Since 1990, Martin Fox & Sons Construction Ltd. has earned a stellar reputation across County Monaghan and further afield as an industry-leader company specialising in all types of agricultural buildings. We interrupted Martin’s busy schedule to get an update on this in-demand agri building contractor, which provides a complete, certified steel and concrete service in-house.
For 34 years and counting now, Martin Fox & Sons Construction Ltd. has erected a wide array of agricultural, commercial and industrial buildings throughout the founder’s native Monaghan and into bordering counties. The majority of Martin’s work is for farmers and the Castleblayney contractor has had the distinction of contributing significantly to the rural landscape in and around the Farney County.
From milking parlours to grain sheds, cattle houses to machinery storage sheds, garages, silage pits, underground tanks as well as walls, gates, commercial and industrial buildings, Martin and his trusty team have the expertise and energy to deliver all work in-house, including CE-certified steel and professional concrete shuttering.
The fact that he provides a complete package is just one of the many reasons why customers keep going back to Martin Fox & Sons time and time again: “We do everything and that’s definitely a big help,” the amiable Monaghan man comments. “A lot of farmers prefer to have one man coming in to do it all, and that’s the service we provide.”
It works out better for everybody as there’s only one point of contact and better value can be had by the customer as well as quality workmanship and a quick turnaround: “You can work in a better rate when you are doing it all,” Martin continues. “Farmers like a bit of value, the same as the rest of us, but my main focus has always been on quality.”
This shows in the outstanding portfolio of completed Martin Fox & Sons Construction projects that have been delivered to the most exacting standards since 1990. If he’s not on a site in Monaghan, then chances are you’ll find Martin in Armagh, Cavan, Louth or Meath…
“Thankfully the majority of the work is close to home and we generally wouldn’t have to travel too far,” says the business founder and proprietor, who was working on a fantastic project in Doohamlet, close to ‘Blayney, at the time of writing. “But we have done quite a few grain sheds up in Ratoath, Ashbourne and Ardee.”
Word has spread of the excellent products and service provided and demand is stronger for Martin Fox & Sons’ exceptional service than it’s ever been: “Last year was one of our busiest ever and we got so many enquiries that, for the first time, I had to turn down a good bit of work. I don’t often turn work down but I had to. I’m not going to make a promise that I can’t keep.”
Is there potential to expand the business even further? “The big challenge would be getting the right help to expand,” Martin reveals. “You need good men and there’s no point growing the business if you can’t find the right men. Quality is one thing I’m not prepared to compromise on, be that the materials or the work itself.
“I have an excellent crew of eight at the minute, including myself and two sons [Gavin and John]. A lot of the men have been with me a good few years so they have great experience and know exactly what they are doing
“Because we keep our standards high, we have a lot of repeat customers going back 25-30 years. You have to do things right or the customer won’t call you back again. We built up a good reputation through word of mouth and the work has been steady, without any need to advertise.”
As a family business, Martin Fox & Sons Construction Ltd. provides a personal touch and prides itself on building strong customer relationships. Martin’s daughter, Shirelle, who is an accountant, looks after the accounts and wages as well as handling the paperwork to keep quality and Health & Safety certification up to date. His wife, Pauline, has also been a major help behind the scenes over the years. Everybody has pulled together to make this model family business the success it is today.
Martin has worked closely with the farming community for almost three-and-a-half decades and has nothing but the height of respect for Irish farmers: “I find them great to deal with. I have never had a single issue with any of them. Once you go in and do the work right, you won’t have a problem. They are straight and fair and great people.”
Is the rising cost of steel and concrete something that has impacted much on farmers and on the business in general? “Steel has come back a bit, which helps, but concrete has gone up a lot and I can’t really see it coming back again. It’s certainly not ideal but farmers are aware of it and know there’s no way around it, unfortunately.
“Every job is different in this line of work. Believe it or not, some of the bigger jobs could end up being a lot more straightforward than a smaller one. Depending on the nature of the work, the smaller jobs can be awkward and time-consuming sometimes. Milking parlours, for example, will take more time that a storage shed.
“We can help the farmer out with suggestions at design stage if required. We’ve been at this a long time and you learn as you go along – you can’t beat experience. Farmers will usually have a fair idea what they are looking for and will possibly have seen something similar somewhere else, maybe one we did before. We can work with them and give them exactly what they want.”
Martin Fox & Sons Construction Ltd. has been a resounding success since the founder decided to go out on his own on June 1st 1990. Looking to the future, the Monaghan man is confident that the family business is in good shape:
“You never know for sure, but the future looks bright,” he concludes. “I’m on site every day myself and I still really enjoy the work, which is half the battle. When you see your sons with you, it gives you that extra encouragement to go on. Gavin is 34 now and has been with me for 15 years and John is 19 and is with us full time since he was 16. They are two great lads who get on well with everybody wherever they go and are well liked.
“Once you put in the effort, and get on well with your customers, then you won’t go too far wrong.”
Martin Fox & Sons Construction Ltd.
Mullyash,
Castleblayney,
County Monaghan.
Mobile: 086 8275251
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fox.construction.mullyash
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 12 No 1, March/April 2024
