Features

“Our people are our greatest asset”

28 Mar , 2017  

Clonmel based engineering and construction provider Kentz, a member of SNC-Lavalin, has provided engineering, construction and technical support services to clients in the energy and resources sectors for more than 90 years.

In August 2014, SNC-Lavalin completed the acquisition of Kentz, along with its subsidiary Valerus, and the integration of these organisations gives them world-leading expertise across the entire value chain.

They are a truly end-to-end partner, with proven capabilities ranging from feasibility studies, process engineering and complete front-end engineering packages, to the detailed execution of projects on an EPCM or EPC package basis.

“Our workforce is everything,” highlighted General Manager Graham O’Dwyer. “Our company is based on people, our greatest asset, and because we work on different types of challenging projects, it’s critical to have people with the correct expertise and safety ethos.

“We have approximately 37,000 employees globally and SNC-Lavalin strives  to give people the opportunity to improve themselves. We really believe in developing our people and trying to support them in every way we can.”

The high esteem in which the rebranded SNC-Lavalin Kentz Field Operations is held in their respective markets was evident when it was awarded a $208m contract to supply electrical systems for the new Sidra Medical Research Centre in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

Sidra is an ultramodern, all-digital academic medical center which will set new standards in patient care for women and children in Qatar, the Gulf region and internationally. SNC-Lavalin Kentz Field Operations designed and installed the electrical and lighting systems for the $2.3bn medical centre.

It is their proven track record which ensures their name is always in the mix when it comes to projects like the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin which is being built on the 50 acre campus shared with St. James’s Hospital.

“Sidra Medical Centre is one of the leading healthcare facilities in the world. It is the same size as the planned new National Children’s Hospital but three times the budget. It was a very challenging but brilliant project for the company to be involved in and associated with.

“We’re one of four companies in the running for the National Children’s Hospital contract. It’s an exciting project that will respond to the medical needs of children in the country.”

Other notable healthcare projects which feature prominently on SNC-Lavalin Kentz Field Operations’ impressive curriculum vitae includes The Hermitage Medical Clinic, Dublin and The Galway Clinic.

“We’re currently working on a new 75 bed ward block at the Galway Clinic,” added Graham, “as well as a new Renal Dialysis and Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick.”

The aforementioned Emergency Department has a number of phases involved and complex associated works, including a new electrical switch room and the phased diversion of existing electrical services serving both the critical care block and the existing theatre and paediatric blocks at the hospital.

“Technically, that’s a very demanding job, working in a live environment, tying into existing infrastructure that is operational but it is on course to be opened early next year,” Graham outlined.

Founded in 1911, the parent company SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure.

From offices in over 50 countries, SNC-Lavalin’s employees are proud to build what matters. Their teams provide engineering, procurement construction, completions and commissioning services together with a range of sustaining capital services to clients in their four industry sectors, oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, infrastructure and power.

SNC-Lavalin can also combine these services with its financing and operations and maintenance capabilities to provide complete end-to-end project solutions.

Their ultimate aim is to be an industry leader in safety performance and to achieve an incident and injury-free workplace, where nobody gets hurt and everyone goes home safe each night.

“One of the biggest things we pride ourselves on in our health and safety record. One of our biggest sectors is Oil & Gas and Health & Safety is a major focus for every employee. We’re proud of our record and commitment to Health & Safety,” Graham emphasised.

SNC-Lavalin supports clients across the world and is able to bring experience gained in one region to the challenges faced in another.

At the same time, they understand the cultures and practices in each country, and their decentralised approach means that they are agile and responsive to meet the requirements and expectations of local, as well as global stakeholders.

SNC-Lavalin Kentz Field Operations know the importance of combining safety and technical expertise with a sharp eye on schedules, a keen sense of value and a deep understanding of the importance of helping their clients build and sustain their assets.

That’s why they’ve worked with several of their clients for decades on some of the most challenging projects – and why many of their orders are repeat business.

SNC Lavalin Kentz Field Operations
Gurtnafleur
Clonmel
Co. Tipperary

Tel:   052 6122811

Fax:   052 6126021

Website: www.snclavalin.com/en

Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, November/December 2016, Vol 2 No 7