magazine - John Sisk and Son

Transcription

Issue no.1 March 2011
The drive towards Zero.
The Aviva Experience
Volunteering Programme
SISK Group Staff Discount Offers
magazine
Contents
19 A day in the life
With Fergus Muldoon, Foreman on Oasis
Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dabi
20 The Aviva Experience
There was no such thing as a typical day
during the Aviva Build. The working week
was punctuated with regular meetings with
the John Sisk & Son team, Clients
representatives and our specialist
contractors.
16
4 Outlook 2011
16 My Haiti experience
The MD’s outline their thoughts on the
current economic climate and their plans
for the future.
On the 13th of February 2010, five weeks
after the earthquake in Haiti, Martin Bolger
left Ireland with the Irish Orthopaedic Haiti
Fund Medical Relief Team.
7 The Road to Zero
A behavioural approach to working
that is driving John Sisk & Son to
be the best.
25
23 Volunteering Programme
12 Brainteasers
2010 Together we make a difference
Crossword and wordsearch.
Solutions on page 27.
Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food
and family event, gives Origo the
opportunity to showcase our brands
BOSCH, VIKING and STHL to over
58,000 people.
17 Annual Sustainability
Week
John Sisk & Son UK’s Scotland team have
been taking their expertise into the local
community, carrying out free building
works at Dogs Trust Glasgow as part of the
company’s annual Sustainability Week.
18 London to Brighton Bike
Ride
On June 20th five Eschmann employees
joined the peloton of approximately 27,000
other cyclists for the annual “London to
Brighton Bike Ride” in aid of The British
Heart Foundation.
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SISK Group Magazine March 2011
22 SISK Sharks
The SISK Tag Rugby team, started in 2006,
and has developed from a motley crew of
reformed soccer, GAA & ‘retired’ rugby
players to become a regular in the mixed
social league.
8 News
13 Origo blossoms at Bloom
18
YK
CEO opening address
20
24 Pull!
Robert Gray on a sporting encounter that
lead to a lifetime passion
25 Modular Operating
Theatres, Cappagh Hospital
Declan Murtagh talks about the
collaboration of construction and
healthcare in the delivery of Cappagh
Hospital modulat theatres.
26 Garden heaven
The School of the Holy Spirit garden,
Kilkenny, a success story for all involved.
27 Staff Discount Offers
Discount offers from Origo, Microsoft,
Topaz.
Welcome to the first edition of the SISK Group
Employee Magazine. This magazine affords all
employees an opportunity to share, learn and
understand more about the Group activities and to
get to know your colleagues from other Group
companies.
2010 which is now behind us was very
challenging commercially and personally for
everyone. The Group has made some difficult
decisions, but we have also continued to invest in
the business and our people to ensure we remain
the Partner of Choice for our customers. Many
employees have relocated to new countries as part of
our internationalisation and on behalf of the
company and our shareholders, I would like to
thank everyone.
As you know we completed a strategic review and
developed a new 5 Year strategy which we shared
with all the employees before Christmas. There is a
clear opportunity for us all to work together,
overcome any challenges and shape the future as we
implement our new vision and strategy.
We had many successes to be proud of in 2010
across all of our businesses. As we begin a new year,
we have to be optimistic and determined for our
future. We have very supportive shareholders,
extremely committed employees and we have a
clear plan.
I would like to take this opportunity once again to
thank you for your commitment and wish you and
your family health and happiness for the year ahead.
Many thanks to all who contributed to this edition of the SISK Group employee
magazine. If you would like to contribute to the next edition, email us at
s.newsletter2@sisk.ie
Twelve Companies, One Group
3
Outlook 2011
Directors of SISK Group companies outline their thoughts on
John Sisk & Son Middle East
2010 we won our first
project in Al Ain.
We currently have offices in Abu Dhabi
and Dubai and have also acquired a 49%
share in a local construction company,
Egyco, which gives us access to the local
market and supply chain. We are also
working in Saudi Arabia with El Seif
Engineering, one of the largest contractors in the Kingdom.
At present we have three contracts secured in the UAE:
(1) The Oasis Hospital
(2) Masfouth Hospital
(3) Army HQ Building (with Egyco)
We have a staff of 42 in the UAE, including 14 from Ireland
and 4 from U.K.
In Saudi Arabia, we have eight people from Ireland working
on current El Seif Engineering projects and also pricing
potential JV opportunities with them.
Overall it has been a long process setting up and acquiring
the necessary building licenses in the Middle East, but we are in
a very strong position now, with the contracts underway, to
develop and grow the business.
Both Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia have tremendous potential
for growth from the investments both Governments have
committed to spending on infrastructure over the next five
years. Paul Hackett
John Sisk & Son UK
John Sisk & Son in the UK
has won a number of major
contracts in a variety of sectors
in 2010. We have benefited
from the significant Group
investment to grow the business
as well as leverage from the skills, people and
experience of the Irish building company.
These investments are enabling us to enter the coming year
with real energy and confidence. Contracts we have won
recently and have been delivering in 2010 / 2011 include:
• Wembley W05: a £90m contract to build a 375 room Hilton
hotel and a 600 room student accommodation block adjacent
to Wembley stadium.
• Grosvenor House Apartments, Park Lane: an £85m contract
to continue the conversion of Grosvenor House into 133 luxury
serviced apartments.
• Rathbone Market: a £47m contract to help deliver this significant
new development for the London Borough of Newham.
4
• Athletes Village: two buildings comprising 401 apartments
providing accommodation for the athletes taking part in the
2012 Olympics.
• Pembroke Power Station: The £45m Civils contract for a new
power station.
• Finzels Reach project: a £69m major mixed use development
in Bristol City Centre.
• Runcorn: a £36m contract for Civils and ancillary works at a
new Energy from Waste thermal power station.
These wins have put us in a far stronger position than many
of our competitors as we enter 2011. We must not however get
complacent as there is still a great deal of work to do –
delivering these projects on time and to budget, and winning
new projects to follow on from them.
Health and Safety is of paramount importance at John Sisk &
Son and our unwillingness to compromise on this issue has
meant that our performance has improved consistently for a
number of years and is already amongst the best in the UK.
This year we wanted to go even further and have adopted the
Zero Incidents; Zero Injuries, Zero Defects; Zero Snags, Zero
Delays; Zero Surprises initiative, which we believe will continue
to focus our minds on this critical issue.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your
efforts to date, and also to thank you for your continued
support to John Sisk & Son; making it a fantastic, successful
and safe place to work. Paul Wilson
John Sisk & Son Ireland
“It was the best of times, it
was the worst of times”
wrote Charles Dickens in ‘A
Tale of Two Cities’.
While it was indeed the worst of times in
2010 with a big drop in turnover and
corresponding reduction in staff, we can
also remember 2010 as the best of times. During the year we
completed Aviva Stadium, Conference Centre Dublin, Grand
Canal Theatre and Offices, Limerick Tunnel, N9 at Kilkenny
and Bombardier in Belfast. All of these jobs were delivered
safely, skillfully, to the highest standards and with immense
pride and passion. Congratulations and thank you most
sincerely to all involved.
It is a time of immense change in Ireland and also in John
Sisk & Son. The Group has invested in the internationalizing of
the business over the last 2 years which has generated
opportunities for the Company and 120 staff from Ireland in
UK, Poland and Middle East. A sincere thank you to all who
have had to pack their bags and undertake these challenges on
our behalf. This growth outside Ireland combined with the
successful efforts of our teams in all regions has resulted in our
confident approach to 2011. Staff numbers are now at the right
level for our projected turnover of €400m in 2011.
the current economic climate and their plans for the future.
John Sisk & Son Civils
Civils is now as a global business
operating in Ireland, UK and Poland.
