A Family Foundation
Fifteen years ago, Capcon began with a clear sense of purpose and a name that reflected our roots. The name Capcon itself comes from the townland my brothers and I were raised in, Cappagh, and construction, the industry our family has always been a part of. Founded by myself, my father, Eugene and my brothers Dermot and Robert, Capcon grew from a shared understanding of the industry and a belief that lasting buildings come from honest hard work and innovation.
Gutters to Groundbreakers
Before Capcon was incorporated in 2010, the focus of our business was installing residential gutters and downpipes. It was a hands-on education in how water moves and how even the smallest of details can define the success of a system. Around 2004-2005, as commercial projects began to demand more efficient drainage solutions, we became one of two firms in Ireland to offer siphonic drainage. At the time, we saw its potential immediately—it handled water better and gave architects a bit more freedom in roof design.
That early decision to innovate shaped everything that followed. When the recession arrived in 2008, many construction firms struggled to adapt, but siphonic drainage became our differentiator. The commercial sector continued to invest, and major global supermarket chains, such as Aldi recognised the value of a team that could deliver consistently. To this day, we’ve completed over 120 of the 150+ Aldi stores in Ireland—projects that gave us confidence in our approach and the scale to grow.
2010–2016: A Turning Point of Growth
Between 2010 and 2016, we took on larger, more complex projects that have supported and shaped the growth of Capcon. Each one tested something different: coordination, scale, or the ability to adapt on site. Masdar City in Abu Dhabi introduced us to international standards that improved our own. Our project with Tate Modern in London showed how drainage could fit into highly detailed architectural environments. Closer to home, our work on Diageo’s St. James’s Gate taught us how to deliver within live industrial settings, where precision and timing are everything. Each new scope of work was a milestone that developed who we are today.
The Dublin Waste to Energy facility (2015) marked one of our first major infrastructural partnerships, a project that underscored our role in national-scale environmental systems. These years were defined by growth and learning. We honed our tendering process, expanded our technical teams, and built long-term relationships with contractors who shared our commitment to reliability and innovation. We couldn’t have done this without the hard work of our long-standing team members, some of whom have been with us throughout our entire 15-year journey.
Rainwater Takes the Stage
By 2016, we made a conscious decision to narrow our focus. We dropped all side projects and centred the business entirely on rainwater management—the discipline we knew best. That choice allowed us to refine our systems, invest in R&D, and develop new methods of designing and installing large-scale siphonic and gravity-fed systems for commercial and industrial buildings.
It also marked the beginning of our next evolution. From 2017 onward, our projects spanned the UK and beyond: Merseyside Police Headquarters in Liverpool, Royal Albert Docks in London, Spectrum House in Hendon, and Miesian Plaza in Dublin—each reflecting how our systems could scale across sectors and geographies. Later, our expertise extended to Sanofi Singapore (2021), Tesla Berlin (2023), and Changi Airport T5 (2024).
Every contract strengthened our reputation as specialists who understand not just the engineering behind drainage but the business of construction: deadlines, safety, collaboration and trust.
Our People: The Heart of Capcon
Our projects have shaped what we do, but our people define who we are. From the beginning, Capcon’s culture has been grounded in trust, humility, and the belief that employees should be treated with the same respect and care you’d extend to family. Many who joined in the early years remain central to the business today, and their journeys continue to illustrate the strength of that foundation.
We’re proud to have many long-standing employees who have been with us from the very beginning. Barry Mcevoy joined the team 15 years ago, making his way up from Lead Technical Specialist to Supervisor. He says what originally attracted him to Capcon was the family feeling in the company.
Senior Technician Michael Foley has spent 12 years growing with Capcon, progressing to a role as Lead Technician as a result of steady development working on a range of projects. His commitment and attention to detail have helped establish the standard our installation teams now work to every day.
Lorraine Donohue also joined 12 years ago, about the same time as Michael. She began as a part-time receptionist and moved through roles in administration, accounts, payroll, office management and HR. Today, she serves as our Head of HR & Operations.
At Capcon, career progression is more than a possibility; it’s a clear and supported path. Our Operations Director, Donnacha Tobin, is another strong example of this. He joined the business as a Quantity Surveyor in 2013 after completing a graduate placement in 2011, and advanced through roles as Commercial Manager and Operations Manager before taking on his current leadership position.
Stories like these show how Capcon has grown over the past fifteen years, not only in scale, but through the people who bring commitment and character to the business. As the company continues to expand, so do the opportunities for career progression, creating space for individuals to advance and contribute at every stage.
Building for the Future
Today, Capcon stands at a turning point. As rainfall patterns shift and climate resilience becomes central to modern design, our work is adapting to include rainwater harvesting and monitoring systems for climate resilience. What began as a construction-led family business is now helping developers, architects, engineers and building owners prepare for a future that will be defined by sustainability.
We’re continuing to invest in the research that underpins these systems. Led by our Sustainable and Technical Design Engineer, Julia Cavanaugh, our team recently published a paper exploring how efficient drainage design can reduce material use and improve building performance. Together, practical innovation and research-led development are shaping how Capcon contributes to a more sustainable built environment.
Capcon’s Next Chapter
Capcon’s story has always been one of evolution. What began as a family business rooted in generations of construction has grown into a strong team reshaping the relationship between buildings and water internationally. Our ambition remains grounded in the same principle that guided us from the start: building systems that last for our clients, our communities, and the planet we share.
