The third-generation family-owned McColgan’s bakery business in Strabane is to feature on the popular Inside the Factory show across the BBC network on Tuesday February 4.
Paddy McGuinness visited the Co Tyrone business - established by the McColgan family in 1940 as a tea room - to reveal how it makes more than half a million sausage rolls a day.
When it opened in Abercorn Square in the town just after the start of the Second World War, the McColgan’s tea shop quickly became reputable in the area, with the subsequent opening of a café, butchery, and bakery.
Most famous for its sausage rolls, the firm began producing pastries for other businesses in 1978, which was so successful that a new site was required on the outskirts of the town to keep up with demand.
Today, the business has grown to produce a range of savoury pastries from a state-of-the-art facility just two miles from the original tea shop.
In 2022, William McColgan and his sister Grainne, both grandchildren of the founder, purchased the business from the second generation with a revolutionary vision to transform its operations.
William - who features in the Irish News’ latest ‘Trading Up’ podcast, where he reveals how he returned from a career in the US to take over the business - says: “From humble beginnings we’ve grown organically into a company producing for other retailers, as well as our McColgan’s products, and we’ve been a constant in the community for providing reasonably priced, yet very satisfying comfort food.
“We want to expand on that by continually improving our processes, investing in technology, and exploring commercial partnerships to build on our history.”
A former student at Strabane Academy, William McColgan went on to study at Heriot Watt before taking up an actuarial role and Mercer in Dublin before heading to the US and first settling in Philadelphia and later New Hampshire.
He later worked with insurer Liberty Mutual, whose chief executive was Ted Kelly originally from Keady, who opened a UK division of the business in Belfast.
During his visit to the McColgan’s business (which last year increased its sales to £28.4 million and posted a profit of £1.5 million), Paddy McGuinness learns how more than half a million sausage rolls are made every day in Strabane.
He also discovers that temperature control is key to every stage of the process - from the meat to the puff pastry, and revels in the moment the two elements are finally brought together.
“Having Paddy and the team with us to film this episode of Inside the Factory was absolutely brilliant for everyone involved,” said Nigel Cairns, commercial director at McColgan’s.
”Our people had great fun with Paddy, showing him the process of how our much-loved sausage rolls are made. There is an art to creating the perfect sausage roll and it’s one we have been perfecting for decades.
”It’s great to see the Northern Ireland food sector being showcased and we’re proud to be the first local company involved in the series. We can’t wait to watch the episode together as a team.”
- ‘Inside the Factory - Sausage Rolls’ will air on BBC One on Tuesday February 4 at 8pm.
