Newry engineering companies create 24 jobs as part of major investment
Pronto Engineering, Sheaney, Versaffix and Vitra are to invest a total of £2 million
A group of four engineering companies in the wider Newry area have collectively created 24 jobs as part of a major investment programme to boost productivity and expand their global footprint.
Pronto Engineering, Sheaney, Versaffix and Vitra are to invest a total of £2 million over the next few years, bolstered by support from Invest NI which has offered £191,700 of support.
Versaffix, which is based in Lislea and makes rotating digger attachments, is investing £701,000 in its business and creating eight new jobs and Viltra, a provider of wastewater treatment solutions in Newry, is investing £514,000 to strengthen its management team and production capacity with the creation of six new roles. It aims to increase exports to the south of Ireland and France and take on larger projects.
Meanwhile, Pronto Engineering, based in Camlough, designs complex industrial automation solutions and is investing £462,000 to increase productivity, grow sales in target markets and create six jobs. And Sheaney, a specialist in marine, civil engineering and infrastructure project management, also in Newry, is investing £270,000 to increase its exports to the South of Ireland and create four jobs.
Martin McMenamin, Business Development Manager at Versaffix, said: “As an early-stage business, this investment will enable us to build our management team and increase production capacity, supporting us to commercialise our product and expand our global reach.
“We’re also investing in market development activities to help us to grow sales in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain, before launching our tiltrotator products in the European market. The advice and support from Invest NI has given us the confidence to take this exciting next step for our business.”
The investments were announced by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald during a visit to Versaffix, a manufacturer of tiltrotators for excavators in Lislea, where the Minister met representatives from all four companies.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economy and access to financial support for these types of businesses is crucial,” she said. “I was encouraged to meet all four companies who have benefited from Invest NI’s support and hear how these investments have increased capacity, driven sales, and unlocked new export opportunities.