£8m EDGE Investment Creates 80 Jobs

Dungannon based EDGE Innovate is set for a four-year expansion programme which will create 80 new roles and around £2m annually in salaries.

The machinery manufacturer invested a total of £8 million, to be focused on employment, skills development and export growth.

As well as expanding its production and office facilities, a new 37,500 square foot factory will be established.

Supported by Invest NI, the plan will foster the company's growth strategy as it wins new business in export markets, such as a recent order worth £750,000 in Oman.

Alastair Hamilton, Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive, visited the company to hear about the investment plans. He commented: "EDGE Innovate is a global exporter on a significant growth trajectory. We have worked closely with the company for a number of years now, most recently with our Scaling Team and it is a pleasure to visit today to see the results of the company's commitment.

"EDGE has been focused on growing exports and has worked with our teams in a number of markets. Most recently the company secured a significant export deal with one of the largest engineering groups in Oman.

"This investment by the company is as a result of this ambitious growth and is a significant commitment to its future, its staff and the local area."

The recruitment of 80 additional staff is well underway with almost half of the roles already in place. The remainder are to be recruited by 2020.

Invest NI has offered the materials handling equipment manufacturer over £957,000 towards its investments aimed at driving continued export growth.

"The new roles will generate nearly £2m annually in additional salaries once all are in place," added Mr Hamilton.

"Equally important is the investment in training for staff, which will make a positive contribution to the collaborative work ongoing across Mid Ulster to build the skills pipeline in this industry. We are pleased to be able to help this innovative manufacturer to scale by implementing strategic investments across all areas of the business."

EDGE Innovate designs and manufactures a range of quarrying, mining, materials handling and recycling equipment. The capital investment will provide additional cutting and welding facilities as well as housing a research and development unit and a new quality control centre.

Speaking about the company's plans, Darragh Cullen, Managing Director, EDGE Innovate said: "The success EDGE Innovate has enjoyed in recent years is ultimately a reflection of our people. As part of our growth plans we are investing in our staff with a major leadership and skills development programme across all business areas, including the introduction of a new welding academy. We are also growing our team with 80 new staff and are already half way towards this recruitment target.

"At the same time, demand for our products is increasing. This investment ensures we are able to capitalise on this demand with the additional space, equipment and people needed to achieve our export targets. Invest NI's support is helping us make this investment at a quicker rate, meaning we are able to capitalise on new export opportunities."

Niall McKiver, Operations Director at Edge Innovate added: "Our Sales and marketing department has been working with Invest NI's teams in market to realise new export sales. The contract signed earlier this year in Oman for our industrial waste shredder was as a result of an introduction by Invest NI, and support from the team in UAE to help us close the deal. Our ambition is to continue to build on recent successes and to further expand our reach, particularly in North America."



(JG)