KERRIGAN MECHANICAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Commercial Director Aiden Likely.
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR AIDEN LIKELY TALKS TO P&H MAGAZINE ABOUT THE COMPANY’S JOURNEY TO BECOMING A LARGE MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR AND WHAT IS IN STORE
FOR KERRIGAN MECHANICAL…
“The challenges were many, but we rose to meet them”
P&H: Kerrigan Mechanical has skyrocketed in the past six years. What have been the highs and lows of this journey? Aiden Likely: The highs can be summed up by the satisfaction that all the team members have felt they are part of a nimble and growing business, and the realisation that we have become a force to be reckoned with in the construction industry. Having blue chip main contractors and customers offers us repeat business, and new customers have contributed to this great feeling. The low points have been the common struggle which all construction businesses have felt in dealing with price inflation. However, we have used unique approaches to mitigate the effects. P&H: What are the challenges in becoming a large mechanical contractor? AL: The challenges were many, but we were able to rise to meet them. A comprehensive business review highlighted all the required changes. To manage the rapid growth, the
business had to recruit more experienced managers and more rigid processes and controls needed to be implemented. Operationally, the required changes were introduced and rolled out, monitored, and measured by pre-agreed KPIs and metrics. We tested and adapted as required, while all the time adhering to the central tenet and reasons for the changes. P&H: How does Kerrigan Mechanical Ltd plan to remain in that position? AL: The mission of the business is to effectively carry out installations over the east coast and midlands areas while providing sustainable employment to our staff, and all the time financially enhancing the business by carrying out high-quality works delivered within timescale and within budget. We aspire to focus more on higher-value projects, while also widening our customer base. P&H: Does Kerrigan plan to keep developing the district heating side of the business? AL: Yes, we do, and have installed thousands of HIUs over the past five years. We also recognise the growth areas
of heat pumps, renewable technologies, and NZEB-standard heating systems along with district heating systems, and we ensured that we were able to capitalise on that trend quickly, by upskilling and making sure we have the knowledge to design and install these systems. A new part of the strategy is to gain a market share in the heat pump retrofit market. P&H: What are the major challenges facing the industry going forward? AL: Skills shortages are a major concern, as it is for all sectors of the construction industry. The government needs to encourage more school leavers to enter trades-based and engineering courses. This issue leads to wage inflation, which in turn pushes up construction costs, perpetuating an inflationary cycle in the sector. “We aspire to focus more on higher-value projects, while also widening our customer base.”
Unit 3, Athboy Business Park, Trim Road, Athboy, Co. Meath. T: +353 (0)46 94 30529 www.kerriganmechanical.ie
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