Projected turnover in 2011 is €170m. We have had great
success recently in the UK at Crossrail (with Dragados) and
Whitelee Wind Farm (with Roadbridge). With the demise of
road building opportunities in Ireland, SRB, our joint venture
with Roadbridge, has moved our attention to Poland, where we
are building 90km of the A1 motorway with our local partners,
PBG and Budbaum. The winter shutdown gives our teams
there a well-deserved break.
The launch of the ‘ZERO’ initiative is hugely significant for
John Sisk & Son. We firmly believe that the best way to win
more than our fair share of business is to ‘be the best’ in all
areas of service and performance. In this drive for excellence, we
have committed to ‘Zero Incidents, Zero Injuries’ in Health
and Safety and ‘Zero Defects’ at practical completion of our
projects. I ask all staff to fully support this drive to ZERO and
communicate it to our Clients, colleagues and sub-contractors.
As we look forward with confidence to 2011, I would like to
thank all our staff for your commitment, loyalty and hard work.
A special thank you this year to those who left the Company
during the year having worked on many of the great projects I
mentioned earlier. Tom Costello
SISK Healthcare
“2010 saw on-going success
& collaboration across SISK
Healthcare & the Group”
2010 was not without its challenges for our
customers, our partners and our employees.
Budget cuts and price negotiations became a
critical element in meeting our customers
needs. I would like to acknowledge and thank each of you for the
increased efforts and dedication shown over the last year. Each
company has continued to deliver despite such challenges and the
increased collaboration between MED, Cardiac Services, Tekno
Surgical & Synapse Medical was a key success factor.
The on-going collaboration between our construction
partners saw a number of significant wins in 2010. Such
strength as individual companies and as a Group is what
differentiates us. We welcomed Eschmann to the Group in early
2010 and are delighted to represent them in the Irish market.
We have an exciting year ahead of us which will see our backoffices integrate to one location. Such change will enable us to
drive the business forward and deliver another successful year
for SISK Healthcare.
Our success is attributable to our people and we must
continue to excel in our customers expectations to stay ahead of
our competitors. Thank you once again for your on-going
support and hard work. John Osborne
Eschmann
2010 has been a landmark
year in the 180 year history
of Eschmann.
Joining the SISK group of companies
has, in many ways, simply enabled the
Eschmann “family” of employees and
stakeholders (suppliers & key customers) to
embark upon the next phase of growth and
continuing investment in the business.
As one of the UK’s leaders in UK Operating Theatre and
Infection Control products and services, Eschmann’s philosophy
of providing innovative and technologically advanced solutions
continues to be underpinned by a strong team of over 50
EschmannCare engineers. Our engineers are the heartbeat of
the organisation helping us to translate often complex customer
requirements into profitable new revenue streams, enabling us
to expand further and faster.
Despite increased pressure on healthcare budgets at home and
overseas, we look forward with a high degree of optimism as we
continue to develop internationally, expanding into new territories
whilst continuing to support the core Middle and Far East
markets that we have developed over many years. Philip Kennedy
Korine Property Partners
Korine is the Group’s
investment arm in the U.K.
Korine is the Group’s investment arm in the
U.K. and has been in the property business
for the last ten years or so.
Korine has gone through a number of
phases since it started in 1999. The initial
phase was as a property investment
company. Between 1999 and 2004 Korine built an investment
property portfolio comprising 10 properties located in Ireland
and the UK. It sold this portfolio at a profit in 2005.
Korine moved into its next phase in 2006 by acquiring
development properties. Korine currently has 4 development
properties (all located in the UK). These are 527 Oxford St,
Hanworth Trading Estate, R+ in Reading and Javelin Park.
Each of these projects has their own challenges and timelines.
Critically, despite the recent property difficulties arising from
the credit crunch, all of these development projects remain
profitable opportunities for the group.
The 527 Oxford St opportunity is one of the most interesting
projects. This is a 15,000 sq. ft. building on Oxford St which
we intend to redevelop in early 2011. The shop is located next
door to Primark which is rumoured to be one of the most
successful department stores in the world. The refurbishment
work will be carried out by John Sisk & Son UK so it can truly
be called a “SISK Group Development”! Ciaran McDonnell
5
Outlook 2011
Origo
“Stick to the knitting”
As we bid farewell to 2010 and face into
the New Year that is 2011, we are
satisfied that the strategies we have put in
place, are assisting us in taking market
share from our competitors, profitably.
Our mantra is “stick to the knitting”
and this means that we will continue to
focus on our core activities by adding
value to our premium brands, together with sourcing
additional complimentary brands as the opportunities arise.
From our sales and marketing activities, including customer
relationship management & product category management, to
our highly efficient operations & logistical capabilities, we are
well positioned to continue to offer a superior service to all
our customers.
This strategy has resulted in market share gains and growth
in most of the sectors in which we operate. Our Lawn &
Garden and DIY products are proving to be very resilient with
strong market growth over the past 12 months. We have
gained market share in our Domestic Appliance division, most
notably in our dishwasher and laundry segments.
Stihl chainsaws continue to be strong market leaders whilst
sales of Viking ride-on lawn mowers have almost doubled year
on year. Aftermarket auto parts, particularly wiper blades,
spark plugs & batteries are now replaced more frequently as
sales of new cars continues to decline and this is reflected in
our sales every month.
We are delighted with the success of OrigoAccess our SISK
Group sales portal with all sorts of special offers for staff. Our
new Origo.ie web site was developed in house with the
assistance of Sisk Group IT & should be ready for launch
during January 2011. Several other IT initiatives are in hand
to assist in maintaining our competitive advantage.
Thanks to the commitment, expertise & enthusiasm of the
Origo team we are in a strong position to continue to build
market share profitably throughout 2011 & the years ahead.
Joe Cunniam
Stone Developments Ltd
John Sisk & Son bought
their first limestone quarry
in 1937
Fortunately or unfortunately I’m long
enough around to have experienced
commercial life in the ‘70’s, ‘80’s, ‘90’s
and ‘00’s and while the sun did not
always shine through these decades, nothing can compare
with the dramatically changing situation over the past couple
6
of years.
During the early part of the ‘00’s we found it almost
impossible to satisfy our customers’ requirements in Ireland
and often having to pass up on export opportunities to satisfy
what was then known as the “Celtic Tiger”.
This has now all changed and our employment figures have
dropped to present day figures of 85 (during this period we
also had 200 dedicated sub-contractors) and exports are now
accounting for over 80% of our turnover.
But it’s not all bad news. Our export markets have
stabilised and are already showing signs of growth with
export sales showing a marginal increase, albeit from a very
low base against our export sales in 2009.
This is also reflecting the export sales trend throughout
Ireland and we are happy to be contributing to this growth.
We have started the process of rebuilding the company but
this time round we will be an export company concentrating
on producing our own indigenous limestone.
Phil Meaney
Williaam Cox
Challenging Times for all
our employees.
Williaam Cox is a joint venture between
the SISK Group and CRH. The
company is a market leader in supplying
and installing architectural glazing and
cladding systems.
With premises in Reading, Belfast and
Dublin, our core competencies are centered on design and
state of the art production techniques, offering the clients
full building envelope solutions.
Our employees have delivered a number of complex façade
projects such as Kildare Co Council offices, Cork County
Hall, Douglas Shopping Centre and the landmark Aviva
Stadium. In 2010 Irish construction prospects dropped to
their lowest levels since the late 1990s as the recession put a
crimp in new commercial and residential building projects.
The commercial glazing market has reduced from
€350million in 2006 to approximately €75million in
2010. Such market shrinkage has resulted in significant restructuring and refinement of the business over the past
few months which regrettably have seen our workforce
reduce significantly. The tough times mean more
companies are bidding on fewer public and private-sector
jobs, which is driving down costs for clients but means
shrinking profit margins for contractors.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our
employees for their support and dedication during these
challenging times.
