as the laying of water mains, electrical ducting and sewer and storm water lines. It holds waste collection permits for the Leinster area and provides skilled, experienced and dedicated staff who complete work to the highest standard on time and within budget.
The company guarantees complete customer satisfaction by its hands-on management approach which has been developed over the course of many years in the Irish construction industry.
“Our services include groundworks, civil engineering, demolition, roadworks, crushing and muck shifting. We offer the full package,” says founder and managing director Pat Smith, who is joined in the business by his wife Assumpta and son Padraig.
“We’re coming up on 20 years in business and employ 50 people comprising engineers, quantity surveyors, machine operators and office personnel. We work for the leading main contractors on both public and private sector projects. We work on everything from schools and nursing homes to factories and one-off houses, and have a modern fleet of plant, including dump trucks, diggers and bulldozers, ranging from three to 30 tonnes.”
Pat adds: “We have a stringent Health & Safety policy and take great pride in our perfect record. We encourage ongoing training and knowledge-sharing among staff members. In addition, all our machinery is checked weekly to ensure that it’s in perfect working order and that all legal requirements are met.”
Smith Groundworks & Civil Engineering Ltd has demonstrated its competency and ability through the management and execution of a broad range of civil engineering project works. This is reflected in the number of projects undertaken and completed involving traditional aspects of civil engineering and building works together with bespoke design and specialist services.
Examples of services provided include: bulk excavations, earthworks and enabling works involving peat and rock excavations and mass movement of excavated materials; concrete works including supply shuttering and placement of reinforced concrete at various heights and depths, including pours in excess of 550m3; bridge construction projects ranging from traditional repairs to protected structures to the provision of steel and reinforced concrete structures in urban and rural areas; roadworks and surfacing projects involving pedestrian and vehicular traffic in excess of 20,000aadt – in urban areas and new project works to develop the national infrastructure on green field and road realignment projects; marine and water works involving various works from intakes and outfalls to erosion protection; road construction and realignment works.
The Carlow contractor has completed a number of high-profile projects throughout Ireland in the water and wastewater sector, including large-scale works for public and private clients. It has expertise in pipeline construction, borehole drilling and installation, surface water attenuation and pipeline rehabilitation / trenchless techniques.
The company’s building works experience and capability is demonstrated throughout projects. The provision of the necessary building materials for office, storage, plant and electrical rooms and pump rooms is an integral element of large and small-scale civil projects. The completion of building construction projects has also been provided on specific projects: groundworks; concrete works; reinforced concrete; specialist stonework – maintenance and repair; conservation projects; building – public, commercial and industrial; hard landscaping.
One of the company’s core elements involves design and build works within the current market in the road, water and wastewater sectors. Smith Groundworks & Engineering Ltd can provide back-up to the design and build in conjunction with Departments to meet the project requirements, including temporary works, traffic management, steel fabrication, pipeline rehabilitation / trenchless techniques and traffic calming schemes / urban renewal.
Throughout the various projects it has been involved in, the firm has provided specialist civil services to meet the project requirements, including bridge repair and maintenance, blasting / quarrying, hydro demolition, borehole drilling and installation, marine works, steel fabrication, conservation projects, pipeline rehabilitation / trenchless techniques and piling.
Smith Groundworks & Engineering Ltd is involved in a number of large-scale projects at present, including the 32-unit Taney Road in Dundrum, Kilternan Parish Church and Stepaside Educate Together National School. Alber Homes are the main contractors on Taney Road, which is a boutique development of four and five-bedroom homes.
Smith Groundworks & Engineering Ltd has been contracted to carry out the demolition and groundworks packages for the construction of a new Parish Hall in Kilternan for main contractor ABM. The first stage of the works consisted of the full demolition of three structures adjoining a 180-year listed building, which was completed without a hitch. The listed building was then stripped back to shell and core for renovation.
The company is also currently contracted to carry out the groundworks for an Educate Together National School in Bellarmine, Stepaside. The project consists of the construction of a new school building comprising a three-storey primary school building with 24 classrooms, general purpose hall, a two-classroom Special Needs unit, support teaching spaces and ancillary accommodation, with a total floor area of 4,600 square metres. The company – which has its own permitted tips – is also currently carrying out the groundworks package with ABM for schools in Luttrellstown and Portarlington.
Recently completed projects include a residential development in Terenure and new storage units for the Defence Forces at the Curragh Camp. Terenure Gate comprises 51 exclusive A-rated houses, duplex and apartments for developer Kempton Vale. The groundworks package comprised the initial site strip of over 12,000m2, followed by the reduced dig for the structure. Smith Groundworks & Civil Engineering Ltd was contracted to complete each structure up to and including ground floor slab, leaving it ready for timber frame installation, and to install all below ground drainage, water, gas and services followed by slip form kerbing, permeable cobble block paving and road finishes.
The Curragh Camp project involved the construction of 18 new storage units for hazardous explosive materials. Duggan Brothers were the main contractor for the job with Smith’s contracted to carry out the demolition of all existing buildings, retaining walls and groundworks.
Pat is in no doubt that having a positive attitude has been a big factor in his company’s success.
“We always look forward and never look back. The recession was a difficult time for everyone in the construction sector, but we never gave up. We dusted ourselves down and came back stronger than ever,” he concludes.
Smith Groundworks & Civil Engineering Ltd
Constable Hill,
Hacketstown,
Co. Carlow.
Telephone: 059 6471827
Mobile: 087 2771939
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.smithgroundworksandcivilengineering.ie
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, August 2018, Vol 4 No 7
Civil Engineering, Smith Groundworks
