UK firm Ground Control to create 150 jobs in Ireland with €5m investment

UK grounds maintenance firm Ground Control is to create 150 jobs in Ireland as part of a €5m investment to open a base here.

The company, with turnover last year of €228m, already has a number of clients in Ireland, including some of the country’s largest manufacturing, property and infrastructure providers. It employs about 1,100 people.

Ground Control delivers a range of services including grounds maintenance, winter gritting, arboriculture, solar, and electric vehicle-charging point installation.

“Our decision to launch the business in Ireland is an informed and strategic one, supported by the renewed commitment to sustainability on the part of both the Irish public and private sector,” said Declan O’Gorman, Ground Control’s country manager for Ireland.

“Irish organisations, ranging from local councils to major retailers, large manufacturing companies, and property and facility management companies, are actively seeking partners who share their dedication to delivering upon their sustainability targets through an evidence-based approach,” he said.

The company is using its first international operation outside the UK as a springboard to launch into other markets in western Europe.

Its revenue has grown from £120m to £195m in the past three years. Turnover this year is expected to exceed £200m.

Ground Control made an operating profit of £12m in its last financial year, which was down slightly on its 2022 financial year. It had retained earnings of £61.8m at the end of the 2023 financial year.

Its accounts also note that it achieved 30pc organic growth during the 2023 financial year, bringing overall organic growth in a three-year period to almost 56pc.

Despite the growth rate, it has continued to generate cash, with cash flow rising to £11.3m in 2023 from £9.9m the year before. It has fuelled its growth so far through profit reinvestment and debt finance.

The accounts note that it invested £8.9m in fixed assets during its last financial year to support growth.

“These investments were primarily made to convert our existing fleet to electric vehicles,” the accounts say. The group owns more than 250 vehicles.

“We also acquired a significant amount of plant and machinery to expand our operational capacity,” the directors added in the accounts.

Ground Control managing director Jason Knights said that the group will spend the first six months in Ireland building its brand presence and creating growth in service lines.

Reporting on:independent.ie