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Graduate profiles
Maurice Murphy : Louise Foody : Mel Courtney : Darragh McEntee : Cathal D'Arcy : Peter Turley : Anne Marie O'Toole : Craig McGarry : Aidan Corrigan
Maurice Murphy
Chemical Engineer - Kingspan Insulation (The Netherlands)
B. Eng (Honours) in Chemical & Process Engineering - Cork Institute of Technology
Started with Kingspan in 2005
"Excellent opportunities for those with the skills to excel and who are willing to take on new roles and responsibilities."
Kingspan is a strong, dynamic and progressive company, continuously looking to strengthen its position in current markets, while always carefully seeking to expand into other markets. This means that there is always something going on, with excellent opportunities for those with the skills to excel and who are willing to take on new roles and responsibilities.
During 2006 and 2007, I worked on the installation of a new production line in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Here I gained vast experience in project work and plant commissioning - working within a close knit team to deliver the project from concept through to commissioning, on-time and on-budget.
In Q4 2007, I relocated to the Netherlands to work on a multi-million Euro project to build a new factory on a green-field site, where I am using the experience gained from the project in Castleblayney. The new project involves the specification, installation and commissioning of all of the equipment for the complete production process. I am also gaining valuable experience in project management and the construction industry.
Louise Foody
Marketing Manager - Kingspan Insulated Panels (North America)
B. Comm and Italian - N.U.I. Galway
MSc. in Marketing Practice - UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business
Started with Kingspan in 2005
"Kingspan has exposed me to an array of management styles and presented a host of opportunities to learn from"
Since I joined Kingspan's graduate programme, I have had challenging project work and comprehensive development opportunities. The pace at which the company operates is a great platform for building a young career.
After two years of working with Kingspan in the UK and Ireland, I took up an exciting role as Marketing Manager of the North American Insulated Panels Division based in Toronto, Canada. Living and working overseas is proving to be an invaluable personal and professional experience.
My main areas of responsibilities have included marketing and commercial strategy planning, CRM implementation, new product development, trade-show organisation; customer event management, PR co-ordination; market research; product launch execution and campaign management - both in-house and with design agencies.
Kingspan has exposed me to an array of management styles and presented a host of opportunities to learn from both young managers, as well as from more experienced personnel across the division. I have managed marketing teams, taken professional exams and attended courses to further develop my managerial capabilities.
Mel Courtney
Site Manager - Kingspan Environmental & Renewables (Northern Ireland)
MEng Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering - Queen's University, Belfast
Started with Kingspan in 2005
"There is a more structured generic training course for all the graduates that confirms Kingspan’s desire for our personal and professional development."
I joined the graduate programme in September 2005 as a process engineer, responsible for providing input for the company's engineering activities involving the core disciplines of process, production and tooling engineering. The majority of my contribution in technical development team was project based, mostly within teams.
Aside from engineering experience, the graduate management development programme gave me an insight into the commercial and financial side of projects and the ability to assess the economic benefit of the project outcome.
As a graduate with Kingspan, I have had the opportunity to attend training courses, exhibitions and seminars that are relevant to my line of work. In addition to this, there is a more structured generic training course for all the graduates that confirms Kingspan's desire for our personal and professional development.
In August 2006, I assumed the role of Site Manager for the manufacturing plant in Portadown. My first six months in this new position involved a lot of training, which the company provided through the Irish Management Institute. In addition to the formal training, the divisional support, which was made available to me, proved very helpful in this new role. Currently I am part of the project team responsible for amalgamating two of our sites into one larger site which is offering me excellent experience.
The dynamism of the Environmental and Renewables Division is a real motivating factor for me and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities in my future with Kingspan.
Darragh McEntee
Business Systems Analyst - Kingspan Offsite (UK)
B.Sc. (IT) - N.U.I. Galway
M.B.S. (E-Business) - U.C.D. Michael Smurfit School of Business
Started with Kingspan in 2006
"Over the years, I have been continually developing my skills and experience as a young manager."
Since joining Kingspan Offsite in 2006, I have worked across Ireland and the UK on an array of IT and Business projects. Working alongside the IT team and departmental managers, I have been responsible for delivering effective IT solutions and business processes, with the ultimate goal of integrating all of our information systems and working towards the implementation of one efficient ERP solution that will meet the business requirements of our division.
My responsibilities include gathering and defining business requirements, software design and development, testing and evaluation, end-user training, managing project progression / resources and developing new reporting mechanisms. Major projects to date have included the development of bespoke pricing software in Ireland, design, development and roll-out of a CRM system to six locations across the UK, implementing and supporting Accounts & Finance software applications, and redefining procedures within the IT team itself to improve end-user support across the division.
Within Kingspan, I have had the opportunity to work within multiple teams, undertake challenging individual tasks, and manage a variety of IS projects. Kingspan provides a platform for extensive professional development through training programmes, managerial support, and challenging work. Over the years, I have been continually developing my skills and experience as a young manager, and have gained an invaluable insight into the role of management in a modern dynamic business environment.
Going forward I expect another year of challenging work, further developing my skills and experience in line with my own professional goals and those of this successful and progressive company.
Cathal D'Arcy
Mechanical Engineer - Kingspan Insulated Panels (Canada)
B. E. (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering - University College Dublin
Started with Kingspan in 2006
"The graduate network in Kingspan is very strong, with great rapport between graduates from various intakes."
Kingspan is a very progressive and dynamic company to work for. The pace is fast and the work is interesting. In such an environment, initiative and enthusiasm are essential, with great satisfaction coming from working on big projects.
In a company which is growing at such a fast pace, early responsibility is a strong possibility. Having previously worked in Operations / Engineering Design of the Raised Access Floors Division in the U.S.A., I have now moved on to work on a single large project in the Insulated Panels Division in Canada.
