The large firms shortlisted for the Cork Chamber Company of the Year Awards
Youenn Lowry, SE Systems managing director and co-founder.
Rising costs have made sustainability and saving energy a primary concern for businesses and homeowners in recent years. SE Systems have been on the case for 16 years, delivering €900m in grants.
SE Systems works as a one-stop shop for sustainable energy upgrades in Ireland. Founded in Cork in 2010, SE Systems now employs 100 people, working with corporations, public bodies, charities, and households.
Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, Ireland is aiming for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2030, compared to 2018. EPA projections show that even if every current Government policy is fully delivered, national emissions will fall by only up to 23% by 2030.
According to SE Systems, in many cases cost, complexity, and lack of guidance limits meaningful action.
The company uses energy audits and modelling to identify opportunities and delivers deep retrofits with full project management. The company works through the grant process with clients and installs Solar PV and metering systems for measurable energy savings.
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SE Systems has completed energy projects worth €500m since its inception, with savings of over 1.7bn kWh of energy, bringing reductions of over 358m kgs of CO2 across Ireland.
“As a fully integrated energy partner, we’re focused on accessible, practical and meaningful pathways to sustainable upgrades that benefit people, buildings, and places. We’re proud to support Cork’s ambition for sustainable growth while contributing to wider national progress in making homes warmer, buildings more efficient, and communities stronger,” said SE Systems co-founder and managing director Youenn Lowry.
The business has optimised project delivery through its use of ProCore project management software, linking 50 sole traders and 250 subcontractors on one integrated system. SE Systems said this has led to 45% growth in domestic retrofit delivery over the past three years.
SE Systems has also introduced drone surveys for commercial buildings, using thermal imaging and digital twins - which provide virtual representations - to pinpoint inefficiencies with accuracy.
The YourRetrofit tool has cut domestic assessment turnaround times by 70%.
The company is working to reduce its own energy footprint. SE Systems will transition its fleet of commercial vehicles to electric by 2030, cutting 326,000kgs of CO2 annually.
Over the next four years, SE Systems aims to secure over €100m in funding through partnerships including Enterprise Ireland, the Climate Action Fund, utility companies, and corporate partners. SE Systems say the funding will make deep retrofits and energy projects financially feasible in communities.
“We’re genuinely honoured to be named a finalist. This recognition reflects the dedication of the SE Systems team, and the trust placed in us by homeowners, communities, businesses, and public bodies across Cork and Ireland,” said Mr Lowry.
The company, founded in 1977, has delivered infrastructure for public and private clients. In its early years, the company specialised in water industry projects.
Since 2018, it has diversified its offering and today, core services span areas including motorway design and construction, wind farms, flood relief schemes, water and wastewater infrastructure, coastal protection, harbour developments, power cables and utilities, renewable energy, and public realm projects.
The company also provides project management, project supervisor construction stage, and multidisciplinary design services for public and private clients.
“Being selected as a finalist is a tremendous honour and reflects both the significant growth Sorensen has achieved in recent years and our deep, ongoing commitment to Cork,” said managing director John Wallace. “This recognition is a source of great pride for our founder, Olaf Sorensen, and for the entire leadership team. Most importantly, it is a direct testament to the high-calibre people who work tirelessly across our many infrastructure projects throughout Ireland.”
Projects in recent years include Cork’s Marina Park — phase one which won an Irish Construction Excellence award; a bespoke marine piling methodology for the extension of Killybegs Harbour; and early-contractor-involvement procurement on the eco boardwalk in Youghal.
In recent years, Sorensen has deployed hydrotreated vegetable oil-compatible plants to cut its Scope 1 emissions, expanding its hybrid/EV fleet. It has rolled out solar panels and EV chargers at its new headquarters. The company’s ISO 14001:2015-certified environmental management system sets controls for noise, dust, water quality, and spill prevention, with mandatory training for all teams and supplier engagement through the Irish Supply Chain Sustainability School.
Sorensen has established an in-house design function, shortening design cycles and reducing rework.
The company holds an ‘A Grade’ Safe-T-Cert standard, which is a Construction Industry Federation certification for standards in safety.
Sorensen’s growth strategy will see the company expand capabilities in renewable energy and climate resilience.
It recently created a joint venture partnership with a specialist tier one UK contractor, in order to develop the rail construction and motorway maintenance sectors. Sorensen also recently qualified under the Gas Networks qualification system, enabling bids for large gas pipeline projects.
The company says it advances engineering excellence that shapes Ireland’s landscape.
“As we look ahead to celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2027, Sorensen remains firmly rooted in Cork, with ambitious plans for continued growth,” said Mr Wallace.
In a world of ever-increasing competition, Cork-headquartered engineering and wet infrastructure specialist EPS Group continues to flourish.
Founded in 1968, EPS provides end-to-end water solutions to utilities, industries across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, and to Irish homeowners and communities.
EPS designs and builds treatment plants, supplies pumping and treatment equipment, and manages long-term asset operations on behalf of utilities and industries.
“As we grow across Ireland, the UK and Europe, our roots remain firmly in Cork and we’re immensely proud to represent the county and its talent,” said EPS Group managing director Patrick Buckley. Mr Buckley says that Cork is “an exceptional place to grow a business”.
“For companies like EPS, growing nationally and internationally only happens when we’re strong at home and Cork gives us that foundation — from here, we can compete anywhere.”
EPS has grown into a business with revenues of €194m in 2024, and employing more than 790 people. The company says putting a focus on innovation, modular off-site construction, sustainability, and staff development. Clients include Uisce Éireann, local authorities, industry, and utilities; the pharmaceutical sector, and export clients.
Clients are attracted to EPS as it delivers a full lifecycle service — designing, building, operating, and maintaining water and wastewater infrastructure. Indeed, over 70% of turnover comes from repeat clients.
EPS says it is one of only a handful of end-to-end service providers in the water sector globally, “one of our unique differentiating characteristics within the marketplace”.
Founded in 1968, EPS has created a niche in the industry, with an “embedded position across Ireland and the UK for local product distribution, and after sales support, which has been built up over the decades, and has proven to be very challenging for others to copy”.
It puts increased focus on sustainability, and has been measuring carbon emissions since 2010, achieving a 62% reduction in carbon intensity.
In the past 18 months, EPS Group expanded its range of renewable and energy-efficient solutions, including its point-of-use water treatment range and solar pumping, PV, energy storage, and EV charging products.
The firm is investing in PV energy production at its facilities and the removal of fossil fuel heating systems.
In recent years, EPS completed acquisitions to bring Pedrollo Distribution, DPS, Ferrier Pumps, IPP, Flowmech, and Craigs into the business.
Cork is at the heart of this success story. “We’re honoured to be shortlisted for Cork Chamber’s Large Company of the Year award,” said Mr Buckley. “As a growing company, founded in North Cork, built and powered by Cork people — everything we’ve achieved stems from that foundation.
“This recognition belongs to our team — from our apprentices to engineers, multi-disciplinary teams, and long-serving colleagues who help keep Ireland’s water infrastructure running every day.”
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