Minister Simon Hamilton has praised Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector during a visit to Canyon Europe Ltd in Newtownabbey.
Canyon Europe Ltd is a subsidiary of the Canyon Group and is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high quality and innovative dispensing solutions.
They are the first Japanese company to set up in Northern Ireland and trade in over 50 markets around the world.
Speaking as he met company management and staff and toured the factory the Minister said: “Manufacturing is hugely important to the Northern Ireland economy. Manufacturing provides around 11% of all jobs in Northern Ireland and almost 16% of total economic output of the region. The sector makes a significant contribution to export levels and research and development, both of which are central to wealth generation.