John Paul Construction had another strong year in 2023, with an overall turnover of €708m, of which Irish turnover was €567m, and several key milestones were reached with a healthy pipeline of projects. These include Harcourt Square in Dublin for repeat client Hibernia Reg, data centres – both hyperscale and co-location – and major life sciences facilities in Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford, and Galway.
John Paul Construction projects
Managing Director Liam Kenny is optimistic ahead of the company’s 75th anniversary this year. He’s particularly enthusiastic about their first project in mainland Europe – a hyperscale data centre in Germany for a repeat client.
Liam Kenny comments: “This is another box ticked in our sectoral and geographic diversification strategy. Given that our sectoral expertise is now mature, the nut we had to crack with new geographies was localisation. Having invested heavily in that over the past 12-18 months, we’re now on the ground, and it’s going well.”
Total Turnover:
€708M
ROI Turnover:
€576M
International Turnover:
€141M
Meanwhile, at home, he is pleased to see the uptick in residential construction, exemplified by the company’s largest project to date, the Castleforbes Residential Development in Dublin. “Finally, we have some traction on what’s become a national cause,” he says. “Until recently, the free market has struggled to deliver in the numbers required. However, through recent government intervention, we’re now starting to see a pipeline of residential work. It will be great to see the huge skill set the industry has built up in this sector being used.”
Liam Kenny is keen to see the necessary infrastructure follow. “The National Development Plan 2021-20230 and Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework are there, and we’re optimistic that obligations will be met given where Ireland is now.”
As someone who believes the industry has a role to play, Liam Kenny is rightly pleased that John Paul Construction is contributing with its comprehensive upgrade of Rosslare’s Europort. He comments: “Rosslare is our gateway to Europe, and this upgrade should radically improve how it functions.”
John Paul Construction ESG framework
The launch of the company’s Sustainability Report earlier this year was another major milestone. “This is a very comprehensive ESG document,” says Liam Kenny. “Sustainability today is much more than green buildings. It’s about building communities and giving back, and our people are keen to be involved.”
For example, he points to their recent pro-bono renovation of a housing depot in Dublin to accommodate Inner City Enterprises (ICE) and several of the businesses it mentors.
“ICE does super work with underserved communities,” he explains. “Everyone involved loved the project, but more importantly, our team learned a lot about the challenges we face as a society and how the right supports can help overcome them. As a result, the project has been a huge catalyst for our ESG efforts as a whole.”
John Paul Construction People
Liam Kenny’s pride in what he calls ‘Our People’ is evident, and he’s clear to include supply chain partners in that. “Without the right people, we can’t do what we do.”
He is aware, however, that holding onto talent remains an ongoing challenge in the industry.
“This industry needs to show it’s not just about cranes and house building now. It’s so high-tech.
“For us, we have to give people what they need and get the work-life balance right. We’re always working on this.”
When it comes to clients, the company takes a similarly proactive approach.
“Management here is hands-on. Every member of the leadership team is involved in day-to-day delivery – quality, safety, sustainability, everything. We’re at the coalface. If there’s a problem, a client can pick up the phone to any one of us, and there will be a response.”
Looking to the future
Judging by their growing portfolio, the company’s strategy is working. Average project value has more than quadrupled in five years, and project scale and quality are growing, as is repeat business. The clients, it seems, are happy. Even though it celebrates 75 years in business this year, John Paul Construction’s focus is very much on the future.
No 3: John Paul Construction
ADDRESS: Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14.
PHONE: 01 215 6100
WEB: www.johnpaul.ie
LINKEDIN: John Paul Construction
TWITTER: @johnpaulconst
FACEBOOK: johnpaulconstruction
VIMEO: johnpaulconstruction
KEY EXECUTIVES: Liam Kenny, Managing Director; Ian Cahill, Financial Director; John Keaveney, Operations Director; Paraic Keogh, Construction Director; John Moran, Construction Director; Niall O’Connor, Construction Director.
KEY ACTIVITIES: Main Contractor/General Contractor
YEAR-END: 31/12/2023