Kirby Manufacturing Facility Visit
Founded in 1964 in Limerick, Kirby Group Engineering is a leading mechanical and electrical engineering contractor operating across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe, and directly employing over 1,900 highly-skilled professionals.
Kirby provides full mechanical and electrical contracting services as well as specialist high voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV) design and construction services to clients across a number of different sectors including Data Centres, Life Sciences, Industrial, and Power and Renewables.
“Kirby is a values-driven business. We put people first, which is why People is our primary core value, followed by Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Value.”
Group Operations Director at Kirby
Mark Danaher followed with an address on the operational processes at Kirby’s offsite manufacturing facility, and how an in-house department of 100 3D Detailers, MEP Prefabrication Coordinators, and Piping Detailers enables collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. Mark also talked about the integration of digital design and coordination tools into this offsite manufacturing capability.
“We have a three-year plan for digital technologies adoption. Year One is the Digitisation of back-of-house functions and AI research. Year Two is the Digitalisation of business processes, and employee training in that area. Year Three is Digital Transformation – creating a ‘digital warehouse’ and using machine learning to corroborate data accuracy. By this point, we want to be able to use AI to actively support decisions, automate work, and predict outcomes.”
Digital Construction & IT Director at Kirby
Adrian Furey finalised the speaker lineup, covering Dexcom’s recent development Kirby supported with offsite manufacturing. The multinational healthcare company was expanding its production of continuous glucose monitoring systems in Ireland, opting for a greenfield site in Athenry, Co. Galway. With John Paul Construction as main contractor, Kirby was tasked with providing prefabricated HVAC and mechanical installations at the Athenry site. Given the number of teams onsite during the project and the tight timelines, Adrian highlighted the advantages of offsite manufacturing in reducing onsite complexity. Kirby’s efficient assembly and installation of the prefabricated units onsite also ensured the project progressed on-time and to budget.
After the close of presentations, the audience joined the speakers in a lively Q&A, discussing the operational challenges and opportunities of expanding operations from Ireland to outside markets, and the increasing importance of sustainability in tendering and completing projects involving M&E manufacturing and installation.
To conclude this stimulating Business Support Event, attendees were treated to a guided tour of Kirby’s offsite manufacturing facility and a technical demonstration of the advanced technologies used by the Kirby team within the facility and onsite.
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