
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.