McColgan’s Quality Foods leads Strabane firms converting to natural gas

McColgan’s Quality Foods in Strabane is leading the way as the first major manufacturing business in the Co. Tyrone town newly connected to natural gas.

The company's 110,000 sq. ft. operating facility at Dublin Road Industrial Estate was connected to the new mains network this week by SGN Natural Gas which is responsible for the ongoing delivery of natural gas to Counties Tyrone, Derry and Fermanagh.

A total of £15m has been invested to date in Strabane where Natural Gas is now available to over 1,300 homes and businesses.

Jamie Cunningham, Key Account Manager with SGN Natural Gas, said the company was delighted that McColgan's Quality Foods had been successfully connected to the network with other leading manufacturing businesses in the town scheduled to follow suit. 

He continued: “We have been working closely with McColgan's Quality Foods to ensure their connection went live this week and, we are delighted to be announcing this latest significant milestone for the ‘SGN Natural Gas network’ project and an added boost for the local economy in Strabane so early in the new year. 

“The decision by McColgan's to switch to natural gas to power their food production facility is a huge vote of confidence in the well documented benefits of natural gas which include helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint and enable them to be even more competitive in global export markets.” 

Jamie added that 2018 would be a very significant year for the ‘SGN Natural Gas network’ project overall but for Strabane in particular now that natural gas is readily available in a number of streets and estates. 

“We are looking forward to connecting an increasing number of domestic customers and some of Strabane's most dynamic companies to the new network in the very near future and, we are currently holding a series of information sessions in the town to help guide local residents and the business community successfully through the connection process.” 

Grainne Hampton, Managing Director of McColgan's Quality Foods, also welcomed the announcement by the family-run business which produces chilled and frozen food for leading retailers and food service operators across the UK and Ireland. The company employs a total of 280 staff between its food production facility at Dublin Road Industrial Estate and Foodhall at Main Street in Strabane. 

Established in 1940, McColgan's has developed into one of Northern Ireland’s leading firms which specialises in the manufacture of savoury and sweet pastry products.

Mrs Hampton 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.” 

SGN Natural Gas is scheduled to supply gas mains and meters to 40,000 customers over the next 40 years in Cookstown, Coalisland, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt Omagh and Strabane.