Coffey, a leading and multi-award winning specialist in water infrastructure and civil engineering, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the company is hosting a series of events across Ireland and the UK, inviting customers, partners, suppliers, and friends to join in the festivities.
Coffey kicked off its golden jubilee celebrations last week with festivities in the Athenry head office and across the network of offices and sites throughout Ireland and the UK.
Coffey was founded in 1974 by Paddy Coffey, who was joined by his brother Tom in 1975. The company’s early years were marked by a focus on civil engineering projects, including the construction of Ireland’s first motorway bridge on the Nass bypass in 1983.
Both Paddy and Tom were Civil Engineering graduates from University of Galway and masterminded the growth of the business. Their successful stewardship of the business and their contribution to engineering excellence throughout their careers was recognised by their alma mater in 2006 with both men being awarded the NUIG Alumni Award for Engineering.
Over the past five decades, the company has grown steadily, establishing a reputation for innovation, quality, and customer service. The company is passionate about helping clubs, schools and other voluntary groups and associations in the areas in which we work, giving back to the communities where we are working and those who support our employees.
Coffey’s commitment to excellence has been instrumental in its success, enabling it to serve a diverse range of customers across Ireland and the UK. Coffey is now established as a major contractor working with Uisce Eireann and has recently commenced working with Severn Trent, one of the largest of the 11 regulated water and sewerage companies in England and Wales.
Celebrating a Rich History
The company’s early years were marked by a focus on civil engineering projects, including construction of Ireland’s first motorway bridge on the Nass bypass in 1983.
In 1988, Coffey expanded into the UK market, initially working for water companies and local authorities around the London area. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality quickly earned it a reputation as a leading provider of water infrastructure and civil engineering services.
Coffey built Ireland’s first ever wind farm in 1991 at Bellacorick, Co. Mayo. This project demonstrated the company’s commitment to sustainability and its willingness to embrace new technologies.
In 1994, Coffey entered the property development market in Ireland and constructed the company’s first housing estate in County Galway. This initial development paved the way for other developments in the Galway area, and Coffey has since made significant contributions to the region’s infrastructure and growth.
In 2000, Coffey formed a joint venture with the operation specialists Treatment Systems Limited to provide design, build, and operate (DBO ) services for water and wastewater treatment plants. This joint venture, TSSL, became a major player in the water industry and was eventually acquired by Coffey in 2012. In 2006 Coffey completed the M7 Nenagh to Limerick Motorway, its largest contract to date. This €250M project was a major undertaking and showcased Coffey’s capabilities as a major contractor.
In 2013, Coffey and Northumbrian Water formed a Joint Venture, Coffey Northumbrian Ltd. to deliver the €50m Northeast Region of the Domestic Water Metering programme for Irish Water. In 2020 Coffey completed the acquisition of Northumbrian Water’s 50% share in Coffey Northumbrian Ltd and Coftec, the licensing and sales division of Coffey, was established. Coftec’s business activities include the identification, development and sale of water treatment related technologies and products in Ireland, the UK and further afield.
2015 was the year that saw Paddy and Tom Coffey retiring, handing over the ownership of Coffey to the next generation of the Coffey family.
At the launch of the event, and addressing all of the Coffey staff both in Ireland and the UK, Coffey’s Managing Director Odran Madden remarked
“We are thrilled to celebrate our 50th anniversary with our valued stakeholders. This milestone is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team members, who have consistently delivered exceptional products and services in the water infrastructure and civil engineering sectors throughout the years. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with our community and reaffirming our commitment to providing innovative solutions that support the growth and success of our customers.”
