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2022: A Year to Remember

It’s hard to believe that another year has passed, but this December feels different. 2022 was something of a rebirth for Delmec, as we headed back into the office, travelled overseas and expanded our team, operations and client list further than ever. Now that we’re close to the end of the year, I’m taking a moment to review the last 12 months and chart the amazing progress of the Delmec team.

On the road again

In a stark contrast to last year, I spent much of 2022 some 30,000 feet high in the sky. The last eight weeks have seen me visit Oman, South Africa, the UAE, the DRC, Tanzania, Pakistan, Malaysia, Malawi and Singapore. Some of the most enjoyable trips were to TowerXchange meet-ups. Over the years, our presence at these global events has grown and now our contingent of expert speakers, panellists and representatives are among the most popular draws. Our reputation is preceding us at this point, and we find audiences are eager to hear about the innovative ways that Delmec is solving our industry’s most pressing problems.

While travel has its own challenges, and it’s hard being away from my wife and children, I do enjoy being back in a room with clients and colleagues again. There’s nothing like meeting with our teams on the ground, seeing our designs come to life on sites, and discussing future projects and plans around a table. We were very fortunate to have been able to pivot so quickly to remote services in the past, but I hope to be able to continue this hybrid approach in 2023 and beyond.

Exciting growth

While the last three years have been tumultuous to say the least, I’m particularly proud of the fact that Delmec rose to meet every challenge head-on and capitalised on every opportunity our industry afforded us. As a result, our growth has been exceptional, an upward trajectory that’s poised to continue into the new year.

2022 also saw Delmec acquire the assets, projects, and expertise of FocusPlus Ltd. in Ireland. This acquisition brings into the fold a global mobile infrastructure specialist and telecoms design services company with vast experience and familiarity with diverse planning regulations. This move will help to expand our capabilities, offering our clients independent site design and planning services.

It’s been a pleasure welcoming our highly capable FocusPlus colleagues into the Delmec family, and we’ve found that already we’re learning from each other, helping to strengthen and extend our skills. No doubt the upcoming Christmas party season will help to cement the relationship even further!

An award-winning team

This year saw Delmec’s collection of awards grow bigger, with the Deloitte 2022 Best in Innovation Award as well as County Carlow Chamber‘s 2022 Business Award for Research Innovation and Technology.  We were also named as one of Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies in Ireland for the fifth time — making us one of their Gold Standard winners.
Speaking to the Sunday Business Post about the Deloitte innovation award, I recalled that the process helped our team focus on the key areas of strategy, capability and innovation, culture and commitment, as well as governance and financials. It’s heartening to think that we excelled across all of these fields, despite all the challenges posed by the changing economic environment. We’ve always made it our mission to stay ahead of the curve — no easy feat in the fast-moving telecommunications industry — and to be recognised for this was a proud moment for us all here at Delmec.

Turning 50 together

By a strange quirk of fate, both Delmec and I are celebrating five decades this year. The company has come a long way since its origins as a steel engineering and fabrication firm in the 1970s. I’ve followed a similarly changeable path, moving from an engineer to a manager, and then a CEO.  While I tend to focus on the road ahead, always moving forward, this big birthday has given me pause for thought — a chance to reflect on all that we’ve done together, Delmec and I.

From establishing overseas offices in Africa to a pivotal partnership with Helios Towers, the last half-century in particular has been one of exceptional progress, driven in no small part by our extraordinarily committed team. Ending this year with the news that together we grew our company by more than 50% is all the birthday present I could ask for.

We close this year in a great position as a company, with a solid strategy for development across multiple markets in the coming years. A huge thank you to everybody in Delmec — as well as our supportive families and friends — for driving this incredible growth.

I’m very aware that the most valuable asset in our company is our people. For us here at Delmec, synergy shapes success is not just a tagline — it’s a way of life. Here’s to our great people, to an exciting year, and to an even better 2023.

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Employee Spotlight: Natalia Kononova

In this latest instalment of our #TalentedTeamwork series, we meet Natalia Kononova, who recently joined Delmec as a Telecoms Energy Consultant. She gives us an insight into moving from civil engineering to telecommunications, and what it’s like to work remotely on international projects for Delmec.

The telecommunications industry moves fast, and staying ahead of the curve has long been a priority for Delmec. We work with some of the world’s leading academics, researchers, and experts to make sure that our teams are equipped with the information they need to create innovative solutions for our clients.

