Kilrea-based company SJC Hutchinson Engineering is making a major investment in new equipment to further boost its productivity and support planned growth, including the creation of 57 addition jobs.
Founded in 1971 and currently employing 160 staff at its 60,000 sq ft site, Hutchinson designs and manufactures high integrity fabrications and sub-assemblies for clients across a range of sectors, including crushing and screening, recycling, agricultural machinery, coachbuilding, and electric and hydrogen vehicles.
The company says the new equipment includes a large format laser cutter and new robotic welding systems, which will increase its offering to current and potential clients.
The jobs being supported by the investment, which is being supported by Invest NI, will pay well above the north’s private sector median and contribute more than £2 million a year in additional salaries.
Hutchinson says its aim is to increase revenue to £30 million by 2026 and during that time create 57 quality jobs.
In the 20023 calendar year the company had sales of £21.5 million (up from £18.4 the year before) and its pre-tax profit increased to £2.5m.
Economy minister Conor Murphy, during a visit to the company’s Kilrea operation, welcomed the investment and congratulated the management team on the company’s success.
He said: “Creating a more regionally balanced economy with more quality jobs are key pillars of my economic plan. I’m delighted to see these new jobs being delivered in County Derry, offering excellent employment opportunities to the local community.
“Hutchinson has invested heavily in recent years in technologies to boost its productivity and as a result has significantly increased capacity and turnover. Increasing productivity is essential for commercial success and, more widely, for driving up living standards.
“I’m also delighted to see that the company is balancing investment and growth with a commitment to be carbon neutral by the end of this year.”
Chief executive Mark Hutchinson added: “We are committed to continuous improvement, and with Invest NI support have undertaken a range of projects with clients, universities and colleges. This has underpinned our growth trajectory and positioned us to expand our client base and target new clients outside of Northern Ireland.
“As well as investing in technology we also invest in our people, offering ongoing training, career development and apprenticeships in our welding academy.”
Jeremy Fitch, Invest NI’s executive director of business growth group, said: “The agency has worked with Hutchinson over the last 25 years and since 2022 the company has been part of our scaling portfolio.
“We have encouraged it to continue its focus on growth and to look beyond Northern Ireland for new clients and opportunities.
“It has established itself as a world class engineering company with ambitious growth targets and as such contributes to Northern Ireland’s reputation for manufacturing excellence.”
