Manufacturing firms grow with Â£7 million investment and 75 jobs

Pictured (centre) are Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton and Stephen Kelly, chief executive, Manufacturing NI, with, left to right, Olga Murtagh, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, David Nicholl, NC Engineering, Ethna McNamee, Invest NIs western regional manager, Paddy Woods and Sarah Shimmons from Linwoods.

They are NC Engineering (Richhill), Industrial Paint Solutions (Carn), Linwoods (Armagh), Mackle Petfoods (Moy) and Crilco Confections (Newry).

Collectively the firms are investing more than £7 million in projects that will create 75 jobs.

Once in place these new jobs will generate over £1.4m annually in additional salaries to the local economy.

NC Engineering are creating 30 jobs, seven of which are in place.

The company is investing £2,222,760 of which £598,480 will be spent on annual salaries.

A further £185,000 will be provided by Invest NI.

Linwoods are creating 18 jobs, four of which are in place, with a total investment of £795,200, £449,000 of which will go on salaries.

There is support of £100,000 by Invest NI.

Mackle Petfoods have created nine jobs with an investment of £3,303,900, £154,125 of which will be spent on annual salaries.

Invest NI contributed £99,000.

Industrial Paint Solutions are spending £985,000, £190,000 of this on annual salaries, and have put in place 10 new jobs. £75,000 came from Invest NI.

Crilco are creating eight jobs, with an investment of £62,000 and £124,800 going on annual salaries.

Invest NI are lending support to the tune of £18,600.

Invest NI’s Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton said, “These investments show real commitment from businesses to invest in the future.

“With investment in new equipment, skills and training, new jobs and export development, it is clear that there is real opportunity for growth in manufacturing.”

Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI Chief Executive, said, “SMEs make up 98 per cent of all businesses here in Northern Ireland and are at the very heart of what we do in our manufacturing base.

“Week in, week out, companies like this continue to work very hard to keep moving forward, to build and grow our business economy and build communities.

“It is encouraging to see the progress and developments being made by firms across all disciplines.

“Invest NI is offering valuable support to enable these businesses to create highly skilled, well paid jobs and drive innovation and growth in export markets.”