Construction Management Ireland by Martin Foran

E N G I N E E R S • A R C H I T E C T S • S U RV E YO R S • P R O J E C T M A N A G E R S • C O N T R A C T O R S

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YEARBOOK 2021

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Welcome to another packed special issue of Construction Management Ireland magazine. Here we celebrate reaching the end of another year in buoyant humour and with continued optimism. It’s been another year where the industry continued to put its best foot forward and show us all what it is made of. Covid has still been a huge presence and continues to be so at time of writing – but the industry has faced this head-on, keeping the wheels in motion across many of the areas that we place such special emphasis on here. From Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to Sustainability and from Health & Safety to New Technologies and more, a lot has been taking place and we try to focus on as much as we can in this issue, bringing you a flavour of what has been going on and what might be coming down the line. We have our usual updates from CIOB (Dublin Hub) including a special message from the Chair. We have news of coming events and we look back at some of the events that have taken place, albeit on-line in many cases. On that note, the readiness to ‘pivot’ in this way has been notable and a lot of credit is due regarding the flexibility and adaptability of professionals right across the industry. Of course, the quality of our people is something that is undoubted in Ireland – and this is echoed in the observations of Professor Orla Feely in our major ‘On The Record’ interview. Professor Feely this year became the 129th President of Engineers Ireland and speaks to us about nurturing, attracting and growing talent in the sector – as well as challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Elsewhere we have many of our usual features including Tech Talk where we look at issues around Electric Vehicle charging, Training & Careers, Green Building – with the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), Personal & Finance, Out & About (again, often in a ‘virtual’ sense in many cases these days), Facilities Management and Lean Journeys – as well as a look at How the Land Lies with Construction Information Services (CIS). We also have news and products and profile features of many of the great players in our industry including suppliers. Throughout it all we put the Construction Professionals front and centre, as always – be they our valued readers, contributors, advertisers, or a mix of all three! We hope you enjoy this issue.

P.7

PUTTING THE PROFESSIONAL CENTRE STAGE

‘THE QUALITY OF OUR PEOPLE IS UNDOUBTED IN IRELAND.’

Talk to you soon, Martin & Dermot

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Construction Management Ireland Published by Ocean Publishing, 14 Upper Fitzwilliam St, Dublin 2

Publisher Patrick Aylward

Tel: 01 678 5165

National Sales Manager Dermot Casey Dermot@constructionmanagementireland.ie

Fax: 01 678 5191

Editor Martin Foran martin@constructionmanagementireland.ie

Art Editor Jim Obey Printed by WG Baird Ltd Antrim

Ad Production Audrey Fitzgerald

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this journal is correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions or discrepancies. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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CONTENTS

9 On The Record A wide-ranging interview With Professor Orla Feely, President, Engineers Ireland

5 News & Views News in brief. Items from the industry and the wider economy

14 CIOB News Including a message from Derek Cassidy, Chair of Dublin Hub and more

17 Mount Lucas update The work of the National Construction Training Centre

19 Tech Talk Electric vehicle charging. Advice and observations for readers

26 Movers & Shakers: Mercury Continued success and growth is the order of the day

28 How The Land Lies Including the lowdown from Construction Information Services (CIS)

25 Lean Journeys

35 Out & About

Reporting on another successful conference

Shows and conferences, awards and initiatives – an overview

41 Training & Courses Including the latest on WorldSkills Ireland Live 2022

47 Personal & Finance Health, wellness and positivity – and some handy tips and advice

50 Movers & Shakers: Suir Engineering We check in with another of the industry’s leading players

55 Green Building Our usual round-up from the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC)

61 Products & Services What has caught our eye this time out?

71 And Finally David Calt, Head of Sustainability at Chadwicks

54 Facilities Management IWFM update with Pat Gaughan – highpoints of the year and a look to the future

NEWS

NEWS Young people called on to ‘Build the Future’ as CIF launches second national schools competition The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in association with Sherry FitzGerald is launching a national competition for senior cycle students called, ‘CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge’, which can be entered via www.cif. ie/cifchallenge.

Team-based Aimed at Transition Year students, it is a teambased project where students work together to design a residential housing development, help address sustainability, climate change, solve the housing crisis and showcase innovation in construction. The submitted designs

ABOVE: Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pictured at the launch of the CIF’s national competition for senior cycle students called, ‘CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge'. The competition is in association with Sherry FitzGerald and can be entered via www.cif.ie/cifchallenge.

ABOVE: Left & right: David Hayes, Principal, Pobalscoil Iosa, Malahide, County Dublin with Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, pictured at the launch.

will need to be ecofriendly, affordable. The competition will run until 1 March 2022 with judging taking place until mid-March. • The winning team will present their designs at the Ireland Skills Live Event in the RDS. In addition, they will receive a day’s ‘Construction Experience’ provided by Technical University Dublin and a TOPCON Complete construction package to include most up-to-date laser equipment and half-day instruction, as well as a prize for each of team member. • The second team selected will also present their design at Ireland Skills

Live Event in RDS in March 2022 and receive a TOPCON Construction package to include the latest equipment plus a half-day’s instruction with individual prizes for each team member. • The third team selected will also present their design at Ireland Skills Live Event in RDS in March 2022 and receive TOPCON measuring equipment and a prize for each team member. All entries and team members will receive a certificate of merit in recognition of their work.

Collaboration This programme was developed by the CIF in collaboration with TUI,

the Techno Teachers Association Ireland, the Engineering Technology Teachers Association and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. The programme is designed to complement current teaching and career guidance principles. CIF’s director general, Tom Parlon says: ‘As we look forward to life after the pandemic, we have seen how robust a career in construction is. ‘We have been able to operate throughout most of the difficult Covid-19 period. But beyond this, our workers can now see the potential to travel internationally, and work in this sector in a multitude of ways as part of diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. ‘There’s a clear career path from building site to boardroom for those who want it.

Celebrated ‘We saw how last year’s competition celebrated the creativity and purpose that’s sometimes taken for granted in the construction industry. ‘We’re marrying young people’s concerns about homelessness, climate change and inclusivity with construction to demonstrate that a career can make a difference and have a real purpose.’ Mark FitzGerald, chairman, Sherry FitzGerald, encouraged the students to be creative in their approach as, ‘every generation in Ireland will benefit from your creativity and your ideas’.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 5

NEWS

qualification and to develop up-to-date and relevant skills,’ said the minister. ‘I’m also thrilled to say we have a track record of significant success at the competition, and for that we should be very proud, but I think it is also important that Ireland’s achievements in practical skills are recognised at home. ‘WorldSkills Ireland Live provides an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of options available to learners in practical education and training.’

Compete

WorldSkills Ireland Live 2022 WorldSkills Ireland 2022 is set to take place 22-24 March 2022. The expo will build upon the success of the inaugural event which took place in 2019. Back then over 12,000 visitors made the RDS their destination

to see first-hand the wealth of career options available.

Gold medal Announcing the return of the event was Niall Collins TD, Minister of State for Skills and Further

Education. ‘WorldSkills Live is an excellent promotional event for apprenticeships and traineeships in Ireland, showing that they are attractive routes for young people to gain an internationally recognised

More than 200 competitors will compete over three days next March to win the Silver Medal awarded by the Department of Further and Higher Education in each skill category and WorldSkills have added more skill competitions in engineering, digital construction and hospitality to reflect the growing range of apprenticeship and skills careers opportunities now available through an enhanced CAO offering.

STEPS Engineers Week – planning in progress! The ‘STEPS Engineers Week’ is coordinated by the STEPS Programme, funded by Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education and also Arup, EPA, ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. ‘It is aimed at students in primary and secondary schools, targeting pupils, teachers, parents, guidance counsellors etc. and it is about showing both the excitement – and also the career opportunities – that you can get through engineering,’ explains Professor Orla Feely, President of Engineers Ireland.

Get involved The sixteenth such event is taking place across Ireland from 5-11 March 2022 and is the subject of planning and 6 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

activities. ‘There are in fact lots of ways that engineers can get involved,’ says Orla Feely. ‘It could be by doing an online session with a classroom of students or hosting students at an in-person event (if these are possible to do safely, of course).’

Find out more ABOVE: Orla Feely

preparation at the moment. And they are always looking for people to get involved, she reminds us. Be it engineering companies, Local Authorities or engineering professionals and students– all are encouraged to get involved in ‘STEPS Engineers Week’

Engineering organisations are encouraged to find out more and view the free resources available at: https:// www.engineersireland.ie/Schools/ Engineers-Week/About-EngineersWeek Or email: steps@engineersireland.ie And you can read lots more from Professor Feely in our ‘On The Record’ interview in this issue of Construction Management Ireland.

NEWS

John Paul Construction to work with the Irish Green Building Council for a more sustainable built environment The Irish Green Building Council have announced that John Paul Construction have joined the organisation as a gold member. The new partnership will see leading international construction specialist, John Paul Construction supporting the IGBC in developing new programmes to decarbonise the Irish built environment. The partnership was launched during World Quality Week #WQW21 which this year focussed on sustainability.

Impact Liam Kenny, managing director, at John Paul Construction said, ‘the construction industry has a significant impact on the environment. Globally, our sector consumes almost half of the non-renewable

Campaign

resources used. ‘John Paul Construction is committed to improvement and ongoing upskilling to ensure high-quality, sustainable buildings are delivered. We also believe that the best way to achieve this is through collaboration. ‘That’s why we are delighted to work with the Irish Green Building Council and fellow members to transform the Irish construction industry.’

As part of the partnership, John Paul Construction have joined the Irish Green Building Council’s EPD campaign. The campaign aims to encourage manufacturers to measure the impact of their building products by producing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). By signing the commitment, the Company pledge to prefer products with EPDs where possible, within procurement restrictions and to raise awareness among their staff, design teams, and trade

partners. Launched in 2018 by the IGBC, the EPD Campaign counts more than forty signatories to date.

Emissions Pat Barry CEO at the Irish Green Building Council adds: ‘Carbon emissions associated with the construction, building, and infrastructure sectors account for approximately a third of Ireland’s emissions. ‘Overall, these emissions are predicted to follow a downward trend till 2030, but construction related emissions are forecasted to increase. ‘To address this and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, we need the collaboration of all involved in the industry. ‘Having a leading construction company such as John Paul Construction on board can really push this agenda forward.’

Further sharp rise in construction activity as new order growth continues In the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) Index readings above 50 signal an increase in activity on the previous month. The latest figure, at time of writing at 56.9, signalled a marked increase, with the rate of expansion accelerating slightly.

Activity has now risen in each of the past six months at time of writing.

According to respondents, growth reflected an improving picture for new orders, some of which continued to be linked to the release of pent-up demand.

Strong Commenting on the survey, Simon Barry, Chief Economist Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank, noted that: ‘Irish construction firms continued to experience strong growth in activity in October according to the latest results of the Ulster Bank Construction PMI.’ For more on this and other market reports, see ‘How the Land lies’ in this issue.

Gary Howard promotion at John Paul The board of John Paul Construction is delighted to announce the promotion of Gary Howard to the senior leadership team as Associate Director – Mission Critical. Over the past eight years John Paul Construction has expanded their mission critical portfolio, delivering numerous data centre projects in Ireland, the UK and the Middle East.

Instrumental Gary has been instrumental in expanding John Paul Construction’s presence in the mission critical / data centre sector and has a proven track record

ABOVE: Gary Howard (Associate Director - Mission Critical), Liam Kenny (Managing Director), and John Keaveney (Construction Director)

of successfully delivering multi-disciplinary projects on a fast-track basis. Commenting on Gary’s appointment, Liam Kenny says: ‘We are delighted with Gary’s promotion to our senior team where he will be responsible for expanding our base of operations, whilst maintaining John Paul Construction’s position as contractor of choice within the mission critical sector.'

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 7

NEWS

Jones Engineering, ‘proud to once again, support the CIF annual Construction Safety Week’ 'At Jones Engineering, we were proud to once again, support the CIF annual Construction Safety Week', we are told. 'The goal is to eliminate accidents at work, to drive continual improvement in safety and health performance, to celebrate best practice and to reinforce and promote the importance of safety, health and overall wellbeing in work and in life. ‘As our EHS manager Declan Grady put it, CIF Safety Construction Week provides an invaluable platform to highlight areas of safety concern within our industry. ‘It is an opportunity to refocus and double down on our commitment to strive for an injury free workplace.

Work together ‘It is also a time where different facets of the construction industry can work together to share experiences and best practices, which has never been as important as during the unprecedented circumstances and steep learning curves we have experienced throughout

for our construction community including a 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, free app and mental health training. 'We would encourage everyone in the industry to take advantage of these fantastic resources.

Awareness

the last two years. 'The topics the CIF chose to focus on this year were covered in themed toolbox talks and events on our sites throughout the country over the course of the week. 'Our projects are located across Ireland, Europe and the Middle East and as such we extend our CIF Safety Week events beyond our shores.

Conditions 'Some of our teams are working in harsh conditions such as extreme heat environments reaching temperatures of +50 degrees and arctic conditions reaching sub-zero temperatures of -40 degrees with very few daylight hours. 'On these projects we are now utilising an Employee Assistant Programme with PepTalk which allows for supports to be made available to staff on site and in particular in relation to their mental health and wellbeing.

'We chose PepTalk because they are passionate about delivering sustainable, longterm behavioural change for employees through a market leading, technology focused wellbeing solution.

Prioritised 'Historically, construction health and safety has always prioritised the more immediately obvious physical hazards and their impact on site safety. 'But attitudes are thankfully changing, as people realise that the silent issue of mental health is just as dangerous and potentially fatal. 'We have signed up as a Company Supporter to the Lighthouse charity. Lighthouse have recently launched their "Help Inside the Hard Hat" campaign to raise awareness of poor mental health within our industry. '"Help Inside the Hard Hat" provides a huge range of proactive support and resources

'Throughout the week, the Working at Height 3M Mobile demonstration unit was providing awareness training to a number of our Irish sites. 'We also arranged a selection of webinar events and socially distanced video screenings of the bespoke videos we have created with theatre-based learning company Theatre at Work. 'The online webinars are very interactive, and facilitate energetic discussions based on the roleplayed scenes. 'We are emphasising a focus on behavioural based safety training for both craft and management. 'Some sites were running competitions including safety quizzes and word searches and there were safety colouring competitions for children of staff members.

Our goal 'Our goal is always to ensure our people return home safe to their families at the end of every day. 'Safety has always been the number one value for Jones Engineering. 'Priorities can change but values do not.'

Construction Information Services (CIS) acquired by leading construction information provider, Glenigan

ABOVE: Tom Moloney, CIS

‘Founded in 1973, Glenigan is the UK’s leading provider of business intelligence to the construction industry,’ readers are told. Glenigan supplies comprehensive and reliable business intelligence to the sector ‘on all significant building projects throughout

8 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

the UK’. ‘Glenigan is a well-respected and established business and emulates the CIS ethos of providing the very best service possible for their customers.’

Exciting Managing Director of CIS,

Tom Moloney, says: ‘this acquisition is an exciting opportunity for CIS, it’s staff and customers and will enable it to continue to be the cornerstone in the provision of construction activity intelligence and data for the Irish and UK markets.’

ON THE RECORD

ENGINEERING CHANGES HOW ENGINEERING TRANSFORMED IRELAND…AND WHERE IT CAN GO FROM HERE

rofessor Orla Feely was this summer inaugurated as the one-hundred-and-twenty-ninth president of Engineers Ireland at the professional membership body’s AGM. As might well be expected she is a brilliant advocate for her profession and quite clear on the role of engineering in Irish society. Her profession, she says, ‘is at the heart of society and central to innovation, enterprise and economic growth’. She points out: ‘Many of the industries we have relied so heavily upon in the Irish economy – multinationals and indigenous – are of course, inherently engineering industries: pharma, biomedical, tech firms, for example; these are engineering enterprises and employ engineers in very large numbers. ‘They also look to the availability of engineering talent as a signifier and differentiator when looking to see where they might locate. ‘Further’, she adds, ‘the infrastructural transformation of the country – which readers of Construction Management Ireland will be so aware of – has been absolutely central to our success. And that is fundamental engineering work. ‘So, industries we have attracted and that we have grown here, the people who populate those industries and the infrastructure that supports them, are all fundamentally reliant on engineering.’

Born and raised in Dublin, where her father Frank Feely was City and County Manager for many years, Professor Orla Feely graduated from UCD in 1986. She completed her masters and PhD degrees in the University of California, Berkeley, before returning to UCD’s Engineering Department, which had moved from Merrion Street to Belfield during her time in the US. Professor Feely was this year inaugurated as President of Engineers Ireland and her recent Presidential Address considered how Engineering had transformed (and continues to transform) this nation. It also considered current and future challenges – as well as the opportunities that lie in store. Martin Foran explored these, and other industry-related themes with her – for a special ‘On the Record’ feature.

