A Derry-based steel manufacturer is set to more than double its workforce, by creating 61 new jobs over the next three years.
Global Equipment Spares Limited (GES) hopes to expand its export business; by investing £1.9 million (€2.2 million), it plans to upgrade its facility, purchase new machinery and create new jobs across a range of roles.
The Northern Irish company manufactures products from “high-strength and wear-resistant” steels for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of quarrying, mining, construction and agricultural equipment.
It manufactures a range of parts for the agricultural industry; its products are used in ploughs, cultivators, harrows, muck spreaders, subsoilers, forage harvesters and much more.
The investment by GES, which is located in Campsie, Co. Derry, is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI).
Invest NI’s offer of £396,000 (€462,000) is enabling GES to undertake growth development plans, according to its Executive Director of Business and Sector Development, Jeremy Fitch.
These development plans are aimed at positioning the business so that it can manufacture and export more components, particularly into North America, Fitch said.
“The 61 new jobs being recruited over the next three years range from manufacturing roles to procurement and sales positions, and will generate £1.3 million (€1.5 million) annually in additional salaries.
“GES’ investment marks a significant change for the ‘small’ business, as it seeks to scale up its production capabilities to meet the growing opportunities for its products outside Northern Ireland,” he said.
GES manufactures products for a range of companies in mainly the mining and quarrying sectors; its customers also include Kuhn Farm Machinery, ProDig and Erth Engineering.
This expansion is part of a strategy to grow sales and to increase the company’s product offering to meet identified opportunities within new and existing markets, John McClenaghan, Managing Director of GES, said.
“We have set ourselves a challenging target for new export business and will be focused on leveraging our reputation in the industry to secure new customers.
“Invest NI’s support is allowing us to fully implement our growth plans and create valuable employment opportunities across a range of disciplines in the north-west,” McClenaghan said.
