Taming the tiger (From Western Telegraph)

Taming the tiger

A Pembrokeshire company, which has more than proved its ability to tame the Celtic Tiger in Southern Ireland, is Kingston Construction.

And the company is now determined to further develop its business interests on this side of the water.

Founded in Pembrokeshire, by managing director Sam Kingston, in 1988, Kingston Construction is an employer of 36 full-time staff in the county. In 1999, it crossed the Irish Sea and secured its first southern Irish contract - a 1.1 million euro enhancement scheme in Waterford, Ireland's fourth largest city. The Irish branch of the business has continued to build on its success and growing reputation.

"We were also invited to carry out the hard landscape works to the Peace Park in Mesen, Belgium, a project which gave me great pride, as this is the only official memorial to the Irish who fought in the First and Second World Wars," said Sam. "But now we want to develop our company in Pembrokeshire and are eagerly pursuing inclusion on the partnershipping scheme for civil engineering projects with Pembrokeshire County Council.

"This would allow us to secure and increase employment on our own turf. We have continuously trained our own staff, believing that they are the backbone of our success." Sam hopes that as business increases, the company can provide more employment and skills training.

Kingston Construction is already branching out into neighbouring Ceredigion, Carmarthen and Swansea and has developed working relationships with the Pembrokeshire Housing Association.

"We are currently purchasing a high profile site in Pembroke Dock, where we intend to build our new head office with a high specification business park of our own," said Sam.

Samuel Kingston Construction Limited, the Irish branch of the business, carried out the city centre enhancement scheme for Waterford City Council. This project won the Irish Institute of Landscape Architects National Award in 2000, for its involvement in the 1.5 million euro Waterford City Urban Renewal. Samuel Kingston Construction also carried out the project which won the National Joinery Award for 2001, for the 1.5 million euro Millennium Plaza.

This open air arena on the Quay in Waterford, is a landmark because of its striking design. The company has also undertaken, as main contractors, work for the Carlow civic centre enhancement, local housing authority developments and roadwork and general engineering projects.