Specialist pipework supplier Fabplus is planning a massive expansion following a £7m investment.
Strabane-based company Fabplus is planning to more than double its workforce following a £7m investment from Invest NI.
The investment is part of a three-year expansion plan to increase its market share in the Republic of Ireland and the UK, and gain a foothold in mainland Europe and Scandinavia.
Fabplus is a specialist supplier of bespoke pre-fabricated pipework for the fire sprinkler and mechanical industries.
Recruitment is underway to employ 83 additional staff at the business, including management roles and 70 new production staff.
The £7m investment from Invest NI will be used to expand Fabplus’ factory space, storage and R&D facilities. The investment will also help the company develop an in-house powder-coating and pipe-optimisation capability as well as implement a staff training plan.
Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton said: “Fabplus is an established family business in Strabane, which has experienced considerable growth over the last five years.
“Its latest investment is a significant boost for our construction sector, the north-west region and, more broadly, Northern Ireland’s manufacturing base.”
The 83 new jobs are expected to be created by 2019 and will generate £1.7m annually in additional salaries to the local economy.
Darren McGavigan, director of Fabplus, said the ambitious expansion is designed to help the company compete in the global marketplace.
“Extending the factory by 48,000 sq ft will increase our production capacity and improve factory workflow,” he said.
“Adding breadth and depth to the management team will also introduce additional expertise into the business, while implementing our innovative new processes will consolidate our market-leading position with new and existing customers.”
This news comes on the back of other jobs announcements in the world of manufacturing and R&D, which were just announced yesterday (11 December).
Irish Manufacturing Ireland has created 100 new jobs in the midlands, which will include high-tech jobs in robotics, systems engineering, augmented and virtual reality, and construction.
Meanwhile, Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei is expanding its Dublin, Cork and Athlone operations.
