Kilrea business scoops award

PATRICK Bradley Limited's Craigall Quarry has been recognised after winning a prestigious award at the recent 2016 Plant & Civil Engineer's '˜Plant, Construction and Quarry' Awards.
Pictured are the Patrick Bradley team, from left Kevin Bradley, Craig Matthew, Michael Hardy, Paul Callan, Barbara Darragh, Joe Bradley (Director), John Shannon (Managing Director), Graham Brown and Sean Mullan.Pictured are the Patrick Bradley team, from left Kevin Bradley, Craig Matthew, Michael Hardy, Paul Callan, Barbara Darragh, Joe Bradley (Director), John Shannon (Managing Director), Graham Brown and Sean Mullan.
Pictured are the Patrick Bradley team, from left Kevin Bradley, Craig Matthew, Michael Hardy, Paul Callan, Barbara Darragh, Joe Bradley (Director), John Shannon (Managing Director), Graham Brown and Sean Mullan.

The Kilea company picked up the much coveted ‘Quarry of the Year’ award during the glittering ceremony in Belfast’s Ramada Hotel recently.

The annual awards ceremony is regarded as the premier event in the Plant, Construction and Quarry calendar, attracting entries, support and sponsorship from the leading players in the industry.

Patrick Bradley Limited, which is located on the outskirts of Kilrea, beat off stiff competition from four other firms which were shortlisted for the top award.

The judges said they were impressed with the company’s approach to all aspects of its activities, pointing to its investment and commitment to achieving zero harm and to its reducing its environmental impact.

The panel also referred to Bradley’s ‘excellent communication within the local community and its neighbours and the production of quality products’.

The award comes just as the company, which was founded in 1942 by Patrick Bradley, prepares to celebrate its 75th year in business.

The family business which is now owned by Patrick’s son Joe together with his family Kevin and Bronagh employs 80 members of staff from throught the local area.

In addition, the company employs between 75 and 100 subcontractors.

Patrick Bradley Limited operates its own production plant for the manufacture of blocks and bricks at Craigall Quarry and has been supplying and laying Asphalt and Bitmac for many years on public carriageways, driveways, yards and car parks.

The firm also supplies large feature basalt stones, which are suitable for garden and landscaping needs.

Most recently, these stones were used for the façade and paving around the Giant’s Causeway’s new visitor centre.

The promotion of biodiversity is an important issue to the south Derry firm.

The company keeps a face of dust aside for migrating sand martins which return each year to nest. It has also adapted its face blasting plan to allow resident peregrine falcons to nest without disturbance. In addition, there is a sizeable population of Irish hares that reside in the quarry and the company assist them by creating a suitable environment for them using areas of oversized rock.

Civil engineering projects are also part of both the company’s public and private contracts, being involved in forms of enabling works which include trenching, drainage, installation of all types of services including water, sewage, electricity, gas and communications.

Aside from all this, the company is also heavily involved in the local community, contributing heavily to charity fundraisers and hosting various open day events for schools in the area.

Joe Bradley owner of the company said this award is a great achievement for us in our 75th year of operating in the quarrying industry. This is very much down to our loyal hard working management team, staff and to all associated with the company since founded in 1942 by my father Patrick Bradley, my thanks and gratitude to them all.

Related topics: