Business

EJC Contracts extends partnership with Virgin Media O2

NEWTOWNABBEY-based EJC Contracts has strengthened its existing partnership with Virgin Media O2 in a move it says will create investment and additional jobs.

The family-owned and operated company has played a significant role in almost doubling Virgin Media O2’s footprint in Northern Ireland since 2016 through its flagship Project Lightning network roll-out.

To date, Project Lightning has covered a total of 15.75 million UK homes, and its goal is to reach 16 million by the end of 2022.

EJC, as its existing civil engineering contractor, will work in partnership with Virgin Media O2 over a multi-year period to continue to expand the ultrafast connectivity to tens of thousands more premises in the north.

Northern Ireland has the highest level of gigabit-capable coverage at 85 per cent across the UK, in large part to continued investment from Virgin Media O2.

Rob Evans, fixed network expansion managing director at Virgin Media O2, said: “We're delighted to continue our relationship with EJC Contracts.

“They will play a vital role in expanding our broadband network in Northern Ireland as well deploy network connectivity to support businesses, customers and communities, shoring up these services for future generations.”

EJC Contracts was established in 1993 with a small lorry, a digger and just a handful of staff, but has since grown into one of the most respected utilities, construction and civil engineering companies in Ireland and the UK, with a proven track record of success.

Owned by Edward and Clare Connolly, in its latest trading year EJC made a profit of £2.1 million on sales of £16.1 million.

The company operates in areas of utilities, grab hire, tipper hire, road surfacing, heavy haulage, civils, paving and patios, surfacing/ground works, plant hire (with operator), sweeper hire, environmental works, site investigations, site clearance, planning design, engineering.