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Murphy International’s philosophy of Continuous Improvement bears fruit
From humble beginnings Murphy has grown to become a truly global success story writes Joanna Kiernan
Many of us will be familiar with the unique green of Murphy International vans and trucks travelling the roads of Ireland, but few are aware of the scale of this family-owned company’s projects and expertise, here and around the world.
The company was originally founded by John Murphy as J. Murphy & Sons Limited in 1951 in London and has since grown into a leading global, multi-disciplined engineering and construction company that directly employs more than 4,000 engineers, professional managers and skilled operatives.
In 1968 Bernard Murphy, the founder’s son, took the brand back to his home country, establishing the Irish branch of the business based in Newbridge, County Kildare. The business is now thriving across Ireland in all major sectors of construction including ground engineering, structural steel fabrication, gas mains, design build and operate water and wastewater treatment plants, public realm, facility maintenance and tunneling.
“Murphy has gone from strength to strength throughout the decades, focusingon a model of self-delivery and collaborative working across the wider business,” Managing Director John G Murphy said. “It is an exciting time for the company in Ireland with the ground engineering team recently completing their first CFA piling project for Newbridge College whilst also constructing the deepest piles in Ireland for the new Barrow Bridge at New Ross (35m long, 1.2m diameter with 9m rock sockets.) Dublin is the economic engine that drives the country and Murphy are proudly supporting the regeneration of the capital through our ground engineering division piling for banks, student accommodation, hotels, retail space and residential developments.”
According to John the success of Murphy International in Ireland has been down to the vast experience gained across the Groups operations and the sharing of this expertise across the whole company. Murphy engineers and designers from Ireland regularly travel across the operations to provide expert knowledge and skills on new challenges in the UK, Canada and Australia.
“One of Murphy’s philosophies is ‘continuous improvement’ and so the company has focused on investing in its people, growing its fleet of plant and investing in its facilities,” John explained. “Our greatest success has been the retention of long term clients. During the recession we were particularly grateful for clients such as Aughinish Alumina for their long and continued business. This project is a testament to the dedication, integrity, hard work and continuous development of our people.”
Murphy’s structural steel fabrication facility in Newbridge is one of the company’s most vital resources, supporting the business in both Ireland and the UK. The business grew out of Murphy’s long experience of the specialist welding expertise required to service the gas industry in building and maintaining their network of high pressure steel mains and AGI’s in Ireland and the UK.
As well as Murphy’s many projects here in Ireland, the business supports the Murphy Group across a wide range of projects in power, rail and property development in the UK, with the gas industry a particularly strong source of revenue for the company.
Murphy is also focused on investing in new markets in Ireland. Just last month the company announced the acquisition of one of Irelands leading Water and Wastewater Process Contractors, AECOM Design Build Ireland (ADBI), signaling the intent to strengthen Murphy’s existing presence in the water sector. The company is now operating under the new name Murphy Process Engineering.
“This joining of minds will not only be beneficial for Murphy but for Ireland, as the linking of the two companies will enhance delivery of world-class infrastructure in the Water industry,” John G. Murphy said of the move. “Murphy’s enhanced water team has significant design, engineering, commissioning, operations and maintenance expertise and the recent acquisition gives Murphy the resource to scale-up delivery by using these impressive talents, experience and expertise. Murphy is in a strong position to deliver complete solutions as it expands further into complex and integrated projects as our existing and future clients set out their future investment plans.”