KILREA engineering firm SJC Hutchinson Engineering has completed a £3.2 million investment in new laser technology as it moves to a larger 60,000 sq ft manufacturing site.
It follows the family firm's diversification into the aerospace sector in 2013.
The company's managing director Mark Hutchinson said: “Since 1998 Hutchinson Engineering has invested in the latest cutting edge technologies and R&D to ensure that our service meets the needs of our customers across many diverse sectors, including; transport, oil, gas, aerospace, materials handling, medical, agricultural and recycling sectors.
“This new captial investment of over £3.2m is another building block in the company’s growth, and with over 40 years experience working with clients who demand quality and precision engineered components, it was imperative that we undertook this expansion.
“This will help to underpin our competitive position in this sector and achieve the aim of substantially increasing sales to global customers over the next three years.”
Invest NI's director of advanced engineering and construction Damian McAuley added: “Hutchinson Engineering is working in partnership with Invest NI and has benefited from a range of assistance to develop its facilities and ensure it has the skills and manufacturing processes in place to be competitive in its target market.
“The engineering sector accounts for a large proportion of manufactured exports from Northern Ireland. This investment by Hutchinson Engineering signals its continued commitment to Northern Ireland and to building on its international success.”
Hutchinson Engineering was founded in 1971 and was initially focused on providing services to the farming sector but has diversified over the decades.
The company bought its first laser in 1999 and now operates in the aviation, agriculture, construction, energy and transport sectors.
