£645,000 investment to bring 16 jobs to district

£645,000 investment to bring 16 jobs to district

21 June 2017

TWO local manufacturing firms are creating 16 new jobs as part of a £645,000 investment.

Castlewellan-based Herron Engineering is creating 10 new jobs, while Saintfield’s Donite Plastics Limited is creating an additional six in investments supported by Invest NI.

The local firms were among 30 Northern Ireland businesses which joined forces last week to announce a total investment of over £22m that will create almost 300 new jobs. The businesses are from a broad range of disciplines from food to chemicals and pharmaceutical to transport equipment.

Herron Engineering has already appointed seven of its new staff with its investment targeted at recruiting five welders, two fitters and two machine operators and a paint, while Donite Plastics Limited has recruited two of its six new staff. 

The Saintfield firm is employing two new engineers, an administrator and a production operative, alongside technical support and sales staff. The 16 new jobs being created by both firms will generate £323,000 in annual salaries.

The local firms were last week represented at an event hosted by Invest NI to recognise the commitment to growth within the manufacturing industry.

The organisation’s chief executive, Alastair Hamilton, said the event was an opportunity to highlight some of the investments manufacturing focused businesses are making alongside almost £2m in support from Invest NI.

“As well as stimulating economic growth there, are also new job opportunities, with 282 new jobs being created,which will generate over £6.3million annually in additional salaries for the local economy,” he said.

Mr Hamilton added: “These investments show real commitment from businesses to invest in the future. With investment in new equipment, skills and training, new jobs and export development, it is clear that there is real opportunity for growth in manufacturing.”