Pádraig Burke is a director of Galway-based Ward & Burke, which has grown to become one of Ireland’s top three construction businesses, with turnover last year of €647m. That was up 21pc compared with 2024, according to new accounts.
Revenue is expected to jump between 10pc and 15pc this year, according to Mr Burke, helping the company exceed the €700m turnover mark. It marks 25 years in business this year.
The company generated €275m of its revenue in Ireland last year, €163m in the UK and €134m in the United States.
The group’s pre-tax profit jumped 16pc last year to €44.9m, giving it retained earnings of €200m.
We need to keep pressure on the projects that are critical
“The cheapest time to do infrastructure is now, because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” said Mr Burke.
“For too long, Ireland has put off doing projects. It comes home to roost in terms of cost.
“The infrastructure spend on water and waste water is absolutely needed because there are other serious constraints and needs around housing and public health.
“We need to keep pressure on the projects that are critical.
“The ones around the fringes might be affected, but who knows? It’s a timing thing…”
Pádraig Burke of Ward & Burke
A significant amount of Ward & Burke’s business comes from the construction of water and waste-water infrastructure across the markets in which it operates. The company employs more than 1,500 people.
Its clients include Uisce Éireann, the OPW, the Department of the Marine, the Port of Cork and a number of county councils. In the UK, it works with groups including Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities.
Among the projects it has worked on is the €76m Athlone main drainage scheme. It was completed last year on budget and on time, according to Mr Burke, who said it was one of the largest single projects undertaken by Uisce Éireann.
I think there’s always going to be a need for our services
The director said the group’s order book is now “as strong as it’s ever been”.
The company has secured some significant international work recently, including a €135m contract with the City of Calgary in Canada and a €100m project with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati.
Mr Burke said that he has no concerns about a slowdown in the US economy, with the ongoing volatility in the Middle East, which might be bad for his business.
“I have none whatsoever,” he said. “We’re a small player in the overall scheme of things. It doesn’t take much to keep us busy. America has a population of more than 300 million people. I think there’s always going to be a need for our services there.”
Mr Burke said that despite its scale, Ward & Burke does not intend to pursue mergers or acquisitions.
“We’re happy as we are,” he said. “We just keep building on that foundation. It’s a good model from our perspective and we don’t see any reason to change it.”
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