PADDY DOHERTY
Paddy Doherty, Joint MD of Electro Automation Group talks to
Liam Keilthy
Q. Electro Automation is one of the true success stories of the Irish
parking industry. How did you get started?
A. I was born in Cardonagh, County Donegal and I joined the generation
department of the ESB before getting a partnership with Gabriel Fay and
John Walsh, in the private sector. In the early 1980s my partners and I
were running an electrical contracting business and working on a factory
in Sandyford that made components for automatic gates. This gave us the
idea of starting an automatic gate business and we formed Electro
Automation Ltd. in 1983. We were the first company to supply and install
electric gates in Ireland. Our first premises were in Killeen Rd. in
Ballyfermot before moving to Ballymount, in 1988.
Q. The business obviously prospered and expanded?
A. Our timing was not great, as Ireland in the early '80s was in recession,
but we worked hard and from day one focused on providing an excellent
technical support service to clients. We set up a business in Lisburn to
service the Northern Ireland market and later opened a subsidiary in
Liverpool in 1993 selling and installing automatic doors.
Out of this a number of opportunities came our way and we bought The
Perimeter Group in 1995 in London. This gave us a significant presence in the
London market with automatic gates and doors, access control systems and
later, car park management systems. They had an excellent reputation for
technical support and service.
Q. How did you progress from automatic gates and doors to computerised
parking control systems?
A. A construction company we had been working with approached us, and they
asked if we could supply, install and support automatic car park systems. We
identified Zeag as the ideal partner and after protracted negotiations secured a
distribution agreement for Ireland. At this time the only automated car parks in
the country were Superquinn in Blackrock and Lavitts Quay in Cork so this
was a big move.
Q. Your timing could not have been better?
A. In the early 1990s the Government introduced tax incentives for the
development of new multi-storey car parks and we were perfectly positioned
to provide a really good system with our demonstrated technical support
service to back it up. Today we have automatic pay on foot systems installed
in more than 250 car parks in Ireland, the UK and Germany.
What other products are Electro Automation involved in?
We are a specialist access control company, controlling movements of
personnel and vehicular traffic, automatic gates and barriers, hands free access
control, automatic bollards, number plate recognition and signage, under
vehicle surveillance systems, CCTV and aluminium gates and rails.
Q. The business has expanded internationally?
A. Yes! We opened our German subsidiary in 1998, and from this base we
have opened our latest overseas business unit in Budapest in Hungary. We
see significant strategic potential in eastern Europe. I have been blessed
with a great business partner, John Walsh and a fantastic management
team. Without them Electro would not be where it is today. We have also
increased our Board of Directors within the Group, adding in people who
have knowledgeable backgrounds and experience.
Q. You are also in the barrier manufacturing business?
A. In 1997 we started Pi Electronics Ltd. when we worked with Tallaght
Institute of Technology to design the Unibar barrier with its inbuilt safety
device. Today this business exports barriers all over the world, including
to Disney World in Florida and the international airport in Seoul Korea.
The manufacturing facility is part of our new 46,000 sq ft headquarters in
Damastown, opened in 2001.
Q. You have played a major role in the parking industry for many years.
A. You were central to the founding of the Irish Parking Association?
Once we got involved in parking, we quickly realised that there was a
need for a neutral forum where all the competing interests could join
together, share opinions and experiences, and learn from each other. In
1994 we formed a shelf company Irish Parking Association Ltd., and later
invited all interested parties to an open meeting in the Russell Court
Hotel in Dublin to consider the formation of an Irish parking association.
We donated the company to the new organisation, and I am pleased to
have been a Board member ever since.
Q. How do you view the development of the IPA and where do you see it
going in the coming years?
A. The IPA has done remarkably well in its short life and has brought
together the many different interests in the industry. Looking forward, I
would like to see much more involvement by the local authorities in the
running and direction of the IPA. It is currently overly dependent on the
commercial companies. I would also like to see more active participation
by parking interests from Northern Ireland.
Q. What does Paddy Doherty like to do in his spare time?
A. I have a great family and love spending time with them. My youngest just
turned eight in May and she is terrific. My oldest girl is 23 and is
studying Electronic Engineering. I enjoy a game of golf and love it when
we get almost 200 clients and friends together for our annual golf classis
- now in its 10th year. I love to travel and I am off to South Africa for a
first visit in a few weeks time.
Q. Finally what does the future hold for Electro?.
A. That would be telling! ??In the past 20 years we have totally reinvested
our profits in the business and will continue to do so. We have launched a
new environmental group to promote and distribute new technology for
re-cycling waste food from hotel kitchens etc. That looks very exciting.
We also see great changes over the next 7 to 10 years in parking and
related technologies. It is a very exciting time to be involved in this
industry and Electro will, as always, be at the heart of the action.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Electro Automation Ltd.,
EA House, Damastown Industrial Park,
Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
Tel: 01 824 6666
Fax: 01 824 6655
Web: www.electroautomation.com
Email: sales@electroautomation.com