Michael Barnwell
Zero Incidents. Zero Injuries.
Zero Defects. Zero Snags.
Zero Delays. Zero Surprises.
The road to Zero
A behavioural approach to working that is driving
John Sisk & Son to be the best.
2010 saw the introduction of the strategy
to all John Sisk and Son companies. Zero is
a three part, focussed step change that is
designed to raise the bar on construction
safety, construction quality and certainty of
programme and profit.
Working to Zero is the John Sisk & Son
fresh approach to the way the Sisk teams
and sub contractors engage across three
critically important drivers of the business.
Safety, quality and certainty of delivery.
Zero Incidents. Zero Injuries. Zero Snags.
Zero Defects and Zero Surprises
A behavioural commitment that is
designed to be shared and upheld by all. A
way of working, thinking and behaving to
be the best in all three areas. A mindset
change that requires each and every one of
us to confront our own beliefs.
In our approach to safety for example, is
it really true that whatever we do we’ll
never stop accidents? Do we really think
that injuring people just to come to work is
acceptable?
The Zero approach says that to make a
real change, you have to confront the
possibility of achieving it, do whatever it
takes to achieve success.
The power of Zero is about transforming,
changing attitudes and changing behaviour.
Not a replacement for processes, procedures
and measurements but the means through
which real change can be achieved.
An approach that is mirrored in the way
we deliver the highest standards in our
quality and the certainty of delivery of
projects on time on budget.
Jim Andrews & Tony Cadman
External Consultants, Band
7
John Sisk & Son News
John Sisk & Son Award Winners
Ian Hopkinson (left) and Southern Region
Director Graham Sturge studying the
event programme
Three John Sisk & Son UK staff have won
leading industry recognition in the same
week in October.
The 2010 Construction Manager of the
year awards were held at the Grosvenor
House Hotel in London and are regarded
as the premier accolade for management in
the built environment. It takes thirty
judges six months of meticulous site visits
and interviews before the Gold & Silver
medal in each category and the overall
winner and Construction Manager of the
Year can be decided upon.
Both Ian Hopkinson and Simon
Chapman made it to the final list in their
respective categories:
• Ian for the Housing / Accommodation
Projects Over £12M category for the Royal
National Orthopaedic Hospital project at
Bolsover Street.
• Simon was ultimately awarded a Silver
Medal for the New Build / Refurbishment
Simon Chapman receiving his silver
medal from celebrity Denise van Outen
8
Projects Over £8M to £14M category for
the Weymouth Street Development.
The judges commended Simon’s “superb
management” and “strong line on risk” in
ensuring the successful installation of the
bespoke brass facade on this complex
project, adding that “it was a brilliant piece
of risk and design management that was
the key reason for the project completing
on time”. They also recognised Ian’s
“whole team approach” and the benefits it
brought to realising design efficiencies and
successfully overcoming the potential issues
when a key subcontractor went into
receivership midway through their work
programme.
In the same week, Lee Heywood won the
2010 Writing Award from the UKAPMP –
the Association of Proposal Management
Eschmann celebrated
success at national
manufacturing awards
for innovative
healthcare exports to
Iraq
Philip Kennedy (centre),
MD Eschmann
Lee Heywood (left) receiving his award
Professionals – for his work on a tender
submission that “used industry best
practice to align the bid with the client’s
business vision”
All three richly deserved their rewards
and have again demonstrated the calibre of
John Sisk & Son employees.
Finally, John Sisk & Son
was awarded Construction
Firm of the Year at the South
West Insider Property Awards
2010. John Sisk & Son was
recognised for the work it
had done on the St.
Catherine’s Court office
development in Clifton,
Bristol as well as its ongoing
work at the Finzels Reach
mixed use regeneration
scheme in Bristol’s city
centre. John Sisk & Son has
also rebuilt and handed over
the landmark Grand Pier at
Weston-super-Mare in this
region.
The inaugural 2010 EEF Future
manufacturing awards were established to
recognise significant achievement across a
number of manufacturing disciplines and,
based on successfully winning and
delivering a tender in 2009 to supply it’s
operating tables to Iraq, Eschmann proudly
submitted an entry in the category for
Innovative Working Practices.
After careful and detailed consideration,
the judging panel deemed Eschmann’s
submission worthy of being awarded first
place, in the process beating competition
from the cream of the UK’s manufacturing
sector.
This important accolade was received as a
result of the implementation and adoption
of a new and radical approach to many of
its core business processes, allowing the
fulfilment of a multi-million pound export
order for 300 operating tables as part of the
rebuilding of Iraq’s healthcare system.
As a result of its innovative approach and
dedication from all members of the
manufacturing and support teams,
Eschmann delivered this significant order
two months ahead of schedule, fulfilling all
of the demanding specification and
logistical challenges
By innovating across our entire business we
have been able to expand the scope of our
operations to deliver one of largest
contracts in the firm’s history and set a new
platform for future growth. This has been
an enormous team effort and we are
delighted to have received this recognition
for our work.
The EEF awards recognised excellence
and rewarded world-class performance in
four categories: innovation, enterprise,
environmental responsibility and skills
development.
According to Chair of the Judging Panel,
Prof Stephen Evans, they won the award
because “Eschmann not only delivered the
order but re-engineered the company along
the way. The deal has left an impressive
legacy for future growth.”
Olympic Village development
John Sisk & Son has been
appointed as Principal
Contractor for the development
of Plots N09 and N10 on the
Athletes’ Village Project in
Stratford, East London. Plots
N09 and N10 are 12 and 10
storeys in height respectively, and
contain a total of 401
apartments. This first phase of
the scheme will be completed in
time to provide accommodation
for athletes competing during
Batt O’Keefe (3rd from left) TD, Irish Minister for Enterprise Trade
and Innovation, with members of the John Sisk & Son U.K.
the London 2012 Olympic
Games. Phase 2 will commence and ODA team at Athlete’s Village site during an official visit in
October 2010.
in November 2012 and will
include kitchen retro-fit works in preparation for handover and sale or lease of the
apartments as family housing are a key part of the Olympic legacy. The Health and Safety
commitment shown by the John Sisk & Son construction team working at the Athletes
Village was recently recognised by the client with John Sisk & Son U.K. receiving the
Health & Safety award in October for the whole of the Olympic Village site.
John Sisk & Son
Ireland win
Sustainable
George Sisk visits Al Ain Hospital Site
Construction Award In the month of October 2010 George Sisk paid a visit to the Oasis Hospital Al Ain, Abu
Tony Sheridan (centre), Health & Safety
Manager, John Sisk & Son Ireland
Over 270 industry professionals attended
the inaugural CMG Building & Design
Awards 2010 on the 3rd December at the
Four Seasons Hotel Dublin. Despite the
arctic conditions the large number turned
up to see the awards presented by well
known TV and radio broadcaster Ivan Yates
at the first industry wide awards event of its
kind in Ireland. Organised by Commercial
Media Group, (CMG) the event celebrated
some of the industry’s best projects and
designs of 2010. John Sisk & Son Ireland
won the Sustainable Construction category
award which focussed on planning and
managing for the minimisation of waste
arising from construction activities. This
has resulted in significant reductions to
landfill and hence cost over the last few
years. Amongst the entrants and projects
were some of the larger sites being
managed and procured by a diverse range
of clients.
Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It was a typically hot and dusty October day with
temp in excess of 40 Deg C but nonetheless George was very eager to walk the site and
meet the new staff.
At the time of the visit we had 5 different nationalities on site whereas now we have 14.
The ladies in particular were in awe at the fact one of the Sisk family had come to meet
them and were demanding individual photos, to which he graciously complied. After a site
walk, tour of the offices and some valuable tips - including the management of direct
foreign labour from lessons learned working in Africa, we sat and went through all of the
floor plans and
structural drawings
in great detail, such
that George could
get a chance to
familiarise himself
with the job (and
of course test out
the site team!).
