Brian McConville - MJM Group

Year: 2011

Category: International

Sector: manufacturing

Brian McConville established MJM in County Down in 1983 and, whilst it remains a family-owned joinery business, it has evolved into a leading international specialist in new build, refurbishment and fit-out services to the marine, commercial and private sectors.

With contracts successfully completed across four continents, the company has earned a reputation for the consistently high quality of its finished products and services.

It has forged close working relationships with its commercial clients, such as Stena Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean, as well as providing bespoke joinery for office, retail and private residential projects.

Operating from its headquarters in Newry, Ireland, and with offices in the UK, France and Poland, MJM Group now employs over 120 staff and has grown turnover significantly in the last three years.

Brian is proactive in his approach to developing the local supply chain and works with a network of small and medium enterprises both in county Down and throughout Ireland.

The level of repeat business that the company wins from clients is testimony to MJM’s standing as a progressive, financially sound business which provides a creative approach, flexibility and value-for-money in the current economic climate.

This has been achieved by combining the traditional skills of expert craftsmen with the latest technology employed at its state-of-the-art production plant, certified to ISO standards for both quality and health & safety.

Recognised by the world’s largest cruise line syndicates as one of the top-three fit-out companies in the world, the MJM of 2011 has undergone an evolution familiar to many entrepreneurs.

“After working as a joiner for other people for a long time, I realised that I could carry out the work much better myself,” Brian says.

“So I set up shop in my father’s old shed and got to work making, delivering and installing furniture for my first ever customer, B&I.” From humble beginnings, the business may now be on an entirely different scale but McConville is confident that the business’ core values are more, rather than less relevant today.

“Quality of service, value for money, and personal involvement are key to our global credibility,” he says.

Products: As a leading international specialist in new build, refurbishment and fit-out services, MJM Group specialises as a ‘turnkey’ fit-out contractor operating in ultra high-end sectors including super-homes and super-yachts, cruise liners and 6* hotels.

Customers: MJM Group operates in a number of different markets and counts Cruise companies, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, P&O, and Norwegian Cruise lines, amongst its clients.

In the ferry market, MJM has completed work for Stenaline, Irish Ferries and Scandlines, while its London Fit-out business has seen it count many of the world’s finest hotel brands among its customers, in addition to a number of private clients.

The company’s latest business venture, in the South of France, involves carrying out interior refits to some of the most luxurious privately owned yachts in the world.

Any interesting circumstances around the evolution of the company? “Sheer determination and hard work!

I’m proud of the fact that my first ever employees are still with the company today, and that my first apprentice is currently one of my senior management team.” Has your Irish-ness contributed to your success? “Very much so – I learned quickly on first visiting America that a lot of US residents have Irish descent that’s goes back a long time.

People whom I met all said ‘Oh I’m Irish too my family tree originated from Ireland.’”

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