Weltec Operations Director, Shane Ryan on a landmark year, with a change of name and rebrand underlining the firm’s focus on the future.

It is just over a year since Winthrop Engineering rebranded as Weltec Engineering, and Operations Director, Shane Ryan says it has been an important year for the firm. “A name change and rebranding of the firm will help us set out a distinct path for our future success, and clients can continue to expect the excellent service package they have received to date, but now under the Weltec brand.”

The time was considered right for a rebrand as, Ryan outlines, “Over the past number of years, Weltec’s focus as an engineering and process contractor has been to deliver projects for pharma, biopharma, life sciences, industrial and food sector clients. The rebranding, including a new website — www.weltec.ie — have positioned the brand and corporate identity to reflect our core target market.”

Offsite Construction

The company looking to the future and the focus and investment in innovation. “The management team has invested hugely over the past number of years in providing coordinated offsite fabrication solutions that utilise advanced 3D modelling and modular-construction techniques,” says Ryan. “Our integrated approach to BIM design and pre-fabrication allows us to shorten construction timelines, reduce site activity while improving safety and quality standards.”

Weltec has now established locally-based prefabrication and manufacturing facilities adjacent to its Waterford-headquarters for carbon steel, stainless steel and bio-bore pipework and associated modular assembly and testing facilities.

“The company also remains at the forefront of the transition to digital construction methods, utilising BIM, lean construction, contract management software solutions, test pack management software, enterprise resource planning solutions, on-line learning platforms, etc.,” adds Ryan.

Weltec are finding modern methods of construction are increasingly in demand. “Weltec remains an advocate for innovation and continuous improvement and maintains ongoing investment in improving our modular and prefabrication capabilities and processes. Modular building and prefabrication are key drivers of improved quality, safety and productivity on our projects. It is an area we have identified as driver of growth for the company in the coming years.”

Safety Focus

Over the past year, as lockdowns occurred, as a contractor on essential projects, Weltec had to develop new ways of operating safely in the shadow of the COVID-19 restrictions. “Safety is always our number one priority, and it has never been more evident than it is now, as we continue to face this unprecedented in our lifetime COVID-19 pandemic. Our leadership team across the company is working continuously to ensure our people are safe, well-informed and fully prepared to take care of themselves and their families through this time of uncertainty.

“We are continuing to safely deliver projects, while adhering to work practices that are fully in compliance with all advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the HSE and Irish Government’s guidelines. We operate on all sites strictly in compliance with the latest Construction Industry Federation’s (CIF) C19 Pandemic Standard Operating Procedures.

“While we have been evolving and changing continuously, the one constant has been our world-class quality and safety management systems,” states Ryan. “Weltec’s achievements at the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) Safety Awards over the past five years reflect this.”

At the 2020 NISO Awards Weltec was awarded the Overall Bronze Award together with a Consistent High Achiever Award. Together with the President’s Award for Large Organisations achieved at the 2019 and 2017 NISO ceremonies, these great achievements are a clear measure of Weltec’s commitment to maintaining the highest Health and Safety standards on all our projects,” states Ryan.

CPD

“Like any other experienced service based company the cornerstone of our organisation continues to be our staff and their loyalty and dedication to the company over the years,” says Ryan. “We are very grateful to all of our staff for the essential role they have played in our success. We are also proud of the fact that many members of our team have been with the company since leaving college and since the company opened its doors in Waterford over 20 years ago. At Weltec, we understand that to continue to achieve success we must continuously invest in the development of our people.

“Our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system is accredited by Engineers Ireland and we were one of the first engineering contractors to achieve this recognition in 2011. We are committed to developing our people and our teams to the best of their potential so that as a company we continuously improve and provide our clients with only the highest quality projects.”