Client:  Marine Harvest Ireland

Location: North Donegal, Ireland

Project Value:

Completion Date:  2006

This fish processing facility is located in North Donegal and is operated by Irelands leading Salmon producers – Marine Harvest Ireland. The facility was developed in two separate and distinct stages, with full and complete engineering services, project managed from within Jennings O Donovan & Partners resources.

Stage 1

This unit is located adjacent to the Atlantic coast, in north Donegal on a very exposed site. The site itself lies within an extensive Special Area of Conservation (S.A.C.) and the general area is noted for its scenic views.   In order to secure planning permission, the overall building was designed to reflect a series of local dwellings i.e. Clochán – native to the area, when viewed from the surrounding hillside. Development on the site was challenged by extremely poor ground conditions – running sand coupled with granite rock formation.  In-house, the building covers a total floor area of approximately 1,700 sq. m. with primary production for 50 Tonne / day of whole fish, in addition to some Value Added Production, 20 Tonne Ice production, Cold Stores and twin Loading Bay.

The plant includes both fresh water, on site treatment Foul treatment and a separate dedicated Waste Water Treatment to handle all waste water generated during fish production.  Overall, the building is constructed with traditional materials, such as block and slate, with the employment of profiled metal sheeting, in selected colours, which reduces the visual impact of the factory, within the scenic landscape.  Internally, all production areas are fully enclosed with food safe graded insulated panels, finished in white, which contrasts with the company’s blue coloured logo, selected for the resin finish to the floor.  All necessary services are fully concealed, behind removable  panels.  At the close of business the entire processing / production areas are fully washed down. This plant was officially opened in September 1999 and over the years, the facility has received a number of awards for its product. Due to increased production, and the ever changing market, this facility was recently upgraded with a major expansion in 2006.

Stage 2

Recent construction advanced adjacent to the existing building, included the addition of approximately 2,061 sq.m. The bulk of this space was required to provide additional facilities for the company in terms of Value Added Product.  Today, the operation advanced at the Rinmore Harvesting Plant, includes the production of Whole Fish and Value Added Products.

Overall the entire operation is focused on customer demand and second stage processing now provides new and welcome growth in sales, in a very competitive, market – worldwide.  Again, as with Stage 1, the entire project was project managed by Jennings O’Donovan & Partners and all construction works were advanced on site, while the original plant remained operational, at all times.  Due to extensive growth in the Value Added Line and new markets developed by Marine Harvest Ireland, an alternative method of construction was proposed for Stage 2. This method employed the use of profiled metal sheet cladding for the external walls and also the installation of a cast in-situ floor, with metal decking at all first floors.  Again food safe internal panels are installed throughout as was the case for Stage 1. Within the modified building, the unit now has a new Value Added Processing Area of 750 sq. m. in addition to a 10 tonne Blast Freezer.  Additional Chill Storage of 600 sq. m. is provided which operates at -25 deg. C.  This unit has its own external loading bay.

All modification work carried out now affords the company total segregation of primary / secondary processing staff, in addition to any administration staff in accordance with current Hygiene Regulations for food production. This criteria of segregation was also followed with respect to waste production / collection from each of the above areas.  Following the completion of this facility, the unit has received the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard – Food Award.