Derry firm AE Global turns 30

Derry firm AE Global celebrates turning 30 this week. 

In three decades the company has gone from an idea in the minds of five friends facing redundancy to having over 150 employees and an international client base.

With multinational clients such as GlaxoSmithKline, BP, Dupont, Seagate, and Harland and Wolff, AE Global has travelled a long way from those humble beginnings. 

In 2011, AE Global rebranded from Allpipe Engineering as it expanded by adding its E&I division (Electrical & Instrumentation). Allpipe Engineering, the firm was originally set up by Liam Gallagher and his friend Malachy Connor (now sadly deceased) on February 4, 1994.

A plumber by trade, Managing Director Liam Gallagher is known far and wide as ‘Leeky’ – a tongue-in-cheek nod to his trade by his friends on the streets of Derry. 

Before starting in business with Malachy, Liam spent almost 20 years at DuPont, rising to the position of Drawing Office Manager, overseeing the sketching division of DuPont’s piping department.

The five original directors had almost 120 years of experience in the industry as they faced uncertainty when Du Pont’s Polymer Engineering at Maydown closed down. They pooled their considerable expertise, experience and redundancy money together to start Allpipe Engineering.

“It’s been a great 30 years. During those 30 years, we’ve had to move and develop with the time and stay ahead of the engineering challenges, and modern technology. 

“When we started, the drawing staff had pencils, paper and a drawing board and now they've got computers with three monitors each,” Liam laughs.

The Derry company is a Mechanical & Electrical contractor specialising in the Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical, Power and Micro-electronics industries. 

It fabricates bespoke piping systems and modular piping systems for many of the world’s industry leaders. It also instals associated electrical, Instrumentation and control systems.

Humble beginnings

Liam explained how his business was born from his own job insecurity.

“It started out as a venture by five friends – we recognised our own jobs in the engineering sector at that time, three decades ago, were not safe but that there was a market for our particular skillset. Allpipe Engineering was born as a direct result,” he said

“It was a daunting prospect at the time, and I remember the nerves at the start, but we were all committed so we pushed on.  The key, at the start, was undoubtedly hard work and long hours but also, the varying skillset of the five partners.”

The new firm stayed on the sprawling Maydown site, starting off small but rapidly expanding as the orders rolled in.

“The business quickly grew on the strength of its reputation, operating primarily as a third-tier contractor providing products and services to sub-contractors. But as it expanded, its expertise advanced, creating new opportunities which, in turn, required major investment. And know-how.”

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Patricia Logue signing the visitor’s book at AE Global. On right is Liam Gallagher, managing director, AE Global. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

The founding group stuck together for a number of years but didn’t quite break a decade.

“One of the directors wanted out and we agreed a sum to buy him out. It was all mutual and at that time the bank had an appetite for it so someone said in the room ‘If anybody wants out now is the time’ and lo and behold two more of our fellow directors said look ‘I’d take that offer and go too’. So we went from five down to two.

“That left me and Malachy and it became a two-family business. That made it easier in ways, it meant decisions were easier taken. We didn’t have to get five people around a table - you can imagine what it’s like with five people trying to make an important decision. 

“So it became two people from then onwards. Then sadly in 2018 we lost Malachy very quickly after his diagnosis.”

Prior to his passing Malachy had nominated his son Brendan to take his place in the company.

“He has been running the business with me for the last five or six years. Brendan was part of the business anyway. He had his own engineering business and he parked that up to come in and take over from his father.

“We have me and Brendan at the helm here and we have my son Conor and Brendan’s son Shane who are basically running the business with us there in the background, watching over their shoulder, keeping them right, giving them guidance.

“There’s very good grounding and a very good network here.”

Outdoor fabrication and assembly area

The core business has transformed beyond all recognition over three decades. Advances within the engineering sector came thick and fast.

Today’s state-of-the-art bespoke technology within the mechanical engineering sector bears zero resemblance to what was available in 1994 – and keeping up to date with it has played a large role in the firm’s subsequent success.

“We aim to keep ahead of modern technology by means of continuous training and development, our quality and safety culture upkeep, and by looking after our staff and clients well.

“That said, taking good care of our staff and clients has been key to our ongoing growth and success.”

However, newer technology doesn’t always mean an easier job. New challenges in the industry are always arising but the company has been keeping on top of things since day one.

“It hasn’t become easier but it’s different. When we started there were the five owners and five employees - 10 people. Four of the owners were hands-on apart from myself because I was nominated to front the business at that time.

“Back then it was a case of all hands on deck and developing the business. The first couple of years were busy. We got systems in place, we got qualifications and people in place and you very quickly realise that you have to get help in and get resources. It just became a journey since then.

