SORENSEN CIVIL ENGINEERING I PROFILE
For the past 10 ye with its turnover achieved, in an e
ears, Sorensen Civil Engineering has experienced a consistent growth trajectory, growing twentyfold. Managing Director John Wallace explained how this was exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
Between 2014 and 2024, Irelandbased Sorensen Civil Engineering successfully built its turnover up from a respectable €3 million to an awe-inspiring €65 million.
“As a company, we are extremely proud of the consistent and controlled growth we have accomplished over the last 10 years,” said Managing Director John Wallace. “We
achieved this whilst protecting our excellent safety record of having no major accidents or incidents on our projects, and with the help of the calibre of people that we have retained over the years.”
Established by Olaf Sorensen in 1977, Sorensen began its journey as a subcontractor before it quickly developed into a mid-sized main contractor with the help
of Mr Sorensen’s brother David Sorensen. With a focus on public works contracts for local authorities, Sorensen has built up an exceptional portfolio over the years.
“We run on a self-delivery model, which is quite rare for our industry,” said Mr Wallace. “We own our plant and directly employ trained and skilled people to deliver all our projects in-house. This model has afforded us greater control over resources and better management of the programme.”
In 2014, with only one client on the books, Sorensen made the decision to diversify its services, targeting mid-size road safety schemes, as well as public realm and urban renewal projects. This move helped to develop the company in a balanced and complementary way, and in 2020, Sorensen diversified once more, establishing its own marine division With projects dotted across Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the
Castletownbere Harbour extension, this has been an incredibly successful endeavour.
Strong sustainability
Alongside its continual diversification, Sorensen developed its own Waste Hierarchy management system, which it employs on all its projects. After witnessing first-hand the issue with inert waste disposal on construction projects in Ireland – and a lack of licensed waste facilities – Sorensen decided to take matters into its own hands.
“We identified the issue in 2017, and since then have operated a number of licensed waste facilities in the Munster region that have enabled us to dispose of excess site won material in an efficient and sustainable manner,” Mr Wallace explained. “We also have ‘Take-Back Policy’ agreements with our suppliers, so where possible, no delivery will leave
Supporting the next generation:
Sorensen is an Engineers Ireland Accredited Employer who has worked closely with EI to create an undergraduate placement programme for civil engineers. This has led to partnerships with the UL, UCC, MTU and TUS.
The company is also an approved National Apprenticeship Employer for the Generation Apprenticeship Programme for Civil Engineering.
site without taking associated waste and packaging with it.”
The company has also commenced measuring its Embodied Carbon Emissions, to provide a better picture of what areas of the business can be improved.
“We are currently implementing measures to trial a HVO conversion on part of our 200 strong fleet of heavy machinery,” said Mr Wallace. “We hope to begin this before the end of this year. We are also assessing the viability of solar PV panels for our site offices and have joined the Supply Chain Sustainability School Ireland.
“Being a member enables us to collaborate with peers, partners and clients on issues surrounding sustainability and the environment. Achieving carbon reduction is no longer a choice or an impossibility, it is a necessity in the fight to combat climate change.”
Sorensen’s successes
Amongst the long list of Sorensen’s successes are several standout projects that are distinct in their ability to be both innovative and sustainable.
In 2021, the company successfully completed the Youghal Eco Boardwalk. This 1.9km elevated boardwalk was a finalist
in the 2021 Irish Construction Excellence Awards and had a huge impact on the surrounding community.
“The social impact of this build was immeasurable, and it came at such a crucial time as the community battled through the global pandemic,” commented Mr Wallace. “We really enjoyed working on this project and its surroundings inspired us to take a more sustainable approach. We proposed an alternative wood material for the substructure and decking called Ekki, which came from an FSC certified, sustainable forest in Cameroon.”
The company is also currently involved in the €1.6 billion Celtic Interconnector project. Once complete, this cable route between Ireland and France will facilitate the exchange of 700MW of electricity. Playing its role in this major development, Sorensen signed a €45 million contract last year, that will see the contractor deliver a section of the large high voltage grid line.
“We have partnered with large cable manufacturer Nexans on the project, who will manufacture and commission 575km of subsea cable for the client CIDAC,” said Mr Wallace. “To meet our contractual obligations, we will install 44km of ducting and cables from Youghal beach to Knockraha, County Cork. This project is a key step in Ireland’s journey to a greener energy future, and we are so proud of our contribution towards that.”
Project completion is targeted for 2026 and will result in enough electricity to supply 450,000 homes, once finished. So far, this project has proven to be an exceptional opportunity for Sorensen, opening the doors to a new market. With its feet now firmly planted in the energy sector, the company intends to develop its presence even further.
Superb support
The success of each project can be attributed to a team effort, from the hardworking employees of Sorensen to
the dependable supply chain, which it has built up over the last 46 years.
“We have some very talented and innovative project managers, quantity surveyors, engineers and general foremen working across all our projects,” said Mr Wallace.
“The quality and experience of our current group of professionals would give any of Ireland’s Tier One contractors a run for their money. They truly go above and beyond when it comes to their job.”
Mr Wallace recalled a prime example of the team’s commitment. Currently delivering the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme in Glanmire for Cork County Council and OPW, the team was present during the tragic floods brought on by Storm Babet, last year.
“I was extremely proud of the Sorensen site team as they went shoulder-toshoulder with the Glanmire community to battle the effects of the floods,” explained Mr Wallace. “They diverted flows, unblocked culverts and assisted the local community to reduce the
damage caused by the flooding. Their efforts prevented dozens of businesses and houses from being flooded.”
As Sorensen closes the chapter on the last decade and looks ahead to the next 10 years, it is clear that the company’s journey of development is far from over. Having just created a new executive committee with four new Directors in January this year, the company is confident that this is the first step of many in its journey to the next level.
“In the coming years, we intend to grow our geographical footprint throughout Ireland whilst diversifying into new sectors,” said Mr Wallace. “We will complete this with caution due to the current shortage of construction professionals and will happily recruit skilled workers from other countries to overcome this challenge.
“With our new executive committee in place, and a hardworking culture, I am confident that the future will be bright and sustainable for Sorensen Civil Engineering.”
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