Business

Lisburn blind-making firm's major expansion to add 80 jobs

Economy minister Jonathan Bell with Decora's Stuart Dickson. Picture: Michael Cooper
Economy minister Jonathan Bell with Decora's Stuart Dickson. Picture: Michael Cooper Economy minister Jonathan Bell with Decora's Stuart Dickson. Picture: Michael Cooper

A BLIND-making company based in Lisburn is creating 80 new jobs as part of a major expansion which it claims will pump an extra £1.4 million a year into the economy.

The investment - backed to the tune of £240,000 by the taxpayer - is at Decora Blind Systems.

It has made a name for itself in recent years as one of the north's most ambitious manufacturing firms, targeting export markets for its range of blinds and blind components.

The family-owned company's managing director Stuart Dickson said: “Decora’s business growth over the past five years has been consistent.

"Our continued goal is to ensure employee, customer and supplier relationships are harnessed to their full potential. This makes sure that we continue to have the passion, creativity and imagination to continue to produce blind solutions that deliver and communicate value to our customers."

He added: "We use this dedicated work ethic along with state of the art processes and systems for endless product possibilities. We are striving to create new opportunities for continued growth across our workforce to support the corporate strategy.”

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell said: “Over the last 35 years Decora has grown into a dynamic, innovative business and this expansion, supported by Invest NI, underlines its drive and ambition to succeed in markets outside Northern Ireland.

“Decora is ranked as one of the largest window blind producers in the UK and its clients include some of the largest independent blind companies in the country.

"The company has focused on manufacturing and wholesaling speciality products, introducing contemporary ranges with high value design properties.

"Once in place, the 80 new jobs will generate £1.4 million annually in additional salaries and offer employment opportunities across a range of roles including customer service and manufacturing.”

Recruitment is under way at Decora, with 43 of the roles already in place.

Invest NI offered Decora £240,000 under its Jobs Fund, which follows another employment grant of £237,000 it received in 2012.