Industry category - P Elliott & Company

Entrepreneur: Mark Elliott & Noel Elliott
Business Activity: Construction & Property Development

P. Elliott & Company was founded in Cavan in 1942 and is a third generation family business, under the innovative and dynamic leadership of Mark Elliott and Noel Elliott jnr. Today the organisation is one of Ireland’s leading property development and construction firms with a projected turnover in excess of €300m for 2006. The company P. Elliott directly employs 820 people nationwide (including labour only subcontractors). In addition to this the company engages 2,284 people through our subcontractors on their project sites nationwide.

Up until 1980s, the company operated almost exclusively as a building contracting firm. The company now also operates in the field of general property development.  P Elliott & Co Ltd has five key subsidiaries: Woodskills Ltd, Steelskills Ltd, AMG Façades Ltd, P Elliott Interiors Ltd and Homemakers Ltd

The firm’s construction division executes main building contracts for public and private sector clients across the commercial, industrial, residential, retail, leisure and healthcare spectrums.

The property development division is engaged in residential, commercial and industrial developments for P. Elliott & Company, associated companies, joint venture companies and is involved with some major national PPP arrangements. Clients include Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, McDonalds Restaurants, NUI Maynooth and Grosvenor Estates.

Entrepreneurial Questions

What vision prompted you to start up in business?
Our family business was founded in 1942 by our grandfather Patrick Elliott.  The business has always been a source of pride for the family and had always been the career path of choice for us.

Describe your progression from start up to your current status
When we came to the fore in the business we were determined to put it at the forefront of Irish construction and development. We were fortunate to have the support and friendship of David Mackey, now Chief Executive of P. Elliott & Co. Ltd. Together we began to assemble a strong team of people who have proven themselves time and time again. Our business developed on the back of the team, the buoyant economy and the strong desire to be the best in the business.

What was the biggest risk you have taken?
All risk takers measure their risks and as such perhaps they cease to become risks. Every time a site or a property is purchased a risk is taken. Maybe the biggest risk was the first one.

Who or what has most contributed to your success?
Our business has many influencers and it would be impossible to mention all of them. The two people that more than any others have contributed to our success are our father, Noel Elliott Snr and David Mackey. Their guidance, advice and trust have always been a great source of inspiration.

What is your biggest business achievement?
Taking the business from an IR£20m turnover to a projected €300m turnover in just 6 years would have to rank as one of our greatest achievements. The winning of the Fatima Mansions Regeneration Project which we are carrying out with our partners Maplewood Homes was one of the high points.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
Two things stand out. First was “You never go bust by taking a profit” and the second is “Our handshakes are important”.

Express the biggest challenge you see your industry facing
One of the biggest challenges the construction and property industry faces is the difficulty satisfying demand for houses. The result is rising house prices which threatens the entire economy. Supply will have to expand for equilibrium to be reached.

Name a famous international entrepreneur you most admire and why
Our choice would be a local hero for us, Sean Quinn. Sean has taken his quarrying and stone business from a start up in the early 1970’s to a diverse multinational today. His interests in construction materials and products, glass, hotels and leisure and insurance are well documented. Most of his ventures involved taking on large established names which he has done with great success. He has achieved all of this from his base in Derrylin, County Fermanagh and Ballyconnell, County Cavan. It is nice to find such a great example as Sean, so close to home.

How do you recharge your batteries?
Relaxing at home with family, playing golf (badly) and music.