IRISH construction firm Errigal Contracts has acquired a 70-acre site in Antrim as part of a £20 million three-year Brexit strategy.
The firm has said it will develop a new centre of excellence for off-site construction at the former Enkalon industrial estate, with plans to add 125 jobs to its workforce of 325 in the coming year.
Headquartered in Killybrone in Co Monaghan, close to the border with Tyrone, the company, is headed by Damian Treanor and Derry native Cormac McCloskey.
It also has bases in Dungiven, London, Amsterdam and Zurich.
Errigal’s extensive portfolio of 320 construction projects across 12 countries includes the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Wembley stadium in London.
It is currently involved in the construction of 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest sky scraper in London’s financial district. The £26m project, which has 62 floors, is set to open this month.
The company said alongside its manufacturing facility in Monaghan, the investment in Antrim is part of a Brexit strategy to make the business more flexible.
Errigal’s plans include an Invest-NI backed move to breathe new life into 30 acres of existing warehouses on the Antrim site, close to The Junction retail park.
The firm said it wants to encourage other companies to locate to the site, to compliment its new off-site construction development.
Some 15-acres will also be developed into housing.
The company’s growth saw its turnover more than double to £116.2m in three years.
Cormac McCloskey said: “The new investment in C Antrim is an exciting development in the growth of the business.
“We have extensive experience in off-site construction, and it is our aim to develop the site into a centre for excellence in off-site construction, benefiting our clients across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
“It allows for early collaboration and a lot of sectors are seeing the benefits of this, such as healthcare and education. It is becoming increasingly important to do as much construction as possible off-site, reducing the number of people required on-site to install works.”
The director said while navigating the Covid-19 crisis had been “challenging”, he said it had not significantly impacted its projects and growth plans.
“Our people are the absolute core of this growth and success, not just our direct workforce, also our extended team of over 1,500, as well as partners and subcontractors.
“It is the commitment, care, experience and knowledge of its people and their dedication to the industry that distinguishes Errigal in the marketplace.”