There is no doubt that engineering has faced the challenges head on and come out with a stellar reputation here.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 9

ON THE RECORD

Not surprisingly, ‘talent’ was a major topic in Orla Feely’s Presidential Address at Engineers Ireland. Enormous work has been done and Ireland is producing world-class engineers who make their mark at home and abroad among the best of the best. It is universally agreed that this is a major key to our success in this area – our people and that ‘availability of talent’ that she refers to. Orla Feely is, of course, well-placed to assess how highly our ‘homegrown’ professionals are regarded. ‘I have spoken with many industry leaders who emphasise certain distinctive characteristics of their workforce in Ireland,’ she says. ‘Along with strong technical skills, they identified the strength of the communication skills and networking ability across the cohort; a willingness to innovate and to take initiative, rather than waiting to be instructed; a responsiveness and adaptability. ‘It does seem that there is a dynamic that differs from that in many competitor countries. ‘This is supported by the workplace culture as well as through formal supports such as Continuing Professional Development (she notes the significant contribution of Engineers Ireland in this, latter area.) ‘Very importantly, it is also reflective of a sense of creativity, a spark in Irish culture that is manifest across many diverse aspects of national life.’ It is, however, no time to sit on our laurels, and Professor Feely is acutely aware of this of course. We need to encourage more new entrants into engineering and construction-related areas, is the message. We need to ensure this reputation continues to be built upon, that this ‘spark’ is continually nurtured – and that the numbers continue to grow into the future. This is in fact a topic with which Orla Feely is particularly engaged. She is actively involved in a number of initiatives and organisations that work at the coalface when it comes to fostering talent. These include being a Judge and a Director of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, which takes place each January. ‘I am always blown away by the energy, enthusiasm and imagination of the people who participate’, she 1 0 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

declares. ‘It makes me so optimistic for Ireland’s future.’ But encouraging interest in this area begins long before the students are ready to take part in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Here, she refers to the ‘energy and imagination and excitement,’ that is palpable amongst pupils at primary level and the importance of feeding that creativity – and continuing to do so through secondary school. ‘In secondary school students think more about exams and career choices, of course,’ she notes. ‘So, we need to give them more structured information about careers then – but also to keep that spark of energy and imagination alive!’ Orla Feely particularly references work done by Engineers Ireland in this area, work that includes initiatives like the well-known ‘STEPS’ programme. The ‘STEPS Engineers Week’ is coordinated by the STEPS Programme, funded by Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education and also Arup, EPA, ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. ‘It is aimed at students in primary and secondary schools, targeting pupils, teachers, parents, guidance counsellors etc. and it is about showing both the excitement – and also the career opportunities – that you can get through engineering,’ explains Professor Feely. The sixteenth such event is taking place across Ireland from 5-11 March 2022 and is the subject of planning and preparation at the moment. And they are always looking for people to get involved, she reminds us. Be it engineering companies, Local Authorities or engineering professionals and students– all are encouraged to get involved in ‘STEPS Engineers Week’ activities. ‘There are in fact lots of ways that engineers can get involved,’ says Orla Feely. ‘It could be by doing an online session with a classroom of students or hosting students at an in-person event (if these are possible to do safely, of course).’ Engineering organisations are encouraged to find out more and view the free resources available at: https:// www.engineersireland.ie/Schools/ Engineers-Week/About-EngineersWeek

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:

Professor Orla Feely

Professor of Electronic Engineering and Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact at University College Dublin, Orla Feely, holds a BE degree from UCD and an MS and PhD from the University of California, (UC) Berkeley. She is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and a fellow of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and the Irish Academy of Engineering. She is also a director of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and deputy chair of the Higher Education Authority. She has served as chair of the Irish Research Council and on a number of editorial boards. Prof Feely became a Fellow of Engineers Ireland by Presidential Invitation in 2012 and was this year inaugurated as its 129th president.

Or email: steps@engineersireland.ie Meanwhile, Professor Feely would clearly like to see as many students as possible – at both primary and secondary level – having the opportunity to engage with STEM subjects. ‘There is a huge opportunity at primary to tap into the inherent imagination and curiosity about the world and show how that can translate into a lifelong career associated with the STEM disciplines,’ she reiterates. It seems there is still work to do here, however. ‘We continue to hear – and it is disappointing – that it is still the case that girls’ schools don’t always have the same access to as many of the STEM subjects that there would be in boys’ schools,’ she says.

ON THE RECORD

generation towards constructionrelated areas of study and to address that gender imbalance further still in the process, while continuing to highlight the excitement, the opportunities, and the satisfaction to be had from a career here. But attracting talent is something that operates on many levels. There is also the significance of attracting research talent.

On the subject of gender diversity in her own University Department meanwhile, Professor Feely tells us the numbers in UCD generally range in the 30 to 35 percent region when it comes to female participation in Engineering. ‘We’d like it higher but there has been a significant increase in recent times on what it was’, she notes. On attracting such new entrants one thing she refers to is the concept of ‘role models’. It is, she says, about getting the story out there. ‘It is not the easiest profession to explain,’ she says. ‘Unless there is maybe some family connection, engineers can be a little bit invisible. . ‘There is a paradox here – the products of the work of engineers are everywhere, but the engineering effort that delivers all of this is not always so

visible.’ Another thing she has noticed, when it comes to attracting in young women – and also young men – to the profession now is the importance of being able to show how engineering really makes a positive difference to the world. ‘Young women and men want to know that, through their actions, they can make a real difference,’ she stresses. ‘They want to know that their work has real value. That is the sense I get.’ This chimes with a lot of what we hear at Construction Management Ireland of course, as regards the sorts of careers young people are looking for now – ones where they feel they can effect real and positive change. And so it is that the work continues to encourage and attract the next

Again, it’s a topic where Orla Feely is well-placed to comment. ‘My day job in UCD is "Vice President for Research Innovation and Impact", she says, noting that: ‘Since around the year 2000, when Ireland took a step change in its support for research with the foundation of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland and the transformational Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions, the formation of talent through research has been an inherent part of our talent strategy. ‘We upped our funding significantly in terms of research. It’s still not as high as we’d like it to be but at the same time, we now have a very strong research system in Ireland which does a wonderful job attracting in talent – and then many of those talented individuals stay and build their lives and careers here. ‘It’s a real magnet for talent and an important part in our higher education system.’ As well as the research element ‘we are attracting international students at all levels of higher education,’ says Orla Feely. ‘Again, that is a really exciting source of talent for a country like Ireland. ‘Last year almost forty percent of new members of Engineers Ireland were what we call “global engineers”: engineers that were not educated in Ireland or the UK. That is up from 7 percent in 2014. ‘That shows the amazing influx of talent here.’ (Of course, we can add to that, the number of people who returned to work in Ireland having left during the downturn, often bringing back an enhanced level of experience with them.) ‘We need to make sure Ireland is still an attractive destination for the most talented individuals from around the Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 11

ON THE RECORD

world,’ she stresses. ‘We now have brilliant people coming in to work here (as well as to study here), and also people who build careers here and then sometimes move on within a corporate structure outside the country, which is a great resource. ‘We also saw how many Irish companies cut their teeth, if you like, by servicing the multi-national sector in Ireland and developed really exciting expertise,’ Orla Feely notes. ‘Then they can export that expertise – there is outstanding work being delivered by many readers (of Construction Management Ireland) all around the world now – based on expertise they have gained in Ireland. (‘Meanwhile, Engineers Ireland accreditation creates, maintains and ensures a consistent standard of engineering programmes in Ireland. Our organisation is member of the International Engineering Alliance and a signatory to the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord and Dublin Accord, which ensures that Irish engineering degrees are recognised internationally, therefore allowing for the mobility of professional engineers globally.’) And so it is that, with that healthy mix as outlined, the dynamic created here has seen success beget success. Yet the winds of change are blowing around the world. So, are we coming to a crossroads? For starters there is the pressing issue and challenge of climate change and also the fallout from the pandemic ‘which has thrown all the cards in the air’ Orla Feely says. ‘I think there are really big disruptors out there now,’ she continues, citing issues like moves toward economic nationalism and taxation changes. Here, she stresses how annoyed she becomes when people say that Ireland’s success in attracting and growing multinational industry ‘was only ever about tax’. ‘Tax was an element,’ she agrees, ‘without question – but there are all the other elements including talent and successful delivery. ‘For example, take big Pharma companies: if they want to test a new process, they will very often bring it to Ireland first as they see it is an atmosphere of talent, delivery, quality compliance and excellence. ‘That means they know they will 1 2 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

deliver on obligations through their Irish workforce. And that is a really important thing to have in our country. We need to make sure we cling on to that.’ We have really delivered success, stresses Orla Feely. ‘And we need to ensure we have confidence in ourselves.’ As to where we are now: ‘it is now a time to be strategic’ says Professor Feely. ‘In my experience, we are at our strongest when we address matters as a system, bringing all relevant minds to bear on identifying the way forward, and I believe that we need such a conversation now. ‘We have an enormous amount on which to build but we do need to think – drawing from our considerable expertise and a position that is the envy of many – about the elements that need to be in place to support future success. ‘The first one that needs to be at the forefront of our minds in every conversation of this nature, is sustainability. ‘The reliable provision of energy, water and materials in ways that allow us as a country and the industries located here to meet our sustainability targets is an absolute essential. ‘Sustainable industry practices are, likewise, essential. Adaptation to unavoidable elements of climate change and protection against extreme impacts – these will increasingly influence

investment decisions. ‘Digital and data infrastructure, including regulatory aspects, and defences against cyberthreats are also vital. ‘And then there are broader aspects of infrastructure and planning. Prepandemic we were seeing strains on many elements of our infrastructure, including those linked most closely to quality of life. ‘The experience of the past twenty months has thrown up new ways of working that will in many cases persist, supported by digital technologies. A possible weakening of the importance of “place” presents challenges, opportunities, and questions. ‘It is interesting to imagine what a creative response to these questions might yield.’ Interesting indeed. Because, at the end of the day there is, according to Professor Orla Feely, an awful lot to be optimistic about. ‘I think at its core, engineering is a very optimistic profession’, she stresses. ‘We are all about solutions. An engineer doesn’t sit and just list all the problems; an engineer looks at them and says: ‘OK, there’s a problem - how can we solve that? ‘What is the best possible response we can come up with for the position we are now in?’

CIOB NEWS

A MESSAGE FROM THE HUB CHAIR DEREK CASSIDY FCIOB

he past two years have posed significant challenges for our industry. Challenges such as the Covid 19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns, Brexit, worldwide logistical problems and increased material costs etc. They have impacted us all considerably in one way or another.

Resilient But the industry has proven resilient. Tower cranes are now popping up all over our larger towns and cities, significant investment is being pumped into all sectors once again; the construction industry is back in business and things are looking much more positive. The continuing increase in activity in our Construction

industry is not arriving without its own issues, however. The aforementioned challenges are still there but an increase in activity in our sector has come with a new challenge in the form of labour and skills shortages which equally, will have a detrimental impact and the potential to significantly slow down our considerable progress. Encouraging new entrants, upskilling, employing labour from abroad, offsite construction and modularisation will all help alleviate some of this problem. However, these measures alone will not solve the problem.

Career choice Staff retention is another

1 4 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

critical element to this. We must provide an environment in which the Construction industry is a sustainable career choice for all. Assistance in finding suitable accommodation, providing appropriate pay and conditions, providing training and career progression opportunities must be the norm for all and not just the chosen few. Notwithstanding, I also believe that we all need to look at our inclusion and Diversity Policies and see how we can do better. The experience of other industries has shown us that a strong diversity and inclusion strategy will help your organisation attract top talent and drive innovative results.

Sometimes when I think of diversity and inclusion, I think of my local rugby club and I take encouragement and confidence when I see a sport where, regardless of background, gender, fitness levels or indeed skill levels, there is a team for you, an important position on that team for you, and with the right encouragement, training, and inclusion everyone including the wider team can prosper.

Commit This is something we can all learn from. We must commit to providing equal opportunity for all and in doing so commit to providing everyone with a fair chance to develop their own talents whilst encouraging

Successful year marked by virtual events and continued progression!

T ‘THE NEW YEAR WILL PROVIDE CHANCES TO GROW, TO BE MORE DYNAMIC, TO INNOVATE AND TO DIVERSIFY.‘ the individual to provide a significant contribution. 2022 will provide plenty of opportunity for Main Contactors, Sub-Contractors, and suppliers alike – however let’s not forget the famous quote of Mark Twain: To stand still is to fall behind. The new year will provide chances to grow, to be more dynamic, to innovate and to diversify.

Opportunities Let’s all grasp these opportunities whist providing a healthier working experiences and environment for all. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Kindest regards, Derek

his year, 2021 was another unusual year for CIOB, as it was for all, due to covid. However, we were very pleased by the success and high attendance at our virtual events. With members around the country, online CPD is accessible by all, and both members and nonmembers made great use of it. We opened the year with our virtual roadshow, a weeklong series of lunchtime webinars. Topics included policy, mental health, a roundtable discussion about the future of the industry in Ireland, and there was a networking event on the final day. We had hundreds of attendees during the week and their contributions to the discussions elevated the roadshow.

Student challenge Another virtual highlight this year was our Student Challenge in February. We had teams from eight third-level institutes around the country, each of whom worked on a brief and presented their findings to industry professionals. The virtual aspect didn’t diminish the enjoyment or the abilities of the teams to produce strong presentations. CIOB Student Challenge. Munster Technological University was the winner on the day, closely followed by Limerick IT in second place and Letterkenny IT in third. We’re looking

forward to getting back to a face-to-face event in 2022. We are looking forward to a big year in 2022 and a return to face-to-face events.

Awards CIOB Awards Ireland 2022 is taking place in Croke Park on 31 March, when we will celebrate the best construction managers in

ABOVE: Construction Manager of the Year.

the country. The Construction Manager of the Year celebrates the achievements of those who inspire, lead and enable the very best delivery of a project and produce buildings that have a positive impact on those who use them. Our judges look beyond the building, at the project as a whole.

It’s not about being the biggest or most impressive but about the individuals who make these projects possible, and the impacts they deliver. The list of finalists will be announced shortly – at time of writing – so keep an eye on our social media (www.linkedin.com/ groups/12366342).

Graduation New Members and Fellows in the Dublin Hub can look forward to the Dublin Hub graduation in the Law Society, Dublin 7, on 14 May. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the tremendous achievement of gaining internationally recognised accreditation. If you have recently achieved your CIOB accreditation we would be delighted to welcome you to one of our Graduation Ceremonies where you can choose to bring family, friends or colleagues to join in your special day. Please contact Una (uhennigan@ ciob.org) for more details.

ABOVE: CIOB Student challenge - Munster Technological University was the winner on the day.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 15

MOUNT LUCAS UPDATE

he National Construction and Training Centre in County Laois is aiming to meet the challenge of training the huge numbers of skilled workers needed for Ireland’s planned housebuilding and deep retrofitting programmes.

Tackling the retrofit skills shortage head on The national airwaves are buzzing on the topic of how Ireland can meet both the new home building and deep retrofitting targets with the current labour and skills shortage. One senior ESRI commentator recently proposed that it must be one or the other – that we simply don’t have enough resources for both. Unless Ireland gears up radically in terms of skills for the retrofit sector, therefore, it is quite likely that new homes provision will take precedence and the ambition to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030 will be scaled back.

Minister

Late in 2020, Minister Simon Harris set down his ambitions for the sector, announcing the National Construction Training Centre (NCTC), Mount Lucas as the centre of excellence in deep retrofitting/ nearly zero energy building (NZEB) in the Midlands. The facility at the NCTC includes a large purpose-built deep retrofit hall of 600 square metres. The retrofit training hall includes full-scale rigs representing the gamut of situations encountered on most projects — everything from roof, wall and floor insulation to airtightness application, ventilation installation and commissioning, and renewable energy installation.

‘THERE’S AN EXCITING EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR EVERY LEVEL, FROM ENTRY TO EXPERT.’

It is truly a showcase in terms of state-of-the art upskilling facilities for those involved in delivering deep retrofits. An extensive suite of courses is available at the NCTC, all of which are fully funded for people in employment under the national Skills to Advance initiative. Three different course types are provided, as follows: Firstly, there are shorter courses which are City and Guilds assured, and which focus on delivery of NZEB. These courses include the very popular NZEB Fundamentals (1 day), NZEB Retrofit (2 days) and NZEB Ventilation (3 days). There are also trade-specific courses for carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, and plasterers as well as a more detailed programme for site supervisors.

Practical The second category of courses includes practical programmes which are industry recognised, the objective of which is to ensure learners, including new entrants, have the skillset currently required by employers to contribute to the government's retrofit targets. Examples of such courses include those on external wall insulation, internal wall insulation and airtightness.

The third category of programmes are longer courses which are QQI accredited, including Thermal Insulation Installation. These courses typically run for five to eight days and include formal assessment on completion. The key attraction for learners attending the NCTC is the quality of training rigs which provides for a deep-immersion experience.

