Limerick Business Leader: Helping fellow firms keep energy bills low long-term

Tell us a little about ResourceKraft:

ResourceKraft uses modern computer and ‘Internet of Things’ technology to help businesses address a range of energy-related problems including energy costs and power quality.  We specialise in technology-driven, end-to-end, hardware and software solutions designed to assist organisations, to measure and manage their energy usage. Set up in 2007, the company is built upon a foundation of experience in the electronics, computing and energy industries.  From its Limerick headquarters, ResourceKraft delivers innovative smart energy solutions to over 100 large clients globally.  For 12 years our product solutions have acquired and converted energy data into actionable intelligence.  We take singular responsibility for all the hardware and software required for specific energy needs and have developed our own proprietary solutions since the company’s inception. We are based in Henry Street.

What does your own role entail?

I’m the chief executive and chief technical officer of ResourceKraft. That entails everything from financial management, down through personnel management, through high-level solutions selling right down to product strategies. ResourceKraft combines computer technology and energy and day-to-day I get fully embedded in both. I was trained as a computer scientist so the technology stuff has always come pretty easily. I had no formal training in energy engineering so there I need to continuously educate myself.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Ennistymon and I now live in the Ashbourne Avenue area of Limerick City.

What is your educational background?

I have a BSc and MSc from the University of Limerick, both in computer science.

How did you get to where you are today?

Prior to ResourceKraft I established  Energy Liberators, a supplier of renewable energy solutions. Before this I worked in Intel Corporation in Shannon where I managed outsourcing and business ecosystems. Before, I worked in mostly senior roles in a variety of startups in both Ireland and the Netherlands. In college I went on to do an MSc. That proved to be really useful in that it helped me develop ways of communicating complex ideas.

Why did you decide to go into business alone?

When I set up Energy Liberators, I came to realise that we were pretty much 10 years ahead of our time when it came to renewables in Ireland. What I did notice what that Irish businesses were having considerable difficulty understanding their energy costs.  This prompted me to begin developing software solutions for business energy management. After about a year, I jointly established ResourceKraft.

What are your goals for the next 12 months?

Actively addressing and exploiting the Brexit challenges associated with the British and Northern Irish markets. I also hope to bring a new product line to the market and recruit some key senior personnel.

Who do you admire in business?

To be honest, I  don’t follow other individual business people per se. Rather, I like to read  how individuals  handled their own challenges, business or otherwise . Generally any leader who has had to deal with huge challenges and change interests me. 

In business and life, are you guided by any particular motto?

I don’t do mottos much, as they kind of get boring for those that are forced to listen to them. However,  like CJ from ‘Reggie Perrin’, I do like to prefix things with “I didn’t get where I am today by…”

Away from work, what are your pastimes and hobbies?

I enjoy woodwork, photography and reading!