A new16,000sq ft factory unit for Pilgrim’s Food Masters has been successfully handed over by principal contractor Rahoran Limited following a six-month build.

The unit – based at the Pilgrim’s Food Masters site in Carran Business Park, Enniskillen – will be fitted out with new high-speed production lines, with production anticipated to start in July.

Pilgrim’s Food Masters is part of one of the largest food companies in the world. The Enniskillen site provides employment to more than 350 people and produces market-leading brands including Fridge Raiders, Richmond, Denny and Rollover.

The new £5m factory will produce products for the market-leading Fridge Raiders brand, with space for more production lines to be added in future.

With sustainability in mind, the project has been developed with a roof design that can accommodate solar panels, parking spaces with charge points for electric vehicles, and a self-sufficient heating system.

As well as a locally-based principal contractor, local sub-contractors and professionals were used wherever possible. The purpose-built factory will bring new levels of automation and innovation providing a better work experience for colleagues.

David Armstrong, Engineering and Project Manager, Pilgrim’s Food Masters, said: “Work began on this project in November [2021] with an ambitious target to reach handover by May this year.

"Achieving this, against the external challenges that every business has faced in recent months, is a reflection of our outstanding project team and in particular, our principal contractor, Rahoran Ltd.

"For this new extension, automation was a key focus, bringing in new technology to increase productivity, streamline our processes and improve the tasks our colleagues carry out."

Stephen Kirkpatrick, Managing Director, Rahoran Limited said: “Our project for Pilgrim’s Food Masters is testament to how Rahoran has moved successfully into the larger commercial market.

"We were delighted to win a contract of this scale and prestige in our local area.

"It has allowed us to support our local economy through the creation of more local jobs, with much of our supply chain coming from the local area.

"We hope this project will open more doors for us in future by showing what we can deliver."

Rahoran Limited was established in 2015 and works within both residential and commercial sectors mainly in Tyrone and Fermanagh.