Get to grips As well as learning about deep retrofit from a theoretical perspective, learners get to grips with the very latest products, details and application methods from expert tutors who are deeply passionate about delivering deep retrofits at scale. We feel that we do not have to make a choice between new-build homes and deep retrofitting. The facilities, programmes and educational resources needed to deliver a growing pool of retrofit experts is now in place. There’s an exciting education programme for every level, from entry to expert.

Further information or to register for any of the programmes contact Jolene Hall at jhall@loetb. ie or see www.loetb.ie.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 17

TECH TALK

As more and more people choose electric vehicles Mark Daly (right), Director/Consultant with Eninserv has some important advice and observations for our readers.

Electric Vehicle Charging A steep learning curve!

lectric vehicles have become an ever more visible sight on Irish roads and throughout our neighborhoods.

Almost doubling The numbers are almost doubling each year with current figures showing almost 46,000 electric vehicles registered on Irish roads, of which over 21,000 are fully electric with no ‘backup fuel’. Brands like Tesla have diversified from the luxury market into the more affordable vehicle classes. Meanwhile most of the traditional vehicle manufacturers have launched both plug-in Hybrid and fully electric models. The current range of electric vehicles can drive further and charge faster.

Requirements Following from the 2019 Climate Action Plan, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has recently published the requirements for electric vehicle charging at new developments and substantial renovations. The Technical Guidance relates to works with greater than ten parking spaces. In summary, for non-residential building the requirement is for 1 charge point and electrical ducting for ay least 20% of car parking spaces. In the case of Dwellings, suitable ducting is to be provided for every parking space. Existing Non-Residential buildings will require at least one EV charge point installed by 2025. The change is coming fast and we need to keep up.

Choosing When choosing the correct solution for a project, it is important to see beyond the sales pitch of a supplier, who will often be more focused on the product he or she is selling, rather than the optimum solution for you or your client. Where you are planning for multiple charge points, you should ask this question: Will the charge points installed today be compatible with other suppliers at a later point in time? The answer to this question can often be found in whether the equipment is based on open protocols. The electrical characteristics are normally straightforward. However, when it comes to connecting the charge point to a central management system, Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a must.

Enabler OCPP is the primary enabler to allowing hardware from multiple manufacturers, operate on a single management and payment system. It is very common to hear of projects requesting Fast or Rapid charge points. The aim is to ensure that the installation adds the most value for the user and futureproofs the installation. In reality, the installation of fast chargers will often just add cost and headaches. My suggestion is to forget the preconceived idea of what should be installed and instead look at what is really required.

Example As an example where the vehicle is expected to be parked for multiple hours, such as at home overnight Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 19

TECH TALK

or at work during office hours, the vehicle only requires a standard AC charge of up to 7kW. As a rule of thumb, these chargers deliver approximately 45km per hour of charge. Apart from the upfront cost of a fast or rapid charger, it will typically impact the capacity and standing charges associated with the electrical connection. These charges will remain high even if the charge point is rarely used.

Moved Moreover, if the faster charge means the vehicle is full in just 1 hour, then it will need to be moved from the charge point to make space for the next car. Unless you really need to install fast charging, you would be better off considering standard charging solutions. Installing charge points for single-family dwellings such as in a standard Semi-D with a driveway, tends to be straightforward. My only recommendation in this regard, is to ensure that the electrical contractor is familiar with the most recent National Rules for Electrical Installations, particularly section 722 relating to electric vehicle charging. It is also worth noting that some products on the market do not include all the relevant protection and therefore it may fall to the electrical contractor to ensure that requirements are met.

Higher degree Multi Unit Developments (MUD), such as apartment buildings present a higher degree of difficulty. It is rarely possible to connect the charge point to the customer meter, while adhering to the National Rules for Electrical Installation (NSAI I.S.10101:2020) and ESB Networks - Customer Interface Code of Practice (Edition 5, April 2021). Another constraint is the very limited space in shared meter cabinets. It may be possible to accommodate one or two early installations. However, later connections may not be possible due to space constraints. All this before considering the distribution of the car spaces or whether spaces are allocated or on a first come basis. New MUDs, can be designed to be EV ready, so to speak. Meter distribution boards can 2 0 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

be designed to leave sufficient space, suitable to accommodate the charge point connection and the appropriate switchgear.

Common solution The more common solution for existing builds and also suitable for new builds is to feed charge points from a shared meter connection. The charge points will be connected to a dedicated network, under the control of a Charge Point Operator (CPO). There is certainly a lack of understanding regarding the practical operation of these systems from a cost recovery perspective. However correctly specified, it is possible to manage overheads while covering operating costs and, if

‘THE CURRENT RANGE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES CAN DRIVE FURTHER AND CHARGE FASTER.’ required turning a modest profit. With the increased availability of electric commercial vehicles, an increasing number of businesses are turning to electric for their transport needs. This will lead to a requirement for multiple charge points to serve the fleet. Fleet managers will need to consider the optimum charge point types and numbers to meet the operational needs of the business.

Future However, for new builds it will be important for the design team to consider future requirements and provide a reasonable level of services to meet these needs. Energy management is likely to be used to ensure that electrical connection overheads do not become too burdensome. Thus, there will be a requirement for additional cable containment to separate the data connection from the electrical cables. It may also be wise to allow additional space in the electrical

distribution board to accommodate a level of future connections associated with the EV charging. When we know the exact location a charge point will be required, it is quite straightforward to install the relevant cabling and containment directly from the distribution board to the charge point.

Prepare However, there are often situations when we need to prepare for future charging requirements, but do not know yet, which car parking spaces will be the ones requiring a charge point. This is particularly the case in apartment developments. One solution which crops up, is the installation of an electrical bus system. This is an enclosed system of copper bus bars, allowing a charge point to be connected to the bus bar at any point on the route. The solution is in principle, very desirable. However it is worth considering how universal the connections are.

Risk If the system is not compatible with standard electrical connections and multiple charge point manufacturers equipment, it runs a high risk of becoming stranded. The alternative is to install a system of distribution that allows short cable runs to connect a charge point where required. The electric vehicle industry is evolving fast. Companies are entering the market to provide products and services, many with the hope of being the next billion-dollar valuation. The level of competition can be expected to overwhelm many of them. So, as a buyer, you will need to ensure you follow the solution that provides a level of certainty.

In summary In summary, pay attention to the user needs, because one size does not fit all. Ensure you choose open and interoperable products; it will be the key to a long and usable investment. Eninserv Limited is an independent Consultancy working in the Energy and e-Mobility domain. For more information please contact Eninserv Ltd. info@eninserv.com

SPOTLIGHT ON: MAGPLY

Magply A1 boards sheath hybrid elements to modular hotel build in Kent

he development of a 140 bed Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Ashford, Kent, in the UK is featuring the use of Magply A1 Euroclass non-combustible boards for sheathing vertical and horizontal sections around the six-storey modular volumetric structure, offering excellent strength and durability as well as Class O fire resistance and good acoustic properties. The project is being undertaken by Ashford-based main contractor, Rees Mellish, while Bowman Riley was the architectural consultancy which gained the final planning consent and supervised work on site.

High performance The high performance Magply boards from IPP were supplied by the local branch of Jewson builders’ merchants. In order to optimise the build programme as well as the use of factory manufactured bedroom and other modular units, the final design made use of in-situ reinforced concrete elements as well as steel and timber framing for the parapet wall at roof level, both of which have been sheathed using Magply boards. Bowman Riley’s Associate responsible 2 2 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

for the project: Roy Wilson, says: ‘When we were brought in we revisited the planning application and gained consent for an extra storey, before completing the detailed design: including the cladding solution. 'The client has carried out a number of value engineering exercises, leading to the use of traditional reinforced concrete infill between some of the modules, in order to reduce the number of different types across the project and then again at high level around the parapet there is steel framing.’

Recommend The project manager for Rees Mellish, Mark Herridge, explains: ‘For the areas where the reinforced concrete frame separates the modules we needed a fire resistant board and therefore asked Jewson’s sales manager to recommend one. ‘Fortunately, they had the Magply 12mm boards in stock which met all of the requirements and which our installers have found easy to cut and fix. ‘As well as the vertical bands at several locations around the elevations, the boards are also used to cover the parapet wall which steps out just below the roof.

‘It is secured to the steel and timberwork infill, while the "helping hand" brackets for the cladding are then secured back through the boards. It’s a good product overall.’

Environmentally friendly Magply MgO boards, available in 9mm, 12mm & 20mm thickness: it presents a fire-safe and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plywood or OSB products. Additionally, the unique production process minimises chloride content, enhancing both stability and long-term durability. The different thicknesses of panel are also widely used as a substrate board for the direct application of proprietary render systems, as well as for flooring and flat or pitched roof build-ups. For further information contact: Gordon Pirret, MD or John Malone, UK national sales manager IPP LTD. Bradwell Hall Bradwell On Sea Essex CM0 7HX. t.01621 776252 f.01621776688 email: gmp@intpetro.com or john@magply.co.uk www.magply.co.uk

LEAN JOURNEYS

ne of the leading Lean Construction conferences in the world, Lean Construction Ireland 2021 National Conference brought together a national community of learning and practice along with welcoming friends from all around the globe. The conference included presentations and plenary discussions from clients/owners, their professional service providers, contractors and their associated supply chain, Lean academics and Lean service providers. The event was structured around Lean Construction Ireland’s strategic breakthrough objectives of clients, contractual processes, and capability development, and its streamed presentations were kept succinct so as to optimise the opportunities for speaker and audience engagement and questions and answers.

Delivering Construction Projects Better, Faster & Together! On 3 November 2021 over 400 representatives from the Irish construction industry attended the Lean Construction Ireland national virtual conference – this is 10% up on the 2020 event.

Opportunity Attending delegates had the opportunity to learn about Lean in construction from national and international industry leaders, on how they can leverage the benefits of Lean concepts to deliver quality projects that are safer, faster and more profitable – leading to increased stakeholder satisfaction and customer value for money. The aim of the conference is to bring together leading experts in the field of Lean Construction from the Irish and international communities - to both inspire and challenge the industry to implement Lean thinking and practices on their public and private construction projects.

Maximise One of Europe’s largest Lean construction conferences, the 2021 event was structured in a way to maximise the time available and remove waste – providing attendees with multiple stream options which allowed for interactive engagement sessions; 6 parallel streams focused on: • • • •

Clients Leading Lean Adoption Lean and Contractual Processes ESG & Quality Capability Development

Transform

collaborative approaches where projects are Delivered Better, Faster and Together Increased regulation around construction and the built environment, combined with international competition and the impact of Covid-19 has reaffirmed the importance of improving efficiencies to reduce project delivery costs and delays whilst ensuring the highest build quality is maintained. With many Irish companies in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector seeking to better understand those Lean tools and techniques that are available to assist deliver projects in a more efficient manner, as well as wanting to understand how these Lean tools and techniques are deployed and utilised, Lean Construction Ireland has developed a suite of resources that will assist companies understand and embrace Lean to deliver projects better and faster, and through effective teamwork and collaboration realise value for all involved in the project delivery process.

Lean Construction Ireland (LCi) is a not-forprofit, membership-based organisation with a vision to transform the Irish construction sector through the adoption of Lean thinking and practices as part of the design and construction process, and move the industry towards more efficient, cost effective and

Some of these resources include: The LCi Lean Pass Course, LCi Annual Book of Cases, LCi Annual Conference – all of which are available free of charge at www.leanconstructionireland.ie

• Modern Methods of Construction • Digitalisation Enabled Productivity Sponsors of the LCi 2021 national conference included; Ardmac, Autodesk, Crystal Lean Solutions, Exyte, Mace, Sisk Group, Philip Lee, Procore, Fluor, BAM, Jacobs, DPS and Jones Engineering. Featured among keynote speakers were: Minister Darragh O’Brien, New Children’s Hospital Project, Grangegorman Development Agency, Sutter Health, King’s College London, Waterford Institute of Technology, plus many more. Lean Construction Ireland, with over 1,700 members, continues to deliver practical support and knowledge to the Irish construction industry as more and more companies embrace Lean thinking and practices to deliver efficiencies within their projects as well as to achieve operational improvements within their organisations.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 25

MOVERS & SHAKERS: MERCURY

A message from Mercury!

021 has been a year of significant growth and strategic development for Mercury. As we enter the new year, our sights are firmly set on continuing to deliver complex engineering projects for our multinational clients across a range of key sectors and regions. Central to our continued success is our people. Our entrepreneurial spirt challenges us to innovate and drives us into exciting new territories and allows us to develop industry-leading methods of project delivery. With over 2,800 direct employees, which rises to over 9,000 including subcontractors, our unique Mercury culture – a dedication to being brave, dynamic and making it happen – is embedded in every member of our global teams. Mercury achieved revenues in excess of €1bn for the first time in 2020 and this growth was supported by significant enhancements to our governance structures. We recently doubled the size of our executive management team, while our leadership group has also undergone considerable expansion and is now made up of a cohort of forty, highlighting our belief that our people are our greatest asset. At Mercury we enable our people to reach their potential every day. We believe that to achieve incredible things you must invest in your people.

2 6 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

Delivering projects across Europe We build and manage complex engineering projects as a prime contractor from design and build to ongoing facilities management, serving sectors such as enterprise and hyperscale data centres, advanced technology, pharmaceutical, building services and more. Mercury is currently delivering as a design and build contractor on two first-of-a-kind rapid build Data Centres for a hyperscale client in Europe.

clients to new territories they never thought possible. Our purpose is to deliver our clients’ vision through leading edge construction solutions. We go beyond our duty which turns clients into partners and builds relationships that thrive.

Brave We believe you have to be brave to achieve incredible things. We’re proud of who we are and our plans for the future. We stand over everything we say and do. We’re direct and to the point because we respect our clients, their time and needs. With a generous spirit and vibrant energy, hard work’s made easy because we genuinely enjoy what we do.

Dynamic

These projects are utilising offsite fabrication extensively, with entire components such as modular electrical rooms being built, tested and commissioned offsite and shipped. We are also utilising offsite assembly on a large technology project in Ireland, where large modules and skids are being delivered from elsewhere and assembled on site. We believe that real innovation happens if you’re willing to be brave. Our determination and sharp focus enable us to deliver leading edge construction solutions across a range of key sectors, taking our

As market leaders, we redefine industry standards. We’re a European player with powerful capabilities; yet it is our agility that sets us apart – unafraid of change because we understand its true potential.

Make it happen No matter the client or sector, we always deliver. It’s our commitment and promise. Success is the only option for us. It’s our delivery, training, processes that make The Mercury Way. This relentless dedication earns a trust, security and assurance that is second to none. It turns clients into partners and builds relationships that grow and prosper with time.

WE BUILD TO CONNECT THE WORLD

At Mercury we deliver next generation construction projects that advance technology and bring us closer together. Are you ready to be part of it? Then talk to us now about joining our team of construction professionals & trades across Ireland, the UK & Europe. Visit mercuryeng.com/careers to find out more.

HOW THE LAND LIES

s usual we check in with the people at Construction Information Services (CIS) to get the lie of the land. One of their latest reports at our time of writing is on activity in Quarter Three 2021 and it shows a lot of activity taking place.

‘Figures continue to reflect rebound of activity’ The value of planning applications in Q3 2021 is up 23% from Q3 2020. The Eastern and Midland Region showed the highest jump of 26% to €3.2bn.

Value Planned investment in Q3 2021 is up by 21% over the average quarterly value for 2020 and by 8.2% over the average quarterly value for 2019. Only the Northern and Western region shows a decline in pipeline investment over these two periods. The value of planning grants is down by 9% from Q3 2020 and by 11.5% from Q2 2021. Values are up however from the quarterly averages in 2020 and 2019. Regionally, approved investment in the Eastern and Midland region is down 15% to €2.5bn and down by 4.5% to €906m in the Southern region.

