The founder of Dungannon-based manufacturing firm Powerscreen has been inducted into the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
Pat O’Neill, co founder of the Co Tyrone washing and screening equipment supplier, joined other business titans from the province as the first inductees to the new hall of fame.
The Northern Ireland Manufacturing Hall of Fame is a new initiative as part of Manufacturing Month, a month-long celebration of the local manufacturing and engineering sector and the talented and skilled people from the sector.
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O’Neill co-founded Powerscreen in 1966 with Lee Mallaghan, with the company being bought over in 1999 by US company Terex.
Employing around 1500 people, the company has kept its strong Co Tyrone presence and personality despite now being part of the Terex brand.
Speaking at an event to mark the new entries to the hall of fame at the Galgorm Resort on Thursday.
Pat was recognised alongside Delta Print and Packaging Boss Terry Cross and Irwin’s Bakery bosses Brian and Niall Irwin, the latter of which was recognised posthumously.
“Dr Terry Cross OBE, Pat O’Neill, and Brian and Niall Irwin have created countless jobs, sustained thousands of households across Northern Ireland, and produced goods and products which are used and enjoyed in markets across the globe,” Manufacturing NI chief executive Stephen Kelly said at the event.
“Their impact on our economy and our sector has been immeasurable.
“These four leaders have boosted Northern Ireland’s international reputation as a location for innovation, engineering excellence, and skilled workers, and everyone of us in the local manufacturing sector have leaders like Terry, Pat, Brian, and Niall to thank for laying the foundations over the past 50 years.
“Leaders like these continue to inspire the next generation and, on behalf of the members of Manufacturing NI, I want to congratulate them on their decades of success and thank them for all their efforts throughout their distinguished careers.”
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