A Northern Ireland company has set new standards in construction by designing and building seven new schools from scratch in a record 24 weeks.

Coalisland firm Western Building Systems Ltd handed over the new design and built schools in record time to the Department of Education and Science in the Republic of Ireland, in time for the new school term.

The €25 million contract involved the design and construction of the new schools from initial greenfield site to fully completed turnkey buildings in a timescale which is unprecedented in the history of the company.

The family run Northern Ireland firm said it was was "challenged to the limit" with the project - its largest contract to date.

Utilising the most up-to-date methods of construction, Western Building Systems was able to fast track the scheme to reduce the time needed to complete the contract by more than 60%, compared to traditional building methods.

The seven schools were constructed off-site in Coalisland in tandem with the company’s many other contracts.

Western was also working concurrently on 17 other schemes to provide additional accommodation for schools both north and south which included the design and construction of a complete new primary school in Co Cork and two major health care projects in the Greater Dublin area.

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Western’s Senior Contracts Manager for the scheme, Shane Taggart, said: "It was our biggest contract to date and it was a daunting challenge from the outset, as we had less than six months to design, build and complete all of the new schools.

"The key to our success was the careful planning and coordination of the whole process from initial design brief right through to substantial completion.

"There is no doubt that our considerable previous experience was essential.

"This was a major undertaking in itself as it involved organising all utilities and municipal services and liaising with many local councils and statutory bodies throughout Ireland.

"We are both pleased and proud to have delivered them all on programme and within budget."

Western’s colossal achievement saw 2100 children accommodated in the new purpose built primary schools, with a combined size of 10,000 square metres comprising a combination of system and modular building design.

The schools will offer additional education facilities for North Dublin, Wicklow, and Co West Meath

The company was one of 50 original applicants for the contract, who were put through a rigorous selection process, largely based on past performance and experience.

Western has built up an impressive portfolio for delivering major new builds in incredibly quick timeframes in both the education and health sectors across Ireland.

However, this latest major contract presented a unique challenge.

The company’s Managing Director, Martin McCloskey said: "This was a huge job and the procedure for tender was one of the most thorough we have ever faced.

"As well as past performance and experience, the fact that we have the facilities and expertise within our workforce to build so many schools at the same time, was crucial to clinching the contract.

"Building so many schools in such a short time frame has never been done before in Ireland and we are delighted to once again have been given the opportunity to lead the field in fast-track modular construction in Ireland," added Mr McCloskey.

(PR)