Up In the Northern and Western region investment is up 50% in Q3 2021 to €615m over the approved investment in Q3 2020. Project starts are up 44% from €2bn in Q3 2020 to €2.9bn in Q3 2021. The Eastern and Midland region accounts for just over €2bn of new starts with Dublin accounting for just over €1.9bn. The figures continue to reflect the rebound of activity from pandemic shutdowns. Project starts in this quarter and the previous, are at the highest level by far since 2019. 2 8 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

Planning applications Residential • Planning applications up 20% to €3.6bn from Q3 2020 • In terms of housing type there were applications for 11,494 apartment units and 6,304 traditional housing types • Two-bedroom apartments are the most popular accounting for 48% of all apartment types. One bedroom apartments account for 38% • Planning application values rose by 18% in the Eastern and Midland region to €2.72bn • The value of planning applications in the other regions combined grew by 28% over Q3 2020 to €897m over 213 projects • The largest planning application was for a €250m mix of housing and apartments in Corballis East, Donabate , Co. Dublin Non-residential • Planning application values up 30% to €1.9bn from Q3 2020 • Applications for Data Centres and Warehouse Distribution account for €561m • Growth continues across the board in the Medical sector with applications related to Nursing Homes, Hospitals and Medical Facilities combined, rising by 104% from Q3 2020 • Applications relating to offices fell in value by just over 50% to €188m • Planning application values are down 47% and 2% in the Hospitality and Education sectors respectively • Eastern and Midland Region up 44%; Southern region up 23% • Applications for Data Centres are three of the top five projects by value

Planning grants Residential • 11.1k units were granted planning approval in Q3 2021 which represents a 12.6% fall from Q3 2020 • 7,750 apartments and 3,296 traditional houses were granted approval • The value of plans granted permission in the Eastern and Midland region fell by 14% to €1.75bn • 13 public sector projects account for 199 housing units • • The largest project is for 1220 apartment units in 11 blocks on lands at Baldoyle and Stapolin, Dublin 13 Non-residential • The value of planning grants was up 3% from Q3 2020 • In the regions, the Eastern and Midland region was down 10% while the Southern and Northern and Western regions were up 11% and 78% respectively • Shops and Retail projects granted permission rose by 25% to €93m • Office developments gaining permission rose by 219% to €305m • In the hospitality sector pipeline investment in hotels rose by 34% from Q3 2020 to €112m accounting for 1,026 new hotel beds • Restaurants bars and nightclubs saw investment rise by 13% to 16m in the quarter • The largest project gaining approval in the quarter was a €120m mixed use office and retail development at North Wall Quay and Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1

Project starts Residential • Residential starts are up 66% by value and 37% in number of units from Q3 2020 to €1.42bn and 7,453 respectively • Over 5,200 units started in Eastern and Midland region up 88% from Q3 2020. Just over 3,000 apartments and 2,000 houses • 174 projects started in the quarter, up 24% from Q3 2020 • 15 public sector projects started equating to 347 units • Largest project is a €150m Residential development in the Townland of Cork Little and Shanganagh, Woodbrook, Shankill, Co. Dublin for 685 residential units Non-residential • The value of non-residential project starts rose by 31% to €1.28bn over Q3 2020 • The starts include projects for 498 classrooms, 149 hospital beds, 1,141 hotel beds and 179 nursing home beds • Starts in the Industrial sector are up 56% to 560m over Q3 2020. The major projects are for data centres and warehousing • Office project starts are down 19% and Retail is down 10% • Starts in the Hospitality sector rose more than threefold to €131m

Construction Information Services Suites 3 & 4, The Cubes, Beacon South Quarter Sandyford, Dublin 18 T: (01) 299 9200 E: Sales@cisireland.com

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 29

HOW THE LAND LIES

he Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) – a seasonally adjusted index designed to track changes in total construction activity – ticked up to 56.9 in October 2021.

Increase The latest figure (at time of writing), 56.9, signalled a marked increase in construction activity, with the rate of expansion accelerating slightly. Activity has now risen in each of the past six months. According to respondents, growth reflected an improving picture for new orders, some of which continued to be linked to the release of pent-up demand. Commenting on the survey, Simon Barry, Chief Economist Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank, noted that: ‘Irish construction firms continued to experience strong growth in activity in October according to the latest results of the Ulster Bank Construction PMI. ‘Having eased over the summer months following the post-lockdown snap back in activity in Q2, the headline PMI rose slightly, signalling a modest reacceleration in the pace of overall construction activity growth at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

3 0 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

Pace ‘Commercial activity was particularly strong in October as the pace of growth picked up markedly, while residential activity registered solid expansion, albeit at a reduced pace relative to September. ‘Strong demand for construction services was also evident in further sizeable gains in both new orders and employment, with new business and staffing levels both recording a seventh consecutive month of expansion. ‘But the October results highlight that supply-chain disruptions remain a highly problematic headwind for Irish construction firms.

Factors ‘Respondents cited Brexit, Covid-disruption and shortages of delivery drivers and materials as factors which contributed to a record lengthening of delivery times and record growth in input costs. ‘Nonetheless, despite such headwinds, firms remain confident about the 12-month ahead outlook. ‘Sentiment ticked up from September and was again above long-run average levels, reflecting expectations that the ongoing release of pentup demand will continue to support activity growth in the coming year.’

Commercial sector leads growth in October The expansion in overall activity was led by a sharp and accelerated rise in work on commercial projects. Meanwhile, the rate of growth in housing activity continued to soften from May's record. Although civil engineering activity fell, the reduction was only slight.

New business up sharply The aforementioned improvements in customer demand fed through to a rise in new orders during October. New business has now

‘FIRMS REMAIN CONFIDENT ABOUT THE 12-MONTH AHEAD OUTLOOK.’

increased in each of the past seven months, and the latest expansion remained sharp despite easing from that seen in September to the softest since April.

Business confidence improves The prospects for future activity growth also remained bright, according to respondents, with sentiment regarding the 12-month outlook ticking higher and posting above the series average. Some firms predicted the further release of pent-up demand over the coming year.

In response to rising activity requirements, constructors expanded both their staffing levels and input buying at marked rates. The rate of job creation quickened slightly, with some firms reportedly taking on new apprentices.

Strong Although the rate of increase in purchasing activity eased to a six-month low, it remained strong in the context of historical data. Where companies did try to expand purchasing activity, however, they were

faced with severe disruption to supply chains. Suppliers' delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent since the survey began in June 2000, with companies linking delays to Brexit, disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, global material shortages and a lack of drivers.

Record Input price inflation also hit a fresh record in October as the aforementioned supply issues fed through to higher costs. Some 78% of respondents indicated that their input prices had increased over the month. Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 31

HOW THE LAND LIES

Tender price index from Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland SCSI Tender Price index figures showed national construction tender prices increased by 7% in the first half of 2021

he Tender Price Index published by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland showed that construction price inflation increased by 7% in the first half of 2021, a sharp increase on the 1.3% recorded in the previous six months.

Almost double According to the SCSI’s index this brought the national annual rate of inflation – July 2020 to June 2021 – to 8.3%, almost double preCovid levels. The figures indicate significant variation across the regions in the first half of the year with the highest rate of 7.8% being recorded in the Rest of Leinster and Connacht/Ulster. The rate in Munster was 6.3% while the lowest rate of 6% was recorded in Dublin.

increase is much greater than anticipated due to supply chain issues and intense competition internationally for building materials. ‘This has led to exceptional increases in the cost of widely used materials such as steel, timber and insulation products. ‘These increases, coupled with serious labour shortages in the domestic market, have led to unprecedented disruption and the current increase in overall tender price inflation.

‘Higher cost increases have been recorded outside of Dublin. This is because costs around the country are coming off a lower base coupled with a strong recovery.’

Ease Kevin James, Vice President of the SCSI, said that while it was difficult to accurately predict future tender rates, chartered quantity surveyors do expect material price increases to ease into 2022. ‘The last time we saw comparable rates of tender

Exceptional Kevin Brady, Chair of the Quantity Surveying Group in the SCSI said pent-up demand coupled with supply constraints led to exceptional increases in material costs. ‘Following the reopening of sites on 12 April it was generally expected tender price inflation would rise as the economic recovery gained momentum. ‘However, the scale of the

ABOVE: Construction Tender Prices 1998 – 2021 The survey, which is based on a member sentiment survey, was conducted in August 2021. The SCSI said the latest figures are based on median values rather than averages, as this gives a more accurate reflection of the responses it receives.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 33

HOW THE LAND LIES

‘THE LAST TIME WE SAW COMPARABLE RATES OF TENDER INFLATION WAS IN 2000, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE CELTIC TIGER. ‘ inflation was in 2000, at the height of the Celtic Tiger. ‘While that highlights the seriousness of the current situation, we believe underlying market conditions are fundamentally different from that era and that as the global recovery gains pace post Covid, the cost of materials should ease. ‘Given they account for up to half of overall delivery costs in some instances, a return to more normalised costs for key construction inputs such as timber, insulation, glazing, piping/ducting and steelwork appears likely and

will be very welcome.

RIGHT: Kevin James

Anticipate ‘We would also anticipate that as the recovery gains pace and manufacturers gear up to meet demand, supply chain bottlenecks will be addressed. ‘While the hope would be that international shipping charges will also come down and that logjams associated with Brexit will be sorted, labour shortages will take longer to address. ‘So, although we expect a correction, it is very difficult at present to predict the extent of it.’

RIGHT: Kevin Brady

Radley Engineering Limited

- one of Europe’s leading steel fabrication specialists Radley Engineering Limited is one of Europe’s leading specialists in the design, manufacture and installation of high quality steel fabrications in stainless steel, carbon steel and exotic materials. We provide our services to a range of industries including the Pharma & BioPharma, Oil & Gas, Industrial Manufacturing and Power Generation & Utilities in both Ireland and internationally.

Pharma & Bio Pharma

Oil & Gas

3 4 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

Industrial Manufacturing

Radley Engineering Limited Killadangan, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)58 41199 Web: www.radleyeng.com

Power Generation & Utilities

OUT & ABOUT

t CMI we take great interest in the annual GMIT International Construction Management Day conference. Here, Dr Martin Taggart, chair, summarises what the speakers had to say at the eleventh such event which was, of course, held ‘remotely’ earlier this year.

GMIT Conference heard construction industry remains very positive about rapid recovery post-Covid ABOVE: President of Engineers Ireland, Professor Orla Feely, see, ‘On the Record’, this issue

he eleventh Annual GMIT International Construction Management Day Conference was held fully online this year, attracting an audience of over 700 delegates.

Engineers Ireland conference success

Annually The conference is hosted annually by the Department of Building and Civil Engineering at GMIT and chaired by lecturer Dr Martin Taggart. It is supported and sponsored by: The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). The speakers included John O’Regan, Director of AECOM Ireland. John is a conference regular and is a well-known draw for delegates. The conference entailed a wide-ranging interview by Dr Taggart with Frank Kelly, President of the CIF, and Director of Construction at Walls Construction and Tom Parlon, Director General of the CIF. Dr Taggart asked Tom and Frank to say a word to students soon to graduate about their prospects. Both Tom and Frank noted that they see a very positive future.

Discussion The conference saw a

ABOVE: Top, L to R: Sean Downey, Director of Specialist Contracting, CIF; Frank Kelly, President, CIF; Gerard Nicholson, GMIT; Micheál Mahon, President SCSI; Irene Hayden, GMIT; John O’Regan, Director, AECOM Ireland; John Scahill, GMIT. Bottom, L to R: John Barfoot, Learning, Education and Academic Director, CABE; Justin Molloy, Director CIF; Dr Martin Taggart, Conference Chair and GMIT lecturer; Tom Parlon, Director General, CIF; Mark Beard, President, CIOB; Dr Mark Kelly, GMIT.

three-way discussion on building a sustainable and inclusive culture within the industry. President of the CIOB, Mark Beard, who is also Chairman of Beard Construction UK, was in conversation with Dr Taggart and Justin Molloy of the CIF. The conference also featured John Barfoot, Learning, Education and Academic Director of CABE. John spoke about a lifelong learning approach. Micheál Mahon, President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), focused on the housing crisis in Ireland. The second half of the conference had a focus on innovation. Sean Downey, Director of Specialist Contracting with the CIF,

informed the conference of coming changes in terms of innovation. Four GMIT Staff presented on areas of innovation, reporting on future needs of the industry and assessing how academia can collaborate in providing new skills needed.

Final speaker The last speaker of the day was Dr Mark Kelly, lecturer in GMIT. Mark heads up the GMIT BIM-360 research group.

Links to presentations Copies of the speakers' presentations can be found here: https://www.gmit.ie/ engineering/constructgmitpresentations-2021 They may be used for educational and CPD purposes.

Sustainable approaches in engineering, digitalisation within the sector including cyber security, the role that engineers can play in the recovery of the economy, post Covid-19 and Brexit were discussed at Engineers Ireland’s 2021 National Conference. Themed, Engineering in a new world: digital and sustainable solutions for society, conference session speakers discussed the recovery of Ireland’s economy, and how engineers can contribute to social, environmental and economic development.

Focused Engineering companies/ firms presenting also focused on best practice from a sustainability perspective, the use of digital technology, and more. Hundreds heard talks and presentations online from speakers including economist, David McWilliams; Alliance Party Leader in Northern Ireland, Naomi Long, MLA; Leo Clancy, the new CEO of Enterprise Ireland and Linda Doyle, President and Provost at Trinity College Dublin. Provost Doyle, Leo Clancy and Minister Long are all engineers.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 35

OUT & ABOUT

ABOVE: Kevin James, SCSI Vice-President and Director at Cogent and Associates addresses conference

QS + Construction Conference – Hybrid Event takes place The QS + Construction Conference took place both Online and in person, SCSI tells Construction Management Ireland. ‘The conference on 15 October was our first hybrid event and had just over 100 online and over 55 in attendance in the Alex Hotel. ‘The event was sponsored by Alfa Wealth and also in partnership with the CEEC. A delegation from across Europe travelled to the conference.

Key topics ‘Some of the key topics we looked at were Supply Chain challenges and there was a really interesting discussion with Marcus Crane from Sisk and Donal Hennessy from Collen Construction. ‘There was also an update on ICMS.3 with Charles Mitchell from the OGP, Gerard Monaghan from Nicholas O’ Dwyer and this session was chaired by Colm Cleary from the HSE. ‘There was also a PII update from Stephen Byrne in Glennons and a BIM update from Mary Flynn, Dublin City Council and Trevor Woods a 5D Bim expert.’ 3 6 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference All eyes were on Glasgow where the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, was held. The event was the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and it was the third meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement.

Urgency The Irish Green Building Council, (IGBC), featured in this issue as usual, has highlighted the urgency to address the carbon emissions associated with buildings across their whole life cycle. ‘The most recent report from the

National Construction Summit National Construction Summit is taking place at the National Arena, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin on 3 February 2022. We are informed: ‘With our new venue in place, we have also added new pillars which the event will be built on, these include: • Modular & Offsite

Construction • Architecture & Design • Data Centres in partnership with Host in Ireland • Construct IT in partnership with CITA • Building Materials & Innovation • Building Control & Regulation • Lean Construction, Passive Construction and NZEB (Nearly

Zero Energy Building) • Facilities Management • QEHS ‘With over 3,000 construction professionals expected to attend, this event is the ideal opportunity to get your company in front of the right demographic to showcase your products.’

PM Group wins All Ireland Supreme Safety Award 2020

he 29th National Irish Safety Organisation / Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISO/NISG) Annual Occupational Safety Awards took place in a special online ceremony at which the Supreme Safety Award winner for 2020, sponsored by Irving Oil Whitegate Refinery, was announced as PM Group. ABOVE: An online ceremony took place

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concludes that immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are needed to keep global warming at 1.5°C’; the IGBC reminds us. ‘This requires all sectors to ramp up their climate ambitions.’

As the Supreme Safety Award winner in 2019 also, PM Group has made Safety Award history by becoming the first organisation to win the top prize two years in a row! The Supreme Safety Award is presented to the organisation that has shown consistently good or continuously improving health and safety performance over a number of years and an outstanding contribution to occupational safety, health and welfare during the previous year. The Awards are highly valued and regarded among health and safety professionals throughout the island of Ireland.

Ceremony Under normal circumstances the safety awards would have been presented to the award winners in a prizegiving

ceremony and gala dinner event in October of 2020. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the event was moved online.

‘UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THE SAFETY AWARDS WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE AWARD WINNERS IN A PRIZEGIVING CEREMONY AND GALA DINNER EVENT IN OCTOBER OF 2020.’

MTU emerge victorious at CIOB Student Challenge, Ireland Event held on-line for first time The CIOB Student Challenge Ireland took place online earlier this year and saw MTU emerge as overall winners. The team members are: PJ Duggan, Shane Brown, Stephen Donovan, and Conor Evans.

Accredited These students were all in the final Year of MTU BSC

(Honours) in Construction Management, which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building. Second place was taken by Limerick Institute of Technology with Letterkenny IT coming third. The winners were announced by the CIOB president Mark Beard.

ABOVE: Winning team with CIOB Cup. Stephen Donovan, Conor Evans, Jospeh Kehoe, PJ Duggan, Shane Browne

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 37

OUT & ABOUT

'House for a gardener', a private home in Northern Ireland

ABOVE: The adaptation and reuse of our existing buildings – a sustainable response by architects to Climate Change – was particularly strong this year and the top award went to the transformation of the former anatomy school at University College Cork into a Student Hub by O’Donnell + Tuomey.

Strong turn-out in Irish architecture at home and abroad celebrated RIAI announce winners of 2021 RIAI Awards

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) announced the winners of the 2021 RIAI Awards. The awards are given annually to acknowledge achievement in architecture and celebrate the quality of work carried out by RIAI members and the contribution registered architects make to the built environment.

