MCCOLGAN’S Quality Foods in Strabane has led the way by becoming the first major manufacturing business in the Co Tyrone town newly connected to natural gas.
Its 110,000 sq. ft. operating facility at Dublin Road industrial estate was connected to the new mains network by SGN Natural Gas, which is responsible for the ongoing delivery of natural gas to Tyrone, Derry and Fermanagh.
A total of £15m has been invested to date in Strabane, where natural gas is now available to more than 1,300 homes and businesses, the the fuel will be rolled out to other towns like Cookstown, Coalisland, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt and Omagh.
Jamie Cunningham, key account manager with SGN Natural Gas, said: “We've been working closely with McColgan's to ensure their connection went live this week.
“Their decision to switch to natural gas to power their food production facility is a huge vote of confidence in the well documented benefits of this type of fuel, which include helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint and enable them to be even more competitive in global export markets.”
Grainne Hampton, managing director of the family-owned McColgan's Quality Foods, which produces chilled and frozen food for leading retailers and food service operators across the UK and Ireland, also welcomed the development.
She said: “We pride ourselves on product quality, excellent customer service and continuous product development and innovation. Our position as one of the leading savoury and sweet pastry manufacturers in the UK and Ireland will be strengthened by this latest investment which we are confident is the right choice to meet our business energy needs.
“Switching to natural gas will help us reduce our carbon footprint whilst ensuring optimum manufacturing efficiency which is critical in maintaining a competitive edge for our customers.”
Established in 1940, McColgan's employs 280 staff between its food production facility at Dublin Road industrial estate and Foodhall at Main Street in Strabane, and it is one of Northern Ireland’s leading firms specialising in the manufacture of savoury and sweet pastry products.
