Business

Agri co-op Fane Valley move to new home in Moira

Patrick Savage, Fane Valley vice chairman, board member William Anderson, Michelle McIlveen, minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, Trevor Lockhart , Fane Valley chief executive and William McConnell, Fane Valley chairman
Patrick Savage, Fane Valley vice chairman, board member William Anderson, Michelle McIlveen, minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, Trevor Lockhart , Fane Valley chief executive and William McConnell, Fane Valley chairman Patrick Savage, Fane Valley vice chairman, board member William Anderson, Michelle McIlveen, minister for agriculture, environment and rural affairs, Trevor Lockhart , Fane Valley chief executive and William McConnell, Fane Valley chairman

AGRI-FOOD co-operative Fane Valley has officially opened its new head office and logistics centre in Moira.

The premises are situated on a dedicated four acre site and provide 65,000 sq ft of modern office facilities and warehousing, a positive step towards Fane Valley’s plans to extend the reach of its agri-business beyond its traditional catchment area.

Relocating the business also marks a fresh chapter for the co-op which has been headquartered on the Alexander Road in Armagh for near 70 years.

The new premises are specially equipped to streamline the Fane Valley’s business, supporting the efficient production and dispatch of its range of livestock identification products and servicing its growing on-line trading platform.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, agriculture, environment and rural affairs minister Michelle McIlveen commended Fane Valley for their contribution to the economy, both past and future.

"From its formation well over 100 years ago, it is tremendous to see the growth of the co-operative which has kept its farming roots with local farmers retaining ownership," she said.

"It is also encouraging to see a leading organisation in our agriculture industry making a substantial investment in their business at a time when the economic environment is facing many unknowns and challenges."

Fane Valley chairman William McConnell said he was delighted with the move.

"The investment will strengthen our ability to grow the business and extend our trading area," he said.

"It is an important strategic development for the Group that we are able to provide a headquarters and distribution operation that is reflective of our scale and aspirations for the future."