“It has gotten more difficult in the sense that regulations kicked in, the quality mark: environmental mark and safety mark. We’re a quality company. We’re qualified to ISO 9001 for quality, ISO 14001 for environment and ISO 18001 for health and safety and we’ve won numerous awards

“Basically, it was a change of lifestyle of the business more so than the people that were doing the work. we just had to adapt to the different aspects of business that we were getting involved in.” 

International success

Today AE Global has transitioned from that plucky little engineering firm to, as the name suggests, a global mechanical and electrical contractor – with offices in the North and South of Ireland and England. 

It is credited as an award-winning firm lauded for maintaining a family-type working environment and for its continued support for the community in the northwest.

New tank farm and associated pipework - London

The firm’s vision to expand its horizons beyond its northwest base has also been critical to its success. So too was their entrance into the electrical field.

“If we hadn’t expanded continuously and entered into the electrical installation market – coupled with the fact that we went further afield into the Irish, UK and European markets – we could have stagnated. Different countries experience different economic patterns and fishing in a number of ponds allows us to keep a consistent level of contracts.

“Allpipe Engineering becoming AE Global when adding the Electrical division; the expansion of our Engineering department and introduction of our BIM suite; the business becoming a two-family business as opposed to having five partners; and re-igniting the apprenticeship schemes which has continuously developed over the last 25 years.

“There have also been smaller milestones which have transformed our service – the relatively recent expansion of our product base, i.e. Modular frames, full prefabricated support catalogue and clean room facility, have allowed us to offer our clients a one-stop-shop, and given us greater control of contract schedules.”

The Mayor pictured with two of the young female welding apprentices at GE Global. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Still, the company’s base remains firmly in Derry. 

In 2016, AE Global picked up the Business of the Year award at the inaugural North West Business Awards.

The Derry firm overcame very serious competition to clinch the top prize, the first since Connor took over as managing director.

According to then Chief Executive of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Sinead McLaughlin, AE Global and other winners demonstrated that, with the right mix of people and leadership, local firms can succeed in any environment.

“These awards exemplify the talent that exists in the northwest and AE Global is a great example of a local manufacturer that, despite the downturn in the economy, has spread its wings and grown its business across the UK,” she said at the time.

The Pipe and Vessel Fabrication Shop at Maydown is 15,000 square feet in size with a 2,000 square feet Secondary Steel and Bracket fabrication shop. It is fully equipped with the most advanced fabrication machinery and utilises continuous welding processes. 

The business also boasts a separate Stainless Steel Pipe Fabrication Shop of over 5000 square feet. In addition, AE Global owns a fully certified on-site X-ray facility, allowing an uninterrupted fabrication process.

The current workforce exceeds 150 people with a very diverse background of pipefitters, welders, fabricators, electrical technicians and installation personnel. They have the capability and floor space to expand the workforce when necessary.

The northwest has a long and proud history of manufacturing and industrial sector excellence and AE Global has certainly stepped up to the plate in continuing that tradition.

“We take great pride in the fact that we have developed a business in Derry over the past 30 years and that we continue to grow. 

“The trades-people, engineers and admin staff that we have developed from both Derry and Donegal have proved to be the foundation of our success. There is a very strong work ethic in the Northwest and we manage to harvest that by maintaining ongoing collaborations with local schools and colleges.”

The company frequently sponsors Derry community initiatives and groups.

One such collaboration was the company’s sponsorship of Gary Rutherford of ARC (Addiction Recovery Coaching) Fitness for his five marathons in five days in a bid to tackle the shame of addiction.

AE Global have been sponsoring Derry City for many years. Representatives of AE Global, Liam Gallagher, Karl Martin and Shane Connor, are pictured with Patrick and Shane McEleney, beside their sign at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

ARC was launched in 2019 by Mr Rutherford, who is a registered mental health nurse and a qualified personal trainer. During the five marathons, he wore a 22lb weight vest to ‘symbolise the heavy burden of shame that often acts as a barrier to recovery’.

The company enjoys a special relationship with Derry City FC and is currently the official sponsor of the club's shorts.

AE Global also sponsored the club’s 2019 Golf Classic and was due to be presented with a montage of photos of the event before the pandemic put paid to those plans. Two full years later Paddy McCourt and Robert Martin were finally able to complete the presentation on Thursday afternoon however and extend thanks to the company on behalf of the club.

When Derry City won the FAI Cup in 2022 the company was surprised with a visit from Derry City player, Patrick McEleney, who brought the cup to AE Global and met some of the staff.

Liam added that the business sees investing in and training local people as core to its past and future success.

“We have always been acutely aware that the future of our business depends a lot on the training and development of local people and we are extremely proud of the fact that we have contributed significantly to the local economy for the past 30 years.

