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“The people-first approach is just as present today“- Jody Boyle on 50 years with Mercury
Since its foundation in 1972 Mercury has operated with a consistent dedication to delivering leading edge construction solutions, first in Ireland and then on a European scale, working with the largest international corporations to deliver life changing advancements that connect people, communities and businesses reaching several significant milestones throughout its transformational journey.
Jody Boyle, Electrical Estimating Manager has witnessed much of this remarkable change over the course of his career. This summer Jody marked his fiftieth year with Mercury. Having joined the company as an electrical apprentice in 1974 he has played an instrumental role in Mercury’s growth but insists that despite much development over the course of his career, the friendly, welcoming nature instilled by founders Frank O’Kane and Joe Morgan is “still as present today” as it was when he joined in June 1974, fifty years ago.
Jody was born and raised in Killester, Dublin and after studying at St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview he pursued an electrical apprenticeship. Joining Mercury was “a great education” he admits, reflecting that in 1974 the business was “a far smaller operation in every way.” He worked closely with the founders across several different projects ranging from schools in the Dublin area to delivering one of the major foundational buildings of University College Dublin’s Belfield campus. Thinking back on those early days Jody is quick to mention that while “everyone had time for one another and we were a close, tightly knit team” there was also “an inherent commitment to being dynamic which came from the top down,” this involved pushing ahead and leaving no stone unturned to embrace challenging opportunities in emerging sectors, for an increasingly global client base. Jody says that the launch of the company’s Sprinkler Division in the late 1970s was a significant turning point- “We were the only company in Ireland taking that chance at the time, but we were rewarded for it,” with a steady increase in work.
“Despite so much change, Mercury’s values have remained inherent”
As his apprenticeship came to a finish in 1979, Jody took on a role as an Estimator to meet Mercury’s expanding workload and began leading the pricing of the company’s electrical work at a transformative time, cutting his teeth pricing large-scale jobs as work began to move further afield than Dublin. The company made a significant move from a small office in the Dublin suburb of Ranelagh to the head office building located in Sandyford, which is still Mercury’s headquarters today, though the building is much larger now. “When we moved to the bigger office it was clear we were on an upward trajectory but one thing that stood out to me, and it’s the reason I’ve stayed all this time, is that despite so much change Mercury’s values have remained inherent, that willingness to adapt, evolve and be leaders has always been there.”
Indeed, Jody is adamant that it’s the people he’s had the chance to meet and build relationships with through work that have been the highlight of his fifty-year journey. “It’s been a great privilege getting to see some fantastic people come through the business and make a difference.” Another highlight of the past fifty years has been getting the chance to travel and play a role on projects in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and more. “Travel and working across Europe is very much what Mercury is about now but back in the early days it was much more of a rarity in life generally. As we’ve expanded, particularly in the data centre sector, I’ve really appreciated getting the chance to see new places and collaborate with international teams at the top of their game.”
Working with teams across business units, Jody has witnessed changes throughout operations, particularly in relation to health and safety- “As we began to take on more work for some of the world’s largest corporations, we not only adapted to their standards but embraced those high standards as our own too.” Furthermore, project works have become more complex and varied as Mercury began to work across Semiconductor, Life Sciences and Data Centre projects.
Transcending industry norms with a commitment to technology
What’s been the biggest turning point over the past fifty years? Jody notes that advancements in technology have had an instrumental impact on his day-to-day work- “you would not believe how much things have evolved. When I started everything was done on paper and measured from physical drawings which would need to be sent to suppliers by post- the entire process took much longer.” “When we first got computers in the late 1990s, after extensive review we decided to use an American software called Onscreen Take-Off, and we actually saved money because the software was cheaper than the annual spend on printing and posting drawings to suppliers.” A commitment to transcending industry norms has been at the heart of Mercury’s embrace of technology and digital tools- “We haven’t been afraid to invest in new software and that has paid off as our teams have been more efficient as a result. I’ve been fortunate to work with teams who understand the importance of staying ahead of the game.”
Leading his Estimating team, Jody has witnessed the company’s European expansion first-hand. He notes that the commitment to going beyond for both their clients and employees has been at the centre of Mercury’s success. A self-described people person, Jody “thrives off in-person interaction.” “It’s something I try to instil in my team, and we make a concerted effort to collaborate in person as much as possible because we all have a lot to learn from one another, it’s a constantly evolving industry.” He continues, “we have changed and adapted in a myriad different ways, but through our work on various kinds of projects we have learned a lot of new skills. This, combined with some positive structural changes over the past few years have set Mercury apart as an industry leader and I’m proud to have been part of that journey. Here’s to the next 50 years!”
About Mercury
Mercury is the European leader in construction solutions. We build and manage complex engineering and construction projects for the world’s leading corporations. Our solutions help deliver technologies and life changing advancements that connect people, communities, and businesses, giving them the power to achieve incredible things. Our people have the courage to be innovative. Their determination and sharp focus enable us to deliver with certainty, time and time again.
