A MAGHERAFELT blinds manufacturer is to more than double

in size after a £4 million investment.

Bloc Blinds will create 93 new jobs by 2018.

The expansion has been backed by £465,000 of public money.

The company wants to drive up export sales particularly in Europe

and the United States.

The business, which currently employs 69 people, specializes

in the design and manufacture of window blinds.

It recently moved into renovated and extended new premises

at Station Road, Magherafelt.

Bloc blinds managing director Cormac Diamond said the

investment “follows encouraging business growth in recent

years and underpins our ambition to increase sales particularly

in Europe and the US”.

“Our new manufacturing facility brings the current Bloc Blind

lines under the one roof which will help increase production and

operating efficiencies,” he said.

The support and advice of Invest Northern Ireland so far has been

invaluable and its support with this expansion will ensure that we

have the resources and skill set in place to achieve our goals.”

Enterprise minister Jonathan Bell said the company was set to

“position itself a global player in the window covering market”.

“The 93 new manufacturing jobs to be recruited over the next

three years will contribute £1.7million annually in additional

salaries to the local economy. With full manufacturing and

multi – skilled training provided to all production employees at

Bloc Blinds, this expansion offers attractive roles for those returning

to work or seeking alternative employment.”

Edel McCooe, regional director at First Trust Bank which also

supported the investment added: “Bloc Blinds has built up a strong

reputation as an innovator due to their clever, precise designs and

solutions and this is being reflected in their growing customer

base right across the UK, Europe and America.

“We have supported Cormac and his vision for the company over the

last 10 years and we are delighted to back their latest growth and

expansion phase which is creating skilled jobs for local people and

helping to ensure Northern Ireland’s prowess for innovative

manufacturing solutions is known world-wide.”

Fifteen of the 93 new manufacturing positions are already in place.