CARRICKFERGUS firm Woodburn Engineering is to almost double its workforce as it seeks to win new contracts in Britain.
The expansion plan, backed by Invest NI, will see the company target tender opportunities in the infrastructure and ports sectors in particular.
The business specialises in the fabrication and installation of light and heavy steelwor.
It plans to take on 10 new workers to aid the expansion, bringing the overall payroll to 26.
Woodburn managing director Tony Cowan said the £45,000 investment from Invest NI represented "a significant development for the business that will enable us to target and secure new high value projects outside of Northern Ireland".
“We have seen an upturn in Great Britain’s construction sector and bolstering our management and production teams is giving us greater in house technical expertise and resources to deliver more complex engineering projects," he said.
“Invest NI’s support is helping us to position ourselves to compete for new business. We have already seen the fruits of our efforts, securing contracts with Glasgow and Chesterfield city councils valued at £2 million.
“We want to raise greater awareness of our unique engineering capability in the technical specification and design of road, rail/water and pedestrian bridges and motorway signal gantries. Our recent successes in Great Britain will hopefully help to leverage future sales in our target sectors.”
Of the 10 new roles, six are already in place.
Invest NI's eastern regional manager Moira Loughran added: "This is an important and strategic investment for Woodburn Engineering and a positive news story for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.
“The recovery of Great Britain’s construction sector is benefiting this family firm which is experiencing encouraging growth, recently securing valuable business in Scotland and Derbyshire.
"The 10 new skilled construction jobs being created have salaries above the private sector median and once all in pace will generate over £306,000 annually in additional salaries to the local economy.
“The financial and advisory support offered by Invest NI is helping Woodburn Engineering position and market itself as a single package solution for contractors, offering design and build through to assembly and installation on site.
“Woodburn is an established and valued business in Carrickfergus and its development demonstrates the company’s confidence in achieving its growth potential outside Northern Ireland.”