That’s the thinking that led us to Telecoms Energy Consultant Natalia Kononova, who joined Delmec four months ago. Although she’s relatively new to the company, she’s a veteran in her field. “I didn’t choose this industry, it chose me,” she explains. “I initially trained as a civil engineer, working on building design, construction, interior design, and product innovation.” She entered the telecommunications industry in 2007 and consulted with a variety of clients including Huawei in the Middle East, Cybercom in Africa and Asia, and Airov8 in Asia.

“I enjoy working on international projects with international teams,” she says about her role. “My job entails continued research, improvement, and innovation. I recently gained a new qualification in ‘Incorporating Renewable Energy in Electricity Grids’, which connected directly to my role in Delmec.” She’s currently working on several projects in Asia and the Middle East and relishes the chance to see her skills and knowledge implemented in the field: “Delmec provides me with the opportunity to develop and use what I know.”

Although she works remotely from her home, Natalia is very happy to be part of a team at Delmec. “I work with exceptional people from all around the world and it’s a pleasure to learn from them, discover their way of thinking, and work together to create something completely new.”

It’s those people who are Delmec’s biggest asset, Natalia believes, especially in an unpredictable environment. “Difficulties exist in all industries,” she says. “But with such dynamic, innovative teams, Delmec is in a great position to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.”

When she’s not drafting white papers, problem-solving with engineers, or spending time with her family, Natalia is a crack shot with a rifle. “I used to train 3-4 times a week for 15 years,” she says of the sport. “My international travel can make it difficult, but I still get out to the range whenever I can.”

Marksmanship is a discipline that has parallels with her work in telecommunications: “Both are about analysing the environment, finding the right position, and working in tandem with your teammates to focus on the target,” she says. “There’s nothing like hitting that bullseye — whether it’s scoring points in my sport, or finding the perfect engineering solution in my work.”

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Delmec Speakers in Singapore: TowerXChange Asia Meetup 2022

In a fitting close to an action-packed year, the Delmec team has just returned from another successful overseas event. Taking place in the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, TowerXchange Asia Meetup 2022 gathered together the many MNOs, towercos, investors, regulators, and suppliers who are shaping the telecommunications industry in Asia.

Guests included representatives of leading names in the region including Amplitel, Summit Digital, edotco Group, Edgepoint, SBA Towers, MIDC, Phil Towers, Frontier Towers and Indara. The full Delmec contingent was also in attendance, drawn by the opportunity to meet with our Asia-based clients and discuss the many changes afoot in the region.  

The week kicked off with a ‘welcome back’ dinner, which helped to break the ice and soothe the effects of long haul travel. After that it was onto an  exciting schedule of keynote speeches, roundtables, and group discussions. Now that the team are back in our HQ — and just about over their jetlag — they’ve been sharing some of the most interesting takeaways from their time in Singapore.

A Fast-Moving Market

The Asian market has seen unprecedented M&A activity of late, with TowerXchange estimating that some 366,000 towers have changed hands in recent years. This tidal wave of activity has brought with it many new towercos, some only weeks or months old. “All of these new operators are working at a rapid pace to analyse their portfolios, serve their customers, build efficient processes, and establish a sustainable business,” points out Orla Kane, Delmec’s Chief Commercial Officer. “The scale of activity and the speed of progression in this market is quite extraordinary.”

The Philippines in particular is undergoing a sizable shift in tower ownership, with five sale-and-leaseback deals over the last 12 months.

“There was a lot of discussion around further M&A opportunities as well as growth through BTS in the Philippines,” says Orla. “We can probably also expect to see consolidations due to the higher number of smaller towercos.”

The push towards 5G is partly responsible for this rapid acceleration of infrastructure in the region. Mohan Villavarayan, our Asia Regional Business Manager, moderated a panel discussion that traced how stakeholders might expect traditional tower company models to transition to the new age of 5G.

He also attended a ‘Spotlight on Malaysia’ roundtable that focused on 5G too, looking at the government’s Special Purpose Vehicle that’s managing the wholesale distribution of 5G bandwidth. “Interestingly, the participants were divided in their opinion on whether this was a positive or negative,” Mohan recalls. “Most of the Malaysian participants were of the view that we may see a single entity indirectly emerging as the dominant operator with control of the 5G spectrum allocation.”

The Drive Towards Digitisation

Part of the lineup included a working group that was tasked with discussing the many challenges and opportunities around digitising the business. These included automation, emerging technologies, asset management platforms, and digitised workflows.

