Strabane firm invests £6m in expansion

A Strabane foods firm is to invest £6 million to double the size of its factory and expand sales of its pies and other foods outside Northern Ireland.

The investment by McColgan’s Quality Foods, which was announced today by managing director Brian McColgan, will also create 31 new jobs by December 2004.

Mr McColgan said: “Overall, the investment is enabling us to build on our established competitive advantages which include flexibility, a good client base, a reputation for quality products, on-time delivery and the ability to offer a combination of products, including frozen/chilled and wrapped/unwrapped, to suit customer requirements.”

As well as an enhanced focus on new products, the investment involved an extension of the existing 45,000 sq ft factory by 44,000 sq ft including new cold and chilled storage facilities.

Mr McColgan added: “Our ability to compete for new business from existing and potential customers is also being strengthened by our investment in new production plant and storage facilities. This is enabling us to offer competitive prices by maintaining tight control over costs while undertaking the longer product runs that multiple retailers in particular demand.”

The company is also working with Invest NI’s Business Improvement Services on an agreed Company Development Programme that is designed to enhance efficiency by providing practical and financial support for training and development activities aimed at raising the skills levels of managers and workforces.

The firm has been offered Selective Financial Assistance of £950,000 by Invest NI towards the costs of this investment.

Established in 1979, the company currently employs 100 people in Strabane supplying a range of frozen and chilled food products, such as meat pies, pasties, burgers, sausage rolls and garlic bread, to the retail sector.

(MB)