The Economy Minister, Simon Hamilton MLA, recently came to meet Gilfresh staff and received a tour of the plant. His visit coincided with the commissioning of the wind turbine.
The wind turbine was erected in 2017 in a turnkey project managed by Bettink Service Team Ltd and joins an Anaerobic Digester which Thomas installed in 2015.
We, at Gilfresh, want to produce renewable energy for the future’, Thomas said. ‘It is not only the aim to sell vegetables for a healthy lifestyle, but we also think about how we can contribute to a healthy environment. We really believe in the force of renewable energy and with this type of energy we can definitely fulfil this goal.’ Gilfresh is one of the companies in Northern Ireland that not only talks about renewable energy, but also invest in it.
Speaking from Gilfresh Produce, Simon Hamilton said: “Gilfresh Produce is a great local success story, expanding from a small family business in Loughgall to a leading vegetable packer across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“It’s forward thinking and innovative approach to business has helped to deliver this success and I was particularly impressed by the anaerobic digestion plant which uses waste vegetables to provide power to run the business.
“Gilfresh’s continued innovation and commitment to growth and quality resulted in the business winning the Northern Ireland’s Agri-food Business of the Year at the 2016 Farming Life / Danske Bank Awards and I would like to congratulate owner Thomas Gilpin on receiving the much deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.”