The award winners include projects in Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Down, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Offaly, as well as Punjab, India. The adaptation and reuse of our existing buildings – a sustainable response by architects to Climate Change – was particularly strong this year and the top award went

Completed Projects submitted for the 2021 Awards were practically completed between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Marking the 32nd year of the awards, the RIAI announced 17 Award Winners across all categories, including Adaption & Re-Use, Cultural or Public Buildings, Learning Environments, Wellbeing, Public Spaces, Workplace, Living, and International. ABOVE LEFT: 'Placemaking' in Dun Laoghaire LEFT: Learning laboratory in Punjab

3 8 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

ABOVE: King John's Castle in County Louth

to the transformation of the former anatomy school at University College Cork into a Student Hub by O’Donnell + Tuomey. An award for Conservation went to the sensitive restoration of the Swiss Cottage in Co. Leitrim, by Buckley Partnership Architects. New student facilities got further recognition in this year’s awards with

ABOVE: An award for Conservation went to the sensitive restoration of the Swiss Cottage in Co. Leitrim, by Buckley Partnership Architects.

Student Civitas, Lee Point Student Accommodation, Cork sharing the top prize in the Living category, along with two outstanding private homes – House for a Gardener in Northern Ireland and Baltrasna House in Skerries, Co. Dublin.

Public Public projects amongst

North Dock. Quality of Irish Work Places

the winners include the renovation and retention of the original Garda Station building in Donegal Town by Rhatigan Architects which was a double award winner in both Cultural/ Public Buildings and the Sustainability categories. A new extension to Scoil Uí Mhuirí in County Louth was given top prize in the

Learning Environments category. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Architects Department’s Covid-19 response for placemaking from Blackrock to Sandycove and in Dundrum was a joint winner alongside King John’s Castle in Carlingford, Co. Louth in the Public Space Category. The quality of Irish workplaces was recognised with two awards this year – North Dock by ABK Architects and Babel Academy of English by Stephen Mulhall, nineteeneighty studio for Fit-Out. The award for Wellbeing was given to Healy Partner Architect’s The Padel Club in Limerick. The work of RIAI architects overseas was celebrated with McCullough Mulvin Architect’s Learning Laboratory for Thapar University in Punjab, India – the winner in the International category. A Special Award for Research through Practice was awarded to Ryan W Kennihan Architects for their work on Baltrasna House and Beach Road House.

Conserve Finally, John McLaughlin Architects and Queen's University Belfast were

awarded for their research in ‘Keeping it Modern’ addressing how to conserve the social and architectural ideals inherent in 20th century Modernism.

ABOVE: Keeping it modern at QUB.

The RIAI Public Choice Award saw over 10,000 online votes being cast by members of the public. The winning submission was Field, Stonewall, House by Taylor McCarney Architects. The design for the house was conceived as a series of parallel field stone walls that fit seamlessly within the rural setting in the West of Ireland. Ciaran O’Connor, RIAI President said: ‘The wide variety of projects included in this year’s shortlist demonstrates the diversity of great work being carried out by Irish architects across the country and further afield. ‘Despite Covid-19 having an impact on construction projects, we received almost 150 entries for work complete in 2020 and the quality was exceptional.'

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 39

LEGAL VIEW

TRAINING & COURSES

Build your knowledge with the Law Society of Ireland’s Diploma in Construction Law The award-winning Diploma Centre at the Law Society of Ireland offers an in-depth Diploma in Construction Law. The popular course, which is open to lawyers and construction professionals, such as engineers, claims surveyors and expert witnesses, provides an overview of the specialised discipline that is construction law and practice in Ireland. Claire O’Mahony, Head of the Diploma Centre, says for over twenty years the Diploma Centre has provided continuing professional education and training in Ireland. ‘Our primary aim is to offer high-quality postgraduate courses with an emphasis on applying the law in practice. We are proud to provide flexible online learning for busy professionals, and courses are delivered by experienced practitioners and industry leaders.’ Now in its sixth year, this diploma takes a practical approach to the complex issues that arise from the multiparty nature of the construction process. Participants are introduced to the standard forms of construction contracts with particular focus on the public works and RIAI contracts. Other prominent areas of study include the Construction Contracts Act 2013, allocation of risk between the employer and the contractor, collateral warranties and bonds, specialists and subcontractors, and the Building

Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014. 2021 modules: Module 1: An introduction to Construction Law Module 2: Construction procurement – the tendering process Module 3: Construction contracts Module 4: Construction dispute resolution On completion of this programme, participants will be able to: • Professionally communicate to a range of diverse constructionmanagement stakeholders, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the principles of construction contracts and the rationale for amending standard form contracts • Explain and identify the impact and interaction of contract law and tort in the construction process • Advise on compliance with statutory obligations, including health and safety and building control legislation • Critically assess and report on the implications of important case law developments and legislative changes • Develop skills to evaluate and critically analyse how a contract is discharged and identify how a contract is performed and breached • Describe how alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (such as adjudication and arbitration) operate

and provide advice to clients on the merits and suitability of these different mechanisms ‘The course content was excellent and the faculty are known within the industry to be leaders in their respective fields. The continuous assessment elements of the course were well organised and based on interesting and relevant cases to my work. ‘The other students included a good balance of legal and construction professionals which provided a great opportunity to debate and understand the differing viewpoints of both professions on matters of construction law. ‘I would highly recommend this diploma to anyone with an interest in construction law.’ – Past Diploma in Construction Law student

Who should apply? ‘This course is suitable for construction professionals, including engineers, claims surveyors, and expert witnesses, Solicitors currently working in the area or those who would be interested in practising in this area. ‘It would also be of interest to dispute resolution solicitors and barristers looking to broaden their understanding of an area of law that generates a large amount of claims and litigation. ‘The course is recognised by Engineers Ireland for CPD purposes.’ For further information visit www.lawsociety. ie/diplomacentre or contact the Diploma Team by emailing diplomateam@lawsociety.ie or telephone 01 672 4802.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 41

TRAINING & COURSES

eeded now more than ever, WorldSkills Ireland 2022 returns in March 2022 to promote skills and apprenticeship careers and opportunities for young people as they navigate future options following secondary education. We find out more with WorldSkills IrelandChair/Technical Delegate, Ray English. The expo will build upon the success of the inaugural event which took place in 2019 when over 12,000 visitors, including thousands of students and their parents, descended on the RDS, Simmonscourt, to see first-hand the wealth of career options available.

Gold medal Announcing the return of the event in March 2022, Niall Collins TD, Minister of State for Skills and Further Education was joined by Megan Yates, a former freight forwarding and logistics competitor who represented Ireland at WorldSkills in Kazan in 2019, bringing home the gold medal. According To Minister Niall Collins: ‘WorldSkills Live is an excellent promotional event for apprenticeships and traineeships in Ireland, showing that they are attractive routes for young people to gain an internationally recognised qualification and to develop up-todate and relevant skills. ‘I’m also thrilled to say we have a track record of significant success at the competition, and for that we should be very proud, but I think it is also important that Ireland’s achievements in practical skills are

‘‘WORLDSKILLS IRELAND 2022 WILL BE A TRUE SHOWCASE OF THE “BEST IN CLASS” ACROSS MANY DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES.’ 4 2 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

WORLDSKILLS IRELAND TAKING PLACE 22-24 MARCH 2022: WORLDSKILLS IRELAND 2022

recognised at home. ‘WorldSkills Ireland Live provides an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of options available to learners in practical education and training. ‘I hear consistent messages from employers in areas of skills demand and I see the demand for future skills required to support the economy. ‘Many of these areas, such as cyber security, construction, transport and logistics, are encompassed in the WorldSkills Ireland Live competitions.’

Compete More than 200 competitors from all over Ireland will compete over three days next March to win the Silver Medal awarded by the Department of Further and Higher Education in each skill category and WorldSkills have added more skill competitions

in engineering, digital construction and hospitality to reflect the growing range of apprenticeship and skills careers opportunities now available through an enhanced CAO offering. New competitions include Space Systems Engineering, IT software Solutions for Business, Butchery, CADD for Engineering, Sales, Hotel Reception and Digital Infrastructure for Sustainability with the traditional apprenticeships from Plumbing to Metal Fabrication, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Carpentry, Bricklaying and the automotive trades all to be showcased. The main category sponsors are ESB, Construction Industry Federation, John Sisks and Sons, Designer Group and AutoDesk with Collen sponsoring the Heroes stage which delivers spotlight talks and insights into the world of skilled careers and apprenticeships.

promotes the move to digitalisation and the extended use of technologies in the construction sector attracting younger generations into construction and challenges the misconception of construction as mud, boots and Hi-Viz jackets. The WorldSkills Ireland competition is centrally placed to promote construction digital careers and support government strategy to address gaps in digital skills needs.

Bringing together

LIVE 2022 Five global megatrends have been identified connecting the designmanufacture-construct process as being: • • • • •

Prefabrication and offsite construction Additive manufacturing Robotics and automation AI-big data IOT(Internet of Things)

These megatrends will be reflected in new skills competitions promoted for the WorldSkills International Shanghai 2022 Competition.

Each of the competitions will showcase the skills needed for careers and allow try a trade chances to complete tasks and have tactile

engagement. Links to Education and Training institutes and the industry vacancies will be critically supported in the specialised information zones.

History

WorldSkills Ireland has a history of developing new competitions and along with AutoDesk proposed Building Information Modelling as a new global skill category based on the rapid adoption of BIM in the Irish construction sector. Following on from a successful WorldSkills International competition in Kazan 2019, further consultation with AutoDesk and industry input, a decision was made to rename that competition Digital Construction to better reflect how data is managed across construction from design through to build and ultimate building operation. The expanding competition portfolio in ICT and Digital skills

Bringing together industry and education in a community for promotion of skilled careers the competitors who are studying, training or working in the Digital and Construction industries from across Ireland will apply practical industry skills and demonstrate the connected digital flow of work from BIM Modelling, Co-ordination and Management to onsite implementation. Ray English, WorldSkills IrelandChair/Technical Delegate adds: ‘The skills shortage is one of major challenges across all sectors today. Simply put, we need more skilled people across multiple sectors. This has been recognised at all levels, which is reflected in this unique event’s collective support from education and training providers, industry and government. ‘Skills drive the future and WorldSkills Ireland 2022 will be a true showcase of the “best in class” across many different disciplines, offering young people a wealth of options as they move from secondary education and look to their future in the world of employment.’ McKinsey Global estimate that by 2030 there will be up to 200 million construction jobs worldwide in a new future of industrialised construction that relies on innovative and integrated processes and technologies. (See panel for ‘five global megatrends’) WorldSkills International is a global organisation of 85 countries and hosts the WorldSkills competitions every two years with the next scheduled to be held in Shanghai in October 2022 with an estimated 3,700 competitors and experts in over 63 competition skill categories. Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 43

TRAINING & COURSES

Pipelife Training Academy - keep up to date and enhance your knowledge There’s a lot going on at Pipelife’s Training Academy – a key resource when it comes to keeping up to date!

enewable Heating Systems have become an important area for the building services industry.

Key Understanding how to provide these sources, systems and applications is seen as key in meeting the future needs of both commercial and domestic heating. Expertise is vital to renewables success and so Pipelife are delighted to offer a range of courses that have been specifically designed to provide experienced heating, plumbing, installation and building professionals with a real understanding of the potential for renewable energy sources, installation and their application. Relevant, practical, industry-leading training courses delivered at our stateof-the-art Academy in Cork or Dublin by fully qualified professionals in a relaxed, informal environment.

Free

Exciting

The courses are free to attend and will be led by members of our Technical Team who have a wealth of practical knowledge and installation practices, and feature a detailed tour of the Pipelife manufacturing facility where visitors are given the opportunity to see first-hand where our products are designed and manufactured. The free courses will be available to installers, service engineers, plumbers, merchants, architects, local authorities and BER Assessors. By offering a valuable insight into each of our heating technologies, those who attend our courses will be equipped with the best product knowledge and installation techniques, ensuring that our customers are fully satisfied. We are also a registered training provider with Engineers Ireland.

Padjoe Barry – national sales manager says: ‘These are really exciting times for Pipelife, we have always had a strong focus on providing a great service to all our customers and with the launch of our new Renewable Training Academy this will allow us to support them with hands-on product training and installation techniques. ‘The company is determined to offer contractors and installers the skills, support and service they need to thrive in the renewable heating sector. ‘Two major things that we offer – that are not standard in the industry – are a 50-year guarantee on all our manufactured pipe products and extended warranties on all our traded products,’ says Padjoe.

Insurance ‘We give full design indemnity insurance on all our designs for underfloor heating and

heat pump systems. ‘We also provide full electrical drawings and full layout drawings for the piping and manifold locations and settings. ‘When you get a job from us, everything is specified, and the contractor can talk to the actual designer. ‘If any problem occurs after the homeowner takes possession of the house, we are still available. ‘We’ve been around for 50 years, and we are willing to stand over the quality of our pipes to give a further 50-year assurance. ‘We stand over the quality of our traded products because we only take in heat pumps and fittings from people we have vetted ourselves.’

Training courses Heat Pump Training Intended for domestic heating and renewable installers who wish to know more about our Air to Water heat pump range.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 45

TRAINING & COURSES

SPOTLIGHT ON IFS

Irish buildings tech company IFS announces global expansion with creation of 100 jobs Integrated Facilities Solutions (IFS), the Dublin-based provider of digital asset management solutions for infrastructure and real estate, is to expand its operations into the US, UK, and Scandinavia with the recruitment of 100 new staff over the next three years. The company is also launching its new corporate brand identity and digital platform. The organisation, now known as Fexillon, is currently based in Dublin.

Partnering Training covers both the Hitachi Yutaki S Split Combi and Midea Monobloc Heat pumps. This course covers its construction, principles of operation, electrical wiring, controller settings, sizing, selection of the correct unit(s) to suit the property concerned, installation considerations, requirements and commissioning the complete system. Underfloor Heating Intended for domestic heating installers of boilers or Air to Water Heat Pumps either with Underfloor Heating experience or those wishing to know more about Pipelife underfloor heating systems. This training course covers the basic principles of underfloor heating and the system design considerations, as well as full details of the Pipelife systems, their installation, filling, pressure testing and commissioning. Also included are full

details of the Pipelife UFH control system, the options, operation, installation and set-up. CPD training for architects, engineers, energy assessors, etc. Continuous Personal Development (CPD) is training we provide here and off site for architects, engineers, energy assessors and similar minded professionals. These certified courses are available in many technologies, give insight and knowledge on current and new products and areas which are relevant to attendees.

Contact For off-site training contact ireland@ pipelife.com for booking details. To book your training day with Pipelife please contact us at Ireland@pipelife. com, contact us on 021 4884700 or visit our website www.pipelife.ie/training

‘THESE ARE REALLY EXCITING TIMES FOR PIPELIFE.’ 4 6 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

Fexillon has confirmed that it is partnering with Microsoft in the development and testing of a range of solutions, including Digital Twins, HoloLens technology and Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration. The expansion of the relationship will see Fexillon utilise Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform to support bespoke, detailed, and interactive digital replicas of Microsoft’s built infrastructure, allowing for the real time management of assets and leading to greater operational efficiencies, while leveraging the security benefits of the Microsoft Cloud. Digital twins are already in use across several sectors including construction, energy, healthcare, automotive and infrastructure sectors. In each case, digital twins take in vast amounts of data, including streams from Internet of Things sensors, to monitor current operations and historical behaviour, and plan for what may happen next. Fexillon, which builds and provides access to validated and secure Digital Building Information for design, construction, and facilities management teams, was founded 22 years ago by

George Harold and Kieran Beggan, graduates of Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street.

Reputation ‘We’ve built a strong reputation for quality and innovation,’ said Fexillon co-CEO and co-founder, Kieran Beggan. ‘The equity built under our previous identity is a valuable asset and has helped us grow and expand into targeted markets in Europe and the US, targeting doubling our revenue and headcount, and aiming to create 100 new jobs by 2024. ‘However, evolving our name marks a strategic pivot in our future direction and enables opportunities to market the Fexillon brand in pursuit of future growth and expansion. In all, the rebranding and our global expansion embodies an Irish organisation that is reinventing itself and building upon its history of innovation and expertise but is still committed to its original mission; to build a more connected, sustainable, and intelligent future for our built world.’

Reinforce George Harold, co-CEO and co-founder said: ‘We have long established ourselves as experts in the business of what we do. To reinforce this among our customers and to aid them in their journey with our brand, we decided the time was ripe to strengthen ourselves further based on our long legacy of technical excellence. ‘By further leveraging our expertise through this strategic rebrand and growth, we can continue to create a single source of truth for a more sustainable, connected and innovative future for the built world.’

