McCorley Mechanical and Electrical’s recent project at the £15m Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch showcases the outstanding quality of M+E works carried out by the company. The 30,000 sq ft, two-storey building includes a large whiskey and gin distillery producing the Craft Hinch Irish Whiskey and Ninth Wave Gin brands. It also features an interactive visitor centre, coffee shop, retail area, outside courtyard space and multi-purpose events spaces.
Previously known for their mechanical works, McCorleys added an electrical division in 2016. Under the guidance of their new Electrical Contracts Manager, Stephen O’Loughlin, the division is growing in size and scope. From maintenance to full electrical installations, McCorleys is fully resourced to fulfill schemes large and small.
The electrical works amounted to 75% of the Hinch Distillery scope carried out by McCorleys. Stephen said, “This was a highly bespoke job involving specialist process control, ATEX and LEL compliant equipment along with bespoke architectural lighting. The project required the full domestic installation of general power and lighting, low voltage switchgear, fire alarms, intruder alarms, CCTV, door access controls and so on.
“The biggest challenge was in the ATEX area that houses the stills. This was obviously a potentially explosive environment so precautions needed to be taken. Suitably rated and protected electrical equipment was used throughout to prevent the possibility of ignition from a spark, or other source of heat. “Also, the installation of internal lightning protection in addition to external protection was required to safeguard against potential explosive reactions.”
A sophisticated process control system added to the complexities of the project, as did the building’s architecture. “There were a lot of architectural features that didn’t lend themselves to be serviceable, which meant on-site co-ordination was paramount,” said Stephen. “We met weekly and then fortnightly with the design team and closely collaborated with the main contractor, Corramore Construction, which helped build strong relationships between us.
There was a lot of co-ordination and collaboration with Corramore who were great to work with. They implemented stringent Covid-19 measures and controls during the restrictions period, which ensured the site was a safe environment to work in, with limited downtime due to these measures.”
This high-profile project is a serious feather in the cap for McCorley Mechanical and Electrical. It’s expected to become a major tourist attraction, able to accommodate more than 100,000 visitors a year. Trained guides will bring visitors on an interactive and informative journey that will include a history of Irish whiskey and its unique distilling process, tutored tasting sessions, a specific gin tour and the opportunity to produce and bottle their own gins.
Commenting on the successful job, John McCorley, Director said, “It was a complicated project but well designed and thought out by Semple McKillop pre-construction, which simplified the installation. We are delighted to include this prestigious project into our portfolio. It illustrates how far the capability of our relatively young electrical division has developed. From small to large M+E schemes, we now have the resources to scale up or down to deliver world-class installations – both mechanical and electrical.”
Project team…
Client: Hinch Distillery Ltd Main
Contractor: Corramore Construction Electrical
Contract Manager: Stephen O’Loughlin (McCorley Mechanical and Electrical)
Mechanical Contract Manager: John McCorley (McCorley Mechanical and Electrical)
Consultant Engineers: Semple McKillop
T: +44 (0)28 7965 0823
E: info@mccorley.me
MAC ELECTRICS
Mac Electrical Wholesale Ltd worked closely with Core Electrical Distribution, Belfast to supply market-leading Marshall Tufflex dado, trunking and containment for the Hinch Distillery project.
This large whiskey and gin distillery produces the Craft Hinch Irish Whiskey and Ninth Wave Gin brands. It’s expected to become a major tourist attraction able to accommodate more than 100,000 visitors a year.
Founded in 2005, Mac Electrical is a service-driven independent wholesaler with a loyal customer base. As a member of the IBA Buying Group, Mac Electrical benefits from the purchasing power of 69 independent electrical distributors to provide cost- effective buying – savings they pass on to their customers.
Commenting on the project, Phelim Mulgrew, Director of Mac Electrical Wholesale Ltd said, “We’d like to congratulate McCorley M&E on successfully delivering this high-end project and wish them continued success. We look forward to working closely with them on future projects.
T: +44 (0)28 86760006
T: +44 (0)79 7413 8322
KEW ELECTRIAL
Kew Electrical is well known throughout the industry for its reliable stock availability and timely deliveries, which made it the wholesaler of choice for the Hinch Distillery project.
The Belfast-based firm delivered at least once daily to the Hinch Distillery site, supplying McCorley Mechanical and Electrical with a wide range of materials including lighting, emergency lighting, wiring accessories, cable, containment, fixings and site equipment.
Commenting on the project, Stephen Armstrong, Kew Electrical said, “We are committed to ensuring projects aren’t subject to delays or disruptions in supply. Having a large stock- holding facilities in Belfast and a fleet of five vans meant we were able to deliver material that was required on site the same day, at short notice to meet the electrical contractor deadlines.
“We’re delighted to have played a role in the delivery of this standout project and look forward to working with McCorleys again in the future.
T: +44 (0)28 9047 1727
E: Belfast@kewelectrical.co.uk
www.kewelectrical.co.uk
WALTER S MERCER, BALLYMENA
WS Mercer supplied a wide range of goods for the electrical installation at Hinch Distillery right from the beginning with the 110v supply required to get the site up and running.
Commenting on the project, Nico McGuckin, Sales Executive for Mercers said, “Once the job kicked off there was a very tight timescale for us to get the goods ordered and then on to site. With the majority of Zumbotel lighting being made to order, this posed its own challenge, with some of the high-end specified lights being 12 weeks + in lead-time.”
WS Mercer’s strapline is ‘The electrical wholesaler for service’ and this was clearly evident on this project.
“We worked closely with the electrical contractor, McCorley M&E on this project,” said Nico. “Right from the tendering stages we were quick to react with pricing every electrical product needed for the installation, and although being located almost 50 miles from the site, being able to deliver there daily was a huge benefit to the customer.”
T: +44 (0)28 2564 1511
E: ballymena.387@eel.co.uk
THORN LIGHTING
Thorn Lighting has provided lighting to meet stringent objectives for The Hinch Distillery.
As the building is a working distillery, while also holding visitor tours, the performance and appearance of the lighting solution were of equal importance.
Working in close collaboration with McCorley Mechanical & Electrical and Consulting Engineers Semple & McKillop, Thorn has designed a modern exterior lighting scheme that also fits with the heritage style of the building. The space includes both the public visitor areas and functional work areas.
To achieve the desired effect of ‘light by night and design by day’, Thorn’s EP145 and EP445 19th-century-styled lanterns, mounted on columns and wall brackets, blend seamlessly into the exterior space. ACDC’s Blade linear, wall wash luminaires have been recessed and wall mounted on the building’s exterior to discreetly highlight the building facade, whilst Simes Skill rectangular LED bollards with asymmetric light distribution add elegant design with low energy consumption.
Internally, industrial areas have been illuminated with Thorn’s ForceLED, a robust, compact IP67 luminaire, and office spaces with IQ Wave and Beta recessed luminaires, delivering excellent uniformity and glare control. The lighting solution is completed with the Voyager range for emergency lighting and full lighting control using SensaLite occupancy sensors.
T: +44 (0) 7811 355151
E: Stephen.woolsey@zumtobelgroup.com
www.thornlighting.co.uk
