Strabane firm announces £500k expansion plan

A Strabane-based firm has announced a half a million pound expansion plans with help from local government agency Invest NI.

Frylite said the £500,000 expansion would help the rapidly growing cooking and waste oil firm develop its research and development function and expand into new export markets.

Managing Director Eamon McCay said: “In the past 12 months our turnover has almost doubled, so in order to maximise new market opportunities and continue to grow the business, a property need was identified.

“Ongoing support provided by the Invest NI Western Local Office has enabled us to access the full range of Invest NI support and services. The Orchard Road site was one of a number of options suggested to us by Invest NI’s Property Solutions Unit and the 1.77 acre property has proven to be a perfect fit for our growth strategy.

“By committing £500,000 to the expansion we have now tailored the premises to our specification. This will facilitate the creation of innovative new products and services which will accelerate our exploitation of export markets and increase our competitiveness."

The 1.77 acre site at Invest NI’s Orchard Road Business Park was sold to Frylite in 2004 by the Invest NI Property Solutions Unit. Frylite moved to the site in April 2005.

In addition to the waste oil collection service, Frylite also installs equipment appropriate to the needs of the customers and provides a cleaning, maintenance and replacement service.

The business currently employs 40 people in Strabane, with further 26 employed at locations in Galway and Dublin.

(MB/SP)