A lunch of
traditional Arabic
food had been
Back Row (L-R) Paul Lonappan, Fergus Muldoon, Karlheinz Fichtner,
Chrismari Corpuz, Charity Dela Cruz, Naveen Arayamparambil Front Row
organised by the
(L-R) Phanindra Kommareddy, Alden Maravillas, Paul Watton, George Sisk,
hospital
Patrick Rouse, Eoin Waldron, Edwin Crinion
management
during which the hospital CEO David Printy explained the difficulties facing the hospital
since its founding 50 years ago when the infant mortality in the area was 50% and the
maternal mortality was 33%. We were given a tour of the Majilis ( Traditional mens
meeting room) donated by HH Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan – founder of the UAE, which is
set up as a museum dedicated to the history of the hospital, the founders the Kennedys
(American couple invited over to the UAE to set up the facility 50 years ago) and the
ruling Al Nahyan family (many of whom were born in the hospital).
A subsequent site visit and talk with Patrick Rouse, the Area Manager for Dubai / Al
Ain on the difficulties tendering in the Middle East ended a 3 to 4 hour site visit. We look
forward to welcoming George back for the opening of the new hospital in 2012 to meet
the staff again along with the hospital management and the members of Al Nahyan Family
who are originally from Al Ain and who are funding the project.
9
Cardiac Services at the Ulster Hospital
The new Critical Care Complex opened recently at the Ulster Hospital in
Belfast. Cardiac Services, part of SISK Healthcare supplied over €1
Million of medical equipment and clinical IT systems for the new
Complex.
Cardiac Services are distribution partners with Philips Healthcare and
Olympus. The new facility will utilise Philips patient monitors and
clinical IT systems throughout the ICU, Theatre and Recovery areas with
the addition of Olympus camera and audio-visual systems in Theatres.
Best in class operating tables for the new Complex were supplied by
Eschmann also a SISK Group Company. The hospital has invested in
some of the best available medical technologies supplied by SISK
Healthcare and Eschmann to ensure its patients receive the highest
standards of care possible.
Oasis Hospital Development, Al Ain
Al Ain is known as ‘The Garden City’ and
is very much the cultural centre of Abu
Dhabi with the Royal family originating
from this region. H.E. Sheikh Mohammed
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was born in the
existing Oasis hospital and remains its
main benefactor. Securing the contract for
this high profile medical facility was viewed
as crucial for launching John Sisk & Son in
the UAE.
Our involvement began when we
submitted a pre-qualification in early
October 2009 having received our building
licence literally hours before the deadline.
Qualification was assisted by an Irishman
within the design team who knew of John
Sisk & Son from Ireland, a rub of the
green as it were! A select tender with UK’s
Balfour Beatty, Japan’s Taisei Construction,
Korea’s Taeyoung E & C amongst others
ensued from March 2010. The bid team
worked tirelessly and submitted a very
comprehensive proposal. We positioned
ourselves well commercially and scored
highest in the technical submittal. One
should never underestimate the power of a
3-D model!!!
Clarifications, meetings & interviews
continued over the course of May & early
June. Considerable effort was needed to
convince the client and particularly the
Health Authority, (SEHA) that we could
deliver the project, as it would be our first
in this region; persuasion was the order of
the day. David Printy, CEO of the Oasis
Hospital selected John Sisk & Son based
on our history, hospital experience and the
enthusiasm of the team involved. He
commented later that the investment made
by SISK Group in the UAE had proved to
him that John Sisk & Son were here for the
long-term. Contracts were signed in July,
the market place was taken by surprise,
John Sisk & Son had arrived…
10
The project itself is a 30,000sqm new
build comprising of medical and surgical
wings, theatres, MRI facilities, ICU, a
Maternity Unit, and a Neo Natal ICU. The
working environment is often harsh, with
temperatures reaching 55C. The main
workforce comprises of Chinese, Indians,
Pakistanis and Afghans whose awareness of
personal safety is often non-existent to
begin with.
This project is obviously business critical
as we need to establish our reputation for
delivery here on the ground. The effort
that the team is exerting is admirable as the
project demands constant progress, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. In many ways it
is pioneering as we as a company have
never built before in the Middle East so
adaptive creativity is an important skillset.
Thus far the team has achieved;
• Zero deviation to the critical path
• Zero AFR, LTI or even first aid
• Zero NCR from either the site
inspectorate or the municipality
David Printy, CEO Oasis Hospital & Liam Nagle
David Printy & Seamus Hennigan,
Official signing of Oasis Hospital
To achieve these KPI’s in Ireland, the UK
or mainland Europe would be considered
Building Excellence, but for the team to
achieve this on our first project in the UAE
is nothing short of outstanding.
We consider ourselves very fortunate to
have Cure International as our first client
as we have found them both professional
and courteous. Relationships are very good
and it looks increasingly likely that phase 2
will be negotiated on a D&B basis.
Completion of Teak House at the
National Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin
The Teak House at the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin was completed earlier this
year for the Office of Public Works. The project required the careful dismantling of the
existing Teak House and removing off site to our Training Centre so that all the new
sections matched the original design which dated back to the 1950’s. The painting of
the timber members was also carefully managed within a specially constructed spray
shop in our Head Office to meet the OPW’s specific requirements. The project also
included the refurbishment of the Foreman’s Lodge and the New Rose Garden Bridge.
John Sisk & Son Special Projects Division
S
’
Try match the
WHO OY?
childhood photo with
TB
THA ETITION
the headshot picture of
P
some of our
COM
management team. To
enter the draw to win a
prize, please send your
answers to s.newsletter2@sisk.ie by 1st
May 2011.
Prize: 2 Tickets for the GAA All-Ireland
Hurling Final in September to be
awarded to the winner.
A
D
B
E
John G Sisk Training Centre/Joinery Works
The John G Sisk Training Centre
and Joinery Works was established
over 40 years ago with the primary
objective of providing training for
young apprentices in the skills of
carpentry and joinery. Young school
leavers who can demonstrate their
ability and aptitude to become fully
fledged craftsmen are selected for our
training program and then undertake a
challenging four year apprenticeship
comprising periods of full time study,
practical workshop experience and
exposure to the construction site
environment.
The craftsmanship of our young
apprentices has been consistently
recognized at a national level with their
performances in the National Skills
Competition. In 2009, Richard Sutton
and Michael Dunne were placed first and
second, respectively, in the Joinery section.
Many of the Company’s leading Site
Agents and Managers have successfully
completed their training at the Centre.
The Centre is located
at Wilton Works, Naas
Road, Dublin and
supplies a full range of
joinery to our
construction projects in
the Eastern Region
including the recently
completed National
Convention Centre,
Aviva Stadium and
Grand Canal Theatre.
The Centre specializes in
the production of high
quality bespoke units to
architectural specification
in addition to doors and
frames, fire door sets,
screens, panels, stairs and moulded
handrails. They also supply a full range of
Zero site start-up office furniture and
hoarding signage to the new site best
practices guide.
The Centre is managed by Dave Tracy
who possesses an innate passion for wood
and wood products –“The oldest yet most
enduring building material. No other
material possesses the character, warmth
and individuality of wood. No other
material grows naturally helping to make
our home a healthier place and last a
lifetime”.
