Etra Feeders Ltd has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of housing and equipment to the pig industry for over 25 years. Based in Benburb, Co. Tyrone, the company provides a wide range of state-of-the-art housing and equipment designed to meet the requirements of the modern pig farm.

Founded by Samuel McLoughlin in 1991, Etra Feeders is a family-run business which also involves his wife Janette and son Blair. From humbling beginnings, it has grown to employ 12 staff comprising eight manufacturing personnel and four fitters, who work in two teams of two. The company specialises in working with pig farms across Ireland and the UK on refurbishment, new build and maintenance projects, and provides bespoke solutions to meet each client’s specific needs.

“My father had worked in the engineering sector before starting his own business on the family farm. He started making plastic feeders for pigs and the business grew from there. In 2001, he built a new manufacturing facility which tripled our floorspace and allowed us to greatly increase output,” Blair McLoughlin explains.

“We design, manufacture, supply and install an extensive range of products, ranging from housing, dividing boards and floors to pens, feeders and drinkers. We supply housing and dividing boards locally and feeders right across Ireland and to parts of the UK also. We’re trying to get ourselves more established in the UK and would also have ambitions to break into the European market.

“We guarantee a quality, innovative, value-for-money product as well as a prompt, professional and friendly service.”

Etra Feeders are main distributors for MIK International and Bouwimpex plastic products. MIK International is a leading specialist for high value plastic flooring in pig, calf, sheep and goat husbandry. As the pioneers of plastic panels, the German company can look back on more than 45 years of strong partnerships with success-driven customers. MIK’s innovative products contribute to your efficiency through simple assembly, animal-friendly surfaces and outstanding durability.

Bouwimpex also supplies a range of plastic products specifically designed for building and fitting out modern animal sheds, including divider boards and windows.

The following is a list of the products available from Etra Feeders:

• Polypropylene pig feeders – Etra sells a range of feeders to suit all sizes of pig pens, including wet and dry or dry feeding systems.  This is the company’s best-selling product which has been developed with farmers to get it right. Etra can design and build custom feeders.
• Housing – using its 80mm-thick insulated bonded panels, which are made from glass reinforced plastic, Etra makes best use of this insulation as it will only be 2mm away from the pig where it is needed. The houses are also less damp as there are no cold blocks for the water to condensate against and the GRP finish allows for easy power washing. The GRP wall is more hygienic, making it easier to keep disease out.
• Flooring – Etra are stockists of the MIK flooring slats that are made from polypropylene plastic which can be used in all sizes of pigs. The flooring is easily installed and cleaned. Etra has also started selling sheep and calf slats in recent times.
• Penning –  Etra supplies PVC dividing wall penning with stainless steel ends. The company can accommodate any design due to the easy tongue and grove boards, and can make a range of doors and walls with these systems.
• Farrowing pens – Etra is also a supplier of farrowing equipment with galvanised crates with SS legs to prevent rust and stainless steel troughs, and supplies heat pads that integrate into the MIK Flooring. The heat pads are made from a Polymer concrete which is easily cleaned and hygienic.
• Drinkers – drinking systems for use in the pig house from a range of different solutions to suit all needs and meets the new standard set out by Northern Ireland’s Farm Quality Insurance Scheme.

The company has built up a loyal customer-base over the years, which includes some of the largest pig producers in the country. One of its best customers is JMW Farms which runs piggery units in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Britain.

“We’re constantly coming up with new products and investing in our facilities. We recently took delivery of a high-tech waterjet cutting machine, which can cut both plastic and stainless steel. It has speeded-up production significantly,” says Blair.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued support and look forward to working for and with them for many more years to come.”

Etra Feeders Ltd

101 Milltown Road,

Benburb,

Co. Tyrone,

BT71 7LZ

Telephone: 028 3754 8419

Mobile: 07802 295019

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 5 No 8, December 2017/January 2018

Etra Feeders