A solid business for 40 years at McHugh Timber Products

First established in 1985, McHugh Timber Products was founded by the late Neville McHugh in Drumkillrooske, Derrylane, Killeshandra.

The wood products business employs 24 people with this increasing to thirty at peak times, with some staff members in the business for over twenty years. All are like extended members of the family.

The company manufactures fencing posts and also sells other fencing-related products such as wire and gates.

Located in Drumkillrooske in Derrylane, the business “got off the ground” with “walk-in customers” and Manager Siobhan McHugh, Neville’s wife, still loves to welcome local farmers and customers.

However she said “most of our business is to co-ops and stores.

The business will enter its 40th year next year.

“Neville obviously had started it forty years ago so unfortunately he’s not here to see it continue,” she said.

The family business “suffered a massive setback” in 2013, when Siobhan’s husband Neville passed away.

The mother of two previously worked in IT, however moved to work in the family business when her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“Neville was really good at the engineering and the mechanical [aspect] and had a great head on him for business but I brought in different skill sets from a perspective of IT and business background.

“The two things just fitted together, we both just worked well together.”

Now eighteen years old, their eldest son Aaron also recently started working in the family business; while 16-year-old Ellen, who is in fifth year, has also spent a summer working in the business.

“I could have closed up the doors after Neville died but this has always been Neville’s legacy and I wanted to give my children the opportunity... that it would be here for them.”

“At least we’re carrying on the next generation,” she said.

Aaron is currently undertaking an apprenticeship in mechanics in Omagh College and will do the work experience leg of his apprenticeship at the family business.

“He likes the variation of work that we can give him,” said Siobhan, proudly adding that “he is learning and growing in the business”.

Siobhan said McHugh Timber Products “looks forward to what the future hold and continuing to grow our business.”

CONTACT US

McHugh Timber Products are based at Derrylane, Killeshandra.

Call: 049-4335211

Web: www.mchughtimber.ie