Western Postform Limited, has begun the process of relocating

By Donogh Moore

One of Western Post Forms recent installations

​A longstanding business in the town, Western Postform Limited, has begun the process of relocating. The furniture manufacturer is leaving its current location in Brackernagh, and has begun to build, across from the Poolboy Industrial Estate. The business was established back in 1979, and while primarily a manufacturer of bespoke fitted furniture and washroom systems, over the years it has now grown to be one of the country’s leading suppliers to the educational, healthcare, pharmaceutical, hospitality and commercial sectors.

The business was established originally by John Hurley, although within a year of its creation, it was bought by Michael O’Grady and Seamus Shinners. Nowadays, the company is run by Alan O’Grady, husband to Olivia and father to Saoirse, Simon and Madison. Alan, who’s from Gort, has been with Western Postform Ltd for 25 years, when he first took up a post there in 1994. At present, the firm employs around fifty people, with forty of those based in the factory in the town, and another ten fitters on the road travelling around the country each day.

There are currently six members of staff who have given over thirty years’ service with another fifteen members having contributed over twenty years of service in the manufacturers. With nearly forty years’ experience in working with architects, designers, contractors and clients, Western Postform Limited have earned a reputation for delivering a quality product, within various time constraints and under budget. From the small one off projects, to the typical large scale industrial and commercial project they have dealt with in the past, the business has the experience, capabilities and flexibility to handle all requirements. With their extensive knowledge of all aspects of a project from start to finish, including design, manufacture and fitting, Western Postform Limited are well placed to deliver most clients’ proposals from initial concept to finished project.

The business is set to move into their new 40,000 square foot facility located in Pollboy in March of next year. Managing Director Alan O’Grady said: “Due to the current levels of output we have going on, we have simply outgrown our current location on the Galway Road, and so we have had to look at a new green field site. However, we are remaining in the town, as it is well-positioned for access to most of the country. This is a huge investment for both Western Postform Ltd as well as Ballinasloe, and we will be investing nearly €5 million in this project.”

The main contractors for this new build are Fitzgibbons Contractors, from Ennis. O’Neill O’Malley, hailing from Galway, are the architects involved in the project, alongside Tobin’s Engineering. In an effort to account for renewable energy, the business is planning to install an extraction, filtration and storage system with an automatic feed to a biomass boiler, which will in turn generate all the heat required for the factory. Alongside this, all of the lighting will be LED. At this stage, up to thirty staff will be employed throughout the construction phase. The business is selling mostly to the commercial sector, with projects ranging from the fit out of hotels, schools, student developments, and hospitals, to the likes of having a few large housing projects on their books too. For more information, see WPF Ltd’s Facebook Page at: ‘Western Postform Limited’, or check out www.westernpostform.ie