As part of its Irish Advantage campaign, Enterprise Ireland interviewed Jimmy Kirby, Kirby Group Managing Director about the key challenges facing the construction sector in Europe in 2019.

Below is an extract from the interview.

Construction firms in Europe have challenges to face in terms of efficiency and skills supply, that’s the view of Kirby Group Engineering Managing Director, Jimmy Kirby.

Founded in 1964, Kirby is one of Ireland’s principle mechanical and electrical engineering contractors. The company expanded into the UK market in 2008. “Originally, we were invited in by one of our large multinational power sector customers to deliver projects for them; then we successfully expanded into other sectors,” says Jimmy Kirby. More recently, the firm has established a strong presence in mainland Europe and has secured contracts in Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands.

The outlook is generally good, both in Ireland and Europe, for the construction industry at present, he believes. “Private sector investment in Ireland is strong at present. This is being driven by companies in the data centres, life sciences, and commercial sectors. 2019/2020 looks strong for the industrial manufacturing sector as well, where there is the possibility of a few major investments that will provide a boost for the sector in Ireland if these go ahead. There is less investment in the UK as a result of Brexit and other factors, with European investment holding well.”