Perse Steel is a family-run business specialising in steel erecting and cladding for farm and industrial buildings. Trading for just two years, the Castledermot, Co. Kildare-based firm has hit the ground running with a growing list of successfully completed projects.
While Perse Steel is still in its infancy, father-and-son Stephen and Conor Perse are second and third-generation steel erectors. Conor was previously employed as a telecoms engineer with eir, so working at heights has never been an issue for him!
“I returned to my steel erecting roots in 2023 to set up this company along with my father. My grandfather Pat Perse was also in the business, so you could say it’s in the blood. I used to spend my school holidays working with them on sites around the area,” Conor states.
“It’s been a case of so far, so good. We’re very busy – we have two or three months’ work ahead of us – and are getting lots of inquiries. Many farmers are availing of TAMS II grants for sheds and that’s helping to drive business.
“As third-generation steel erectors, we’re well-known for quality. We have a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise, and are able to advise on making allowances for solar panels on a roof and so on.
“We’re also renowned for our rapid turnaround. We’re able to frame up sheds and have them ready for sheeting in double-quick time. We work closely with the customer to ensure everything is to their exact specification. We will happily replace gutters or carry our repairs and upgrades as well. No job is too big or too small.”
Outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, value-for-money and a commitment to working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of the Co. Kildare operation. Health & Safety is paramount. From concept to completion, the Perse team are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new shed is built to your specific needs.
The company’s ability to complete projects within the agreed time-frame and on budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from satisfied customers.
“We pride ourselves on not only providing a great product, but also a great service from start to finish,” Conor says.
“With farm buildings such as cubicle sheds, slatted sheds and milking parlours accounting for between 85-90% of our business, we’re very much geared towards the farmer. We try to help them out as best we can when it comes to decisions with their buildings. We offer the best advice and build the shed that suits their requirements. We do it right, first time. The vast majority of our work is secured through word of mouth and recommendations which speaks for itself.”
As a steel erection and cladding specialist, all of Perse Steel’s work is carried out on-site on behalf of leading providers of structural steel fabrications and services such as O’Dwyer Steel, Nash Steel, Fox Bros Engineering, Pat Deegan Engineering, Murphy Engineering and Houlihan Engineering.
“They subcontract us to erect and clad the sheds for them,” Conor explains.
“They look after everything else, including the fabrication, design and concrete works except for bolts which we set in. Everything is left on-site for us and we work off the drawings provided. We stick to what we know best which is steel erection and cladding. Needless to say, we enjoy an excellent working relationship with all of our customers and suppliers.”
Perse Steel only works with companies that are certified suppliers of CE marked structural steel to the requirements of EN 1090 to and including Execution Class 2 (EXC2), which covers the fabrication of all farm buildings and structural steel used in general construction. Since July 2014, under the Construction Products Regulations (CPR), it has been a legal requirement that fabricated structural steelwork delivered to construction sites must be CE certified. Farmers can’t apply for grant aid if they’re not dealing with a CE certified company.
Only the best products and materials go into making a Perse-built shed. As well as using steel from the aforementioned suppliers, Conor and Stephen work with Euroclad and Kingspan cladding, Tegral sheeting and fibre cement, purlins and gutters from O’Shea Roofing in Tullow and steel fixtures and fittings from Max Fastener in Clondalkin. Their other suppliers include Sam Sunderland Hardware in Athy and Conlan Oil, also in Athy.
Commenting on their recent / current projects, Conor adds: “We’ve very busy with cubicle, slatted and calf sheds, milking parlours, garages and workshops in our local area. But we’ll go anywhere in Leinster or Munster if needs be.
“We can build any size of a farm shed and have also completed some large industrial projects, including roofing a 12,000 sq. m. unit in Naas for Vision Contracting and erecting structural steel at McDonald’s in Newbridge after the restaurant was damaged by fire. We’re also working on a Spar shop in Crookstown, Ballytore.”
In summary, the Perses are committed to providing a top-quality product and service at the most competitive price. All of the buildings they erect are solid, secure, attractive in appearance and are built to last.
They would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers and suppliers for their continued support.
Perse Steel
Mullaghreelan,
Castledermot,
Co. Kildare,
R14 ET68.
Telephone: 087 486 8869
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 13 No 3, Winter 2025
