Carnehill Joinery – ambition with endeavour

The Carnehill Group boasts an impressive track record in executing projects involving furniture, joinery, ceilings, and partitions for contractors and developers. Building on this strong foundation of trust and satisfaction, the Scotstown and Naas-based company is poised for further growth. 

The Carnehill Group operates through two divisions: Carnehill Contracting and Carnehill Joinery. The former, located in Naas, Co. Kildare, specialises in ceilings and partitions, while the latter, based in Carrowhatta, Scotstown, focuses on manufacturing kitchens, bedroom furniture, internal doors, stairs, student accommodation furnishings, educational fittings, and office interiors. We met with Niall O’Kane, the group’s managing director at their current Carnehill Joinery facility.

Carnehill Joinery primarily collaborates with developers and contractors in the construction industry, offering comprehensive service packages that encompass all aspects of joinery. This includes the supply and installation of internal doors, second-fix carpentry, kitchens, bedroom furniture, laminate flooring, bespoke wall panelling, and hand-finished furniture. Typical projects include residential care homes, apartments, social and affordable housing, and educational facilities, with the company successfully completing 10-12 projects in the educational sector each year.

“Our track record speaks for itself when it comes to delivering exceptional projects for our clients,” says Niall. “We are committed to continuous improvement and are equipped with state-of-the-art machinery that guarantees efficiency and precision in every project we undertake. Delivering high-quality projects is our standard, ensuring trust and satisfaction for every client.”

The market conditions for this type of work in Ireland are favourable, as it stands today, the overall construction market is strong across all sectors, with growth observed in housebuilding, civil engineering, and non-residential construction since 2023.

In this advantageous market, Carnehill Joinery finds itself well-positioned, with existing clients accounting for 90% of its output. The company aims to develop 1-2 new clients annually, and Niall emphasises the importance of ensuring alignment in character when partnering with new clients. This diligence fosters consistent, well-matched, and positive long-term relationships.

Carnehill’s current manufacturing capabilities are impressive, with a spacious and well-organised factory that has all the necessary personnel and equipment. However, on our tour around the factory, Niall fills me in on the significant developments on the horizon.

“We’re in the process of building a new factory on the footprint of a former furniture business, located about eight miles from our current facility,” he explains. “We have completed the strip-out, taken it back to the bare bones, rebuilt it, re-roofed it, and set it up as a completely new facility with new machinery. This new site will incorporate advanced ERP and MMR software, a high level of automation, and features that support our sustainability goals.

“Phase one of the development consists of a 220,000 sq. ft build, which is already underway, with phases two and three bringing the total to approximately 450,000 sq. ft.

“Our key machinery partners, Homag and Masterwood, are integral to this investment in new equipment,” Niall adds, “and we will be utilising only two of the newest machines from our existing Scotstown facility.”

The current factory footprint will remain productive through reorganisation and upgrades to manufacture kitchen panels and components for a new operation that will export kitchen elements made in Scotstown to a bespoke pick, pack, and assembly business set to open soon in Maidstone, Kent.

While this move may seem at odds with Carnehill’s primary focus on the Irish market, it aligns well with Niall’s ambitions for outward growth beyond his immediate local area. He believes this approach is preferable to competing with existing operators in established market sectors. The mainland market presents unique opportunities for a pick, pack, and assembly business, given its modest logistical overhead, making it a worthwhile option without disrupting local dynamics.

Closer to home, Niall is also developing a new venture called Joseph May – Exquisite Luxury Kitchens & Interiors, which will leverage the company’s expertise to offer high-quality, locally manufactured furniture and interiors for high-end private homes from a new showroom in Ballycoolin, Dublin.

Additionally, Carnehill has recently acquired the Sliderobes brand, a franchise operation that faced financial difficulties until Niall recognised its potential late last year.

With strong and resilient foundations, the Carnehill Group is confident in its ability to seize opportunities across various fronts. This well-organised and customer-oriented approach reflects Niall’s thoughtful and ambitious nature. When asked about his long-term vision for the business, he succinctly stated, “to be the biggest and the best.”

To me at least, it seems evident that Carnehill is on its way to realising this ambitious goal.

www.carnehill.com

Recent Carnehill Joinery projects

• The Residence, Coopers Cross, Dublin

a large residential development with a high-end finish featuring featured stylish and contemporary kitchens with matt, handle-less J-Pull doors and quartz countertops. Carnehill Joinery supplied and fitted 471 kitchens and 1800 wardrobes and storage units on time and on budget for its trusted partner, Sisk.

• Oak Park Malahide housing development

with a high-end finish, on this housing development Carnehill Joinery supplied and fitted kitchens, wardrobes, stairs and internaldoors and second fix carpentry on time and on budget for its trusted partner, Arkmount Construction.

• North Circular Road

A student accommodation development on which Carnehill Joinery supplied and fitted the bedroom furniture, kitchens and appliances, as well as the internal doors and Joinery.