Delmec CEO Kealan Delaney found these sessions particularly interesting, as he was keen to glean some insights into the pros and cons of the solutions available. “There is no doubt that digitisation is a fact of life now in our industry,” he says. “It’s just a matter of creating the right roadmap to take us from where we are to where we need to be.”

The participants generously shared their varied experiences with the audience. Mat Jones of Amplitel gave his insights into data integration with customer systems, emphasising how much of a priority it is for their business. Tim Knowles outlined how Frontier Towers Associates faced a different set of challenges, having scaled from four to 150 people and 600 to 4,000 towers in just two years. Their business model changed from BTS to SLB, which means they need more OEM, site monitoring, and automation.

When it comes to digitisation — whether that means automation, drone use, digital twins, or more — all agreed that securing team buy-in is the key to smooth adoption. “When developing new processes, it’s important to involve colleagues from the outset, as they’ll invest in the success of the initiative,” says Kealan.

Working globally means dealing with myriad countries’ legislative rules, technological limits, and cultural considerations. “It’s easy to get bogged down in granular detail,” says Kealan. “So as an industry we need to keep it simple, demonstrate true value, and find solutions to these constraints.”

Changing Business Models

The changing face of our industry is a popular topic at every telco event lately, and Asia Meetup 2022 was no different. ​​Damien Kelly, our Head of Engineering and Innovation attended a roundtable that examined towercos and digital infracos.

“Interestingly, both ATC and Crown Castle contribute about 15% to 20% of their top line to non-traditional tower leases,” Damien points out. “This is major as it shows a shift to small cell solutions in an effort to densify the network in urban locations.” These solutions can provide lower-cost options for coverage, preventing the ratio-related losses that a typical macro site might experience.

Rural sites pose a different challenge, as the CapEx required makes them unattractive to many towercos. “There was much discussion around potentially reducing the cost by not overdesigning the solution at the beginning, but having the option to upgrade when a second tenant comes onboard,” Damien recalls.

One of the benefits of gathering so many international delegates in one room is the opportunity to hear the innovations at play in different countries. “One attendee outlined a government-backed scheme to push RAN-sharing in New Zealand, which allows a more attractive ROI,” Damien says. “Additionally, if an ultra-rural off-grid solution was rolled out, the towercos could train residents in the area to carry out general maintenance on the solar panels, further reducing the OpEx on the site. It makes for a very interesting proposition.”

Valuable Opportunities to Learn

The clue to the biggest benefit of Asia Meetup 2022 is in its name: the opportunity to meet with colleagues, clients, and customers from all over the world. While our teams are always glad to be invited to share our knowledge, we also recognise that listening is as important as speaking.

“The organisers ensured there was a good cross-section of executives participating in the roundtables, discussions, and keynote speeches,” Mohan says. “This helped us gain important insights into the tower industry in Asia, including its pain points and opportunities for growth.”

“There is no doubt that the Delmec contingent contributed enormously to the discussions in Singapore,” Kealan confirms. “They collated, analysed, and shared on-the-ground experience that has real impact on the international telco stage. But we also returned with a clearer picture of how to put those skills and that knowledge to work in a fast-changing environment — in Asia, Africa, and beyond.”

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Reflecting on Columbia Business School’s YPO CEO Academy

Like most of us in the telecommunications industry, I believe in the value of lifelong education. I got my MBA and attended Harvard Business School many years ago, but there isn’t a day that goes by without a new lesson to learn.

That’s the thinking that led me to Columbia Business School in New York. I was there to attend the YPO Global One CEO Academy, which took place over the course of five action-packed days. The YPO is a global leadership community of more than 30,000 chief executives from 142 countries. Running since 1950, the organisation “welcomes extraordinary leaders to grow stronger together to improve lives, businesses and the world.”

The programme was designed for both new and experienced chief executive officers, and featured a range of speakers including professors as well as current and former CEOs from major companies. The benefit of this diversity is that we heard from leading academics about the results of their research while also listening to real-life CEOs who’ve been at the business coalface for years. Hearing their perspectives on macroeconomic trends, shareholder relationships, and strategic leadership was enlightening as well as inspiring.