PERSONAL & FINANCE

hree-quarters of tradespeople have made changes to lead a healthier lifestyle over the last year and 73% say that COVID-19 has made them more health conscious. That’s according to research from Chadwicks Group. The research of over 600 tradespeople, examining attitudes to health and wellness, finds that while many are trying to be healthier, there is still room for improvement. Half say they don’t go for a regular health check up and 1-in-5 admit to working through illness so they don’t fall behind on a job.

Free Chadwicks Group’s annual National Tradesperson Check (NTC) provides customers with a free health check in branch in partnership with HealthWatch. The health screenings cover: BMI, blood pressure, and finger-prick test gauging the total cholesterol and glucose of the patient. Now in its second year, the NTC has been taking place in 18 Chadwick Group locations nationwide including Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre, Cork Builders Providers and Telfords.

Shouldering the pain According to the Chadwicks Group

‘Half of tradespeople don’t go for a regular health check up’ Chadwicks Group launches free National Tradesperson Check

research, a fifth of tradespeople work a minimum of 60 hours a week and three quarters (76%) consider their occupation physically demanding.

of our National Tradesperson Check and we are delighted to expand these health checks to 18 locations across the country.'

Launch Launching this year’s National Tradesperson Check, Chadwicks Group ambassador and resident builder on RTE’s Home Rescue, Peter Finn, said, now more than ever tradespeople need to prioritise their health. ‘A lot of us in the industry are also self-employed so it’s no surprise that the research shows that a fifth of tradespeople have worked through illness. ‘This makes it even more important to look after ourselves and take time out of our busy schedules to prioritise our health.’

Delighted

Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group said: ‘This is the second year

NOW IN ITS SECOND YEAR, THE NTC HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE IN 18 CHADWICK GROUP LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE INCLUDING CHADWICKS, THE PANELLING CENTRE, CORK BUILDERS PROVIDERS AND TELFORDS.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 47

PERSONAL & FINANCE

ou have an idea. A great idea. A brilliant idea. A potentially business- or lifechanging idea.

Psychology found that saying words out loud, or just mouthing them, makes them more distinctive. Separates them from all the other words you're thinking. Makes them different. All of which makes them more memorable. So go ahead. When you need to remember something, say it aloud. Or mouth it to yourself. Your cerebral cortex will thank you for it.

But then, by the time you get the chance to write it down, you've forgotten it. Even though it's unlikely that something you can't remember for more than a few hours is that important, still: We've all had things we wanted to remember, but couldn't. And that's a problem, because where success is concerned, what you know, and what you actually do with that knowledge, can make all the difference.

3. Rehearse for 40 seconds. Memory consolidation is the process of transforming temporary memories into more stable, long-lasting memories. Even though the process of memory consolidation can be sped up, still: Storing

Important So what can you do if you need to

Three nearly effortless ways to improve your memory and recall, backed by neuroscience Want to almost instantly improve your short-term memory and recall? Of course you do. As usual Jeff Haden has suggestions that can help!

remember something important? Most memory-improvement techniques – like mnemonics, chunking, and building memory palaces –involve a fair amount of effort. Science to the rescue: Check out these simple ways to increase your short-term memory and recall.

1. Predict whether you will actually remember what you want to remember. Sounds odd, I know. But this 2011 study published in Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology shows the simple act of asking yourself whether you will remember something significantly improves the odds that you will remember, in some cases by as much as 50 percent. That's especially true for remembering things you want to do, like prospective memories. Prospective memories involve remembering to perform a planned action, or recall a planned intention, at some point in the future. Like remembering to praise an

4 8 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

employee, email a customer, or implement a schedule change. Why this works is somewhat unclear. Maybe the act of predicting is a little like testing yourself; research shows that quizzing yourself is an extremely effective way to speed up the learning process. What is clear is that the act helps your hippocampus better form and index those episodic memories for later access. So, if you want to remember to do something in the future, take a second and predict whether you will remember. Science says that act alone makes it more likely you will.

2. Say it out loud. We've all been around people who repeat things they're learning out loud. Or just mouth the words. They look a little odd: Smart people just file knowledge away. They don't have to talk to themselves. Actually, smart people do talk to themselves. A 2010 study published in the aforementioned Journal of Experimental

a memory in a lasting way takes time. One way to increase the odds is to rehearse whatever you want to remember for 40 seconds. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that a brief period of rehearsal – like replaying an event in your mind, going over what someone said in a meeting, or mentally mapping out a series of steps –makes it significantly more likely that you will remember what you rehearsed. As the researchers write, that ‘brief period of rehearsal has a huge effect on our ability to remember complex, lifelike events over periods of one to two weeks. 'We have also linked this rehearsal effect to processing in a particular part of the brain – the posterior cingulate.’ Which should be long enough for you to actually do something with whatever you hope to remember. Because ideas without action aren't really ideas. They're regrets.

By Jeff Haden, contributing editor, inc.@jeff_haden

KILSARAN

ilsaran has been in operation for over fifty-seven years and is Ireland’s leading independent manufacturer of construction materials. A family-owned and run company, Kilsaran specialises in producing superior quality paving and walling, road surfacing materials, pre-mixed dry mortars, renders, screeds and, of course, ready-mixed concrete and blocks. Kilsaran’s ability to supply standard, unique, and bespoke product solutions to both the commercial and domestic market centres on continual commitment to manufacturing excellence and technical expertise. A proud member of the Guaranteed Irish family of brands, Kilsaran is quite literally Irish from the ground up, extracting raw materials from our own quarries and manufacturing end products at our various plants across Ireland. Kilsaran supplies a full range of building materials to the construction industry in Ireland and the UK. We work with architects, specifiers, contractors, and developers in the commercial sector. We have a strong network of merchants across Ireland and the UK that stock our paving and KPRO ranges. Our retail showroom in Dunboyne, Co. Meath is designed with the homeowner in mind. It features more than fifteen show gardens. Our quality construction materials feature extensively in many national infrastructure projects, including large commercial buildings, domestic and

process, from pre-planning and design to post planning, structural inputs, and maintenance post completion. Our research and development initiatives, meanwhile, are driven by customers’ needs, along with a passion for delivering innovation and technical expertise in all areas. Continued investment in R&D reinforces Kilsaran’s

Sustainability matters

Kilsaran’s commitment to excellence commitment to quality, efficiency and performance while allowing us to anticipate future market trends in line with customer demands.

Health and safety agricultural construction, office blocks and road networks.

Trends and R&D We’ve seen a definite move towards offsite construction, given the current Covid situation. Our new precast plant, which opened in early 2021, is fully automated with full traceability of components. We have also seen a demand for more sustainable solutions when it comes to construction materials. Meanwhile, we are involved in the entire lifecycle of the

operations are performed and managed to the highest standard by appointing competent supervisors at each work location, and the Health and Safety Committee constantly looks at ways of improving the quality of our safe operating procedures and risk assessments. Our experienced Health and Safety Management Team monitors health and safety performance throughout our site operations. The Kilsaran team strives for continuous improvement and is always looking for different ideas to make things more efficient and leaner.

At Kilsaran, it’s about providing a safe place of work and safe systems. Our employees are our biggest asset. We believe in providing them with the proper training and equipment to do the job safely. We are in the process of introducing mental health ambassadors who are trained in how to assist co-workers who may be developing mental health issues or experiencing a mental health crisis. We also started the ‘Goal Zero’ journey in the past year, getting people to think about safety before they start tasks. At Kilsaran, we ensure that our

Our goal is to minimise the environmental impacts of our business and where practicable provide benefit. To ensure the environmental impacts are controlled and minimised and that our objectives and commitments are achieved, we have established and maintain Environmental Management Systems (EMS) at all our major extractive sites. Kilsaran has a sustainability team, formed to develop and maintain all Kilsaran’s sustainability ambitions into the future. In 2021, we formally identified the numerous initiatives we have undertaken, and have begun to communicate these, both internally and externally. In 2022, Kilsaran will be investing in external experts to guide us on reaching sustainability objectives.

Millennium Concrete Plant Kilsaran’s Millennium Concrete Plant, in County Dublin, is one of the largest in Europe, and serves the greater Dublin area as well as supplementing all our other concrete plants in Dublin and beyond. In operation since early 2020, it has an output capacity of approximately 280 cubes per hour, run by two four-cubicmetre Teka pan mixers. We produce more than 2,000 cubic metres each day, with a loading capability of one truck every threeand-a-half minutes. All unused concrete is recycled here. Washout slurries, waters and aggregates are recycled as part of our sustainability plan. The plant contains attenuation tanks underneath the footprint of the site, where all stormwater and rainwater is gathered, released in a controlled manner into the systems, and used within the production facility itself. Upgrades to the delivery dockets and weighbridge system mean the plant is paper-free. It all makes the plant one of the most environmentally-friendly in the country.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 49

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: SUIR

Spotlight on

Suir Engineering

uir Engineering has over 37 years of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (M,E&I) expertise, with offices in Waterford, Dublin, Sweden, Denmark and Germany and a direct workforce of more than 1,200 people. At any one time they would have around twenty-five operational sites throughout Ireland and a further 6 across Sweden, Denmark and Germany. The sectors in which Suir Engineering operates include data centres, energy and utilities (sub-stations and power infrastructure projects), renewables (wind farms and battery energy storage systems), pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and commercial offices.

Direct-hire Suir Engineering is a direct hire business with over 1,200 full-time employees. Suir continues to invest in their most important assets, their people. They work with the best talent available and put the client first, and in doing so have built sustainable, long-term client partnerships. Above all else, health and safety are what matters most to the business. Particularly in these past 2 challenging years, the safety and wellbeing of colleagues, clients and ultimately the end customer is paramount.

Experience Through its extensive experience in the industry, Suir Engineering has earned a reputation for safe, efficient, and costeffective engineering services.

5 0 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

Thanks to the efforts of its EHS team, the company was the first M&E Contractor in Ireland to achieve ISO 45001 accreditation to add to its current ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification and is firmly committed to policies and procedures that guarantee the safety of its employees, clients, visitors and contractors. Suir Engineering’s proactive approach to Health & Safety places emphasis on

THROUGH ITS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY, SUIR ENGINEERING HAS EARNED A REPUTATION FOR SAFE, EFFICIENT, AND COST-EFFECTIVE ENGINEERING SERVICES.’

transparency, communication and the continual refinement of procedures and guidelines.

Technology team To be more efficient in delivering projects and explore opportunities for continuous improvement, Suir Engineering set up a technology team to collaborate and look at modern methods of construction to ensure they were at the forefront of new technologies. This project includes delivering innovation to the various sectors by adopting 3D modelling, Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) digital platforms, offsite fabrication and Lean principles. They have integrated digital construction technologies across their operations to facilitate the smooth delivery of projects. These innovations have had the benefit of driving continuous improvement across the company in safety, quality, employee job satisfaction and the reduction of their carbon footprint

Future Investing in its future, they have identified ‘Suir Way’ as a framework to standardize quality across the business. The Suir Way is a lean initiative and the way they work. The Suir Way is about bringing the business together through consistent and familiar processes designed to help and continually improve. The future of Suir Engineering is bright as it continues its sustainable growth in Ireland and across Europe.

SPOTLIGHT ON: RMDK

A message from RMD Kwikform (RMDK)

MD Kwikform (RMDK) is a leading provider of formwork, falsework, and ground shoring solutions. RMDK provides engineering solutions in the specialist field of temporary structures, needed to deliver major infrastructure and building projects.

Key sectors Designing, hiring, and selling formwork, falsework, ground shoring, and safety and access systems to the construction industry, RMDK’s key sectors include civil engineering and infrastructure, energy, industrial, commercial, and multi-storey residential buildings. Ireland is an important market for RMDK, with the company having been involved with a series of high-profile and prestigious projects over the past year. One of these is the Belfast Transport Hub, a multi-million-pound investment by the Department for Infrastructure that will sit at the heart of a new city neighbourhood called ‘Weavers Cross’ in Belfast. Viewed as a key driver for economic growth for Belfast and Northern Ireland, it will act as the main transport gateway to Belfast, creating a sense of arrival and offering rail, bus and coach connections to all parts of Northern Ireland and beyond.

5 2 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

RMDK has supplied its high-performance ground shoring solutions to the project.

Salesforce Tower Another project that RMDK has been involved in this year is the construction of Salesforce Tower, the company’s new headquarters, in Dublin’s Spencer Dock. RMDK has supplied temporary works equipment to assist with formwork construction. Once completed, Salesforce Tower will be the most sustainable office campus in the Republic, running on 100 per cent renewable energy, and will be the new home for its 1,400-strong Irish workforce. Other key contracts that RMDK have worked on in 2021 include supplying formwork to the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin, which is the most significant capital investment project in the healthcare system undertaken in Ireland and will deliver the best care and treatments for Ireland’s sickest children and young people; formwork for the upgrade being undertaken to the Dunkettle Interchange, helping reconfigure the Interchange into a free flowing one, in so far as is reasonably practical; and formwork for the Macroom Bypass, supporting the build of the N22 dual carriageway that will

bypass Macroom and Ballyvourney, which will help greatly improve travel times and safety on the Cork to Kerry route. By working closely with its clients at each stage of the construction process, RMDK strives to deliver the most efficient, safe and easy-to-use temporary works solutions for its customers. This encompasses its digital engineering expertise too. From 3D designs and BIM-compliant models to its visualisation software LocusEye, these tools help clients minimise risks and streamline workflows, while enabling greater collaboration across the supply chain.

Its people At the very heart of this offering is its people. Its team understands the everincreasing complexity of projects, tight timescales, and the need to ensure stringent health and safety standards. With world-class engineering capabilities, knowledge and experience, supported by a network of 400 global and local suppliers, RMDK’s team is committed to bringing structures to life.

To find out more about RMDK, please visit www. rmdkwikform.com

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Turning to the world of Facilities Management, what have been the high points this year and what lies ahead? We find out what’s happening with Pat Gaughan of Advanced Workplace Solutions.

'IWFM update’ with Pat Gaughan

he calendar of events for IWFM Ireland in 2021 has been more about quality than quantity as we looked to focus more on the strategic requirements of FM as it has moved steadily to the centre of business in terms of its influence and its impact on the Workplace. The whole issue of Hybrid working and what exactly it means and how it will work – for both employers and employees – has kept the operational end of the profession busy over the last few months (at time of writing) as offices and the economy are starting to open up. As I write this update, I am looking forward to 2, December when IWFM Ireland will be delivering an online conversation on Sustainability, COP26 and its implications for the Workplace. The recent Environmental legislation enacted by the Government, coupled with the resolutions and agreements coming out from COP26 in Glasgow will have far a reaching effect on all organisations and society as a whole, both now and into the future.

Roadmap The questions around what we need to do and what kind of a roadmap we need will be discussed at large. To this end we have senior professionals from different areas of business involved in the conversation on delivering sustainability. Pulling all this together is our presenter Dr Matt Kennedy, who leads Arup's climate, carbon services and sustainability workstreams across the Europe Region, including delivering carbon, environment and climate initiatives within infrastructure, buildings and cities and shaping Arup's decarbonisation roadmap aligned to a 5 4 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

the institute by growing membership, promoting the profession and developing Research and data relevant to the profession here in Ireland. This position will be the first time IWFM has created a role in Ireland outside the volunteer committee members. This development is a clear signal from IWFM of its intention to refocus the future direction of the organisation in terms of the requirements and needs of its members. IWFM Ireland is fully aware of the need to look not only at what is happening locally but also the importance of developing international connections. To that end I am honoured to have been appointed by EuroFM as Its Ambassador to Ireland.

Platform

science-based target approach. Matt is also currently involved with UN and the European Commission committees on Climate change. Our panel members for this event will be Eileen Duggan, Head of Sustainability for RTE; Paul Prendergast, Global environmental manager for Coats, the world’s largest thread manufacturer; Lesley Gray, Head of Design at Unispace; Ken Gormley, Chief of Estates and Facilities at RCSI; Claire Atkins Morris, Head of Sustainability for Sodexo. It promises to be a lively and informative morning. Details of the talk and a recording of the event will be available on www. iwfm.org.uk/community/ireland

EuroFM is the European FM platform organization that brings educators, researchers and practitioners in the field of Facility Management together. EuroFM as the FM network association has its members now situated in more than thirty different countries, from research institutes to universities, service providers and national FM related associations. The aim is to bring forward the FM profession and to come to a better mutual understanding by learning and sharing FM knowledge. EuroFM is a member association. As an organization, EuroFM harbours different types of membership. These vary within the three pillars of EuroFM, namely: Research, Education, Practice and Corporates. The EuroFM Ambassador program concerns Facility Management professionals known for accomplishments and involvement with the FM profession worldwide to support and disseminate EuroFM initiatives and activities. Currently EuroFM has thirty-two Ambassadors from around the world.

More news!

Forging ahead

The other good news for 2022 is that IWFM Ireland will be launching a series of networking events at different regional locations all around Ireland as well as the return of the FM Summit .

IWFM is forging ahead for 2022 and is currently in the process of recruiting a Business Development Manager which it is confident will invigorate

The details of these will be released in January 2022 and will be available on the IWFM Website.