Dave is also generous in his
acknowledgement of the contribution of
his staff – “Our staff and craftsmen are
quality and safety driven and seek to
combine industry experience with a
passion for perfection”
C
F
Traditional style
wooden toys
The Training Centre is proud of its time
honored tradition of manufacturing
Christmas toys for distribution to hospitals,
schools, homes and orphanages across the
country. For most of December the staff
and craftsmen at the Centre give generously
of their time and energy in the
manufacture of over 450 pieces of
traditional style wooden toys bringing joy
into the lives of those who are most in need
at Christmas. For more details and
information contact d.tracey@sisk.ie or
Phone 01 4091 629, Fax 01 409156
11
Crossword
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
20
22
23
24
25
26
28
31
29
30
32
33
34
35
DOWN
1 Live on a certain income or manage (3,2)
2 Brilliant, excellent (6)
3 Friend during a conflict (4)
4 Star Trek captain played by William Shatner (4)
5 Quarrel that ends a relationship (4‑2)
6 Loose Japanese robe with wide sleeves (6)
7 Moving fast on foot (7)
13 Used a spade (3)
27
Wordsearch
P R P Y G S K R U N X P N
N G G M K L G P E X R U T
N O T
ACROSS
1 Respirator against poisonous vapours (3,4)
5 Motorcyclist (5)
8 Written promise to pay (inits)(3)
9 Steady drinker (7)
10 ___ Cowell, The X Factor judge (5)
11 Self‑assembly set (3)
12 Unit of length (4)
15 Large tea dispenser (3)
16 Halting‑place for public transport (3,4)
18 Be in possession of (3)
21 ___ Martin, comedy series about a GP(3)
23 Thrashing (7)
25 Will Smith boxing biopic (3)
26 Heidi ___, German model (4)
28 Bit missing (3)
31 Subject, theme (5)
32 Intervals of eight tones in music (7)
33 ___Widdecombe, 2010 Strictly Come
Dancing contestant (3)
34 Adjust (an alarm) (5)
35 Rough estimates (7)
12
14 ___ of Skye, land off Scotland (4)
17 Porridge cereal (4)
19 Device for connecting more than one plug to
a socket (7)
20 Fluid for writing (3)
22 Grounds or buildings of a college or university (6)
23 Name given to a lion, tiger or puma (3,3)
24 Gauntlets (6)
27 ___ basket, carrycot (5)
29 Bad smell (4)
30 Eye swelling (4)
I
U
I
O S
I
D R T F
B N S R W J
A V Y S W B
E D U T
L A E T T O L
I
T
N O B O O T S R E S
I
I
E P
U L
I
C E Q Y K Q K V A
J
R A
I
E K S C V S P M H B
K M E Q L A H S M Z S D A
C D F O J W E G O Z E C T
A S P L U R G O G G L E S
L E O O P U J
B Z
I
ALTITUDE
APRES‑SKI
BLACK RUN
BOOTS
GLOVES
L U M O C F
A W O N S L K P V P
GOGGLES
GONDOLA
ICE
JACKET
JUMP
LIFT
MAP
MOGUL
NURSERY SLOPE
PISTE
Notes
Solutions on page 27
Origo blossoms at Bloom
Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event, gives Origo the
opportunity to showcase our brands BOSCH, VIKING and STHL to over
58,000 people.
The BOSCH Summer Kitchen in
association with Bord Bia plays host to
many of Ireland’s top celebrity chefs over
the three day long event. Top Chefs
including Neven Maguire, Darina
Allen and Catherine Fulvio
demonstrated some of their
favourite summer recipes using
the latest BOSCH cooking
appliances including an induction
hob and BOSCH ovens. Members
of the Origo team where on hand
throughout the demonstrations to
explain the benefits of the BOSCH
appliances to the chefs and ensure
the appliances and
demonstration ran
smoothly!
BOSCH Lawn & Garden and STIHL &
VIKING had over eight meters of space to
display all their latest garden equipment.
From BOSCH cordless
lawn mowers for urban
gardens, to Ride-On
Viking mowers for acres
of lawn there was
something on display
for all gardeners. The
BOSCH cordless
range of hand held Shrub
Cutters, Shears and secateurs proved to be
very popular and substantiates BOSCH
commitment to provide better performance
and more convenience for gardeners. We
are already planning for next year!
Julie-Anne Hanley, Origo
13
SISK Healthcare is a medical device, service and equipment provider
with a full presence in Ireland and the UK. SISK Healthcare is the
umbrella structure for M.E.D. Surgical, Cardiac Services, Tekno
Surgical and Synapse Medical.
M.E.D. Surgical became a member of SISK Group in 2006. The
main focus of the company is the distribution of urology products,
laparoscopic products and theatre consumables to the Irish market.
MED Surgical has also diversified into other areas within in the
medical sector by adding numerous other Principal Companies.
M.E.D Surgical have dedicated divisions such as General Surgery,
Infection Control. Anaesthetics, Ambulatory Aids, Urology,
Gynaecology and most recently branching into Ophthalmology. The
ophthalmology division was launched in 2009 with the addition Carl
Zeiss one of the world’s leading producers of ophthalmic equipment
and consumables.
Cardiac Services have developed into a leading supplier of Medical
diagnostic and therapeutic equipment throughout Ireland and the
UK. Cardiac Services are committed to excellence and customer
satisfaction through ongoing investment in continuous improvement
and development of innovative services for the healthcare industry.
Cardiac Services operate out of 5 locations: –their HQ is in Dublin
and there are other offices in Belfast, Cork and Manchester.Their
business comprises a number of different business units: Pre-Hospital
Sales, Hospital, Interventional Sales, Training, Education and
customer support.
Cardiac Services is at the forefront of supplying and supporting
diagnostic and measurement equipment in the Hospitals with
specific focus in critical care areas, including ICU, Coronary Care,
Theatre and Maternity.
TEKNO Surgical is involved in the distribution of
specialist medical products, targeting key niche areas:
Orthopaedics • Surgical • Aesthetics. The orthopaedics
division of Tekno Surgical has the agency for Stryker
products, which is one of the top medical device
manufacturers in the world.
Stryker also manufacture a full range of Trauma and
Spinal surgery implants for treating fractures and
degenerative spine disorders. Tekno Surgical has a
strong presence in the Irish market and Stryker implants
are sold into all orthopaedic centres in Ireland.
The surgical division comprises a full spectrum of
specialities. In neurosurgery TEKNO Surgical focuses
on neuro navigation as well as a full array of neuro
products.
TEKNO Surgical also distribute treatment units,
scopes, grommets, middle ear implants, microdebriders, instrument.
The Aesthetics Division provides a broad range of
equipment & consumables to Medical & Cosmetic
Professionals engaged in plastic surgery & dermatology.
TEKNO Surgical has recently launched a new device
from California, ZELTIQ which is an innovative, non
invasive treatment for Fat Removal.
Synapse Medical focus on the supply of medical devices
for the cardiology, endovascular, radiology and
neuroradiology markets. Synapse’ strengths lie in its
high quality principals such as GE and Abbott Vascular,
and in the relationships that its young dynamic team
have with their customers. In an environment of ever
increasing price and margin reduction, unrelenting
competition, and code of conduct pressure, it is crucial
for Synapse to stay professional and knowledgeable
while continuing to exceed customer’s service
expectations. Enormous opportunities exist in the field
they operate such as in structural heart, stroke and
oncology.
Annual sustainability week
John Sisk & Son U.K.’s
Scotland team have
been taking their
expertise into the local
community, carrying
out free building works
at Dogs Trust Glasgow
as part of the company’s
annual Sustainability
Week.
16
John Sisk & Son, Jewson and Topek
worked together to carry out repairs and
maintenance to the kennels at the
Hamilton Road Centre. They also installed
extra storage required in the feeding rooms,
laundry area and in the office space.
The work has been part of Sustainability
Week at Sisk, an initiative launched last
year where staff have engaged in a variety of
activities helping the local communities
they work within and enhancing the
surrounding environment.
