Electrical firm to create skilled jobs

Ballymoney firm Dowds Group announced the creation 46 new skilled jobs.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2016, 06:22 BST
Minister are (L-R) James Dowds, Managing Director and David Porter, Commercial Director Dowds Group.Minister are (L-R) James Dowds, Managing Director and David Porter, Commercial Director Dowds Group.
Minister are (L-R) James Dowds, Managing Director and David Porter, Commercial Director Dowds Group.

The employment opportunities were welcomed by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell as he visited the site in Co Antrim.

Dowds Group specialises in the design and build of mechanical and electrical services within large-scale education, healthcare, industrial and commercial facilities. To accommodate its growth in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, the M&E contractor has recently opened a second office in Belfast.

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Mr Bell said: “Dowds Group is an ambitious, export focused business which has significantly built up its technical capabilities and personnel to continue their growth in new markets. I am pleased Invest Northern Ireland has been able to support the growth of the company through the offer of £192,000 enabling the creation of 32 of the 46 jobs.

“The enhancement of their workforce will enable Dowds Group to secure additional large projects. The new positions will contribute over £980,000 annually in salaries to the Northern Ireland economy and signals encouraging growth in the construction sector.”

MD James Dowds added: “In addition to Invest NI’s contribution, we have committed circa £1million to expand our presence in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The introduction of new staff gives us capacity and enhanced confidence to deliver on our strategy of long term growth.”

Meanwhile the Minister also announced Newry based FM Environmental has won a significant contract with Grand Central Station in New York.

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Announcing the project at Grand Central Station on a recent visit to the US, the Minister said: “This is an impressive development for a very ambitious Northern Ireland company. FM Environmental identified the US as a target market for its Grease Guardian products and took the strategic decision to open a US office to enable it to capitalise on the emerging business opportunities. This commitment has certainly paid off.

In the first 12 months, the company installed its products in over 300 locations across the US, and can now include the Grand Central Station on its list of customers.”

FM Environmental established its New York headquarters in 2014, and this latest contract adds to their existing business with leading US fast-food restaurants and coffee houses.

Related topics:Republic of IrelandNorthern Ireland