MINISTERS OPEN NEW £9M BOMBARDIER EXTENSION

A NEW £9 million extension at the Bombardier Aerospace composite material facility at Dunmurry was officially opened on Wednesday June 13.

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Dr Sean Farren, Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment attended the opening ceremony.

Sir Reg said: "This major expansion of the Dunmurry facility is an integral part of the recent £80 million investment by Bombardier in the further development of its worldclass manufacturing operations in Northern Ireland.

"It will carry forward the company's strategically important work in composites and strengthen Northern Ireland's international reputation in the application of new technology materials which are being used increasingly in the global aerospace industry.

"As both Northern Ireland's largest inward investor and private sector employer Bombardier is playing a highly significant role in the further development of Northern Ireland's knowledge-led economy.

At the ceremony, Michael Ryan, Vice President and General Manager of Bombardier Aerospace Northern Ireland, announced the appointment of Professor Srinivasan Raghunathan to the joint Bombardier Aerospace and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Aerospace Engineering at Queen's University, Belfast.

Sir Reg said: "The appointment of Professor Raghunathan and Bombardier's continued role with Queen's University will also help to ensure that the university and Northern Ireland will continue to be at the leading edge of research which will shape the next generation of commercial aircraft".

Dr Farren paid tribute to Bombardier Aerospace for securing work which has brought about the recruitment of 1,500 people over the past year.

Said Dr Farren: "I am particularly pleased that, as part of its recruitment process, the company has used T&EA's Bridge to Employment programme so effectively. Through the programme approximately 400 unemployed people are now employed with Bombardier Aerospace and sharing in the success of the company.

"This is a fantastic achievement and one which is making a significant contribution to the Government's policy on targeting social need."

Dr Farren also praised Bombardier Aerospace for the links it had developed with the universities and schools, in particular the appointment of Professor Raghunathan.

The Dunmurry facility, part of Bombardier's Composites unit - a second factory is located at Newtownabbey - manufactures major airframe structures for Bombardier and Boeing aircraft and engine nacelles for Rolls-Royce and International Aero Engines.

Contracts worth £250 million were awarded by Bombardier Aerospace in Northern Ireland to suppliers worldwide during 2000, some £30 million were awarded to suppliers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. (SP)