AKELA LANDS IN IRELAND
With a new, innovative precast beam system, Akela Ground Engineering is offering a new solution to Ireland’s housing shortage
Earlier this year, Akela Ground Engineering announced its expansion into Ireland with a new base in Co Armagh. Heading up the Irish operation is Barry Christy who has been appointed Operations Manager for Akela Ground Engineering Ireland. He will oversee all piling and beam operations from initial enquiry to project completion and manage piling projects to ensure quality and timely delivery. Barry brings significant experience to his new role, having worked previously with Roger Bullivant, Taranto Ltd and Cole Groundwork.
The move into Ireland follows the engineering company’s expansion into the UK over the last 12 months, part of its strategy to grow its piling and beam operations beyond Scotland. Expansion into the UK proved so successful that a move into Ireland seemed like a no-brainer. “Our launch into the UK in 2021 went very well. With Ireland’s housing shortage, we felt now was the right time to develop a presence here and introduce our systems which we feel will meet housing demand,” said Will Payne, Managing Director at Akela Ground Engineering.
Part of Glasgow-based Akela Group, the new Irish operation has been tasked with driving the adoption of ABeam, a precast beam system that was launched to market last year. The system utilises a specially designed mechanical joint, allowing foundation ground beams to be installed in just a few hours, with no need for any insitu concrete or follow-up trades. By combining off site fabrication with interlocking sections and secure fastening, the joint design allows for a secure, efficient way of connecting precast ground beams. It’s also not dependent on weather conditions and has already delivered significant time savings and efficiencies for housebuilders in Scotland. It could, says Will, accelerate the delivery of housing in Ireland. “We prefabricate the system in our manufacturing facility and the fact that it can be installed in a matter of hours differentiates it from other systems on the market. Since June 2024, we’ve shown that it can lay foundations faster and more sustainably. We’ve had excellent feedback from the likes of Bellway Homes and Dawn Homes and we’ve seen more than 8,000m of precast concrete beams installed across multiple sites.”
ABeam differs from other precast ground beam options on the market, says Akela Ground Engineering; other systems require the use of pile caps, insitu concrete and tie bars, which sometimes lead to longer installation times. “The ABeam system doesn’t require these, thereby offering advantages around construction install, performance and overall project quality.”
Although ABeam has primarily been used on residential projects since its launch, it can also be used on commercial buildings. “It’s a very flexible system. Currently, we’re seeing growth in the housing sector and so that’s where we are focusing our efforts.” The response from houebuilders has been overwhelmingly positive. “With any brand new technology or solution, I think there’s always an element of apprehension. But once housebuilders understand how the system works or sees it in action, that apprehension disappears. It helps increase delivery of homes and that’s what is very much required across Ireland.”
For 2025 and beyond, the plan is to increase awareness of the ABeam system and drive growth at the company. “We want to grow in all three regions where we have a presence and hopefully increase the adoption of ABeam by housebuilders and developers. We’re working on strengthening our relationships with them, which will ultimately continue to address the housing shortage and accelerate the delivery of new homes. We’re really excited to be in Ireland and to offer housebuilders to chance to drive efficiencies and deliver more new homes faster and more efficiently.”
ABEAM – how it works
• A mechanical pinned joint allows for the rapid installation of ground beams without the need for in-situ concrete or subsequent trades
• Facilitates the laying of foundations for up to three housing plots daily
• Off-site fabrication, coupled with interlocking sections and secure fastening, ensures a robust connection between precast ground beams, reducing installation times and improving overall project quality
• Beams are designed to be connected in a certain sequence, with most of the work done upfront to maximise efficiency and speed on site
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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
Email: michael@irishconstruction.com WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE