The company celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
“I had done my Leaving Cert in 1964. I got in here in November 1964. It was a big employer at the time. It was the place to get into.”
That is Francie Owens, now retired, but who worked for Gyproc for over 45 years. If there is anyone who can tell you about the real sense of community, family, and friendship that is present in the company, it is him:
“My father worked here for a number of years in the late 1930s and early 1940s. There were four boys in that family, and the four of them worked here.”
Francie is also one of eight children, and seven of those siblings also worked at Gyproc. We sat down with Francie to discuss the enduring legacy of the business, as well as his son, Gerry Owens, who is a Team Leader at Gyproc, and also Gerry’s son, Kian Owens, who is currently pursuing the apprentice programme at Gyproc with the hope of becoming a fully qualified electrician.
Together, they represent the second, third, and fourth generation of a family who have all worked at Gyproc, a company that celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, and which has played a huge role in the construction industry across all of Ireland for the majority of the last century.
Since 1936, they have been providing products that are used in building everything from family homes and commercial developments, all the way up to hospitals, schools, and landmark buildings. Over that time, Gyproc has garnered an incredible reputation, one that has been built on high quality, consistent reliability, and top-level technical expertise.
Of course, this success wouldn’t be possible without the people who work there and help to make the company become what it is today. And there is no better way to portray how successful an employer Gyproc is than by the simple fact that entire family trees are dedicating their careers to it.
“I was proud, and I hope my father was proud the day that I joined Gyproc,” Gerry tells us. “I was living at home at the time, and the two of us were traveling in the same car coming down the road and clocking in together and walking across the yard together.
“To me it was a very, very proud and special moment, but then to move 21 years later and my son Kian walking in the same door and clocking in the same place that I’d done 28 years ago to me is just unbelievable. It’s a great privilege to be able to say that.”
Talking to the three generations of the Owens family, that pride in their work is all too evident. Francie describes how the work has changed over the years, but that the company-wide appetite to be a world-class manufacturer has always been there. That is also present when Gerry talks about his regular work day, the sheer amount of product that is created on a regular basis, the scale he describes is massively impressive. And then right down to Kian, who has been at the company for about two-and-a-half years, who tells us: “Unbelievable to think that the business is 90 years going and it all started with my family, so it’s an honour really to be a part of it.”
Reaching a milestone such as running a successful business for 90 years, it is always important to look back and take stock, to celebrate the achievements and successes. However, it is also equally important to look forward, to think about what might be coming next.
To that end, Gerry already has designs on the Owens family continuing its legacy with Gyproc. “We’re blessed to have a fourth generation, which is great, and if this lad gets his finger out,” Gerry laughs, pointing at his son Kian, “please God, you wouldn’t know, we could have a fifth generation!”
Gyproc’s future will be defined by the sense of collaboration, one that will see a sense of community continue to build with customers, partners, and the wider construction industry. The construction industry is constantly evolving, with a growing desire for sustainability, to simplify installations, and to continue to refine and develop the product line.
However, at its core, for any business wanting to raise its standards, the best way to do that is through shared knowledge and to provide a positive environment for its workers. For 90 years, that is something that Gyproc has strived towards, and even after his retirement, it is something that Francie thinks of:
“I get a real fierce sense of pride in the company. Every time I pass the factory, which is very often – four or five times a week that I’m by here – I just say ‘thanks be to God I worked in that company’.”
Then. Now. Next. Built on Strong Foundations. Built Together. For 90 years, Gyproc has been built by people whose dedication, skill and passion have shaped homes, schools, workplaces and communities across Ireland. As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead to the next chapter. Discover more about Gyproc’s 90-year journey, the people behind the brand and what comes next by visiting our website.