Galway-based Rostek Fire & Security Systems is fast approaching its 20th anniversary next year and the company has plenty to celebrate in the meantime, having recently won Specialist Project of the Year at the prestigious Irish Electrical Awards 2026.
Founded in 2007 by Managing Director, Fergus Myles, Rostek began as a small electrical business undertaking domestic and commercial projects before the financial crash of 2008 forced a strategic shift. Demonstrating an ability to adapt that has served it well over the past two decades, the company responded by moving into specialist areas.
Reflecting on that journey, Fergus highlights how the company’s evolution has been driven by resilience and adaptability. “At the time of the global economic crash, we had to diversify quickly. Moving into fire, security and maintenance allowed us to build strong relationships and develop real expertise. That set the foundation for everything that’s followed.”
Rostek has since been able to broaden its horizons and expand nationwide, taking on increasingly large and complex projects in the process. At the same time, the company has strengthened its infrastructure accordingly and now employs more than 100 people. This allows it to deliver major works across a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, data centres, public works and large-scale commercial developments. It is particularly recognised for its technical expertise, especially in fire detection and security systems, and maintains key partnerships, as well as collaborations with leading security technology providers.
The subsequent growth in Rostek’s reputation and the commercial success that has followed has been further underlined by industry recognition down the years. Its latest award win was secured on the back of the company’s work on the Bonham development at Galway Docks. This involved the delivery of a comprehensive suite of life safety and security systems, such as fire detection, intruder alarms, disabled refuge systems, CCTV, access control, intercom systems and automated gates.
Dermot Molloy, Director, points out the scale of projects Rostek now delivers reflects both its technical capability and its ambition for growth. “We’re currently working on some of the largest and most complex projects in the country. We’ve built strong partnerships, particularly with Siemens Building Technologies, with which we have been Silver Partners since 2020. We’ve invested heavily in developing our technical expertise, which allows us to deliver at the highest level.”
In addition to winning Specialist Project of the Year, Rostek was also shortlisted for Specialist Contractor of the Year, highlighting its broader contribution to the industry. Fergus believes the award recognition is a reflection of the team behind the business. “The award success is a real credit to our people. The quality of work comes down to the effort and pride they put into every project. That’s what makes achievements like this possible.”
The project work recognised by the awards mirrors the type of contracts Rostek regularly delivers. One recent example included a full fire alarm installation for a large-scale pharmaceutical facility in the west of Ireland. The project ran for approximately 18 months and involved extensive engineering, design assistance and site-wide implementation, from concept through to completion and final sign-off.
Recent and ongoing projects continue to reflect Rostek’s reach across multiple sectors. In addition to pharmaceutical facilities, the company has delivered data centre projects in Dublin, worked on major public sector contracts with the Office of Public Works, and undertaken installations across hotels and commercial developments nationwide. This diverse portfolio provides resilience and flexibility, allowing the business to adapt to changing market conditions.
To support this continued expansion, Rostek recently doubled the size of its headquarters in Galway, reflecting its increasing workforce and operational needs. The upgraded facilities include additional meeting spaces and offices to accommodate the growing team.
Dermot believes that culture has been a defining factor in the company’s growth. “We’re only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. We’ve built a fantastic ethos, with a strong relationship between management and staff. It’s a great environment, full of energy, and we’re always focused on helping people grow in their careers.”
This approach has helped Rostek maintain strong levels of staff retention, always essential when maintaining quality and sustaining growth. A collaborative workplace culture and a shared commitment to high standards are viewed as key drivers behind the company’s continued expansion.
Looking ahead to its 20th anniversary in 2027 and beyond, Rostek sees significant opportunities both within Ireland and overseas. The company has a strong pipeline of secured work and is actively planning expansion into the UK and Europe within the next 12 months. This marks a major step in its long-term growth strategy, building on its established reputation.
Despite strong growth, the company acknowledges ongoing challenges, particularly around competition and recruitment within the construction and engineering sectors. While competition is seen as healthy and motivating, sourcing skilled personnel remains an industry-wide issue. In response, Rostek continues to focus on developing its own talent and strengthening its internal training structures.
As part of its future development, the business is also preparing to launch a new hazardous area and gas detection division, further expanding its life safety offering. Fergus believes this will broaden the company’s capabilities and open new opportunities. “It’s about giving our clients a more complete service and opening doors to larger-scale projects and new sectors. It’s a natural progression for us.”
Over nearly two decades, Rostek has evolved from a small local operation into a leading nationwide provider of electrical, fire and security solutions. With a growing team, expanding service offering and plans for international growth, the company is well positioned to build on its success in the years ahead and to potentially win further awards in the process too.
