Agri-Machinery Jobs Boost For Co Derry

There'll be a modest increase in jobs at a Co Londonderry agri-machinery company following the announcement of a £2 million Government-backed expansion.

Fleming-Agri Products at New Buildings, Co Londonderry will see its number of staff boosted to 75 from the current level of 66, within two years.

Welcoming the move, NI Economy Minister Arlene Foster praised the family-owned and managed company, which manufacturers agri-machinery products, such as bale handling equipment, grass toppers, land-rollers, small trailer range and muck spreaders.

The Minister said: "This is an ambitious and progressive home-grown company which has developed a significant programme for faster growth, primarily in European markets.

"It continues to benefit from a range of Invest NI programmes and support to strengthen its capability, particularly in areas such as management and marketing," she explained, noting that Invest Northern Ireland has offered £90,000 of support towards this investment.

"The investment will help to drive sales of Fleming's machinery products, particularly in markets outside Northern Ireland.

"As the company prepares for further expansion into Europe, this investment will enable it to build on recent successes, which have included securing business from Norway," she said.

George Fleming, Managing Director of Fleming Agri-Products, commenting on the expansion, said: "This investment is an integral part of a comprehensive strategy designed to add significant value to our machinery and services.

"It will mean a much sharper focus on areas such as product design and development, the more effective management of our logistics operations, skills, manufacturing processes and other essential operations including assembly, finishing and quality control.

"This focus will enable us to strengthen our competitiveness further, particularly in the export markets we are targeting. Our goal is to grow sales outside Northern Ireland to around 80% of total turnover by the end of 2010, through an aggressive marketing strategy.

"Our overall capability will also be increased by the expansion of our existing facilities and the introduction of new product handling machinery and paint processing facility," he said.

(BMcC)