GREEN BUILDING

REAL PROGRESS MADE – STILL MORE TO DO

‘As I write this special reflective piece for Construction Management Ireland, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is about to get underway’, writes Marion Jammet, Head of Policy and Advocacy with the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC). ‘Building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world. Decarbonising our built environment is critical to keep global warming at 1.5°C’, she reminds us.

special overview compiled in the run-up to COP26 for Construction Management Ireland The Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Real progress has been made over the last decade, but transformational changes and strong cooperation among all key players are needed for our industry to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. That’s why, I am pleased with the growing number of highly diverse organisations working with us. This cross-sectoral cooperation is essential to drive industry action and policy changes.

Construction and operation of the Irish Built Environment account for almost a third of our Emissions Communicating on climate change is challenging as it’s often perceived as abstract or overwhelming. An additional challenge in the built environment is the lack of data, making it difficult to comprehend the whole picture. Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from cooling, heating and lighting our buildings account for approximately a fourth of our national emissions. These emissions are currently addressed in the Climate Action Plan and through the Building Regs – the nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) standard. Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 55

GREEN BUILDING

However, this only tells part of the story.

Produced Additional emissions are produced through mining, quarrying, transporting and manufacturing building materials, as well as through the construction of new homes. The initial findings of a report commissioned by the IGBC to UCD’s Building in a Climate Emergency Research Group indicate that construction and operation of our built environment account for almost a third of Ireland’s emissions. With half a million homes to be built by 2040, addressing all these emissions and taking a ‘whole life carbon’ approach to the built environment is urgent. To this end, the IGBC, with support from the IKEA and Laudes Foundations, have launched the #BuildingLife campaign.

Representatives The campaign brings together representatives from across the sector to produce a science-based and industry-backed national decarbonisation roadmap for Ireland’s built environment. More specifically, #BuildingLife aims to achieve the mix of private sector action and public policy necessary to tackle the wholelife impact of buildings. As part of this process, the IGBC is developing a set of recommendations to decarbonise our built environment through its life cycle. This work will involve running a large-scale consultation over the next six months, but our initial research indicates that tackling these emissions will require regulatory changes and changing the way we work together.

Cornerstone The Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) Directive, a cornerstone of the EU energy policy, is currently under review and I am hopeful that it will finally address whole life carbon emissions. In Ireland, regulation should focus on establishing a clear carbon measurement methodology. Current financial barriers such as refusal of building insurance 5 6 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

‘TAKING A “WHOLE LIFE CARBON” APPROACH TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IS URGENT.’ for new innovative low carbon construction technologies should also be removed. But, policy changes, while necessary, won’t be sufficient on their own. We need to raise awareness about these issues and build capacity within the industry too.

Mobilising the whole supply chain To do so, the IGBC is developing new tools and training programmes. One tool I am particularly proud of is the Carbon Designer Tool. This free tool allows building professionals to get early indications of the likely lifecycle carbon impacts of different material approaches and to set targets at concept design stage. It was developed by the IGBC, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Land Development Agency.

To support building professionals in gaining a better understanding of whole life carbon, we are also running life cycle assessment training.

Campaign In line with our objective of reducing all the environmental impacts associated with the built environment, the IGBC has recently launched a water efficiency campaign targeting bathroom retailers and hardware stores. Heating hot water accounts for 25% of home energy usage and 60% of domestic water is used in the bathroom. Using water efficiently reduces energy bills and ultimately reduces carbon emissions. As consumers become more aware, they are looking for bathroom products that are more efficient. They want to know how much water and energy will be used by

Renovation Another area in which the public sector must lead by example is energy renovation. Billions of euros of public money will be invested in energy renovation over the next ten years. To ensure this money is well spent and benefits are delivered to society (and the environment), the IGBC has developed a multi-level energy renovation framework. The ‘framework’ allows local authorities to capture better quality data on the impact of their energy renovation programmes, hence supporting better decision-making. Topics covered include CO₂ emission reductions, and wider benefits such as reduction in fuel poverty and improvement in indoor air quality. The Framework was piloted in 2021 by Dublin City Council, with additional feedback received from Cork City, Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly County Councils. A short training course on how to use the Framework will soon be made available on the IGBC website.

Incentivise

showers, taps, toilets and baths.

Commit As part of our #WaterMatters campaign we are asking bathroom retailers to commit to display the Unified Water Label (UWL) on the products they sell. The UWL is a European wide initiative led by companies involved in the bathroom industry. It is a smart tool that provides water using products with a common label that offers clear, concise information about water and energy usage. We have also developed a short online training course for bathroom retailers to ensure staff understand water efficiency and can guide consumers to make more informed choices.

Supporting the public sector in leading by example To address the immense

challenges we face, cooperation of all is required and the public sector must lead by example. The Government of Ireland’s annual public sector purchasing accounts for 10% to 12% of the country’s GDP. It thus has the potential to provide significant leverage in seeking to influence the market. Innovative procurement approaches should be used to help encourage and develop a low carbon construction products sector and services. More specifically, life-cycle assessment must become a key part of public procurement. The IGBC has already trained over 100 building professionals in the use of Life-Cycle Assessment in 2021 and will be rolling out capacity building training to more building professional and procurers in 2022.

Public procurement could also be used to better incentivise energy renovation upskilling in the construction industry. Upskilling is critical to improve the quality of energy renovation works and to increase trust in the process and outcomes. In northern France, public procurement is used to incentivise upskilling through ‘energy efficiency training clauses’. An energy efficiency training clause may be included in a public tender whereby the company who won the tender must commit to train all staff working on the project on energy efficiency. The IGBC will pilot this clause in Ireland in 2022.

Contact For further information on tools and training programmes mentioned in this article, please visit www.igbc.ie. Note: As with many articles in this special issue of CMI this overview represents a 'snapshot' in time. For the latest see IGBC.ie Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 57

SPOTLIGHT ON: LMC

stablished in 2008 by managing directors Martin Lydon and Stephen McConnell, the LMC Group comprises three distinct businesses including mep contracting, facilities management and modular design and manufacturing, based across Dublin and Tipperary.

Enjoying a significant revenue increase during the last 12 months along with 17% in new hires in 2021, this wholly Irish owned company has proven both resilient and innovative in challenging times.

Capitalising on resilience Over the last two years LMC Group’s facilities management company LMC FM has grown significantly with a 40% increase in new business, winning prominent public sector contracts such as the HSE, OPW, and the Irish Prison Service. Their focus on providing high quality and reliable reactive maintenance services within tight timeframes in specialised environments sets them at the forefront of their sector. During lockdown restrictions the Group’s QHSE team used the time to develop industryleading practices that would

enable operations during the pandemic. Safety initiatives including issuing engineers with a C02 detector unit to alert to gases in plant rooms and boiler areas; developing a ‘Yellow Road Home’ safety map in customer site plant and utility rooms; and producing an eLearning platform for training employees remotely and on site have been very successful.

Reputation These projects galvanised LMC Group’s reputation for customer satisfaction, boasting an impressive annual score of 93% for 2021 and ensuring seamless business continuity. In addition to the pandemic their modular design company LMC Modular was impacted by Brexit and the Suez Canal blockage in March causing delays in their supply chain. However, as a solution-driven

business with engineering at its heart, the management team used these opportunities to introduce a Lean manufacturing programme to their factory in Tipperary during shutdown. They also secured contracts for the supply of disabled-access bathroom pods to two Limerick hospitals during the pandemic. Currently, they are developing a new bespoke construction system to deliver fully finished volumetric units.

LMC MEP The mechanical and electrical contracting business LMC MEP is also performing strongly, winning both residential and fitout contracts during the year. They continued to operate during lockdown on several sites, including social housing projects. They were also appointed to numerous prestigious projects during the year including the Charlemont Square

re-development, Newmarket Square Hotel and Apartments, Fidelity fit-out Project in Citywest, Castlepark Apartments, Dalkey and Southern Cross Apartments, Bray.

Vertical ambition Currently the LMC Group employs over 320 people across Ireland and as the Group looks ahead to 2022, it is preparing for increased growth with investment in a new 160,000 sq.ft. manufacturing facility and a robust research and development programme in LMC Modular. They’ve recently completed their certification process with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), to enable the manufacture of full 3D volumetric buildings up to 12-storeys high; the company is set to scale the heights in the construction sector, both in Ireland and the UK.

LMC Group in 2021: Growth and innovation in a time of COVID Capitalising on their blend of expert engineering and building services knowledge to innovate during a pandemic, the LMC Group sets its sights on future expansion.

5 8 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

IG has been a supplier to the Irish Construction Industry for over thirty years, having built up our presence over that time through joint ventures with local entrepreneurs and through acquisition.

Provider We are now the largest provider of specialist building products and technical expertise to the construction industry on the island of Ireland, employing over 250 people. At the forefront of our business is our Technical Building Solutions Team, where we offer cost effective, and regulatory compliant proposals with impartial product advice to the construction industry. Our specialist team will provide advice on energy saving construction products and guidance on building regulation compliance. Our complete integrated service gives you unbiased access to thousands of market leading products and solutions, while our intimate knowledge of product performance helps you to make the right choice.

Specialise We specialise in Thermal, Acoustic, Fire Protection and Moisture management requirements and have access to an unrivalled product range, ensuring your project has the right combination of products to deliver optimal building performance. SIG Technical Building Solutions can provide guidance to all sectors of the construction industry in ROI & NI, including: • Residential: Houses, Apartments, Mixed Use and Refurbishment • Non-Residential: Education, Commercial, Data Centres, Health Care, MoD

A MESSAGE FROM SIG – SUPPLIER TO THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS • Timber Frame, Modular, and Off-site Construction / MMC sector • Industrial Insulation • Passive Fire Protection

Relationships SIG have long-term relationships with many of the construction industry’s top brands – Gyproc, Knauf, Isover, Rockwool, Armstrong, Cupa, Dupont, Ancon, GCP Grace and have extensive product ranges in stock. All the following product groups are available from all branches in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Omagh. • Construction Accessories – Waterproofing, Masonry Support • Facades, External Wall Insulation & Renders • Insulation, Technical Insulation, Passive Fire Protection • Interiors – Drylining & Ceilings • Roofing – Slates, Tiles, Membranes & Accessories Operating from our branches throughout Ireland for nearly thirty years, we are uniquely positioned with our external sales representatives, internal sales reps, and in-house technical experts to advise customers, on a wide range of

specialist building products. We can also provide calculations and specifications to meet the exact needs of customers, architects, contractors, or builders. We deeply value every customer that has done business with us and show our appreciation by continually adding value at every stage of the customer journey. We pride ourselves on delivering superior customer service built on operational excellence. SIG provide a collection and delivery service from all our 4 branches.

Launched Recently we launched our, ‘Descartes’ delivery tracking system. Once your order is picked and ready for delivery, we send an SMS text alert to say we are on the way. You can track the driver progress on a map, and once your order is offloaded, we capture an ePod (Electronic Proof of Delivery) signature which is instantly emailed to you. We also have an SMS messaging service for collections from our branches. We are also leading the way

in digitalising the industry.

Redesigned We recently redesigned our website for faster more effective product information and launched a new e-commerce web shop for customers to place orders, manage their accounts and search for all the relevant product data and technical sheets. This means we can now offer our customers an endto-end sales order process which is fully digital and totally paperless. We believe that our continued success and growth is dependent on the dedication and commitment of our staff and the quality of service that we give our customers. We continually strive to achieve our goals by being a ‘people’ business and recognise that our customers, colleagues, and our suppliers, are our greatest assets. For more information, on how we can help you through your project, please contact enquiries@sig.ie or visit our website for full branch details www.sig.ie

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 61

T: 094 9546099 E: info@lydon.eu W: www.lydon.eu Knock South, Cross, Cong, Co. Mayo, F12 C2R4

P&D Lydon LTD Civil Engineering & Plant Hire Contractors OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE AT OUR NEW PREMISES AT CROSS INCLUDE:

Hydraulic Hose Manufacture and Repair Air Conditioning Diagnostics and Service Van, Plant, Truck and Agri-Machinery Parts and Consumables Sales Sale and supply of Sand, Gravel, Top Soil & Decorative Pebbles

PD LYDON

&D Lydon Ltd, a Civil Engineering, Construction and Plant Hire company, based in Cong, Co Mayo was formed in 1999. Nowadays, we are recognised as one of Ireland’s most progressive Civil Engineering Contractors, readers are told.

Hands-on At P&D Lydon, we operate a hands-on approach with all clients / customers from the very beginning of a project right through until completion. This is led by our incredibly talented and dedicated staff – from our directors, contract managers, managers, office staff, engineers, foremen, site workers to our in house mechanics. We pride ourselves on our work and the emphasis is always based on a team approach to help ensure our projects are always completed within timeframes and where possible, surpassing required levels of quality. The Customers’ requirements are always our main priority. We try to carry out this work to the best of our ability, utilising the best quality materials and our skilled workforce. We focus on getting the job done on all projects well within the timeframes allocated, within the client’s budget, while always ensuring that high standards are maintained. Our Safety, Environmental and Quality goals are always fulfilled by applying our specific policies on all contracts. Daily checks as well as our weekly audits helps us ensure compliance.

Variety P&D Lydon own a wide variety of construction plant and equipment while also specialising in the most modern innovative tools and technology to ensure our company has an edge on our competition. Using our own large fleet of plant and equipment, ranging from 3-ton excavators right up to 70-ton excavators,

dump trucks, lorries, rollers, crushers, screeners and recycling equipment, enables us to offer efficiencies to all clients, along with protecting the environment by minimising waste materials and disposal. P&D Lydon Ltd has successfully carried out several road constructions projects on behalf of numerous local authorities, TII and private clients. Our portfolio includes road projects, where more

infrastructure projects. Working with Irish Rail for the past fifteen years, in all aspects of the Railway, including works on railroads, bridges, culverts, drainage systems, station upgrades, building maintenance, new car park construction, station rebuilds along with general maintenance and landscaping. This year, P&D Lydon, have been shortlisted in three categories in The Irish

Spotlight on:

P&D Lydon Ltd

work throughout the pandemic. Our team now complete audits, daily safety checks, traffic management plans, training, etc online. This system allows information to be accessed anywhere at any time. Excellence in Health and Safety: We have been nominated for this award for our continuous efforts to improve our Health & Safety procedures. Because of this effort, we have won numerous awards including the 2021 H&S Excellence Award-Construction and 2020 Regional Award West with NISO & and in 2021 we have won a Higher Distinction award and Consistent High Achiever. We were also runner up in the 2020 Excellence in Health and Safety award. We have maintained our Grade A standard in CIF SafeTCert for the 7th year running and sustained our ISO 45001 safety standard, along with our Quality ( ISO 9001) and Environmental standards( ISO 14001).

Future than 100,000 cubic meters of material had to be excavated in very poor ground conditions, re-using of site won materials, processing, and recycling of existing soils. P&D Lydon are one of the leading contractors in the power and transport infrastructure sectors in Ireland, specialists in design, building and maintaining power networks which includes trenching & ducting, cabling, overhead lines, poling, and substation works. We have worked in all counties throughout Ireland with ESB Networks over the past six years, offering 24/7 emergency services. Due to our high level of Safety management systems, we have achieved a Platinum Medal Award with ESB.

Rail P&D Lydon are also at the forefront of Railway

Construction Industry Awards. We have been overwhelmed by the support and recognition from the Irish Construction Industry Awards. The three categories we have been nominated for are: Engineering Firm: We were nominated for this award based on the works we completed on Shop Street in Galway City Centre. This entailed the replacement of the main thoroughfare of Galway city centre. Mid-way through the project, the scope of the job was increased by 60%, however the project was still completed 8 weeks ahead of schedule. Innovation in Construction: We were nominated for this award because of our technology upgrades. We introduced online platforms such as Procore and Trainual, prior to Covid-19, which allowed us to continue essential

In relation to our future, we aim to keep our continued expansion going and look forward to undertaking new challenging projects. Recently, we opened our new Office Block, Garage Workshop and Retail Store. We listened to the needs of our employees and were able to build and design an ultramodern facility with specific emphasis on functionality to suit both our current and future growth. In our retail store we stock a wide variety of construction plant and machinery parts as well as Hydraulic Hose repair equipment which is proving to be a great success with a lot of local businesses. Finally, looking back over the years and looking at where P&D Lydon has come from to where we are now, we must dedicate our growth to our hard-working staff. We have a very talented team here and we are all looking forward to seeing what the future will hold.

Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 63

SPOTLIGHT ON: CRANE HIRE

ounded in 1967 by Tom O Leary, father of current MD, Jarlath O Leary, Crane Hire LTD. has built quite a reputation over the past almost fifty-five years. It comes in large part from a mix of professionalism and proactivity – combined with an eye to future and developing trends, and putting the customer first. At Crane Hire LTD. it is all about professionalism and an enormous sense of pride in what they do. Things like taking a proactive approach to safety and to staying abreast of regulations are part and parcel here. Combine this with a vision that has seen them constantly strive to meet the needs of today’s, and tomorrow’s, customers, and it’s not hard to see why they have such a stellar reputation. ‘We were early adopters of mobile telescopic cranes and are of every leap forward in technology thereafter from the start,’ says Jarlath O Leary, managing director. ‘This included bringing the largest Mobile Telescopic Cranes in the World to Ireland, long before others may have thought it viable.’

Fleet ‘Continual investment in the latest technology and having a very modern well-maintained fleet is central to our ethos,’ says Jarlath. In addition, the entire fleet can run on hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO). The services offered here encompass: mobile crane hire, heavy transport, machinery moving & installation, wind industry services, logistics, supply of lifting equipment, traffic management & associated services. Types of cranes offered include: all terrain, rough terrain, spider & truck mounted telescopic cranes, mobile selferecting tower cranes, strut jib and crawler cranes. They have, or can get, every type of accessory that might be required.

ABOVE: Left to right: Dave Holohan of Liebherr, Jarlath & Elysia O Leary, Richard Everist of Liebherr in Ehingen recently accepting delivery of a new 700 ton crane.

Professional and Proactive 'Everything is important’ at Crane Hire Ltd.

‘More recently we have embraced technology in the management of our business (Hiremate.com), and offer clients additional services around project management, supervision, CAD Modelling and focused on safety management systems,’ Jarlath adds.

Broad range Crane Hire LTD. works across a very broad range of clients and industries with diverse requirements in Ireland, the UK and in Continental Europe – construction, wind industry, offshore oil & gas, manufacturing, food production, telecommunications, the list goes on. What customers have in common, says Jarlath, is that market leaders tend to want to work with others who have similar reputations. ‘We have

6 4 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

had some customers for the best part of fifty years’, he adds. ‘Personalities change but ethos generally stays broadly the same in organisations. ‘Customer who value reliability, quality and integrity themselves tend to work with suppliers who value reliability, quality and integrity. So, you will often maintain relationships with companies who have the same values.’

Health and Safety As you might expect, Crane Hire LTD. thrives in highly regulated environments. ‘We embrace the challenge to improve standards at every opportunity,’ says Jarlath. At crane Hire LTD. it’s all about knowing the legislation and the standards inside out. And having a deep understanding of the systems to manage compliance.

Here again, it’s a proactive approach, in order to continually improve their offering to customers. ‘Our record is second to none,’ says Jarlath. ‘As well as using the latest equipment, software, and experienced personnel, we never compromise on quality and have a unique safety management system based around everevolving SOP’s.

‘WE EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE TO IMPROVE STANDARDS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY,’ SAYS JARLATH. Improve ‘We never stop trying to do our best or improve on this front. It’s central to our business at Crane Hire LTD. It’s all about the details. Getting each and every one just right is essential to the bigger picture. ‘Everything is important’, says Jarlath, 'That’s a motto we use at Crane Hire LTD.'

See www.cranehireltd.com

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Eliminated If these homes switched to HVO, up to 90% of greenhouse gas emissions would be eliminated and emissions such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) would be dramatically reduced, literally overnight. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is one of the cleanest fuels on the market, 100% fossil fuel free and sustainable. Derived from raw materials such as wastes, residues and vegetable oils. ‘Firebird does not sell liquid fuels. Firebird has no vested interest, so this fuel is not a commercial opportunity for Firebird – homeowners and the environment are those who would benefit,’ explains Mark Doyle. ‘Thankfully, the new homes that are being built in Ireland now have a high energy rating but it’s the 700,000

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older homes that must adapt and improve in efficiency. Implementing a simple HVO strategy could see Ireland converting these domestic boilers with a low-cost solution to achieve huge environmental savings overnight.’

electricity. ‘With a growing drive and responsibility to tackle the root causes of climate change and to reduce our environmental impact both at a national and micro level, fossil-free HVO offers the most simple and straightforward solution for both homeowners and the Government’, it is pointed out. ‘Ireland is highly unlikely to reach its goal, (or even anywhere close to it), of bringing older homes up to the required energy rating by 2030. While subsidised home insulation programmes are an important incentive, a focus on HVO conversions could pay quick dividends.

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‘Leading the charge in innovation, Firebird Heating Solutions has trialled and tested HVO in Ireland to prove that it can be implemented almost immediately, requiring little or no modification to existing home heating systems – no significant investment beyond a small conversion cost of €400, simply the introduction of the Firebird by Elco HVO burner delivering instant savings for homeowners and the environment.’

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For more information, visit www. firebird.ie Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 67

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Surety Bonds Ltd. was set up in 2012 to specialise solely in bonding, to introduce new markets for clients and to become a leading authority in bonding in Ireland. As surety specialists we represent a large selection of sureties (insurance companies who provide bonds), explains MD and founder, Colm McGrath (inset) in this special interview on the company for Construction Management Ireland. Colm begins here by explaining the basics – and the vital role they play in the Irish construction industry.

Surety Bonds – providing a vital service in the Irish construction industry

urety Bonds and Financial Guarantees are terms that are used almost interchangeably in the language of contracts. Clients often say, ‘I need a bond’ but are not sure what type, or they might not know what exactly is being guaranteed. A surety bond is a promise to pay one party (the obligee or beneficiary) a certain amount if a second party (the principal or contractor) fails to meet some obligation, such as fulfilling the terms of the contract. The surety protects the obligee against losses resulting from the principal’s failure to meet the obligation. CMI: A lot of your work is about fitting the client to the right surety provider – so a huge part is about providing objective advice that can be trusted. Can you talk a little bit about your role in this regard and the significance of credibility - and reputation? CMcG: A key part of our relationships – both with clients and with the surety providers – is trust. We give our clients objective and impartial advice based on the facts presented to us. On the flip side, we present those facts to the sureties in a manner which allows them to make an informed decision. As part of that process we feel client engagement with the underwriter is key to developing a long-term relationship which further enhances that trust. CMI: Can you give us some examples of the types of bonds we are talking about? CMcG: The majority of bonds we provide are to the construction sector, 6 8 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

the main one being Performance Bonds. The other forms of bonds are Advanced Payment, Retention, Development, Reinstatement, Operation and Maintenance. Outside of construction there is EPA, Duty Deferment and Tax Warehouse bonds, the list goes on. There are sectors whereby bespoke bonds are required such as the energy and aviation industries. CMI: A lot of what you do is about taking the hard work out of it for clients; is that correct to say? It’s also about maximizing their bonding capacity in numerous ways, isn’t it? CMcG: This does not mean the client does not have to do any work, but once we have all the information required we collate, assess and disseminate in a manner that gives an underwriter the opportunity to make an informed decision. If you look at the team we have, all have financial qualifications at postgraduate level. That gives us the expertise to discuss financial matters at a high level, further enhancing the client’s confidence in our abilities to deliver. In relation to maximising a client’s bonding capacity, that is about understanding their ongoing requirements and making sure they have enough credit lines with multiple providers so that the provision is never an issue when it comes to closing out a contract. Bonding is only a small (but key) part of a contractor’s contractual obligations; they have enough on their plate without

having to scramble to obtain a bond. CMI: You previously said: ‘Our mission up to 2017 was to make the process of obtaining bonds easier and to open up to clients markets that they previously did not have access to. That mission has changed slightly as the market has improved. We are now working with contractors to help them to secure contracts by providing additional bonding lines …’ Can you expand on this and maybe bring us up-to-date as regards anything else that has evolved since then? CMcG: Up to 2017 the surety market in Ireland was extremely difficult with few providers willing to supply the market. Since then the market has opened up a lot with multiple providers. Our mission is still to take the hassle out of obtaining bonds but our main objective now is to manage and make sure clients have multiple lines of credit. Many contractors who deal directly with one provider do not keep track of their bonding lines of credit and often find at a late stage that they have reached capacity and end up scrambling to find an alternative provider. Our role is to avoid that position by making sure, where possible, that contractors have multiple lines of credit available and managing those lines. By having multiple bonding lines a contractor can be confident as part of their contract negotiations that they can deliver on the bond. CMI: You have also mentioned how clients find it ‘comforting’ as 'we will only ever be completely focused on the bond requirements’ Is this a point you would like to reiterate? CMcG: Nothing has changed in that

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

regard; we are a bond broker we do not have the expertise to get involved in general insurance nor do we have the appetite. CMI: Can you obtain bonds for those working overseas as well as Ireland? CMcG: Yes, generally it is for Irish clients working overseas with territories in Europe, US, Eastern Europe and Asia. We do have European clients. These relationships were developed while they were in Ireland completing projects. CMI: You have to work closely with clients to get to know their needs very well – can you talk about that and what else your job involves, how you work with clients – and any recommendations you may have for readers in this area? CMcG: As I mentioned earlier, the key to developing relationships is trust; a lot of confidential information is required from the client. They have to be confident that the information provided does not go beyond our conversations or outside

our office without explicit instruction or agreement to do so. What I would say to any client looking for bonding facilities is to be open – don’t try and avoid the hard questions. If there is negative history then we need to know about it; what happened, why and what they did to rectify it. If a client is not upfront and honest then the reciprocal trust is not there and neither we nor the providers will be able to support them going forward. CMI: Is there anything else you’d like to mention? Anything new? Any plans? Any predictions for the market going forward into 2022? CMcG: 2022 is going to bring many opportunities; the government’s strategic development plan will see a push for infrastructural and housing projects. Climate action sees the need to rapidly implement renewable energy and we should see a boon in this area. The concern I have is many contractors are not putting enough consideration on inflation or labour

shortages. The talk of transitory inflation neds to be taken with a pinch of salt; inflation is here for the next two to three years pushing up costs. Labour is another big issue and will not be resolved in the short-term which will also add to construction costs. Contractors must focus on margin otherwise tendered projects could really hurt their bottom line. Those relying on borrowings, whether they are contractors, sub-contractors or developers, must prepare for hikes in interest rates. The German economy has hit an inflation rate of 6% and unless this starts to reduce, they are going to put the ECB under enormous pressure to start increasing rates; it’s not a certainty but needs consideration. As the saying goes: ‘fail to plan then plan to fail’. On top of all of this we still have a pandemic on our hands and as much as I hate cliches, companies need to be prepared to pivot, and do so quickly if Covid takes a turn for the worst.

A KEY PART OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS – BOTH WITH CLIENTS AND WITH THE SURETY PROVIDERS – IS TRUST.’ Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 69

THE FINAL SAY...

Here at CMi in our quest to include the widest range of perspectives on the industry we like to check in on all sectors, including Builders Providers. This time out we speak with David Calt, regional sales manager at Chadwicks and sustainability product advisor. We caught up recently for a special Q&A. David Calt is a regional manager and a key part of the sustainability offering at Chadwicks. We asked him first about his own history with the organisation and some of the changes he’d seen during his career.‘ Before joining Chadwicks’, explains David, ‘I spent most of my career in the heating and plumbing industry – amassing nearly fifteen years’ experience. DC: I joined the Chadwicks team as a sales representative in 2012 where I was responsible for the Dublin and Kildare region. I held that role for five years before an opportunity arose for me to move into heating and plumbing operations across thirteen of our branches – spanning from Drogheda to Limerick, and all areas north of that! I’ve been in this role ever since. The industry has seen incredible change since I began my career, but in particular the last five to ten years. There has been a substantial shift from traditional heating products such as oil, gas boilers and radiators to more sustainable alternatives like heat pumps, ventilation, and solar panels. The landscape of available products is ever-evolving as new technologies help make the industry greener and eliminate reliance on fossil fuels. As developments continue and new products emerge, it can be difficult to keep track of the solutions at your fingertips. To help customers with this, Chadwicks has introduced the Chadwicks ECO Centre which is currently being rolled out across branches throughout the country. Each Chadwicks ECO Centre showcases Ireland’s leading

ME AND MY JOB: David Calt, Regional Sales Manager at Chadwicks and Sustainability Product Advisor sustainable building materials and is complemented by a team of sustainability trained advisors who can provide guidance on the latest products and services. It comprises the must-have low environmental impact and highperformance building materials and is a one-stop-shop for projects of any size. CMI: Regarding your responsibility for sustainability – can you tell us in overview what this brief involves and about the significance of having someone in this sort of role in a company like yours? DC: A key part of my role is ensuring that Chadwicks is offering the best sustainability focused products and providing expert advice to meet our customers’ changing needs. I work closely with our Category Team to safeguard this position and to make sure we are delivering a service that caters for the regulations as they

develop. For example the latest building regulations state all new homes must be built as Nearly Zero Energy Buildings with an A2 rating on the Building Energy Rating scale. We have had to align our services with these new regulations, train our colleagues nationwide to ensure they have a firm understanding of them, and work with partners to maintain high standards. We are here to provide the best sustainable product alternatives and unrivalled expert advice. However, we are not driven by simply meeting regulations. We consistently look for product developments and innovations which surpass existing guidelines. This ensures our customers are not only getting quality products, but our products are at the cutting-edge of the industry. CMI: When we talk about Chadwicks Yearbook 2021 | Construction Management | 71

THE FINAL SAY...

we bear in mind that there are trade and also household customers nowadays. Is there a difference in the emphasis placed on sustainability between trade and household customers? DC: When we look at the market today, one thing both trade and household customers have in common is access to information. Both of our customer segments have become more aware of the environmental impact of certain products and systems, so sustainability is high on both of their agendas where possible. In terms of the residential market, it is witnessing new homes being built under new building regulations and existing properties upgrading outdated heating systems. There is much greater access to product information nowadays, so household customers no longer need to get all their advice from tradespeople. They have become well versed on their preferred products and materials even before they come into our branches. As a result, it is our priority to be aware of the latest regulations and product technology so we can advise householders of all the information available to make the right choice inbranch. Our new ECO Centres present customers with sustainably-led products like floor insulation, wall insulation, attic insulation, heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation, heat controls, and water-saving technology. The ECO Centres demonstrate the importance of sustainable materials in the industry and encourage adoption among customers. They offer our customers the opportunity to see and touch the products while viewing interactive videos explaining the options available in each category. Our business is built on our relationships with tradespeople and suppliers. Similarly to our household customers, tradespeople will look to us and our sales representatives for support on the most recent regulations. Our goal is to provide tradespeople with peace of mind, ensuring they are leaving the store with the product they need after considering the regulations 7 2 | Construction Management | Yearbook 2021

it must meet. We also offer training for all customers across a wide range of products including insulation, heat pumps, ventilation, and heating controls. We host Trade Days or Trade Mornings for our suppliers and customers – during which they can review product demonstrations and have all their questions answered. CMI:: What’s driving this change? DC: Under the latest programme from government, Ireland’s carbon emissions must reduce by 51 per cent

‘THE SEAI IS AIMING TO IMPROVE HALF A MILLION HOMES TO A B2 STANDARD BY 2030.

by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. This is the driving factor for both households and tradespeople to invest in sustainable alternatives as the laws and regulations assigned by the European Union alongside the Irish government are moving the industry forward. initiatives like grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), also promote energyefficient homes. The SEAI is aiming to improve half a million homes to a B2 standard by 2030. Currently there are about 1 million homes in Ireland that are substandard from a heating and insulation perspective. As well as this, sustainable solutions are often cost-effective ways of building a home, while also providing a more comfortable environment for those availing of green technologies. As a society, we are all moving towards a mindset of cutting carbon emissions and thinking greener. With topics such as recycling and sustainability at the forefront of many discussions, this has changed

attitudes when it comes to our homes too. CMI: Can we talk about the role of the sales advisor or staff member at the counter and their role in driving sustainable solutions? DC: This is the marketplace now. Everything we sell has a footprint and we as the product experts must be aware of that. As a company, we need to make sure our salespeople are trained correctly, so they can offer the advice needed. It is largely technical and is constantly changing, which is why we have ongoing training programmes for our salespeople in all aspects of a build and renovation. CMI: What is your impression of the suppliers’ awareness in this area and the products being offered to the market now? DC: Suppliers are acutely aware the industry has changed and they have adjusted their product offerings to suit demand. Their own research and development has also expedited the process of providing the sustainable solutions the market is looking for. Suppliers who would have previously stocked fossil fuel appliances, for example, have had to adapt to the demand as new entrants to the marketplace were fulfilling this by offering more sustainable alternatives. In terms of sustainability in heating and plumbing, the main product in this area is the heat pump. With heat pumps and new builds, it is necessary to have heat recovery with a sealed, airtight home that has passed the relevant tests. Heating controls are also an important factor in cases where the heating system is constantly switched on. CMI: Any predictions for what the next big sustainability products will be? DC: Water saving controls are likely to develop more in the future as technology evolves. There are simple solutions such as water restricting showerheads, allowing customers to cut down on the number of litres being used per minute while still being able to enjoy the product due to improvements in functionality.

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