Modular construction group KES has secured planning approval to expand its factory operation in Co Tyrone.
The Strabane-based manufacturing firm announced plans to create 100 new jobs last summer, as it embarked on ‘phase two’ of its facility at Invest NI’s business park on the A5 Melmount Road.
KES Group is set to expand further with Derry City and Strabane District Council last week signing off on plans to build a new assembly line to provide additional capacity.
Industry monitor CIS Ireland estimate the latest expansion will represent an investment in the region of £4 million.
Founded in 2009, the Co Tyrone company has completed thousands of installations across the education, healthcare, government and commercial sectors.
KES Group boss Conor McCrossan announced the relocation to Strabane Business Park in 2018.
The modular manufacturer has significantly ramped up operations since the Cookstown fuel giant LCC Group bought into the company in October 2021.
LCC now share ownership of KES Group with Mr McCrossan, with Daniel and Michael Loughran acting as directors.
Opened in 2013 at a cost of around £6m, it took Invest NI four years to secure its first tenant for Strabane Business Park.
Dragon Foods announced its 7,500 sq ft manufacturing facility in late 2017.
After a slow start, activity at Strabane Business Park is picking up pace, with a number of manufacturing firms from the Republic progressing plans to establish bases across the border.
The planning approval for the latest KES facility comes just six weeks after Letterkenny-based Houston Precision Engineering secured permission for its new industrial facility at the Invest NI site in Strabane.
Pre-fabricated pipework manufacturer Fabplus was granted planning approval in December 2023 for a new £7m industrial facility at the same business park, which is expected to create 83 jobs.
The company, which is owned and managed by the McGavigan family, is a subsidiary of Lifford-based Mechanical Pipework Fabrication.
Meanwhile, Castlederg firm Omega Crushing and Screening has also signalled an intention of setting up at the business park.
