30 years service for our Alan at McCorriston’s

On the 17th September 1984, 18 year old Alan Mclean started working to local Builders Merchants McCorriston and Rankin Ltd at it’s first premises on High Street Ballymoney.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2014, 13:28 BST
Alan chalks up 30 years at McCorristons. INBM39-14SAlan chalks up 30 years at McCorristons. INBM39-14S
Alan chalks up 30 years at McCorristons. INBM39-14S

Little did he know then that 30 years later he would still be working to the same firm.

Alan said: “When I started I had no idea about building materials at all and after the first few days I thought I will never stick this, how wrong I was. My first role was working on the shop counter and pricing customer invoices which we still did manually. When I started the company was privately owned by Mr Basil McCorriston and we worked with a small staff of five people.

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“In December 1986 Basil decided to buy his own premises and the business moved to it’s current location 24 Ballybrakes Road.

“During the next 10 years the business continued to develop, we even got computers, and it was at this point that the company was sold to Macnaughton Blair Ltd in March 1997. Promotion quickly followed as Macnaughton’s took on more staff and I was given the role of Operations Supervisor.

“In 2000 the first major revamp of the premises was completed doubling the size of the shop and changing the layout of the yard. In April 2002 following structural changes within the company I was promoted to my current position of Branch Manager. During my time with Macnaughton’s our parent company Grafton Group PLC continued to buy different companies and we are now the leading builders merchant in Northern Ireland.

“With the expansion of the company I spent some time helping out many of the other branches throughout Northern Ireland and have even spent time with our branch in the Isle of Man. This year saw a big upheaval as a major revamp of the premises has taken place with the whole roof coming off and the shop being totally revamped.

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“I have really enjoyed my 30 years so far with McCorriston’s and despite my role as manager I still like the hands on approach with the customers who have supported us through the years. I have met a lot of different people over the years and there are still a few of our original customers still trading with us.

“With the newly revamped premises I am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the next 30 years!“