A FIRST-time Antipodean investor in Northern Ireland is seeking welders, fabricators and heavy diesel hydraulics specialists to build its world-first completely unmanned reverse circulation drill rig at a new operation in Belfast.
Australian mine engineering specialist Tribe Technology confirmed that it is setting up a major manufacturing operation at Enterprise Way in Mallusk to provide the first colossal 100 tonnes-plus rig for a drilling contractor in Perth.
Tribe Tech plans to create 120 jobs over the next five years as part of a significant investment supported to the tune of £984,000 by Invest NI.
Its managing director Charlie King is originally from Crossgar in Co Down, and had part of his education at Rockport and Down High School.
He said the wealth of heavy manufacturing expertise in Northern Ireland persuaded him to choose Belfast for the company's main overseas facility.
“We looked at Republic of Ireland, England and some European countries, but the access to skills, labour, infrastructure and government grants all pointed us here, which is fantastic for us,” he told the Irish News.
Tribe Tech hired its first operative in November and currently has a staff of 14, but expects to ramp that up fairly quickly.
The company is collaborating with international mining drill automation specialists Flanders Electric, also based in Perth, to make the world’s first fully automated RC drill rig for the global mining industry.
Mr King describes it as “an opportunity to disrupt the market and accelerate the development and implementation of fully autonomous drilling for our customers globally - and Belfast will be at the heart of it.”
He added: “Belfast will have the capability of manufacturing up to 20 units a year, and if we could produce full capacity of these machines right now, they'd all be away, such is the demand of our global customers.
“So while we want to build our team quickly, it's about looking at our plans and seeing how we can accelerate production without compromising quality.”
He said Brexit and the Protocol weren't part of his thought process when considering locating in Northern Ireland.
“Having access to both UK and EU markets is a bonus, though what I'm more excited about is the discussions about a free trade agreement with Australia.
“It's not impossible that we might have a near-shore customer, because there are mines operating or being planned in the UK and Europe and even in Co Tyrone.
“But are big volume markets are in major mining economies like Canada, South America, South Africa and Australia.”
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons welcomed Tribe Tech's decision to locate in Northern Ireland, which he said has a diverse advanced manufacturing and engineering sector which, in recent years, has grown almost three times faster than the rest of the UK.
“These roles offer the opportunity to be involved in developing and manufacturing innovative new drilling systems.
“And once all 120 roles are in place, this investment will generate in excess of £3m in annual salaries to our economy.”
