A STRABANE food company is to create 43 jobs through an investment of more than £7.3 million.
McColgan's specialises in the manufacture of savoury and sweet pastry products and is putting the money into in new equipment and a packing and despatch facility to retain and develop its customer base and prepare for future growth.
The family business has been on the go since the 1940s and currently has a staff of 230.
Its expansion has been backed by Invest Northern Ireland to the tune of £900,000.
McColgan's managing director Grainne Hampton said the investment "will further develop our long term vision for the company's growth strategy".
"The installation of cutting edge technology and production processes such as fully automated cook, cool and chill production lines will increase our capabilities as well as our capacity," she said.
"These improvements will bring additional benefits to the final product along with improved production efficiency, which is critical in maintaining a competitive edge for our customers. In addition to this, our new product development team is expanding as we recognise innovation as key to our continued success.
"Our position as one of the leading savoury and sweet pastry manufacturers in the UK and Ireland will be strengthened by this investment."
Enterprise minister Arlene Foster added: "This significant investment will deliver increased efficiencies and capacity for McColgan's, which will enable the company to target larger customers with the aim of increasing export sales by 50 per cent over the next three years.
"McColgan's is pursuing increased market share through a clear strategic direction founded on product quality, excellent customer service and continuous product development and innovation.
"The food and drink industry is important to the Northern Ireland economy, and innovation and market development remain crucial to its growth. Businesses like McColgan's which focus on export markets and product innovation will help to drive the industry's growth. This investment is also good news for Strabane and for the wider economy."
