Callaghan Electrical becomes first construction sub-contractor to secure funding under Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Built to Innovate’ Initiative

- LEAN, sustainability and digitisation centre-stage of firms future development

20th May 2024, Cavan, Ireland. Leading electrical contractor to the construction and commercial sectors in Ireland, Callaghan Electrical, today announced it has become the first construction sub-contractor to secure funding under the Enterprise Ireland ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative. As part of the wider government ‘Housing for All’ Programme, the ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative aims to achieve faster, higher quality construction of housing by providing funding support for productivity training, innovation and digitisation.

Front row (From left): Jonathan McMillan, Regional Director, North East, Enterprise Ireland; Kieran Callaghan, Managing Director Callaghan Electrical; Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, TD; Tom Maguire, Senior Development Advisor, Enterprise Ireland; Angela Callaghan, Callaghan Electrical. Back row (From left): Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive, Cavan County Council; Brendan Smith, TD; Brendan Jennings, Director of Service, Cavan County Council; Conor Craven, Acting Head of Enterprise, LEO Cavan; Philip Brady, Cathaoirleach, Councillor, Cavan County Council; Niamh Smith, TD; Dick Clerkin, Managing Director, Clerkin Consulting; Val Smith, Councillor, Cavan County Council; Brendan Young, Partner, McDwyers Chartered Accountants. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.

Cavan-based Callaghan Electrical provides high-specification electrical installation, fitout and maintenance for large-scale residential, commercial and public sector developments. Its clients include leading builders and main contractors across Ireland including McGarrell Reilly Group, Elliott Group and public sector organisations such as the HSE and OPW. The ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative applied at Callaghan Electrical will support the firm as it puts ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ such as LEAN, sustainability and digitisation, at the centre of its operations, with investment in staff training, skill future-proofing and management development.

Minister for Social Protection, Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys, was joined by Callaghan Electrical staff, Enterprise Ireland and elected representatives to make the announcement at the firm’s headquarters in Stradone Village, Co. Cavan on Friday. “This is a wonderful company, and I can only say congratulations on what you have achieved”, commented Minister Humphreys. “It is great to see ‘Built to Innovate’ in action. We need more homes, and we are delivering on them. We need more like Callaghan Electrical to take on the initiative. We wish you continued success into the future”, added Minister Humphreys.

From left: Tom Maguire, Senior Development Advisor, Enterprise Ireland; Kieran Callaghan, Managing Director, Callaghan Electrical; Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, TD and Jonathan McMillan, Regional Director, North East, Enterprise Ireland. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.

Speaking on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, Jonathan McMillan, Regional Director for the North East, congratulated Callaghan Electrical. “It is great to work with and support ambitious companies like Callaghan Electrical through Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Built to Innovate’ initiative", said McMillan. “Supporting leaner, efficient and modern ways of operating with effective staff, skill and management development ensure firms like Callaghan Electrical can continue to deliver quality output at scale”, added McMillan.

Commenting at the event, Cllr Philip Brady, Cathaoirleach said, “This is a great achievement for Kieran Callaghan and all at Callaghan Electrical. I am delighted to be here today supporting this local Cavan-based company and all they have achieved”.

“We thank Minister Humphreys and Enterprise Ireland for their support through the programme”, said Kieran Callaghan, Managing Director at Callaghan Electrical. “It empowers us further to drive efficiencies across our business and deliver the essential electrical work packages at scale and at pace while protecting the ‘quality from start to finish’ ethos we are known for”, added Callaghan.

Photo: Front row (From left): Noleen Sexton, Office Administration Manager, Callaghan Electrical; Kieran Callaghan, Managing Director, Callaghan Electrical; Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development, TD; Angela Callaghan, Callaghan Electrical and Oisin Callaghan, Callaghan Electrical. Back row (From left): Patrick Conaty; Padraig Reilly; Shane Lynch; Joe Young. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.

Founded in 1996 by Kieran Callaghan, Callaghan Electrical provides electrical contracting services nationwide and services the residential, commercial, education, public sector, industrial, healthcare and lighting sectors. In June 2023, Callaghan Electrical opened a new office premises in Stradone Village, Cavan.