Ryobi celebrates multi million pound contract

Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd has secured a significant new multi-million pound contract with an emerging transmission supplier specialising in electrified drivetrains for the automotive market.

Worth almost £15m annually, the deal will see the Carrickfergus manufacturer produce 150,000 clutch and transmission cases per year for new hybrid vehicles commencing 2023.

Commenting on the news, Managing Director of Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd, David Watson said: “This is an exciting project which was won against stiff competition from across mainland Europe.

“Ryobi’s growing reputation in the development of new technically challenging products is what sealed this deal after a lengthy bidding process.

“This is testament to the knowledge, creativity and skill of our engineers and the confidence our customers have in us to deliver good quality products on time.”

The announcement was made during a visit to the factory by East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson and Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Peter Johnston.

Praising the news Mr Wilson commended all those at Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd for ‘securing this much-sought-after contract’.

He continued: “I am delighted with this significant investment in Ryobi, which is rightly regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s top manufacturing firms.

“I commend all of those at Ryobi for securing this much-sought-after contract which provides a very timely boost for our world-class manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland.

“This is a great news story for Ryobi, Carrickfergus, Mid and East Antrim, and our country as a whole.”

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Peter Johnston highlighted that the move would ‘secure approximately 70 highly skilled jobs, moving forward’.

He explained: “This announcement is a ringing endorsement in Ryobi and Mid and East Antrim. Ryobi is a key member of our Manufacturing Taskforce, and its members continue to work very closely to identify and maximise all opportunities to grow the sector locally.

“The company is a major employer in our borough and this move will secure approximately 70 highly skilled jobs, moving forward.

“The past year has seen our manufacturers operating in a hugely challenging financial environment.

“This investment provides hope for our economic recovery in Mid and East Antrim, and I congratulate Ryobi, which continues to demonstrate remarkable innovation, resilience and commitment.”

Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd MD David Watson also expressed gratitude on behalf of all the local directors and employees to Ryobi’s Parent Company in Japan, who financially supported the £12m capital investment required to install state of the art manufacturing processes to produce these new products.

This new business will secure the jobs of around 70 highly skilled people and will run for at least the next seven years.

Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd currently employs almost 600 staff, making it one of the largest contributors to the economy in East Antrim. It was established in Carrickfergus in 1990 to manufacture aluminium castings for the European automotive industry. Starting from humble beginnings supplying Ford Motor Company, it has grown substantially and now includes VW, Skoda, Peugeot Citroen, Jaguar Landrover, Magna and Ford within its expanding portfolio.

* Unfortunately, due to the Covid 19 pandemic Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd had to postpone their planned 30 year anniversary celebrations in September.

However, they hope to rescheduled the occasion to mark their success and appreciation to all employees for developing the business to be one of the largest employers in the Mid & East Antrim Council area.

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