New jobs for Ballymena

A Ballymena firm is investing £868,000 in an expansion at its Pennybridge premises thanks to support from Invest Northern Ireland.
Smith's Engineering Works (NI) Ltd is investing £868,000 in an expansion at its Ballymena premises supported by Invest Northern Ireland.  Pictured (left) is Darwin Smith, Smiths Engineering, with Kevin McCann, Invest NI.Smith's Engineering Works (NI) Ltd is investing £868,000 in an expansion at its Ballymena premises supported by Invest Northern Ireland.  Pictured (left) is Darwin Smith, Smiths Engineering, with Kevin McCann, Invest NI.
Smith's Engineering Works (NI) Ltd is investing £868,000 in an expansion at its Ballymena premises supported by Invest Northern Ireland. Pictured (left) is Darwin Smith, Smiths Engineering, with Kevin McCann, Invest NI.

Smith’s Engineering is recruiting 12 additional staff and making a significant investment in new equipment.

Kevin McCann, Invest NI’s Director of Advanced Engineering and Construction, said: “Through a focus on exports, Smith’s Engineering Works has achieved significant sales growth, doubling turnover in the last three years. The company is now planning to further increase sales in the Great Britain and Republic of Ireland markets by targeting the oil and gas and security sectors. This investment will support that ambition.

“Invest NI has worked with Smith’s Engineering Works over several years to help it build skills, carry out research and development, and develop a robust business development strategy. We are now supporting the company to create 12 new jobs, nine of which have salaries above the private sector median.”

Invest NI has offered £48,000 of support for the jobs, which will bring the company’s total employment to 38 by the end of 2015.

Smith’s Engineering Works has been trading for over 50 years. It has five divisions: Smith’s Precision, Secure, Ingear, Engine Remanufacturing and Contract Maintenance.

Darwin Smith, Managing Director of Smith’s Engineering Works, said: “Invest NI support and guidance has helped us to broaden our horizons in recent years.”