MR MECHANICAL SERVICES LTD - COMPANY PROFILE
OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MCFERRAN, THE LONGEST-SERVING EMPLOYEE AT MR MECHANICAL SERVICES, TELLS PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE ABOUT HIS YEARS WITH THE FIRM… A foundation for business growth
How did you get involved with the business? I started off with MR Mechanical Services founder Mark Rocks in 2005 as an apprentice serving my time and, after he started his own business, asked for an opportunity to join him and complete my training. We worked together, completing domestic plumbing jobs mainly, working locally in Belfast, Dublin and as far away as Donegal. I gained a lot of experience very quickly with Mark as I received hands-on training from him personally. When I completed my apprenticeship, I was given more trust by Mark and offered the chance to work on jobs along with new apprentices. This furthered my training as I had to learn not only how to do the physical work but organise the job and the men around me to complete the job to the customer’s satisfaction. In 2008, I took a career break from plumbing to travel to Australia and explored other career opportunities over the next few years. After a conversation with Mark in 2016, he offered me the chance to return to plumbing and the company. I gratefully accepted and have remained with MR Mechanical to this day. How has the business evolved over the years? On my return to the business, it was clear to see how much Mark had pushed the company forward. There were three or four full-time plumbers, including Eamon Savage who is still with us today as a site foreman, numerous apprentices and a wide range of work not only domestically but
across the commercial setting. The business was growing rapidly, with the scale of jobs being taken on getting larger every time. Constant investment from Mark in tools, vehicles, office and storage facilities through the years has kept the business growing. How has your own role evolved? Every year I am encouraged by Mark to take on more responsibility within the business and progress my position, starting as an apprentice to lead plumber onsite, site foreman across numerous jobs and now to operations manager across all projects. Main responsibilities now include assisting and planning daily works with the team on individual projects, planning ahead with the customer and helping complete the project to the best of our abilities. What standout projects have you worked on? A recent standout project would be St Mary’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Killester, Dublin, involving a complete refit of a hybrid heating system, all new heating pipework and radiators throughout. This was a particularly difficult project as we had to complete our works within a live school environment and against a very tight schedule of works. Safety of students, staff and our own team was the main focus of every workday, while still carrying out our work to a high standard. Daily communication with teaching staff and the contractor led to this job being successful. We were delighted to deliver this project not only to a high standard, but ahead of schedule.
Kevin McFerran, Operations Manager.
How do you see the business evolving in the future? Mark Ennis coming in as project manager, and Lynda Barret as office manager working along with Mary McDonald, has strengthened our relationships and reputation across the industry and built a better foundation for the business to grow. But the main driving force is Mark and Claire Rocks - they push for personal progression with everyone in the team, showing not only a drive for growth but prioritising the wellbeing and happiness of every employee above all. It’s a rare thing to find in business.
29 Donagh Grove, Warrenpoint, Co Down BT343UH T: +44 (0)28 4118 0014 - E: office@mrmechanical.net www.mrmechanicalservices.com
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