We chat with Ronan Hamill, CEO of the Jans Group, to discuss the park industry, his role in it and what he likes to do when not working.
Hi Ronan, we’ve not met before; nice to meet you. Tell me about Jans Modular & what you are doing there.
Hi Justin, great to meet you too! Having opened our factory doors in 2019, The Jans Modular products and team have gone from strength the strength. We offer a range of luxury holiday homes, floating lodges, glamping units, park homes and bespoke builds. We are a strategically diverse manufacturer and pride ourselves on our shared drive for success and positive attitude. Having been myself in the manufacturing industry for 27 years, manufacturing fibreglass goods, electric vehicle conversions as well as campervan conversions, solar panels amongst many other goods. Our 100,000 sq. ft factory (and growing) also supports our other businesses’. Having everything under one roof, allows us to combine different elements of the business’ for faster growth and development. This also enables us to keep our quality across the board to a high standard.
Of all the things in the industry, what is your favourite thing you like to do?
Our team love to design, engineer and build the bespoke design accommodation, you can see the buzz run right through the design team which flows onto the production line. It’s great to see everyone’s ideas and enthusiasm for a project become fruitful on the ground at the final stages with a happy client.
I personally love to attend the industry shows, walking around meeting new people and discovering the new and innovative designs currently on the market.
Any predictions for the industry in the next 24 months, and what are your plans?
Circumstances over the past few years has clearly seen a strong growth within the UK leisure market, I think this will continue and the offering of alternative, forward thinking accommodation styles will also advance. Which will be great to see where this takes the industry in a few years.
For us, the next 24 months will see big things happening, we have just had our planning approved to build another factory close to our current site. Which building will commence in the next few months to hopefully see the doors open to the new factory Q1 January 2024. We intend to grow the Modular team and continue to strive forward.
If you weren’t doing what you do, what would you be doing?
I would have become a school teacher, like my wife- to maximise on the school holidays! I’m always jealous of her when she gets the 6 weeks off during the summer. I would probably be a PE teacher as I love sport of any kind but particularly Gaelic games, I currently help coach a local football team from time to time.
What do you like to do when not working? Any hobbies?
I love to watch, coach or play sport of any kind. We often head over to the SSE area in Belfast to watch the Belfast Giants play ice hockey. That’s always a great day out and my son likes to watch them too, so its great to get him involved.
What has been your favourite professional moment?
Jans Modular is part of the wider Jans Group, so my favourite moment has to be celebrating one year of the Jans Group. The whole team was filled with so much excitement and pride, we had t-shirts made up for everyone, ate cake and drank champagne- it was fantastic to see so many people collectively succeed.
Which clients would you love to help?
Developers, park operators, land owners alike, specifically those who are looking to enhance what they have with quality products and perhaps are looking for a unique or exclusive product.
Who in our series would you like to be seen interviewed?
I would like to see Stephen Twiss, Lakeshore Leisure Group. He’s a great guy- we have worked with Stephen and the team on some floating lodges at Clawford Lakes, which look great.
Click here to read the The Andrew Cressey Interview