LARNE minerals firm Kilwaughter has expanded its operation after reporting unprecedented demand for its building products.
The Co Antrim company said it has now increased its workforce following what it called a “a sustained surge in demand” from the construction sector in particular.
Kilwaughter Minerals last year reported a difficult trading period with Covid-19 and Brexit hitting the building industry.
The result was a downturn in turnover, with pre-tax profits dipping from £8m to £5.4m.
But with the economy reopening and activity fast bouncing back, the Larne outfit has invested £450,000 in expansion, recruiting new production operatives.
Kilwaughter Minerals primarily serves the construction and agriculture sectors, with products including through-colour renders, external wall insulation systems, soil health conditioning minerals and livestock bedding lime solutions to control bacteria.
The move has taken the mineral processor’s workforce above 200.
Chief executive, Gary Wilmot, said: “With the economy emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, we are working hard to respond to what has been a sustained surge in demand, particularly in our construction sectors.
“Moves towards a net zero economy is driving the agenda for more heat efficient homes and this will fuel demand for years to come for our external wall insulation systems.”
The company boss said while the firm has reached the 200-employee milestone, Kilwaughter supports hundreds more in the local supply chain.
“As a key employer in the Mid and East Antrim borough and a catalyst for growth in the wider Northern Ireland economy, we are committed to continued local investment to enhance our market leading position.
“These new jobs allow us to satisfy the demand for our existing suite of products while we also remain focused on developing new and innovative solutions to drive further growth.”
Meanwhile building products supplier MacBlair has said its turnover in the first half of 2021 is almost 60 per cent up on last year.
While sharp rise reflects the impact of the pandemic in early 2020, the performance was still a 27 per cent improvement on 2019.
It came as MacBlair's parent owner Grafton posted a record half year profit of £143m.
Grafton said MacBlair traded strongly in the second half of 2020, accelerating into 2021, resulting in the record start to the year.
