Belfast-based engineering firm PAC Group is investing £1.3 million into the business which will see it add 18 more staff in marketing, project management and engineering roles.
It comes on the back of £2.8 million worth of export contract wins for the company’s composite pre-formers, including a £700,000 contract with a Netherlands-based automation company following participation on Invest NIs ‘Going Dutch’ Programme.
PAC offers a range of specialist electrical and mechanical engineering services including automation and the development of bespoke manufacturing and processing equipment to sectors such as aerospace, marine, and water treatment.
It recently delivered a £5m contract for NI Water to support innovative pilot projects to improve water quality, with plans under way to export the technology to GB, RoI, and the Middle East.
Darren Leslie, business development director at PAC Group, which in 2021 was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation for its composite performer technology, said: “Over the last five years, Invest NI has been a great source of advice and support for us. Most recently, we have availed of trade support to visit Seattle and Toulouse and its Going Dutch Programme was vital in cementing our relationship with new partners in The Netherlands.
“Over the next two years, we also plan to invest in our premises, equipment and vehicles. We hope this will act as a springboard for further success across Europe and even into the Middle East.”
Anne Beggs, director of trade and investment at Invest NI, added: “Supporting businesses across Northern Ireland to grow through exports is key to driving our economic growth with the linkage between exports, innovation and productivity widely recognised.
“PAC Group is a great example of this in action and has grown from a business focused on selling in GB and RoI to now selling into The Netherlands.
“Our Going Dutch Programme paved the way by providing PAC Group with a comprehensive overview of the Dutch market, support with market research and identifying potential partners in the market which has led to this contract. This will also lead to a further investment in its business which we are delighted to be able to help support.”
Due to its commitment to innovation, Innovate NI (a Department for the Economy programme) has previously recognised PAC Group as a Platinum Level Innovator.
