Business

Lisburn engineering firm to create almost 50 jobs as it targets global expansion

Pictured are: Seamus Murchan, director of KME Steelworks; Bill Montgomery, Invest NI and Jason Quinn, director of KME Steelworks
Pictured are: Seamus Murchan, director of KME Steelworks; Bill Montgomery, Invest NI and Jason Quinn, director of KME Steelworks Pictured are: Seamus Murchan, director of KME Steelworks; Bill Montgomery, Invest NI and Jason Quinn, director of KME Steelworks

A LISBURN engineering firm is creating almost 50 new jobs as it looks to expand its international customer base.

KME Steelworks, a leading provider of sub-contract services to a wide range of equipment manufacturers, is creating 47 new roles at

the firm's new headquarters at The Green, Lambeg, a third of which are already in place.

It is hoped the expansion will help the business capitalise on the growing opportunities which exist for its precision engineering sub contract services and precast concrete mould products globally.

KME director, Seamus Murchan said the recruitment as part of ongoing expansion at the Lisburn business.

“We aim to further increase production capacity and the range of services offered to our customers over the next three years," he said.

"Our new 55,000 sq ft facility houses state of the art material processing equipment which enables us to maintain our competitive advantage in our target markets.”

Invest NI has offered KME £338,000 towards the 47 jobs, the majority of which are in engineering roles. A total of 18 roles are in place, with the remainder expected to be filled within the next two years.

Bill Montgomery, director of advanced manufacturing and engineering, at Invest NI added: “KME Steelworks is part of an important cluster of engineering companies developing innovative solutions for the materials handling and construction industry. The business has achieved sustained levels of growth in recent years and we are pleased to be helping KME implement its current expansion plans.

“Investing in upgraded machine technologies and creating 47 new jobs demonstrates KME’s ambition to continue building its customer base and reputation for excellence across its key markets.”

KME’s products target the materials handling, construction, quarrying and aggregates, recycling and agriculture markets. The sub-contract services are predominately supplied to multinational engineering businesses in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and are subsequently exported across the world, while precast moulds products are supplied direct to customers in the UK and export markets.