The CEO Academy was one of the last global events I attended before the pandemic kicked in and we were faced with real tests of our leadership. All the challenges we’d discussed — including leading teams through a crisis period — suddenly became much more acute, as we were faced with unprecedented change and an uncertain future. I found myself recalling the stories of veteran CEOS who’d shepherded their companies through critical moments in the past. Those words of wisdom helped to strengthen my resolve and keep thinking of the big picture when every day brought a fresh firefight.

I was also reminded of the CEOs who honestly and earnestly recounted the impact of their work on their friends and families. Our roles can be demanding, requiring long hours and international travel, and this can be difficult for loved ones. There is no easy solution, of course, but my colleagues in Columbia taught me that the key is to seek balance. This guided my thinking during the long work-from-home period, and helped me establish better goals for myself, my team, and our international community once we returned to the office.

It’s this environment of open sharing and trusted advice that YPO seeks to foster. Their aim is to create a community where members can “learn from one another, access rich learning programs, share exceptional experiences and make lasting friendships”. It was the latter aspect that I found the most affecting — I’m still in touch with many of the people I met in New York, and hope to maintain their friendship for years to come.

That’s the real benefit of opportunities such as the Columbia Business School’s YPO CEO Academy — meeting like-minded people, forging lasting connections, and working together, one small step at a time, to make the world a better place.

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Employee Spotlight: Bienvenu Mandro

We continue our #TalentedTeamwork series this week with Bienvenu Mandro, Delmec Country Manager for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking from his office in Kinshasa, Bienvenu takes us through the many hats he wears on a daily basis — including his role as an evangelist in his community.

Delmec has been operating in DRC for almost ten years, opening a permanent office in its capital, Kinshasa, in 2015. There, our team is kept busy supporting some of the biggest towercos in the country such as Helios DRC, as well as MNOs such as Orange, Airtel, Africell and MTN.

Bienvenu Mandro was one of Delmec’s earliest hires in DRC, rising from Project Manager to Country Manager in eight years. He was attracted by the opportunity to work with a global company, grow his career, and travel around the world. Since then, he’s had his foot to the pedal, providing a wide range of services to Delmec’s clients and customers in the region.

“In addition to my role of Country Manager (managing the DRC subsidiary), I also manage the Quality Audit (QA) Team,” he explains. “The QA team is there to make sure that all the data we gather, process, and send to our colleagues and clients is correct. Supplying reliable, trusted information to our stakeholders helps them to make the right decision for their businesses.”

Bienvenu has seen many challenges emerge in our industry over the last few years, but his main focus for the future is the management of power. “I’m seeing telecom sites taking on new technologies that require more power than ever before,” he says. “A big part of my work is thinking about how we at Delmec can innovate in this space and  provide smart solutions to our telecom operators.”

His work is fast-paced, but Bienvenu likes it that way: “I enjoy the daily challenges and feel proud when we can deliver what nobody thought possible,” he says. “For example, we carried out 1,240 equipment audits over a period of just eight weeks in 2018. That’s the kind of high-pressure work where my team and I can really prove our abilities.”

Just as busy offsite as onsite, Bienvenue is also pursuing his Doctorate of Business Administration. It’s tough to fit in study around his other commitments, but he’s enjoying his journey in education. When he gets a rare opportunity for down-time, he likes to have a kickabout, playing football with friends on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Bienvenu is also an evangelist, and spends his weekends preaching and teaching the gospel. It’s part of his lifelong commitment to supporting his community. “The role I like the most is being a mentor,” he says. “Over the last eight years, I’ve recruited more than 70 people in DRC. I’m proud to see some of them being promoted as project managers or senior project managers in Delmec.” Other members of his team have gone onto work for our clients and contractors, or become project managers in other industries.

This focus on training and development is something that’s shared by all of us here at Delmec. For almost fifty years, we’ve worked with talented people from all around the world, helping them grow their careers in the telecommunications industry. Whether they stay with our teams or branch out into other offices, they’re all part of a global Delmec community, proving every day that synergy shapes success.

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Out of Africa: Delmec Team Round-Up from TowerXChange Africa 2022

This year, TowerXchange Meetup Africa 2022 made a welcome return to Johannesburg after a three-year break.

The event marked the 10th anniversary of TowerXchange, and once again attracted all the key players in the telecoms infrastructure industry, including representatives from tower operators, towercos, telcos, service providers, consultancy agencies, and investors.  As always, the Delmec contingent was strong, including CEO Kealan Delaney, Head of Engineering and Innovation Damien Kelly, Head of Sales and Marketing Orla Kane, and Sales Development Manager Áine Kenna.