“Coupled with that, we must continue to maintain our Quality and Safety culture.  This will ensure we remain on the right track and will allow us to nurture our close association with a very strong client base.”

Modular Rack with Carbon Steel Pipe - Dublin

The company also collaborated with North West Regional College’s (NWRC) Business Support Centre. The project lasted two and a half years and was funded by Innovate UK and Invest NI funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). 

The project was awarded an ‘Outstanding’ assessment by InnovateUK.

The collaborative project, supported Mechanical and Electrical Contracting Specialists, AE Global, to develop a unique business and process management platform called DELA (Database of Engineering and Logistical Analytics), with help from North West Regional College’s (NWRC) Business Support Centre (BSC).

The intelligent IT database system tracks and monitors the complete workflow from design and manufacture through to installation and commissioning.

Dr Fergal Tuffy, Technology Innovation Manager at NWRC’s BSC said: “AE Global is an award winning manufacturer and provider of Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services who specialise in the fabrication of bespoke piping systems for the pharmaceutical, oil and gas and allied chemical sectors.

“While AE Global are at the cutting edge of their sector, they had the vision to explore ways in which they could incorporate the latest developments in IT and computing into the business to help them to expand and compete more effectively on a global scale.

GEMX ‘WOMEN IN ENGINEERING’ CELEBRATIONS . . . . . The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Patricia Logue pictured at the Women in Engineering Day’s Female-Only Teacher CPD (Continuous Professional Development) event to AE Global premises at Campsie, Derry. The ladies also visited Nelipak and DuPont as part of the day’s activities. (Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography)

“Knowledge Transfer Partnerships enable businesses to access highly qualified graduates and the knowledge that exists in the 3rd level sector such as ourselves at the NWRC to spearhead new projects and take their business forward with innovative solutions to help their business grow, and AE Global is a prime example of this.

“We recruited an excellent graduate in Stephen McClay and he worked as part of the AE Global team, under the supervision of NWRC supervisors Teresa Deeney and Cathal Ferry, to develop a cutting edge solution for AE Global.”

AE Global Operations Manager Mark Sweeney commented on the success of the project at the time.

“AE Global approached NWRC with nothing more than an idea. We had the foresight to know that our idea would work, but absolutely no idea of where to begin or how to implement it,” he said. “From the first meeting, and our introduction to the Knowledge Transfer Partnership, our idea quickly became a plan.

“The quiet expertise displayed by the team quickly gave us the confidence that we could actually achieve our goal.”

Upon receipt of the ‘Outstanding’ grade Dr Tuffy said the project had benefits for both the students on placement and the company. 

“All KTP projects involve the completion of a final report that reflects on the success of the project based upon its original aims and projects the impact on the business.

“As well as the successful implementation of the cloud-based DELA system, AE Global's business has grown significantly during the project.

“AE Global also provided numerous opportunities for student placements from NWRC and we are very grateful for this.

“It allowed our staff the opportunity to apply their knowledge to a cutting-edge industry project and when the final report was assessed by InnovateUK’s independent panel they awarded it a top rating, ‘Outstanding’, which we are very proud of.

“I think this project has shown the power of industry-academic collaboration. AE Global has the strategic vision and we were delighted to support them through the project.

“NWRC’s Business Support Centre assists businesses with training and skills development, technical mentoring and industry research and development and I’d encourage other companies to talk to us to see if we can help their businesses either through upskilling of their staff or by developing new products and systems such as this.”

However, in recent years young people leaving Ireland in higher numbers after receiving training have presented the company a new challenge. 

“Today the market, the world, has become a very small place.

Jetty Pipework - River Thames

“We take pride in our apprenticeship schemes and we are working closely with schools and there’s good collaboration there. Every year we take on up to eight apprentices and develop them but the big attraction is that big bad world out there. Once a young boy or girl gets trained up you might have difficulty holding on to them long term. 

“Before, it was a task to get into Belfast in the morning and get home again but now they’re getting in the car and flying to Denmark, Holland, Germany, England, Scotland.”

AE Global remains an incredibly attractive place to work for anyone in the industry.

The company's ongoing programme of training and investment, both in technology and people has created a world class pipe fabricator with highly motivated management and workforce alike. 

Allpipe is committed to maintaining its status at the forefront of pipe fabrication, aligned with accreditation to BS EN ISO 9001:2008.

It is fully equipped with the most technologically advanced fabrication machinery and utilises continuous welding processes. 

It also has a separate Stainless Steel Pipe Fabrication Shop of over 5,000 square feet and a fully certified X-ray facility on site approximately 500 square feet. This allows an uninterrupted fabrication process while X-raying takes place on its premises.