AHEAD of his time is something that often springs to mind when one looks back on the amazing life and times of Jimmy Mulroy.
From the GAA world to politics, education, and business, he was always at the top of his game, inspiring and leading. He once said, ‘In politics and sporting life, I never made any enemies’.
He had started off in the electrical trade in Drogheda with his uncles, Jimmy and Paddy Coyle before moving to Dublin to work in electrical contracting for Patrick Lynch as a Contracts Manager.
Throughout his contracting years it became apparent to Jimmy that custom-built electrical distribution systems were needed for the ever-growing industry power demands. 50 years ago, he partnered with Patrick Lynch to form M&L Manufacturing Ltd.
M+L set up in a small unit in Little Britain Street in Dublin moving then to Glasnevin as the demand for the M+L custom switchgear grew. Their switchgear was exported all over the world, their reputation for delivering custom-built, critical power switchgear proving their hallmark. He made frequent trips to places like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq in the late 70s and early 80s as the firm sought work. General Manager Michael McCormark, Head of Design Dave Johnson and Michael Genocchi all started as apprentice electricians with Jimmy in the 1980s.
In the 1990s, the company relocated to a larger factory in Chapelizod to ensure that M+L was at the forefront to meet the ever-growing demands for switchgear. As the 2000s beckoned, Jimmy’s love of his hometown reached out a welcoming hand. He had invested blood and sweat and many hours on the road and in the skies to build the brand, and now it was time to bring the business home
In 2004, the firm moved to Drogheda and many of his loyal staff came with him. His goal was to create employment and help spark industry again. He achieved so much on both fronts.
Moving with market trends through the decades, the company completed numerous and substantial projects across many industry sectors including Healthcare, IT, Process & Control, Pharmaceutical, Government & State, Finance & Education and Data Centre sectors.
Sadly, Jimmy passed away at the age of 72 in 2013, but his legacy and work ethic lives on each day as the firm grows and excels across the globe. To this day the company is still a family-owned business with his son Cormac leading the company with the management team as they continue to grow.
Today, M+L design, build, install, commission, and maintain switchgear to the highest international standards and provide first-class solutions in terms of versatility of design and technical performance worldwide. That has earned them the trust of both blue chip companies to design and deliver their mission-critical projects and global partners to represent their brand.
At this year’s North East Business Awards at City North Hotel on November 22, M&L Manufacturing will mark their 50 years by partnering on the design of the various awards by gifted local artist, Deirdre McCullough, based at Millmount.