The team based themselves in Sandton, the business centre of Johannesburg. They were glad to leave the cold and wet weather behind, and arrive into the warm temperatures of an African spring.

“It was really great to have everyone back in Africa again,” says CEO Kealan Delaney. “We always enjoy catching up with our colleagues and clients there, discussing industry developments and learning more about market challenges. Plus, it was a welcome chance to enjoy a little sunshine before we’re knee-deep in an Irish winter!”

Connecting rural and urban sites

The Delmec stand proved to be one of the busiest, with a steady stream of attendees stopping by to meet a company they’d heard much about. Every conversation, chat, and catch-up confirmed that the biggest focus for towercos and MNOs in Africa is still infrastructure, specifically urban densification and rural roll-outs.

Government bodies are applying pressure to close gaps between the two, although, as is the case in other territories, complex regulation does slow the pace of innovation. “Of course, significant investment is what’s really needed,” Damien Kelly says, but cautious that this requires “economies of scale, a reduction in the cost of capital, and demonstrably strong ROIs for investors.”  He gives an example: “If a towerco is going to build a new site in a rural area, it’ll need a high number of tenants to make it viable. In low-population locations, that can be a real challenge, so we need to find more cost-effective ways of gaining coverage in these areas.”

The situation gets even more complicated when it comes to 5G, as most rural residents in the region don’t have phones that are compatible with the newer technology.  With even fewer rent-paying tenants available, the commercial need for new sites will become even more difficult to justify.

Infrastructure support is among the key services Delmec offers in Africa, helping our clients navigate disparate regulations, secure international funding, and assess, develop, and maintain sites all over the region. “It was clear from our discussions that regardless of whether you represent a towerco or service provider, it’s vital for everyone to really understand the customer’s needs and ask,” says Áine Kenna. Sometimes the right solution only emerges when everybody gets in a room together — which is exactly why we flew to South Africa for this exciting event.

Drivers for digitisation

Delmec led a lively session on ‘life in a digital towerco’, in which we explored asset digitisation, solutions to common challenges, and technological advancements. “Remote site monitoring (RMS) was a hot topic,” says Damien Kelly, pointing out that the level of data received from the site can vary significantly depending on the system and the towerco. “The challenge with getting updates on everything from power usage to site access, network connectivity, and fuel level is that it can be information overload: in this case, towercos might need to install clever systems or embark on training to make sure the data is interpreted correctly and used efficiently.”

The session prompted a number of suppliers to exhibit their own offering, which made for an interesting showcase. “A lot of us concluded that the industry needs to be pragmatic in how its companies transform into digital towercos,” notes Damien. “In many cases, focusing on the low hanging fruit by trying to incorporate new technology in day-to-day operations may well be more beneficial than attempts to entirely replace manual processes.”

Readiness for 5G

A working group on ‘Planning ahead: When will Africa be ready for 5G?’ proved to be one of the most popular, attracting a robust chat and a general consensus that ‘4G is for people, but 5G is for industry’. This relates to the theory that technologies such as autonomous cars, live translation and IoT will eventually drive the need for faster connectivity, as the typical use cases we see today would not justify the large cost involved.

While most event participants agreed that 5G will likely start in South Africa initially, they also recognised a more wide-scale need for densification and fibre roll-out and talked about how best to justify it commercially.

Áine Kenna recalls that Rob Salbego from Helios pointed out that in reality, most towers in the region don’t have the capacity for 5G, the majority of phones in use there can’t be upgraded to 5G, and customers need strong 4G coverage across the region much more than 5G in concentrated areas.

This means that while it’s natural to push to progress the latest technology in our industry, it might be more pragmatic to first enhance and expand 4G in the African continent. In reality, most users care more about being able to make calls in remote areas than using virtual reality headsets in their homes.

Looking to the future

A panel titled ‘The future of Africa’s tower industry’ looked at how business is evolving in the region. For Áine Kenna, a discussion around contracts was particularly interesting:  “There has been a huge push over the last two years for contracts to be carried out in the local currency,” she says. “But this can cause concern for stakeholders due to the instability of some currencies in the Africa market.” She concedes that the majority of the capital is in US dollars, which is why there is often an incentive to keep the profit in USD. Sale and leaseback transactions are becoming the norm now in the region, due to the high volume of acquisition and joint ventures. 

