Miceal Sammon - Sammon Group

Year: 2011

Category: International

Sector: construction, engineering

Miceal Sammon is the founder, chairman and CEO of the Sammon Group, an international construction company specialising in the design and build of world class educational facilities with Head Quarters in Kilcock, County Kildare.

Born into a family from Aughnasheelin, Ballinamore, County Leitrim that has been involved in the construction industry for over five decades, it was a heritage which led Miceal, along with his wife Cathy, to set up his first specialist fit-out and Joinery Company in Ireland 25 years ago.

The company originally focused on manufacturing for and fitting-out Irish pubs at home and abroad and progressed during the first decade of operations to take advantage of the growing phenomenon of Irish pubs internationally, operating in locations such as France, Germany, Boston, and Russia.

Under Miceal’s stewardship, the company took great pride in the high-quality craftsmanship of its work and by the mid-1990s, had a staff of over 100 employed in the production of high-end joinery products which graced the interiors of hospitality and corporate headquarters, at home and abroad.

During Sammon Group’s second decade of operations, the company grew to become a leading player in the design and build of high-quality hotels, offices and specialist joinery projects in Ireland.

The Group also expanded into other sectors, moving into the construction of school buildings, a transition which became the company’s springboard to international success.

In 1999 the company successfully completed its first education project in Ireland and has continued to enjoy an exemplary track record in the delivery of world-class education facilities for its clients, both domestically and internationally.

The company commenced its first International education project in United Arab Emirates in 2008, bringing a depth of knowledge in the design of educational infrastructure to its clients.

It is this competitive edge which makes the Sammon Group a sought-after partner by many ministries in the GCC region and, today, the Group is currently delivering two million sq ft of projects, fulfilling Miceal’s ambition to become the pre-eminent provider of social infrastructure in the Middle East.

Throughout its history, the company’s focus has been on effectively managing risk and understanding clients, such that now, almost uniquely among companies involved in the building sector in Ireland, the group has no bank or bad debt and is able to take advantage of the international opportunity it has carved out in the delivery of high-quality school build projects.

Despite the harsh economic environment in Ireland, the Sammon Group has continued to grow year-on-year and currently employs over 3,500 people worldwide.

Products/Services: The company’s multi-faceted delivery of Design & Build, Project Management, Construction, Joinery Fit-out, and Facilities Management allows it to deliver the Total Building Solution to clients.

Clients: The Group currently has projects under construction in Ireland, UAE and Saudi Arabia and prides itself on being the pre-eminent provider of social infrastructure in the Middle East.

What are the biggest challenges you faced starting up and how did you overcome them? Access to working capital was the biggest issue – especially for a young entrepreneur.

It was hard to be taken seriously at such an age and to convince people that you had the acumen and entrepreneurial flair needed to run a business.

How do you recharge your batteries? Every new challenge and every new goal brings a renewed energy!

I love to spend time with my family at home, farming, vegetable gardening and jam-making.

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