Business

Creagh Concrete further cements is position in UK construction sector

Among contracts Creagh Concrete has won in Britain is Manchester Metropolitan University
Among contracts Creagh Concrete has won in Britain is Manchester Metropolitan University Among contracts Creagh Concrete has won in Britain is Manchester Metropolitan University

TOOMEBRIDGE manufacturer Creagh Concrete Products has cemented its reputation as one of the best-performing companies in its sector in the UK by increasing its turnover by more than 20 per cent and continuing to build on profitability.

Figures for the year to March 31 past show that Creagh had its most successful year since the downturn of 2008, reporting a pre-tax profit of £4.4m against £3.1m a year earlier.

That came as turnover jumped from £56.6m to £69.8 million, and after the cost of sales, Creagh's gross profit stood at £30.8m (2015: £24.8m).

Established in 1976, Creagh is one of the largest and most innovative operators in the concrete product arena, having transformed itself from a regional concrete supplier to a national specialist sub-contractor to some of the largest commercial and residential construction companies in the UK.

It is controlled by brothers Gerard (64), Seamus (59) and Patrick (53) McKeague.

The company employs 486 staff, according to figures filed at Companies House in Belfast.

That was up 56 on the 2015 payroll, and is made up of 370 production staff, 95 in administration/support and another 21 in sales.

The jobs boost added more than £3 million to Creagh's staff costs during the year as its payroll bill jumped from £13.1m to £16.2m.

The principal activity of the company is the manufacture, design and distribution of a range of concrete products, and away from its head office in Toome, it has bases in Ardboe, Dunloy, Draperstown, Magheraglass and Nottingham, and is also growing its footprint in Scotland.

In the last year Creagh has worked on a number of major contracts, including the £27m scheme to decommission the Dounreay nuclear power station, which will run until 2023.

It also completed a range of projects in the residential sector in Aberdeen including a £2m contract to build 77 apartments on behalf of Barratt Homes as well as a £12 million contract to build 250 apartments for Dandara.

The company has also been working on a range of other projects in Britain, such as a £3 million flooring project at the new Ulster University campus, a £2.1m car park in Leeds and a £1m new school project in London.