Smiley Monroe creates 31 new jobs

Lisburn-based Smiley Monroe Ltd is investing £2.4 million in a growth project that will create 31 new jobs over the next two years. Pictured with Managing Director, Vaughan Monroe, during a visit to the company premises is Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest NI.
Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons 07778373486 — Lisburn-based Smiley Monroe Ltd is investing £2.4 million in a growth project that will create 31 new jobs over the next two years. Pictured with Managing Director, Vaughan Monroe, during a visit to the company premises is Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest NI. Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons 07778373486

The investment by Smiley Monroe Ltd, is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland, which has offered £300,000 of assistance towards new equipment and the lease of additional factory space.

Smiley Monroe’s product range includes energy saving King Rollers, synthetic screen media and conveyor belt cleaning systems - locally produced and exported to over 40 countries globally - for use in sectors as diverse as mobile crushing, screening and recycling, mining, quarrying, and waste management.

The company is making the investment as part of its strategy for building long-term sustainability.

Managing Director, Vaughan Monroe, said: “We are aiming to substantially increase turnover, broaden our customer base and boost export sales through developing new products and services and growing the company’s manufacturing capability.

“We’re particularly excited about the potential of the customised chevron conveyor belts that we have recently developed with support from Invest NI, and which we believe will be key to achieving our growth ambitions.”

The additional 31 staff will be in place by the end of 2016.

Speaking during a visit to the company, Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest NI, said: “Smiley Monroe has a strong brand reputation and is a highly regarded quality manufacturer in the materials handling sector, which is hugely important to Northern Ireland’s economy.

“Its focus on product innovation and on growing export sales has underpinned its growth over the last 35 years, and will sustain it into the future.

“The new jobs being created by the company will offer opportunities to school leavers and to the unemployed and make a valuable contribution to growing our manufacturing industry.”

Smiley Monroe is a family run business, which was founded in 1979. It operates from premises in the Knockmore Hill Industrial Park in Lisburn and employs 96 people.

UK Independence Party (UKIP) Representative for Lisburn South; Brian Higginson said: “I welcome this positive news.

“It is good to see skilled, well paid jobs being created in the Lisburn area.

“In these tough times, when jobs are often so hard to come by for many, this news will help to boost the local economy.”