I am presently project manager on the construction and commissioning of a new Insulated Panel manufacturing facility. My role as a Project Manager offers challenges and the work is both interesting and diverse. It gives me exposure to technical elements, allowing me to use my engineering knowledge, while also developing managerial, interpersonal and financial skills.
The graduate network in Kingspan is very strong, with great rapport between graduates from various intakes. The youth and dynamism among the grads creates a culture of openness with everyone willing to help each other out on projects and give opinions / input as necessary. I have many life friends who are also colleagues as a result.
My time with Kingspan to date has offered me a wonderful opportunity to gain a detailed working knowledge of business, and living abroad has proved to be a great experience.
Peter Turley
Research and Development Engineer - Kingspan Insulated Panels (Ireland)
MEng Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering - Queens University, Belfast
Started with Kingspan in 2006
"My role as an R&D engineer has afforded me the opportunity of travelling frequently to the UK and Europe."
I am part of the Research and Development team for the Kingspan Insulated Panels Division. This is an incredibly diverse role providing opportunities to work in each stage of the product development process, from initial design through to product certification. The R&D centre is also dedicated to the continual improvement of our existing product line in an effort to optimise manufacturing efficiency, product installation practices and most critically, on-site product performance.
From the outset I have been given the responsibility of a wide variation of projects ranging from minor short-term projects, associated with on-site issues requiring practical effective solutions, to the more long-term projects i.e. developing new product initiatives from initial conceptual design stage through to the finished article.
My role as an R&D engineer has afforded me the opportunity of travelling frequently to the UK and Europe, for exhibitions and site visits to our own UK based companies or potential suppliers and customers. I have attended several training courses to further my technical expertise and as part of the graduate program completed a specialised personal development course.
I have obtained a wealth of both practical and technical experience in a relatively short space of time. I am relishing the challenges which I am presented with on a daily basis and look forward to future career prospects within an ever-growing company.
Anne Marie O'Toole
Marketing Projects Co-ordinator - Kingspan Insulated Panels (France)
B. Comm and French - N.U.I. Galway
MSc. in International Business and CEMS MIM - UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business
Started with Kingspan in 2007
"Kingspan is a rapidly expanding multinational company, which for me, was a major attraction."
Kingspan is a rapidly expanding multinational company, which for me, was a major attraction. The company is continuously looking towards the future, entering new markets and expanding their product portfolios. As a result, there are exceptional career opportunities.
So far I have been exposed to some of the international Kingspan Insulated Panels businesses. I spent three months in the well established Dutch and Belgian offices. This was a great initial learning experience - with the different management styles, business processes and product offerings.
Since January 2008, I have been based in the French office, which has just been opened. This was a major opportunity to get involved in the setting up a completely new sales office right from the beginning. As a result, I am involved in the whole commercial process from CRM systems, to project tracking, to the marketing launch of Kingspan in France. This role has greatly developed my skill-set in terms of managing others as well as setting and achieving objectives. In addition it gives me the opportunity to use my French studied in University.
Having support and guidance from every aspect of the business, including high level management has been very important in order to progress and develop. Further to the training that is provided at the beginning of the programme, Kingspan have been very supportive of additional development days that I felt I needed.
In the coming months, I have no doubt that the work I will be doing will be equally, if not more challenging and interesting. Kingspan supports entrepreneurial spirit and provides motivated graduates with the opportunities to excel within the business.
Craig McGarry
Divisional Project Engineer - Kingspan Door Components (Belgium)
BA, BAI in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering - Trinity College, Dublin
M.Eng (Diplome D’Ingenieur) in Mechanical Engineering Design - INSA Lyon, France
Started with Kingspan in 2007
"I am relishing the challenge of playing a key role in a large project which involves the expansion of existing production lines"
Kingspan seeks to implement a market leading strategy by simultaneously developing all facets of its business, from commercial service through to production efficiency. Such a strategy gives graduates from all disciplines a great opportunity to forge a strong career with Kingspan.
I am part of the divisional engineering team for Kingspan Insulated Panels, and have been deployed in Belgium. This role involves a diverse range of engineering tasks - varying from capital expenditure evaluations to technical process applications in a multicultural environment with employees from nine different countries, which is a great experience in itself.
I am relishing the challenge of playing a key role in a large project which involves the expansion of the existing production lines and working as a divisional engineer has allowed me to benefit greatly from the knowledge and abilities from engineers throughout the division. Seeing the passion with which people work at Kingspan has taught me one thing. Kingspan is not just a company, it is a mentality.
Aidan Corrigan
Energy & Sustainability Engineer - Kingspan Offsite (Ireland)
B.A, B.A.I. in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering - Trinity College, Dublin
Started with Kingspan in 2007
"Kingspan is on the very edge of new developments within the industry."
As a leading manufacturing company for the construction industry, Kingspan is on the very edge of new developments within the industry. It is an exciting company to work for, where your contribution has an important and positive knock on effect on how the industry develops in the future.
Since starting with Kingspan in the role of Energy and Sustainability Engineer, I have been responsible for the implementation and management of allocated research and development projects, with particular reference to low energy and carbon footprint design and services integration.
This role has allowed me to experience every aspect of the development of a product and service, from the initial concept, straight through to its completion. I have had the opportunity to learn important skills in three key areas within the company, technical, commercial and financial. The benefits of this are the greater understanding of the organisation which allows you to see the importance of your work within the company.
The Kingspan graduate management development programme allowed me to gain this experience, through its mentoring, training and role placement. The level of responsibility you receive from the first day reflects Kingspan's trust of your abilities and was a particular attraction for me. The opportunities within the company are endless, and the graduate management development programme provides a stepping stone on which to start developing a career.
