Management Team

Francis Whelan – Managing Director

Having initially trained as a mechanic Francis made a departure from machines and motors to steel and cladding gaining employment with Graves & Co., New Ross before setting out as a self-employed steel erector and in 1983 becoming involved in the setting up of a steel engineering business in Wexford town. His desire to be his own boss was always paramount and Francis established his own family business with wife Mona and brother Martin in 1986. What would go on to become a very successful business started from very modest beginnings. Emerging out of a small garage beside his home, manufacturing agricultural sheds and other light steel for local farmers and businesses, Francis built the business year on year to become one of the leading structural steel manufacturers in Ireland.

Fergus Whelan – Production Manager

Having grown up with steel fabrication and fitting, Fergus has had experience and developed a knowledge of this business from a young age. He graduated from Waterford I.T. having successfully completed his studies in Mechanical Engineering. Fergus learned the business from the ground up working and gaining experience in all aspects of the company including pricing, drawing, fabricating and steel erection. He has since completed further study in the area of Weld Inspection and oversees all aspects of production and quality control as well as liaising with drawing office and site crews.

Martin Whelan – Site Manager

Martin began his trade with Toomey Engineering, and joined Francis as a qualified fitter fabricator to kick start the new business of F&M Whelan Engineering Ltd. Martin’s contribution to the company has been immeasurable, when a shoulder to the wheel was required it was given without question when working late evenings and weekends were a necessary requirement to get the business off the ground. Today Martin’s experience, knowledge and troubleshooting skills allow him to see potential issues before they become problems, ensuring smooth operations when steel arrives on site for fitting.

Nick Whelan – Contracts Manager

A graduate of the University of Limerick, Nick has worked with F&M Whelan Engineering since 2006. He completed an honours bachelor degree, attaining a Bachelor of Engineering in Production Engineering in 2001. Nick has worked in the steel industry since graduating, gathering experience in various companies in Australia and Ireland. Nick manages the drafting team coordinating pricing, detailing and project management duties.

Aisling Whelan – Finance Manager

On completion of studies at Copenhagen Business School and the University of Limerick, Aisling graduated in 2004 with an honours bachelor degree in Business Studies, majoring in Accounting & Finance. She completed further studies with IMI and CIMA and is a qualified management accountant. Aisling developed her experience working with Multinational Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical companies before moving to F&M Whelan Engineering Ltd. as finance manager.

Head Office Team

Our office team are structured by functional department including Purchasing, Logistics, Draughting, Finance and Administration. Our team draws on skills and experience attained form years in the industry and includes educated graduates from Colleges and Universities of Ireland. We see continuous professional development as key to our progression and success and continually look to upskill and train staff in areas that are relevant and beneficial to the job and company as a whole.

Workshop & Site Team

Our fitters, fabricators and steel erectors are some of the best in the country. Our achievement and maintenance of our CE Marking certification is a testament to their commitment to quality, continuous improvement and the quality of their work.
New workshop trainees complete 4 years training on an apprenticeship programme, and on completion are awarded a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate; this is recognised internationally as the requirement for craftsperson status.