PATTON CONSTRUCTION WIN MULTI-MILLION POUND CONTRACT WITH HENDERSON GROUP

BALLYMENA-BASED Patton Construction has been awarded a multi-million pound contract to build new warehousing and office accommodation for Henderson Foodservice – part of the Henderson Group.

The construction project which will secure employment for 120 people is due to commence in January and will last for 12 months.

Patton Construction Contracts Director, Denis O’ Connor, welcomed the news and said the project had come at a good time for the Patton Group.

“We have been involved in a number of high value and high profile projects over the past year including the refurbishment of the Ulster Museum and the building of a number of Primary Schools in the West of Scotland and Belfast. This is yet another significant job for us that will reinforce our credentials as an organisation capable of delivering demanding schemes on time and within budget.”

As Denis O’ Connor explained the Patton Group has strong links with Hendersons.

“Our relationship spans back to 1973 when we built the first phase of Henderson’s Mallusk development – a contract in which I was also personally very involved, so on a personal level I am very much looking forward to it.”

The Henderson investment is in response to sales growth in excess of 30% since 2007, and ongoing expansion which will see all warehousing and distribution services centralised at Mallusk.  Henderson Foodservice currently operates two depots, one located at Finvoy Road, Ballymoney, employing 52 staff and the other at a Mallusk site where 101 people are employed.  Both depots will move to the new purpose-built facility in early 2011.  All staff working in Ballymoney will be given the opportunity to transfer to Mallusk or be offered alternative roles within the company.

Damien Barrett, Managing Director, Henderson Foodservice, explains, “Henderson Foodservice has enjoyed a very healthy period of growth winning a number of significant long-term contracts with both the public and private sectors.

In order to maintain that level of year-on-year growth we have carefully reviewed our current business practices to ensure maximum efficiencies.  Consolidating distribution to one base enables us to streamline the business, share resources and reduce running costs in general.  The £14 million investment will provide a 130,000 sq ft state-of-the-art frozen, ambient and chilled warehousing as well as a suite of new offices.

“We have a well motivated and highly skilled workforce at Ballymoney and it is our intention that they will all either relocate to Mallusk or be given the opportunity to take up a different role within the company.   Over the next number of months we will be consulting all of these staff to discuss optimum transfer timings and options.  We will be maintaining current employment levels as a result of the depot changes and indeed as we continue to expand further, recruitment will become an important part of our business plan.”

“It is our aim that this new facility will deliver a fully integrated operation capable of serving our customers throughout Ireland efficiently whilst providing best value for money.  In so doing Henderson Foodservice can look forward to maintaining its position as the market leading foodservice business in Northern Ireland,” concluded Mr Barrett.

Left to right Denis O'Connor, Patton Construction and Mark Adrain, Henderson