I see that, after a tumultuous few weeks, border-based co-op LacPatrick has something more positive to chat about.The co-op took home the export gong at the 2018 Made in Northern Ireland awards which took place in Belfast last Friday.
I see that, after a tumultuous few weeks, border-based co-op LacPatrick has something more positive to chat about.
The co-op took home the export gong at the 2018 Made in Northern Ireland awards which took place in Belfast last Friday.
LacPatrick won the award for exports out of its Artigarvan, Co Tyrone, facility. Powders, including the LP brand, are made at the site which received a €40m facelift last year.
It hasn’t been an easy month for the co-op and its chair Andrew McConkey.
After two successive milk price cuts, which put them near the bottom of any league you look at, the board called an unscheduled meeting and decided to pursue new “strategic options”.
That, to those like me and you who don’t speak business lingo, means the co-op is looking for a bigger co-op to get into bed with.
There have been rumours of a flow of Northern Ireland suppliers heading for the exit but the co-op maintains that the books are balancing, customers are happy and all is generally rosy.
Then last week the co-op admitted to and was fined for polluting a waterway near its Ballyrashane, Co Derry, plant. Hardly ideal.
The award is something positive for chair Andrew McConkey and his team. Any port in a storm, says you.
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