TOOMEBRIDGE construction firm Thornton Roofing is creating 50 new jobs as part of an £8 million expansion.
The family-owned firm specialises in roofing and cladding and is planning major growth over the next five years after winning a series of new contracts in Britain.
The recruitment drive will include taking on more than a dozen apprentice joiners.
The company, which is also celebrating 50 years in business, has secured projects across the health, education, heritage and leisure sectors in England and Scotland.
The firm's managing director Stephen Thornton said it was benefitting from a resurgent building sector in Britain.
It is one of a growing number of Northern Ireland headquartered construction firms to seek work outside the north in a bid to encourage growth.
“Whilst we do work in the Republic of Ireland and Britain, from time to time, our core business over the last five decades has been drawn from Northern Ireland latterly in the form of projects at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast; Altnagelvin Hospital, the Museum of Free Derry and the Seamus Heaney Centre in Bellaghy," said Mr Thornton.
"A key element in our growth programme, however, will be securing of contracts in England and Scotland.
“Having experienced consistent growth in recent years we believe we are poised to enjoy the benefits of our growing reputation for roofing, cladding, small works, maintenance and architectural metal-works.
We envisage the recruitment and training of bright young apprentices as critical to achieving further growth with employment levels being increased from 60-110 by 2021.”
The company is also planning to expand its office and manufacturing facilities in Toomebridge with the addition of a new 10,700 sq ft building.
“The creation of new office accommodation and manufacturing space at Toomebridge is particularly important for us as we continue to invest on research and development with a view to exporting a range of new products internationally," added Mr Thornton.
