Jobs boost as Global Point finally set to open for business

Aerospace component firm RLC is to create 80 jobs in Newtownabbey with the opening of a new manufacturing base at Global Point.
DETI Minister Jonathan Bell with Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, Sarah Holt, RLC, and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Thomas Hogg at the construction site at Global Point. INNT 24-557CON Pic by Kelvin Boyes, Press EyeDETI Minister Jonathan Bell with Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, Sarah Holt, RLC, and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Thomas Hogg at the construction site at Global Point. INNT 24-557CON Pic by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye
DETI Minister Jonathan Bell with Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, Sarah Holt, RLC, and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Thomas Hogg at the construction site at Global Point. INNT 24-557CON Pic by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye

The company, which already employs more than 250 staff in Northern Ireland, will become the first tenant at the Invest NI business park at Corr’s Corner, which has been lying empty since it opened in 2000.

The £35million investment will create 80 high quality jobs and establish a world-class advanced manufacturing capability for the company at a new 10,000sq/m, state-of-the-art factory, work on which began earlier this year.

RLC is also undertaking a research and development project to enable it to manufacture structural guide vanes at high production rates for the next generation aero engines.

Sarah Holt, RLC director, said: “We have recently secured high technology, long-term projects with leading global aerospace companies, which offer significant opportunities for RLC.

“To deliver on these contracts we need to invest in a major R&D project and enhance our manufacturing capability. Having considered our options we have decided that, taking into account the availability of skills and the support from Invest NI, Northern Ireland offers an excellent and cost-effective location from which to service these contracts.”

Invest NI has offered almost £6.5million of support for the new facility and the R&D project.

Announcing the investment at Mossley Mill on Tuesday, June 9, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell said he was delighted the firm had chosen to locate the new facility in Northern Ireland.

“RLC has four manufacturing sites, including one at Langford in Crumlin. I’m delighted that the company has chosen to establish this new facility in Northern Ireland, which will position it at the forefront of global advanced manufacturing for the aerospace sector.

“Its decision to locate its new hard metal machining operations and its highly innovative R&D project here in Northern Ireland was greatly influenced by the availability of Invest NI’s Global Point green field site and RLC’s confidence that it can recruit 
skilled workers.

“The 80 new jobs will pay well above the Northern Ireland private sector median and will contribute over £2.8million a year in salaries to the economy.

“The global aerospace sector is a dynamic one which will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. RLC’s investment secures its presence in Northern Ireland, and demonstrates to the international aerospace community that this region represents a sound location for providing advanced manufacturing and engineering solutions.”

The investment at Global Point has also been welcomed by local political representatives.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg commented: “This expansion of RLC’s operations in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough is a great boost for the local area and the economy in general. The Global Point site will be the second site in the borough for the engineering company, having already established a site in Crumlin. This is great testament to the attractive qualities that Antrim and Newtownabbey offer to potential investors.”