BREEDON GROUP APPOINTS PAT GILROY AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR TO HEAD UP ITS IRELAND OPERATION
Breedon is a leading vertically-integrated construction materials group operating in over 350 locations across Great Britain and Ireland
Their core business produces essential value-added materials, fully-integrated aggregates and downstream products comprised of construction materials and contracting services (aggregates, asphalt, ready–mixed concrete, bitumen, contract surfacing, highway maintenance and airfield construction).
Following the successful rebrand of Whitemountain Quarries, Lagan Asphalt, and Lagan Materials to Breedon Ireland, the company has further strengthened its sustainable business model that supports and encourages staff to reach their full potential.
To steer Breedon Ireland through this next phase of sustainable growth, Breedon Group recruited former All Ireland winning Dublin Manager, Pat Gilroy. The recently appointed Managing Director stated the people centric culture was one of the main reasons for joining Breedon: “I really liked the culture and was very attracted by the company’s purpose. As well as working on being more sustainable and developing our people, our biggest asset, we look to take care of our suppliers and customers in a fair way that continues to create value whilst tackling the repercussions of the energy crisis.”
We got the chance to speak to the new man in charge, a skilled straight shooter whose credentials are a clear statement of good things to come for the company.
What is your background in construction?
I have worked at CEO or COO level for over 20 years in various aspects of construction from water, wastewater, energy, M&E Services and Property Development. I have worked for Veolia, Dalkia, ESB and was a founder of a facility management company FP2 which was later acquired by Dalkia. I was a board member of One51 PLC and a Board Member of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
What attracted you to Breedon?
I really like the culture – an entrepreneurial, locally driven world class Company. I was very attracted by the company’s purpose ‘Making a Material Difference’ and the simplicity of the values.
Can you tell us about the current Breedon Set Up?
Breedon Group has more than 1bn tonnes of mineral reserves and resources with long-reserve life, and we supply value-added products and services, including specialty materials, surfacing and highway maintenance operations to a broad range of customers through our extensive local network of quarries, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt plants. Breedon Ireland encompasses our materials and contract surfacing businesses across the island of Ireland. We also have a Cement Division headed by my colleague Jude Lagan. Our cement plants are actively engaged in several carbon reduction practices, including the utilisation of alternative lower carbon fuels.
How are you planning to consolidate Breedon’s position in the market?
We are working on being more sustainable and developing our people. We believe, not only in the strength and quality of our products and services, but wholeheartedly in the strength of our employees. We want all our colleagues to be able to contribute fully to the success of Breedon and strive to create an environment where every individual can reach their full potential.
On sustainability
This is central to our strategy and operations and gaining more and more traction. It’s what the market wants and is good business practice; it’s simply the right thing to do. We limit our impact on the environment and act in the best interests of all our stakeholders, which is essential for protecting our license to operate. Our focus now is on embedding operational and commercial excellence into our existing and newly acquired assets, targeting improvement in margins and returns over the medium term.
On health and safety
Our people are our greatest asset and sending them home safe and well each day is top of our agenda. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing. We encourage our teams to look out for each other and continue to make improvements wherever they see an opportunity.
What are your thoughts on the energy crisis?
All prices are rising, leading to mounting pressure all over the construction industry. At this point we need to be careful and vigilant. We need to take care of our people, our suppliers and customers in a fair way. Credit is tightening and, for the foreseeable future, it will require daily management.
Outlook for the next 12 months
We recognise that the global economic and political backdrop has grown increasingly uncertain, impacting visibility. The long-term prospects of the structural growth markets we serve, such as infrastructure and house building, are resilient and underpinned by central Government spending commitments or ambitious housing plans. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our purpose – to make a material difference to the lives of our colleagues, customers and communities. I’m pleased to say this is embedded in our culture and how we will continue to deliver our products and services.
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Denise Maguire Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
Email: denise@mcdmedia.ie WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE WWW.IRISHCONSTRUCTION.COM