One of the foremost contractors in Hong Kong, incorporated in 2000, S&Techs is a globally recognized brand reckoned for its dedicated professional service and successful project delivery thanks to the wise guidance of its visionary leaders. Mr. Mike Kavanagh is the COO of the establishment and emphasizes customer-centricity and transparency. Mr. Kavanagh, a licensed quantity surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the construction sector, is recognized as a visionary luminary who has held several managerial positions with the StructureTone Organization in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific Region. prior to senior roles with S & techs.
As a proactive professional, Mike has been shifting the tides and collaborating closely with clients and consultants to ensure the teams have the tools and expertise to provide top-notch service.
With a proven track record of building successful businesses from scratch and positioning them as market leaders, Mike is perceived as a guiding light to modern-day entrepreneurs who look up to him for inspiration and business wisdom. His extensive experience working with multinational clients enables him to understand their unique requirements, making him a trusted partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mike Kavanagh’s Success Journey: From Quantity Surveyor to the Company COO
He began his career as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor in the fit-out and refurbishment industry in the early 1980s in New York City after emigrating to the US from Ireland. Working for the sizable construction firm Structure Tone, he eventually moved into management positions, running the business’s office in Washington, DC, for six years after staring in estimating and rising to head of purchasing for the corporation in New York. Mike spent much time working outside of Washington, DC, including in Baltimore, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and, of course, the city itself.
The leadership team encouraged the aspiring executive to move to London to take a position as the commercial director of the London office as the business started to grow in Europe. From that point on, he worked with offices throughout Europe, including Paris, Milan, Madrid, Frankfurt, and Dublin, as the regional development director. His achievement of this key milestone allowed him to gain crucial experience working with people from many cultures and nations.
They began receiving queries about projects in Hong Kong at that time, which ultimately resulted in the opening of the office there 23 years ago. He helped the business flourish in the region by serving as a director on the board of the organization as a result of his involvement in Asia. He moved to Hong Kong in 2010 and has been there ever since.
Since then, Mike Kavanagh and his business partner, CEO Nobuo Shigemitsu have acquired ownership of the company and are concentrating on two distinct business sectors. The first is the industrial manufacturing sector, which entails planning and erecting factories, logistics centres and R&D centres in mainland China lead by Nobuo Shigemitsu. The other is the company’s interior fit-out and renovation division, which covers the entire APAC region. Mike Kavanagh is in charge of this department of the company, which currently has several offices spread out around the area.
“Throughout my journey, I’ve learned many impactful lessons, including the importance of adapting to different cultures, the value of taking risks and making big leaps, and the necessity of being open to new opportunities. I believe these lessons have been critical to my success, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow as a professional”, the magnificent man shared.
Highlights: Key Driving Force
Client Service: Putting the customer’s needs first has been a recurring theme throughout Mike’s career, and it has assisted him in developing a reputation for competence in the field. Mike has gained his client’s trust and respect by offering great service and producing work of the highest caliber.
Excellence: The inspiring leader is dedicated to producing the best outcomes on each project and has a high regard for excellence. Additionally, he stands out in a competitive business due to his focus on quality and attention to detail.
Partnering: Understanding the value of enduring partnerships with customers, vendors, and other stakeholders. The visionary leader has produced excellent results on even the most challenging projects by collaborating and encouraging open communication.
Relationship Building: Recognize that successful connections are the foundation of the construction industry. You have put much effort into cultivating enduring bonds with your customers, staff, and other stakeholders, which has played a role in your long-term success.
Integrity: Always act professionally and with the utmost integrity. You are known as a respected leader in the sector thanks to your dedication to moral business conduct.
Enthusiasm: Take a positive outlook and an enthusiastic approach to every project. Mr. Kavanagh’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication to his work have motivated the team to remarkable success.
Technology Innovation: Another significant driving force is the constant search for new methods to use technology to enhance processes and provide clients with better results. Mr. Kavanagh has been able to stay up-to-date with the most recent technological developments by embracing innovation and staying ahead of the curve.
Defeating the Obstacles
As always, the challenges are adapting to differing market conditions, which include budget and schedule challenges, as well as continuously being ahead of the curve in terms of delivery and service excellence.
Purpose-Driven: Mission and Vision
Their mission is to deliver great construction services to clients that exceed their expectations. The team is dedicated to providing top-notch work, creative solutions, and prompt project completion. They are guided in all facets of their work by their principles of customer service, excellence, collaboration, connection development, integrity, excitement, and technological innovation.
Their vision is to become the top construction company in the sector by offering clients unmatched quality and service. They strive hard to develop strong bonds with their clients that are founded on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. The degree to which their customers are happy and the volume of repeat business they get each year indicate their success.
Five Years Down the Line
Looking ahead, Mr. Kavanagh’s visionary perspective entails a future where the focus would be on enhancing and building more solid industry expertise as well as expanding the company’s reach to at least three additional APAC locations.
An Inspiring Message to Budding Entrepreneurs from the Desk of the COO
Adopting an attitude of ownership can help you develop a sense of responsibility and a deeper understanding of management. Furthermore, do not hesitate to seek out senior management in the company for mentoring and guidance. Building strong relationships is another key factor in the growth of any business. This can help expand your company’s reach and develop new local and international business opportunities.
Going the extra mile for your clients is another crucial element. It’s also important to gain diverse experience across different parts of the business to understand how the business works and help you develop a diverse set of skills. Finally, continue to learn and educate yourself. Investing in your personal development will help you stay ahead of the curve and advance your career.