McColgan’s Quality Foods, which specialises in the manufacture of savoury and sweet pastry products, is investing in new equipment and a packing and despatch facility to develop its customer base and boost growth.
The cash injection by the business, which was founded in the 1940s and currently employs 230 people, has been added to by a further £900,000 from trade body Invest NI. A total of 26 of the 43 jobs are already in place and recruitment for the remaining posts continues.
‘Long term vision’
“This latest investment will further develop our long term vision for the company’s growth strategy,” said Grainne Hampton, md of McColgan’s. “The installation of technology and production processes such as fully automated cook, cool and chill production lines will increase our capabilities as well as our capacity.
“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.”
‘Increasing export sales’
Northern Ireland enterprise, trade and investment 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% over the next three years.
“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.”