Contracts Manager, Colin Mercer
said: ‘John Sisk & Son is proud to
be involved in such a worthwhile
and deserving charity and hope
to continue to build good
relations in the local
community through our
Sustainability Week. Also, our
strong partnership with
Jewson and Topek has
allowed us to do the work
Dogs Trust needed in order
that they can continue to
provide this remarkable
service to the community
and we would like to thank
them for their generosity
and commitment’.
Sandra Downie, Dogs Trust Glasgow
Centre Manager, added: “The building work
has made a real difference to the Rehoming
Centre and we’re really grateful to all the
companies involved for their efforts. Dogs
Trust receives no government funding so we
rely on fundraising and community work
such as this to help us care for thousands of
abandoned and unwanted dogs every year.”
Dogs Trust Glasgow cares for around 90
dogs at any one time. It usually takes six
weeks for a canine resident to find a new
home but the charity’s nondestruction policy means the
Rehoming Centre looks after
each dog for as long as it takes
to find a perfect new home.
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest
dog welfare charity and cares
for 16,000 dogs a year
through its network of 17
rehoming centres across the
country. Dogs Trust Glasgow
opened in 2006. If you are
interested in finding out
more about their work
please visit
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Yvonne Grant,
John Sisk & Son U.K.
Modular operating
theatres
This project consists of the design, supply and installation of three
modular operating theatres at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital
in Finglas, Dublin.
This unique and challenging project
presented an opportunity for the SISK
Group to further develop its portfolio
within the Healthcare sector and
demonstrates the mutual benefits that can
be derived from closer co-operation
between the construction and healthcare
divisions of the SISK Group.
This project consists of the Design,
Supply and Installation of three Modular
Operating Theatres at Cappagh National
Orthopaedic Hospital in Finglas, Dublin
and represents a new departure for the
delivery of such a facility in Ireland. While
the concept of a Modular Operating
Theatre has been used in the UK this is the
first such project of its kind in Ireland.
Critics of this form of construction would
highlight the limitations imposed by
Modular build with regards to internal
layouts as opposed to more traditional onsite construction methods. However, our
design team headed by O’Connell Mahon
Architects have developed a unique design
incorporating the full requirements of a
modern orthopaedic theatre into a
Modular build format.
In conjunction with our Modular
building provider Extraspace, the team
developed a design which subdivided the
building into thirteen individual modules.
These modules were then manufactured at
Extra space manufacturing facility in
Clondalkin while the required site
preparation works were being completed at
Cappagh Hospital. The units were
delivered and installed on-site in December
2010 with testing and commissioning due
to be completed by the end of January
2011, less than 4 months from award of
the contract. The shortened contract
duration and significant reduction in onsite construction activity derived from
Modular Build were key considerations for
the Client for this project. The three new
operating theatres were installed adjacent to
the existing theatres which were kept fully
operational during the project.
The project also includes the supply and
installation of group one specialist medical
equipment to the theatres. This equipment
will be supplied, installed and
commissioned by Tekno Surgical, a
member of the SISK healthcare division.
This is significant in that it will be SISK
healthcare’s first complete Theatre
installation in Ireland and will afford Tekno
Surgical the opportunity to showcase their
product in the country’s leading
Orthopaedic Hospital.
The delivery of such a complex facility in
such a short period represents a
commendable effort by all involved. The
project has helped strengthen relations
between our construction and healthcare
divisions and has enabled both parties to
develop a better understanding of each
other’s core business. This project also
enhances our growing reputation within the
Healthcare sector, which will be of benefit,
as we strive to increase our market share
within this sector.
Declan Murtagh, John Sisk & Son, Ireland
17
London to Brighton
Bike Ride
On June 20th five
Eschmann employees
joined the peloton of
approximately 27,000
other cyclists for the
annual “London to
Brighton Bike Ride”
in aid of The British
Heart Foundation.
18
Jonathan Corb, Simon Armstrong,
James Hare, Martin Oakley and Dave
Power took the opportunity to follow in
the tyre tracks of Eschmann’s London To
Brighton veteran, Philip Kennedy, to
tackle the gruelling route that carved
through the Surrey and Sussex downs.
In the months leading up to the event,
the team could be spotted cycling around
the countryside near to Eschmann’s
offices, putting in the training miles
required to allow them to undertake the
54 mile bike ride, with what they hoped,
would be relative ease come the hour. As a
result, all members of the team completed
the challenge, with times varying from
James and Simon’s three and a half hours
to Dave’s six and three quarters hours. In
the process they proudly raised over
£1000 for The British Heart Foundation.
Dave Power, commenting at the finish
line made mention of the infamous
Ditchling Beacon, “without doubt the
hardest part of the route, as expected,
was the dreaded Beacon but, knowing
that it had been conquered with ease by
the MD only three years before, really
added to the pressure”.
The “Beacon” which rises from just 90
metres above sea level to 248 metres in
just a mile, is the highest point on the
route and is made even more difficult as
the riders had already covered nearly fifty
miles of hilly roads before they got to the
climb. All five though made it with the
added benefit of then being able to enjoy
the descent from the summit to Madeira
Drive by the pier on Brighton’s seafront,
where thousands of well wishers had
gathered to cheer the 27,000 cyclists over
the finish line.
To a cyclist, all taking part agreed that it
was a brilliant day out in aid of a worthy
cause and that in light of the recent
instigation within Eschmann of a cycle to
work scheme that enables employees to buy
a new bike at half the normal price, even
more members of the Eschmann team
would be taking part in 2011.
Dave Gibson, Eschmann
Oasis Hospital 2012
and right Oasis Hospital 2010.
A day in the life
Fergus Muldoon, John Sisk & Son,
Middle East
5.30am
Sunday morning wake up in Dubaianother hot sunny day, still can’t get used
to working on Sundays though.
7.30am
Arrive on site, after crossing 150km of
desert, to the garden city of Al Ain.
7.45am
Have a coffee with the site team – Irish,
English, Indian, Pakistani, Egyptian,
Pilipino, African.
8.15am
Turn back another piece of plant at the
gate for being below standard. Our
young Indian engineers are catching on
to the standards of plant we need and are
turning them away themselves.
9.00am
Wind picks up blowing the fine sand/dust.
Time to water down the site again - It’s a
losing battle.
10.00am
Tool box talk with the labourers and charge
hands.
12 noon
Heating up, now about 40degC..... its a lot
better than the 51degC we had in August.
1.00pm
Take a break out of the heat, replenish the
fluids to prevent dehydration.
2.00pm
20 chippies on
the formwork
and 10 fixers
on the rebar.
We could do
this with 6
chippies
and 3 fixers
back home.
3.00pm
Concrete
order finalised for the evening pour with
plenty of shredded ice to keep the
temperature down, too hot to pour during
the day.
4.00pm
Refused entry to the pump driver at the
gate for wearing flip flops. Second operator
this week.
5.00pm
Concrete arrives, just waiting for the
concrete gang to return from the mosque.
6.00pm
Water tanker arrives late for the concrete
curing through the night and the next
morning. Their permit for transport was
blocked by the police for a few hours. No
reason given.
7.00pm
Great sense of achievement getting the
concrete poured in the end. The small things
we take for granted back home can be tough
going here but we get through them.
9.00pm
Arrive home, might watch the 2nd half of
the premiership match or might just fall
asleep on the couch as usual after being in
the sun!!!
19
The Aviva
Experience
There was no such
thing as a typical day
during the Aviva
Build. The working
week was punctuated
with regular meetings
with the John Sisk &
Son team, Clients
representatives and our
specialist contractors.
Sean Stagg,
John Sisk & Son, Ireland
20
We built up a
dedicated and
focused team of
sixty five John Sisk
& Son staff and my
aim was not to over
manage but to help
them with the
management and
delivery of the various
packages. We placed
thirty work packages to
build the shell and core and forty six to
complete the fit out. The value of some of
the larger packages approached the €30m
mark.
