Killard Excavation managing director Jerry Daly said the company employs 180 people, including machine operators, engineers, labourers and administration staff.

The company specialises in water, sewerage and electrical projects. Mr Daly started out with a five-tonne excavator, a skid-steer loader and a tipper truck in 1999.

He began his earthmoving career working in a quarry when he was 16.

Several years later he switched to civil works, a decision that has reaped plenty of rewards for the 40-year-old.

"I was working for a subcontractor excavating and pipe laying," he said.

"I really enjoyed the work and decided to go into business for myself.

"Over the past decade we've been able to develop a good relationship with our clients."

Mr Daly said part of his company's success could be attributed to employing good people and giving them great machines to operate.

"We have grown very quickly over the past couple of years with both people and machines," he said.

"The first operator I employed is still with the company and now works as a manager, and our first engineer is also still with us.

"Good people are vital for the success of the company."

The company's fleet now includes 27 Kobelco excavators.

"We are often working in and around gas pipes and electricity, and work safety is paramount when digging," Mr Daly said.

"The latest Kobelco excavator has delicate controls that give our operators smooth, responsive and precise control."

One of Killard Excavation's jobs is the Network Alliance Spring Farm project to install 1.5 kilometres of pipe in mine-subsidence areas.