A GROUP of six local manufacturing firms are creating over 40 jobs in a £3.7 million bid to boost turnover and export sales.
Carryduff-based Big Picture Joinery, Larne business Mango Bikes, Belfast company Amphora NDT, Cookstown manufacturer Premier Protective Coatings Ltd and
Ballymena firms Carey Cleaning Machines Ltd and Gault Engineering have each been working on growth projects with support from Invest NI.
In all the companies are making investments totalling £3.7m, creating 41 jobs and generating an additional £1.2m in annual salaries for the Northern Ireland economy.
Invest NI has offered £261,000 of support towards the new roles, of which 12 are in place.
As part of the outlay Carey Cleaning Machines is investing over £1.1m to fuel strategic growth and increase sales in the Republic of Ireland. It is creating seven new jobs, with the significant investment also including building work and investment in equipment.
Moira Loughran, Invest NI’s eastern and north eastern regional manager said they were delighted to support the local companies to help drive growth in turnover and increase their export sales.
“Growing and strengthening our indigenous manufacturing businesses is at the core of our business strategy and these investments demonstrate that despite the global challenges facing certain areas of manufacturing, there is real opportunity for growth."
“Our focus is on providing the most effective assistance to our businesses to support the development of our economy. This support is ensuring these companies have the resources available to compete more effectively and successfully, particularly in markets outside Northern Ireland," she added.