There were a number of key meetings
every week. Monday was mainly spent
preparing for the Tuesday morning ‘Main
contractor weekly meeting’ chaired by the
Project managers PM. These meetings were
also attended by the client and design
team. The key focus of every meeting was
to identify and work to solve any issue that
had the potential to develop into a big
problem.
The other meetings I made sure to
attend were the weekly Logistics and Safety
meetings. The main aim of the logistics
planning was to provide a comprehensive
Safety Strategy on site to deal with large
plant movements, just in time deliveries,
space for essential materials storage and to
avoid site traffic
gridlock on site. A formal approach was
adopted with weekly ‘logistics’ meetings
held with the key players with an obvious
safety emphasis. Overlaying the plans on
site photographs (both aerial and ground)
was the main tool used to communicate the
message across the participants. The
logistics planning was an ongoing process
built around cross-functional teams (e.g.
roof steel, in-situ concrete frame, delivery
of seating units, hoist and vertical
movement of components etc.) The initial
planning was built around a series of ’
‘storyboards’ projecting large crane
interfaces, sequence, durations at each
workface, and machinery requirements. The
storyboards were fine tuned on a weekly
basis to deal with all aspects of logistics.
Space on site was tight so it was very
important that it was utilised and managed
to its full potential. Good open lines of
communication was vital among the
subcontractors on site.
Copy of a storey board from
the weekly logistics meeting
At any one time during the course of the
week there would be several contractors
design workshops / progress meetings. You
can’t be everywhere but you need to keep
your finger on the pulse and know where
the real problems that need solving are
arising. The key to this is again clear lines
of communication with the members of
the team. We used weekly team meetings
where the package managers would report
on their packages and identify to the rest of
the team any key issue they had with the
potential to delay progress of their works.
Once identified we could focus on solving
The Aviva Team
the problem as quickly
as possible.
During the build it was
obvious to all of us that
the eyes of the country
were looking at us. We also
gave countless ‘Site tours’ to
all manner of professional
bodies, Universities and
Colleges. This brought a
motivation which helped focus the team on
the one clear goal of completion by the end
of April 2010. As the months passed away
we continued to meet and celebrate the
various
milestones e.g.
topping out
the concrete
frame,
starting and
finishing the
roof and
sowing the pitch. All
through this time you could sense the pride
building in the team on the achievements
to date and confidence in achieving our
completion date.
An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, TD,
officially opened the new Aviva Stadium at
Lansdowne Road, Dublin on Friday 14
May 2010. The stadium is now the new
home for Ireland's international rugby and
soccer teams.
Speaking at the official opening, Mr
Cowen paid tribute to all involved in the
project and congratulating everyone
involved on delivering the stadium within
the budgeted figure and on time in less
than three years.
In all some 4 million man hours went
into the project with up to 1,300 people
being on site at the busiest of times.
It was the people involved that made the
project the success it was. I want to thank
all the members of the John Sisk & Son
team who worked hard to simply make
things happen. It was without a doubt the
best project I have worked on.
21
SISK SharksTag Rugby 2010
The SISK Tag Rugby team, started in 2006, and
has developed from a motley crew of reformed
soccer, GAA & ‘retired’ rugby players to become a
regular in the mixed social league.
Eileen Mooney, SISK Healthcare
‘SISK Sharks’ have been promoted from
the relative safety of the beginners’ league
all the way to the heady heights of the C
League – that said, the competition is
strong, with plenty of competitive ringers
masquerading as part timers, which
always ensures the games are very
competitive, end to end and usually
played at full tilt!
Tag rugby is a non-contact (!) team
game in which each player wears shorts
that have two Velcro tags attached to
them. Teams are 7 a side, with at least 3
girls required on the pitch at all times.
The method of play is more similar to
rugby league with phases of play being
dictated by the number of tags. Attacking
players attempt to score tries while
defenders attempt to prevent scoring by
pulling the tag from the ball carrier.
Sounds easy? Then come join us!
SISK Sharks have played in St Mary’s
RFC since 2006 originally under the
rules of TagRugby.ie,
and now under the
IRFU who took over
the venue in 2010.
We welcomed a
number of new players
in 2010, with some
much needed women
and our squad swelled to
21 players. The IRFU
summer league is held
over 9 weeks and
comprises 10 teams. We
22
got off to a flying start with three wins
on the trot, testament to the weekly
training sessions, however, the euphoria
was short lived. Our next two matches
ended in defeat, to the two teams that
would eventually top the table. Both
were very close games, which with a little
bit of luck, some different refereeing
decisions, the matches could easily have
gone the other way. Over the last 4
matches, we rallied strongly with three
wins, to finish a respectable 3rd place in
the league. Big thanks to our captain
Aubrey Tuffy, for leading us each week
both on and off the pitch.
The summer league kicks off in May
each year, and new players are most
welcome. If you are interested and would
like to give it a go for 2011, then please
contact e.mooney@siskgroup.ie.
Volunteering
Programme 2010
Together we make a difference
School and Business Partnership
programme
Through the School and Business
Partnership programme, SISK Group
partnered with 5 schools to support the
transition from education to employment
in disadvantaged areas including St. Kevins
College in Crumlin (John Sisk & Son),
Scoil Bhride, Clondalkin (Sisk Healthcare),
St Josephs in Kildare Town (Origo),
Coláiste Mhuire in Kilkenny and
Comeragh College in Tipperary (Stone
Developments).
Through volunteers, these schools
received a variety of support including; site
visits, ‘A Day in the Life’ talks, CV
workshops, mock interviews, company
overviews and interview skill techniques.
Stella Maris Garden Project
The official launch of the De Paul Ireland
Stella Maris Garden Project took place on
Friday 28th May 2010 in Belfast.
This project involved the installation of a
permanent garden shelter and garden
furniture as well as a variety of new plants
and shrubs by Group volunteers.
Barretstown
boardwalk
In July of this year,
SISK Group
provided a wooden
access boardwalk
to a boat called the
Beal Linn which
was relocated to
the centre of a
man-made lake.
This enables the children of Barretstown
to access the boat from the boardwalk and
bring the whole fishing experience to life
for the campers
Daragh Byrne, John Sisk & Son, Ireland
Wicklow 200
On the 13th June, 27 volunteers took part in the Wicklow 100/200km cycle to raise
monies for Barretstown and Friends of St. Patricks. Barretstown is a specially designed
camp, providing a programme of adventure, activities and fun - backed by the medical
world - which helps children with serious illness regain their confidence and selfesteem. Barretstown improves the lives of children and their families affected by
childhood cancer and other serious illness, rebuilding their confidence, trust, selfesteem through therapeutic recreation.
Friends of St.Patricks are an organisation which focuses on support for young people
in crisis. All money raised is used to provide facilities and services for the assessment,
treatment and aftercare of people experiencing mental illness.
23
Pull!
Robert Gray on a sporting encounter that led to
a lifetime passion
Like a lot of youngsters, I first tried Clay
Pigeon shooting at a “Have a Go” stand at
a Country Fair many years ago.
I fired a whole box of 25 cartridges and hit
only 6 clay pigeons, my shoulder was
bruised and my ears were ringing for a
week afterwards, but I was hooked, and
some years later I set up my own little club
on a local farm.
I then started to enter local competitions,
and much to my amazement won my very
first event, a fund raising charity shoot near
High Wycombe, I was chuffed to bits,
particularly as I was using a borrowed gun
on the day...!!
Other more serious events followed, I first
won the Hertfordshire County
Championship in 1985, (and have won it a
further 8 times since, I’m still the current
Champion), and in 1987 was picked to
represent England at the Home International
event held that year in Scotland.
