A Co Antrim company is creating 32 new jobs thanks to a £3.2m expansion.
US-owned Aromet Group Ltd, the world’s leading provider of tyre and tube repair solutions – which currently employs 60 people in Lisburn – manufactures a range of tyre repair products for the international marketplace.
Mark Noble, Aromet Group’s managing director, said: “Invest NI’s support for the new jobs has been essential to allowing us to move ahead with our growth strategy. “We are putting in place a dedicated European sales team and over the next three years we aim to significantly increase our share of the European tyre repair market.”
The investment, supported by Invest Northern Ireland to the tune of £160,000, was announced by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
She said: “Aromet Group has a long history in Northern Ireland and this significant investment marks its further commitment to the region. As well as creating 32 jobs, the investment will see the company upgrade its factory premises, install state-of-the-art IT systems and develop a new e-commerce website.
“In today’s highly competitive world, R&D needs to be at the heart of every business growth strategy so I am pleased to see that Aromet is also expanding its research and development function to strengthen its focus on innovation.
“Building elements of R&D and innovation into a company’s core activities is not only important for individual business success but absolutely essential to wider economic growth.
The support offered by Invest NI, under its Boosting Business initiative, signifies the government’s focus to secure the long-term growth of our economy by encouraging all Northern Ireland businesses to consider how R&D can give them an advantage in the market place.”
The additional staff will be mainly manufacturing and sales positions, but four new high level management posts will also be created. The company plans to target new high profile clients across Europe.