It was also clear that energy and sustainability are key drivers for towerco and MNO business models right now, particularly during this period of escalating costs. Participants agreed that while solar panels are the preferred choice, in many instances a small structure footprint limits the capacity to add panels. “The need for innovation in the drive to build a greener network is evident,” says Orla Kane. “However, there is no one body giving direction on sustainability requirements, which is leading to myriad developments and added complexity for suppliers like ourselves. The industry ecosystem needs to work together to provide clarity, consistency, and more sustainable solutions.”

TowerXchange Meetup Africa 2022 proved to be an excellent opportunity for the entire Delmec team to share valuable knowledge, learn from industry colleagues, and explore vital developments in the region.

CEO Kealan Delaney returned from the trip energised about our work on the African continent — and sporting a touch of sunburn to boot. “This event made it clear that Delmec is justifiably viewed as an expert in the region,” he says. “I was proud to watch my team take their places on panels along with representatives from telecommunication giants like American Tower, Huawei, Helios Towers and more. Our people brought a dynamic combination of experience, expertise, and out-of-the-box thinking.”

Now that we’re all back at our HQ in Ireland, the push is on to convert our discussion findings into real-life solutions, helping to connect all our clients, customers, and communities in Africa — through 4G, 5G, and beyond.

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Board benefits: the value of private businesses adopting public company tools

When three Delaney brothers came together in 1975 to found the company that would become Delmec, they were focused on building a strong local business. At that stage, before the era of modern telecommunications, they probably wouldn’t have dreamed of operating across three continents.

And yet here we are, almost fifty years later, with offices all around the world. While our HQ remains in Carlow, Ireland, we now have teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Africa, Poland, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

This has led to an interesting situation, in which we effectively straddle two worlds: we’re a family-based private business that operates on the scale of a global public company.

Private company structure

Many entrepreneurs dream about ‘going public’ with the company they’ve built — we’ve all seen movie characters ring the bell on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor. But keeping a company private is an increasingly popular option: in the US, the number of publicly listed companies dropped by 52% from the late 1990s to 2016.

Why? Well, control is usually a big reason why companies choose to stay private. Over the years, Delmec has faced many different challenges, from the economically bleak 1980s, to the global recession of 2008, all the way to the devastating pandemic of recent years.

We’ve weathered these storms by staying true to our core values: bravery, proactivity, teamwork, and smart, solution-based thinking. In every situation, our executive leadership makes the best decisions possible based on our commitment to our colleagues, our clients, and our customers — not external shareholders, equity-fund owners, or the vagaries of a tumultuous stock market. That sort of self-determination is invaluable to us, and not something we’re interested in giving up.

Public company tools

That said, there are benefits that come with taking a company public.  Chief among these is the injection of capital funds, of course, which allows for greater expansion, R&D, and myriad other progressions. Preparing to issue a prospectus for going public can be a challenging and costly process, but it’s also an opportunity to thoroughly interrogate what’s working within a company — and what isn’t. The market tends to have a quick and sometimes devastating reaction in the case of the latter, as seen in some well-known failed IPOs of recent years.

There is a complex framework of rules and regulations surrounding public companies, designed to protect the ordinary shareholder. This extra layer of oversight, while expensive to manage, usually results in a more tightly-organised structure to the business. Most legal systems also require public companies to appoint an independent board of directors. This can lead to friction, of course — not every outside board member will have the same understanding of the business as its founder, or key executives — but it also brings ‘fresh eyes’ and varied experiences to the table.

The best of both worlds

Here at Delmec, with our engineering backgrounds, we’re always looking to shape unique solutions to common challenges. That’s the kind of thinking that led to us choosing a hybrid approach to our company’s leadership: cherry-picking the best elements of a public and private company to ensure our continued success.

More than three years ago, we designed a multi-layered board structure based on groups of shareholders, management teams and appointed employees. Board members have varying responsibilities, from setting high level company OKRs to implementing strategy and tracking individual KPIs. We put together a charter that includes a list of requirements, and a framework for our quarterly meetings.

One of the most important decisions we made is to create a board of advisors, which includes industry stalwarts who bring exceptional knowledge, skills and expertise to Delmec, as well as key networking opportunities and guidance on governance and strategy. Above all, they lend valuable new perspectives — those ‘fresh eyes’ that usually benefit public companies.