The highlight of my career was being
appointed Captain of the England Team in
1994, and leading the Team to victory at
the Home International event in Wales, I
also won the “Captains Cup”, being the
highest scoring team Captain on the day.
I now shoot regular events on the
International circuit, and have shot this
year in France, Portugal and Spain, with
further events planned next year in Italy,
France and possibly Estonia.
Robert Gray, John Sisk & Son U.K.
Robert Gray on cover of Pull! (1994) and now.
24
On the 13th of
February 2010, five
weeks after the
earthquake in Haiti
Martin Bolger left
Ireland with the Irish
Orthopaedic Haiti
Fund Medical Relief
Team.
My Haiti experience
The team included Orthopaedic surgeons,
anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists and
logistics crew, all representing hospitals
from, Crumlin, St.Vincents, Tallaght,
Mt.Carmel, Cappagh, Mater, and Santry. I
was asked to travel because of my casting
and splinting expertise which I acquired
when I worked as a nurse at Cappagh and
St. Vincents.
Because of infrastructural damage in Port
du Prince, the epicentre of the quake, our
journey took us via New York, Dominican
Republic and the final leg by dirt road
from the Dominican Republic to Cange
Hospital, our final destination, in just over
two days.
Cange Hospital
was to be our place
of work for the next
two weeks and its
memory will stay
with me forever.
The 120 bed
hospital is supported
by the American
foundation Partners
in Health and is
situated in the hills about 70km from Port
du Prince and prior to the quake catered
for General, Paediatric and Gynaecological
surgery. Because Cange Hospital promises
free medical aid to all its citizens, hundreds
of casualties made the three hour journey
there by dirt road with horrific injuries, in
cars, trucks and motorbikes. Indeed many
died on the way, not fortunate enough to
reach medical help at Cange.
So many casualties arrived at Cange that
the local church was used to cater for up to
200 casualties and by the time we arrived
it was down to around 100 all lying on
mattresses on the floor side by side. A
small store room was also turned into a
ward and was affectionately called the
Dungeon and it was here that I spent a lot
of my time in general nursing care,
cleaning wounds and preparing patients for
plastic and orthopaedic reconstructive
surgery carried out by our brilliant theatre
team from Ireland assisting the local
medical and nursing staff.
A typical day at Cange started at sun up,
between 5 and 6am. It was often earlier
due to the crowing cockerels that seemed
to have no sense of time. We showered
most mornings if
water was available
otherwise it was a
bird bath and baby
wipes. Breakfast was
served at 7am at the
‘Friendship House’
where we met
on a daily
basis to plan
our days
work.
Breakfast
often included
spicy Creole
spaghetti, local coffee and peanuts and
most days the food from local produce was
superb. Our working day averaged ten to
twelve hours and finished with a group
meeting to prepare for the next day.
For ten working days I gained some
insight into the suffering and pain the
people of Haiti endured and despite this
showed and continued to show great
resilience in spite of the terrible tragedy
that occurred in January 2010.
Martin Bolger, Tekno Surgical, Sisk
Healthcare
We would also like to acknowledge the
efforts of Shelley Padley & Lorna Fenton,
Tekno Surgical who travelled to Haiti
Spring 2010 and 2011to assist with
surgeries.
Recipes for Disaster Haiti celebrity cookbook
goes on sale
The Irish
Orthopaedic Haiti
Fund (IOHF) has
launched a recipe
book called Recipe
for Disaster aimed
at raising funds for
the work of Irish
healthcare teams in
Haiti. This book is made up of recipes from
healthcare professionals who travelled to
Haiti, well-known Irish personalities and a
selection of Haitian recipes. Contributors
include golfer Padraig Harrington; Irish
rugby stars Brian O'Driscoll and Paul
O'Connell; broadcasters Ian Dempsey and
Sharon Ní Bheoláin; and well-known cooks
Rachel Allen and Jenny Bristow among
others.
Any money raised from the sale of this
recipe book “Recipe for Disaster” will be
used directly to support the ongoing efforts
of the IOHF. It can be ordered online at
www.iohf.ie and cost €15
Jonathan Sexton and
Luke Fitzgerald with
Physiotherapist
Aisling Brennan at
the Launch of
celebrity recipe book
Recipe for Disaster
25
Garden heaven
The School of the Holy Spirit garden, Kilkenny, a success story for all involved.
The management and staff of the
School of the Holy Spirit performed
minor miracles when they worked
from a very cramped and
overcrowded premises in the heart of
Kilkenny city and it was to their
absolute total joy that they were
granted a brand new state of the art
school on a greenfield site just
outside of the city.
The school caters for students
who are diagnosed with ASD,
Aspergers Syndrom, ADD, ADHD
and other special needs from the
age of 4 to 18 years of age. An
integral part of the children’s
development is by sensory experience.
The school had been promised the
development of a sensory garden in the
initial plans but this got dropped as things
progressed and it was by chance that
Brendan Costello, Operations Director in
Stone Developments, heard about this and
felt the company could help out in some
way as part of the Sisk 150th celebrations.
It is suffice to say that with the help of a
26
small team initially and world
renowned landscape designer Martin
Hallinan that a simple plan became
a work of art.
As the project took shape it became clear
that a significant mobilisation of skills was
needed to deliver this unique garden and
the entire Sisk organisation supplied the
required expertise. As the project unfolded
a very diverse range of employees
volunteered their efforts willingly and
without question.
In addition to the voluntary work
days a huge amount of equipment
was donated by Group companies
and by suppliers. The result was the
construction of a sensory garden
beyond belief.
The big winners in this project are
the children who
attend the school.
Within a very
short space of
time the garden
provided a range
of different
stimulants that
enabled the
children to
progress beyond what was previously thought
possible and this continues each and every
week since it opened.
To all involved this was a labour of love
and it is a living testimony to the heroic
endeavours of the employees of Stone
Developments and the SISK Group.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Stone Developments
Staff discount offers
Sisk Group is giving you the opportunity to purchase
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010
for your home computer for
only €12.95!
This is one of the Staff Benefits of the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
that SISK Group signed this year.
• To Purchase MS Office Professional Plus 2010 please access the
HUP Store (click on link from group email sent)
• Enter your work email address and the following Program Code:
AEC731DD46
• Follow the normal check-out procedure.
You are eligible to use this software whilst you are an employee of
SISK Group, should you no longer be an employee Microsoft requests
that you remove HUP Software from you home computer.
Please note:
• This is a process between the Staff Member and Microsoft
• The SISK Group IT Department does not provide any support in the purchase,
installation or on-going maintenance of this software.
• You will need to assess your home PC’s capability to run this software – i.e. Memory,
Space, Processor etc..
• As this is for home use – please download the software on the PC you wish to install it on.
To all SISK Group employees
We just wanted to remind you that, as a SISK
Group employee, you are entitled to a vast array of
exclusive product offers and discounts via Origo
Access.
Whether you need something for your home, your
garden, your vehicle or, most importantly,
yourself, our huge portfolio of products will have
something we think you’ll love. Don’t miss out, join
up today.
http://origoaccess.sisk.com/
Crossword
Solutions from page 12
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TOPAZ/SISK GROUP EMPLOYEE FUEL CARD
SISK Group has teamed up with Topaz to offer employees the
opportunity to avail of a TOPAZ/SISK Group employee fuel
card. This entitles all SISK Group employees to avail of a
special price structure on all Topaz fuel purchases. This price
structure mirrors the structure that the group currently avails
of. Valid for all petrol and diesel purchases, the card will
guarantee a fixed price on your fuel at all Topaz stations
nationwide. The card does not attract government tax.
The card comes with many benefits which can be found at
www.fuelcard.ie/siskgroup . There is no application
fee and comes with 4 weeks interest free credit on
all your purchases. The card operates on a direct
debit arrangement between Topaz and the employee.
27
Building a Business

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