Tech Intl.'s Northern Ireland unit investing $5M

ERJ staff report (TB)

Lisburn, Northern Ireland (Sept. 13, 2012) - Aromet Group Ltd., a subsidiary of tyre repair materials producer Tech International, is investing $5 million in its plant in Lisburn to upgrade the factory premises, install state-of-the-art information technology systems and develop a new e-commerce website.

The investment was disclosed today by Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, who noted the investment will result in 32 new jobs at the Lisburn plant, which makes a range of tyre repair products for the international marketplace. The company said it plans to leverage the upgraded assets to target new high profile clients across Europe.

“We are putting in place a dedicated European sales team, and over the next three years we aim to significantly increase our share of the European tyre repair market,” Aromet Group Managing Director Mark Noble said.

Invest Northern Ireland is supporting the project with $256,000 under its Boosting Business initiative.

“In today's highly competitive world, R&D needs to be at the heart of every business growth strategy,” Ms. Foster said, “so I am pleased to see that Aromet is also expanding its research and development function to strengthen its focus on innovation.

“Building elements of R&D and innovation into a company's core activities is not only important for individual business success but absolutely essential to wider economic growth,” she said, adding the support offered by Invest NI “signifies the government's focus to secure the long-term growth of our economy by encouraging all Northern Ireland businesses to consider how R&D can give them an advantage in the market place.”

Aromet employs 60 in Lisburrn, the ministry said. The additional staff will be mainly manufacturing and sales positions, but four positions are considered “high level” management posts.

“Invest NI's support for the new jobs has been essential to allowing us to move ahead with our growth strategy,” Noble said.

Tech International acquired Aromet in 1998.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Press release from UK government