Business

Ballmoney based Dowds Group plans expansion to grow sales outside Northern Ireland

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has welcomed the creation of 46 new skilled jobs, support by Invest Northern Ireland, by Dowds Group based in Ballymoney. The company specialises in the design and build of mechanical and electrical services within large-scale education, healthcare, industrial and commercial facilities. To accommodate its growth in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland the M&E contractor has recently opened a second office in Belfast.Pictured with the Minister are (L-R) James Dowds, Managing Director and David Porter, Commercial Director Dowds Group.
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has welcomed the creation of 46 new skilled jobs, support by Invest Northern Ireland, by Dowds Group based in Ballymoney. The company specialises in the design and build of mechanical and electrical Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has welcomed the creation of 46 new skilled jobs, support by Invest Northern Ireland, by Dowds Group based in Ballymoney. The company specialises in the design and build of mechanical and electrical services within large-scale education, healthcare, industrial and commercial facilities. To accommodate its growth in Great Britain and Republic of Ireland the M&E contractor has recently opened a second office in Belfast.Pictured with the Minister are (L-R) James Dowds, Managing Director and David Porter, Commercial Director Dowds Group.

BALLYMONEY manufacturer Dowds Group has announced plans to create 46 new jobs.

The firm designs and builds mechanical and electrical services within large-scale education, healthcare, industrial and commercial facilities.

The company has also recently opened a second office in Belfast as it grows operations in Britain and the Republic.

The expansion is being backed by £192,000 from Invest Northern Ireland.

The firm's managing director James Dowds said: "In addition to Invest NI's contribution, we have committed circa £1 million to expand our presence in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The introduction of new staff gives us greater capacity and enhanced confidence to deliver on our strategy of long term growth.

"We have secured contracts which will see our turnover increase by 35 per cent for 2016 and we will continue our investment in new talent to build a stronger company and further develop our customer base."

Enterprise minister Jonathan Bell described Dowds as "an ambitious, export focused business which has significantly built up its technical capabilities and personnel to continue their growth in new markets".

"I am pleased Invest Northern Ireland has been able to support the growth of the company through the offer of £192,000 enabling the creation of 32 of the 46 jobs. The new jobs will include management, technical and business development roles, as well as electrician and plumbing positions," he said.

"The enhancement of their workforce will enable Dowds Group to secure additional large projects. The new positions will contribute over £980,000 annually in salaries to the Northern Ireland economy and signals encouraging growth in the construction sector.

"Dowds Group has devoted significant resources to their expansion including strengthening their BIM/CAD facilities through the introduction of new staff and a major upgrade of 3D modelling Revit software and associated hardware. They have also established a new integrated services division to expand their range of services to include construction, fit out and facilities management."