Scaling new heights

Delmec is growing faster than ever before, with new opportunities emerging within the market for alternative networks. Taking this ‘best of both worlds’ approach allows us to continue to offer the uniquely personal service that comes with a private, tightly-knit organisation, while scaling at a level usually seen in public companies.

From three Irish brothers to a global workforce comprising more than 20 nationalities, Delmec has always believed that collaboration, partnership, and synergy is what drives success. Now, as we welcome to our boards some of the brightest and best minds in the industry, the sky’s the limit.

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Global Telecoms Infrastructure in a Recession — What Might Happen?

Here at Delmec, we’re always looking to the future. The world of global telecommunications moves fast, and it’s important that we’re prepared for every eventuality. This week, our board has been focused on one big question: how will the predicted recession affect global telecoms infrastructure rollout and investment?

Continued Demand

It’ll come as no surprise to those of us in the field that the demand for network expansion remains strong. A recent Gartner report indicated that general investment in digital transformation will continue, particularly in the areas of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, automation, and the internet of things (IOT). Media headlines appear to confirm this stance, with CNBC reporting that “Despite recession fears, companies aren’t pulling back on technology investments” with tech leaders understanding “that technology is not a cost center (sic), but rather a business driver.”

Nokia and Ericsson seem to be on the same page, as they’ve budgeted to continue their 5G rollout. The push for network expansion and improvement comes not just from the public, but also from funders whose tech investments require more capacity. That said, the recession will likely result in less spend, which will mean a slowing-down of rollout.

Reduced Revenue

The development of sustainable projects, cloud-based networks and open RAN is expected to progress, with Omdia forecasting total telecoms revenue (including mobile and fixed broadband services), to grow “from $1.1tn in 2021 to $1.3tn in 2027 at a CAGR of 2.2%.” However, there may be an adjustment in store if the recession’s effects are felt sooner rather than later.

MNOs are likely to be affected more so than towercos because of pressure on ARPUs as consumers tighten their collective belts. For example, people will look to save money, Omdia analysts say, by “shifting to lower tariffs, sacrificing their mobile data allowance, and using Wi-Fi instead.” The knock-on effect, of course, will be a serious demand for more cost-effective networks.

Challenges Ahead

So what does this mean for businesses like Delmec? Well, there will be challenges for sure, particularly with reduced revenue levels and increased pressure for cost and carbon savings. Some of our clients will feel these changes more acutely than others, and the earlier they begin to prepare, the better. This is where our superior portfolio management services are of particular benefit, as are our data-collection and analysis skills. The old adage that information is power may become truer than ever as we all look to find new ways to curb costs while continuing to progress as an industry.

Commentators are expecting developing markets to be hit harder by this recession, but our instinct — based on decades of experience in these territories — is that their telecommunications sectors will be more resilient than predicted. With this in mind, we’re working closely with affected clients to make sure they’re in the strongest possible position going into these uncertain times.

Opportunities Persist


As always, there will be some silver linings ahead too. The ever-increasing focus on sustainable products and services is likely to bring market stimulation in the form of investment, innovation, and activity. The continued drive towards Open RAN technology is helping to break down barriers, making progress more affordable and accessible to the smaller players.

Funding and managing this in straitened circumstances may lead to new pressure to adopt more netco models, which Deloitte says are “regarded as low-risk businesses that will generate steady cash flows over long periods by leasing their infrastructure to service providers.”

Overall, we’re confident here in Delmec that there’ll still be plenty of potential to grow in this market. We’ll all just need to be more shrewd in what we choose to do. If we do enter a recessionary period as expected, it won’t be the first for our 50-year-old company. We’ll weather this storm too, by working together with our clients to make sure that synergy shapes success, no matter how tough the economic environment might get.

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Delmec & Its CEO: Turning Fifty Together

As CEO of a large, international company, I spend a lot of time on the move, whether in Europe, Africa, or Asia. It’s fast-paced, but I like it that way.

This year, though, brings pause for thought, as I turn fifty years old. It’s a milestone in anybody’s life, but for me it feels especially poignant as Delmec is also approaching its fifth decade.

It’s fair to say we’ve grown up together, Delmec and I. As a child I remember the excitement of visiting my family at work as the company evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly-changing telecommunications industry. From ‘brick’ phones and analog 1G to virtual reality headsets and 5G, it’s been an exciting journey for us all.

Just as I had to learn to crawl before I could walk, Delmec also started with the basics, the hard graft required to erect sky-scraping structures in all sorts of terrain. As our team moved from manufacturing to designing and optimising, I was building my own skill set too, first as a young engineer, then later as a manager, and finally, as CEO.

