The team at Smyths Daleside in Ballindrait have said a fond farewell and happy retirement to Dermot Melaugh.
Dermot put in an incredible 50 years of service to the animal feed manufacturer, having started at the tender age of 15. Since then, he has been a pivotal part of the company as it grew to become a leader in the north west.
Paying tribute to their dear friend and colleague, management said that Dermot joined Smyths Feeds at Swilly Valley Mill back in 1972. His first job was packing flaked maize and Smyth’s Cook Quick Oat Flake Meal ( a porridge product ) that was sold to Whites in Dublin.
Dermot progressed to the role of Maintenance Manager at Smyths and kept the Swilly Valley Mill in good working order producing good quality feed until a major fire on the 19th May 2000.
“This was a hammer blow to all the Staff of Smyths Feeds,” they said.
“Long working days and weeks were worked after the fire to keep Smyth’s feeds out in the market place and Dermot remembers setting up two bag packing palletising lines in Swilly Valley to ensure no customer went without feed.”
Smyths Feeds, at this stage was owned by Donegal Creameries and moved from Swilly Valley Mill to its current location after the purchase of Patterson’s mill in Ballindrait in 2001.
This led to the start of Smyths Daleside and in conjunction with this, there was a massive investment in the Mill with the construction and modernisation of the Patterson Mill. During this new construction phase, Dermot ensured that the Mill was fully operational as the tonnage capacity of the mill increased.
The team send warm wishes to Dermot, his wife and four children.
“Best of Luck in the future from all the Staff and Management of Smyths Daleside,” they said.
