About

We are proud of our commitment to sustainability and believe by working together, we can create a world where sustainable building is the norm, not the exception.

Our ethos at Ecological Building Systems is to achieve 'Better Building' by adopting a 'Fabric First' approach to design, with the use of more natural materials to optimise building performance and durability. We research, stock, and supply high-performance sustainable products with unrivalled technical support. Although we are not installers, we offer comprehensive training on all the products we supply.

Ecological Building Systems was set up in Athboy, County Meath, Ireland in 2000, the UK division was established in 2007 and is based near Carlisle in Cumbria. Ecological's parent company is MacCann & Byrne, a family owned company steeped in history having been established on the same premises in Athboy since 1906.

Our mission is to support the construction sector in the creation of a better-built environment through the supply of innovative, sustainable, ecological building materials and solutions and deliver quality, affordable products and training.

Our values set us apart

People focused

Continuous investment in their skills and maintain their enthusiasm with involvement in the business.

Passionate Team

Creating a loyal and caring team who share our passion for ecological products and better building.

Unique approach

An enjoyable, safe working environment which encourages the individuality of personnel.

Desire for results

Always striving to delight our customers with excellent service and honouring our commitments to them.

Stay inquisitive

Researching and sourcing building products which seek to minimise environmental impacts.

Positive impact

Influence the construction industry by guiding government policy and educating the end user.

Our team of experts

We are a team of passionate individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on the environment; each member an experienced professional dedicated to delivering excellent service and support. Our expertise in the building industry allows us to offer the best solutions for sustainability and our customer needs. We work closely with all stakeholders in the construction lifecycle, from architects to builders, to provide tailored solutions that meet their specific needs.

Meet the Team

Careers at Ecological Building Systems

Our staff are the key to our success; we recognise that they are our greatest asset. We are committed to providing our amazing team with all the resources needed for them to excel in their roles. This includes ongoing training, development opportunities and a supportive work environment to encourage collaboration and innovation.

Careers

We place great emphasis on investing in new products and assessing their performance and green credentials.

We continually look for, and bring to market, only the best sustainable products for all different types of buildings. Additionally, we have developed rigorous assessment protocols to ensure our products meet the highest performance, environmental and sustainable building standards.

As a company, we are devoted to reducing our carbon footprint and finding more sustainable solutions to further reduce our environmental impact. We recognise the impact of plastic on the environment and have taken steps to reduce its use in our warehouse.

Our history

Since our founding, we’ve been at the forefront of the green building movement, constantly researching and developing new systems that meet the needs of our customers and the planet.

Ecological's parent company is MacCann & Byrne, a family-owned hardware and timber company steeped in history that has been established on the same premises in Athboy since 1906.

1906

Our parent company, MacCann and Byrne, is founded in Athboy, County Meath.

Our parent company, MacCann and Byrne, is founded in Athboy, County Meath. McCann and Byrne successfully trade as an independent hardware merchant supplying hardware and timber products to the Irish market. The company remains family owned to this day.

Bridge Street, Athboy, Co. Meath, Republic of Ireland

2000

Ecological Building Systems launched as a subsidiary company of MacCann and Byrne.

Ecological Building Systems launched as a subsidiary company of MacCann and Byrne and began its operations from the same building in Athboy. Soon after, Niall Crosson (now our Group Technical Director) joins the company as its first employee.

Ecological Building Systems exhibition stand

2007-2008

Ecological Building Systems launch in the United Kingdom.

Ecological Building Systems UK is created to extend the market for our exclusive brands and supply ground-breaking ecological products throughout the UK. Penny Randell (now UK General Manager and Director) joins to further develop the UK market. Penny set up the infrastructure to facilitate efficient supply and distribution channels and recruited the first members of the UK team.

2009

Centre of Knowledge launched in Athboy.

This facility allowed specifiers and homeowners to see all our products in full-system build-ups and within a bespoke timber frame demo house. It became the perfect location for our training events, installation workshops and practical demos.

2013

UK offices and warehouse are moved to Carlisle, Cumbria.

New offices and extensive warehousing are moved to Carlisle, Cumbria to extend the range of products, increase stock holding and to provide more efficient distribution fulfilment, technical support and customer service.

2020

Re-launch of ecologicalbuildingsystems.com.

Representing a significant investment in technology and easy-to-understand content, our industry leading website simplifies the technicalities of high-performance, sustainable building products and provides everything you need to know to correctly install and deliver environmental, low-carbon building projects.

Ecological Building Systems website screenshot

2022-2023

Ecological Building Systems in Ireland becomes an independent limited company.

In Ireland, Ecological Building Systems becomes an independent limited company (no longer a subsidiary of MacCann and Byrne) with Niall and Adrian Crosson becoming company directors. With continuous growth in UK and Ireland, Ecological now employs over 40 staff working collaboratively across both countries.

Ecological Building Systems staff outside the Athboy offices.

Partnering

We work closely with many partner organisations such as the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASPB), Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), Passivhaus Trust and the Passive House Association of Ireland. Together we help promote better building practices to encourage the use of sustainable materials in construction. As a company, we are also committed to making a positive impact on the built environment are proudly support the Cumbria Winter Warmth Appeal. This helps vulnerable people in the region stay warm in the winter months.

Discover our solutions

About

Our values set us apart

People focused

Passionate Team

Unique approach

Desire for results

Stay inquisitive

Positive impact

Our team of experts

Careers at Ecological Building Systems

Our history

1906

2000

2007-2008

2009

2013

2020

2022-2023

Partnering

Healthy Living

Damp & Mould Prevention

Renovation & Retrofit

Soundproofing

Heat/Cold Protection

Passive House

Airtight & Windtight

Natural Insulation

Ventilation

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