Celebrating the ‘big 5-0’ has meant reflecting a little on these years, and looking at what my role is — as a leader, a husband, and a father. I’ve realised that despite the raft of books, podcasts, and Ted Talks on the subject, happiness is not that complicated. For me, at least, it can be distilled into three things: health, purpose, and positivity.

We’re all a little guilty of taking our health for granted, but the last two years have reminded us that it’s precious. Equally, time away from the office has emphasised how important it is to have a sense of purpose. Whether that’s hitting a career-related goal, participating in a sporting event, or taking care of loved ones, we need to find meaning in our lives to be truly happy.

For me, my family is my priority. While I am dedicated to my work, my wife and children are the greatest joy in my life. Like everyone, I don’t always get it right, but I know that taking care of my family and protecting my home life matters most.

Last, but not least is positivity. Taking stock this year has made me realise how fortunate I am to really, truly enjoy my work. Over the decades, we’ve built an international team of dynamic, innovative, and highly-trained people who share my passion for connecting people and places. Every day we get to learn from each other, build our skills, and expand our knowledge — with plenty of laughs along the way.

When I was a younger man, my aim was to retire when I reached fifty years old. Now that the big day has come and passed, I have no intention of hanging up my hard hat. We’re still on this shared journey, Delmec, and I, with lots achieved, and much more to do in the future. It’s every bit as exciting in the 21st century as it was in the 20th — roll on the next fifty years!

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Employee Spotlight: Sreto Jankic

In the latest instalment of our #TalentedTeamwork series, we chat to Sreto Jankic, Delmec’s Design Office Training Manager. He fills us in on the stroke of luck that saw him join our company, the great relationship he has with his team — and his love of the TV show, “Derry Girls”!

Ever since our early days in the 1970s, we’ve made it our mission here at Delmec to hire the brightest and the best in our industry. Sometimes people come to us seeking career advancement, or the chance to travel and learn exciting skills. Other times, it’s just what Sreto Jankik calls “pure luck”.

“I had no experience with telecoms, and at the time I wasn’t located in Ireland. It was a very long shot,” the Design Office Training Manager says. “But it all worked out brilliantly, and fit like a glove — I found everything I needed as a young engineer seeking to learn and grow, while Delmec got someone who’s willing to embrace every opportunity and really put their shoulder to the wheel.”

It’s the positive, uplifting environment that he has found most beneficial, even now, more than five years later. “I have a dynamic role,” he explains. “My work involves management, training, engineering, and consulting, all with different departments.” It’s that variety that really appeals to his nature, as no two days are ever the same. “I like Delmec’s people, their professional approach, and even the challenges that go along with the work,” he says.

Sreto spends most of his time upskilling and training new engineers as Delmec expands. “My job is to support the team and help them grow and build their careers in Delmec,” he tells us. When asked what advice he gives new hires, he’s unequivocal: “Don’t be afraid. Hit that wall. Make mistakes. Learn. Adapt. It’s worth it.”

He says that while his role is mostly internal, he always has an eye to the most important external factor: our community of clients around the world. “I want to show our clients that we have a strong team, with unique capabilities and cutting-edge skills,” he says. “Every day we work hard to make sure that Delmec is — and always will be — the best choice for them.” 

Sreto’s team maintains a busy schedule, but there’s plenty of time for a little levity too, especially in a group of creative-minded people. “There is so much fun among the guys in Design,” he smiles. “Between the working chats and meetings, our team shares gifs, memes and jokes with each other — it really lifts the spirits and makes the day fly by.”

During his downtime, Sreto enjoys watching comedy: “One of my favourite TV shows is “Derry Girls”,” he laughs. “It’s fantastic and absolutely hilarious.” On the weekends, he sometimes visits the Coumshingaun Loop Walk in the Comeragh Mountains in Waterford. He enjoys hiking, but likes to keep his two feet firmly on the ground, having discovered he’s not a fan of heights during a Delmec tower training course. He’s happy to leave that to the climbers on our team!

Looking ahead, Sreto believes that we’re entering an exciting time in our industry’s trajectory, and feels that Delmec is in a good position to overcome new challenges and embrace fresh opportunities. “In the last five years, the company has changed a lot and with that I’ve changed as well,” he says. “But I like where it went and can’t wait to see where It will go.”