Breathing New Life Into The Former Nestlé Factory Site

An Omagh company specialising in the supply of food products is breathing new life into the site once home to the iconic Nestlé factory.

Gortrush Food Services Ltd made the move to the Beltany Road Business Park last year after a £500,000 investment.

For many years, the derelict former factory site stood as a sad reminder of the decline of what was once a linchpin in local employment.

However heavy haulage firm Donnell and Ellis have invested significantly in the site, turning it into a a 21st century transport hub.

Other firms have followed their lead in relocating to the Beltany Road, including Gortrush Food Services.

Based at Gortrush Industrial Estate since 2004, five years ago the food firm realised it had outgrown the premises.

“At the time and in subsequent years the location was good and it served us well,” said owner Gareth O’Shea. “However since 2010 we have been experiencing rapid growth and really outgrew the unit we had.”

With a £500,000 investment, Gortrush Food Services made the big move to the expanse of Beltany Business Park last year.

The considerable cash injection also saw the local firm expand its workforce and increase its fleet of delivery vans.

“As a result, we now have more than 12,000 sq feet of storage and office space with our cold storage and freezer space occupying 5,000 sq feet of that,” said Gareth.

“We stock more than 1,500 food and associated food products lines to ensure that our all our ranges offer something for everyone. However, if we don’t have it in stock, we can source it quickly for customers.”

The company now includes a staff of 16, five of whom are new recruits. It also now boasts a fleet of six temperature controlled vehicles.

The growth has also seen the Omagh firm expand its geographic reach to become one of the regions leading independent foods service distributors.

“We have seen a real shift over the years in the customers we supply,” added Gareth. “Initially it was hotels, restaurants and fast food outlets, but now we supply hundreds of establishments from a variety of industries across the region to include take away outlets, retail and deli bars, schools, colleges and care homes as well as catering companies, bakeries and sandwich manufacturers.”

Gortrush Food Services have also recently opened a retail outlet at their Beltany Road premises, which is open to the public.

“We have settled in well to our new home – the expansion has brought about more opportunity and the future looks promising,” added the business owner.

Source: ulsterherald.com