A leading supplier and developer of comprehensive solutions, construction estimating and financial software systems for both the UK and Ireland, whose head offices are based in Castlebar, has this year been awarded with a High Potential Start Up from Enterprise Ireland; an impressive accolade as only 75 companies in Ireland out of thousands who establish each year are designated this title by EI.
Managing director Michael McCormack spoke to the Mayo Advertiser about his company Construction Management Software Limited weathering the economic storm and how invaluable the Innovation in Business Centre at GMIT Castlebar was in assisting the development of his business in Ireland.
Mr McCormack along with Tony White in 2002, established Construction Management Software Limited in the UK, based on an idea to create a pre and post contract system, which gives all types of construction projects a totally integrated solution in dealing with initial tender enquiries through estimating, or as Mr McCormack describes it the “best of breed approach”, with corporate or enterprise packages available.
Following Mr McCormack’s take-over of the business in 2007, he uprooted the head office from the UK to his home town of Castlebar, which according to Mr McCormack was a “superb decision”, where he “hired really top class staff”, all locally based. Staff employed at this office deal with development and support, which is all remotely accessed. Mr McCormack still maintains an office in London, as currently 90 per cent of their client base is in the UK; and hires “about a dozen” staff altogether.
After the company moved to Castlebar, Mr McCormack contacted the Innovation in Business Centres at GMIT Castlebar, which with the support of Enterprise Ireland offers incubation facilities and a supportive environment to potential entrepreneurs to assist them in taking their ideas from concept to full commercialisation. Two and a half years later Mr McCormack is coming to the end of his term with the IiBC centre, a resource which he describes as a “godsend” as the support and facilities are what a new business needs to provide an “invaluable, fantastic start”.
Speaking about receiving the honour of being labelled a HPSU from Enterprise Ireland— these are fledgling, export-oriented companies that exhibit high levels of technical innovation and have the potential to employ 10 people or achieve sales in excess of €1 million in three years — Mr McCormack said it was invaluable in securing funding from EI, however, he said the only drawback was that the company had to match the funding, which was hard to scrape together when the “banks are not lending to business”.
Naturally, the conversation turns to the dismal economic climate, particularly in the construction industry, however the MD also said that while there is a downturn, the product is being improved on a daily basis, and is optimistic about the future of his company as a number of clients are ready to do business once there is a stabilisation in the economy, with the company looking to the prospect of hiring more staff. Mr McCormack said that like any company if you come out of a recession then that company is set for going forward and that Construction Management Software Limited is “geared up” for their assimilation in securing future business in Ireland.
