George Kidney – Acknowledgement
Balcas were very sorry to learn this weekend of the death of George Kidney OBE, aged 91 years of age.
George was the founder of Ballycassidy Sawmills Limited in 1962, this being the entity that grew into the Balcas Timber Ltd that we know today. George led the growth and development of Balcas during our formative years, stepping down in 1988, however he continued to work until the early 2000’s and indeed is fondly remembered by the many staff still working here whom he employed personally. His legacy to the county of Fermanagh, and further afield, is enormous when you see today a business employing 380 people directly, and probably the same number again indirectly.
George was the epitome of a gentleman. Those of us that had the pleasure and honour of working for or with him will remember his decency and humanity, his fantastic sense of humour, and his great wisdom.
Our sincere sympathies go to his sons, David, Ernest, and Andrew, his wife Betty, his grandchildren and the whole extended family.
He will surely rest in peace after a life of great accomplishment and service to the timber & industry.
Janet Hynes – An Appreciation
Today was an unbearably sad day for us here in Enniskillen as we bade a final farewell to our friend and colleague, Janet Hynes.
Janet courageously battled her cancer over the past eighteen months with amazing fortitude and grace. Despite the gravity of her illness, she always wore a smile and sparkled with positivity. Janet has been a shining example of gentle decency and we trust her spirit will long live in the memory of all those who had the pleasure and honour to know her.
Since she joined Balcas in February 2006, Janet made an extraordinary contribution to the development of brites. Her part in our sales, distribution, and management cannot be overstated. Janet is a great loss to her colleagues and we already miss her. We know too by tributes from customers and business colleagues alike, that everyone who had the pleasure of working with her, feel the same.
To her partner Stephen, for all of Janet’s brothers and sisters, and for her extended family and friends; to them we offer our deepest condolences and sympathies.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
Why building a low carbon economy is so important
Climate change is the biggest challenge the mankind is facing today.
Global temperatures are increasing, and the environment is continuously changing. GHG (Human-made Greenhouse Gas) emissions are mainly responsible for this. Addressing this issue is essential and we can help with low carbon economy sustainability.
Global average temperatures have already increased by almost 1˚C since pre-industrial times. The atmosphere and oceans have warmed, snow and ice cover has diminished, and sea levels are rising.
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasing. Many animal species face extinction and communities in water poor regions and low-lying countries are already at great risk.
The main driver of climate change is the increasing emissions from man-made greenhouse gas. In particular, carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). These gases act like a blanket. They trap
infrared radiation emitted from the surface, preventing it from escaping into space.
The end result?
Is a progressive warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. This effect becomes ever stronger as the atmospheric concentration of GHGs increases.
A tipping point is fast approaching. The tonnage of CO2 emissions in the Earth’s atmosphere reached record levels in 2018. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that the Earth is now on track for three degrees of warming by the end of this century.
According to their analysis, we only have 12 years to keep global warming below 1.5˚C. This is the higher ambition in the 2015 landmark Paris Agreement. Read More on the Ibec website.
Next steps?
The UK and Ireland have now joined the global effort to address climate change. Both Governments have now committed to the ambitious plan to cut emissions and become Carbon-Neutral by 2050. The plan is to get the energy system to become secure, sustainable and competitive. Supply will be built on various renewable energy fuels, like biomass and wood pellets.
At Balcas Energy, we support low carbon economy sustainability.
Robot Assisted Wood Pellets Packaging
Ordering 10kg Wood Pellets from Balcas Energy – Now Packed by Robbie the Robot
When customers order 10kg wood pellets from Balcas Energy, they might notice a difference in pallet appearance. This change comes from our recent investment in advanced automated wood pellets pallet stacking and wrapping technology.
Earlier this year, we commissioned a new stacking robot, affectionately named Robbie by the brites team. Robbie ensures every pallet of locally produced 10kg wood pellets is stacked perfectly and wrapped securely.
Why We Invested in Robbie
During the global bagged pellet shortage in the winter of 2017/2018, demand for pellets surged unexpectedly. To meet future peaks in demand, we expanded our bagging capacity. Our upgraded factory now operates 24/7, ensuring we can deliver home-grown, high-quality 10kg wood pellets when customers need them most.
A Smarter Pallet Design
As part of the automated bagging process, Robbie gently rolls each bag to make it flatter. This precision stacking creates neater, more compact pallets. Customers may notice their pallet looks shorter—around 200mm less than our older, manually stacked pallets—but it still contains the same quantity of pellets.
Quality You Can Rely On
Balcas brites 10kg wood pellets are:
- Made locally from sustainably grown timber processed in our own sawmills.
- Produced to exceed ENplus® A1 quality standards.
- High in calorific value for efficient heating.
- Low in fines and ash for cleaner burning.
Order Your 10kg Wood Pellets Today
Whether for home or business heating, our Balcas brites 10kg wood pellets deliver performance, reliability, and sustainability.
Order online now and enjoy fast delivery direct to your door.
