Dungannon-based manufacturer Mallaghan Engineering has revealed plans to create over 200 new jobs.

The advanced manufacturing firm is creating 210 new roles as part of its five-year expansion plan, which includes significant new product development, underpinning the need for capital investment in factory capacity and leading edge manufacturing equipment.

The company has been been offered over £3m of Invest NI support towards its R&D, capital and skills investments, helping to create a range of additional jobs predominately in engineering and manufacturing positions.

Mallaghan Engineering designs, manufactures and supplies ground support equipment for the global aviation industry, primarily to service commercial aircraft.

Welcoming the news, Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton said: "Mallaghan Engineering is investing in production capabilities, R&D, skills and jobs in a significant expansion at its Dungannon headquarters.

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"Commercial air travel is a vast and growing industry. The productivity boosting capital equipment and extensions to Mallaghan's factory space will help the company satisfy the growing demand for ground support equipment worldwide."

Ronan Mallaghan, CEO of Mallaghan Engineering, said: "Mallaghan is one of the fastest-growing Airport Ground Support Equipment manufacturers worldwide and this expansion is designed to help secure the future growth of our business.

"Working with Invest NI has enabled us to accelerate our investment plans, ensuring we have the manufacturing capacity and capabilities to build on our share of the high lift market. We aim to further grow our market share of the global aviation industry and will be actively targeting opportunities in the US and China.

"Expanding our product offering to include our airport bus is an exciting new direction for us which we hope will contribute to export sales from early 2019."

Sinn Féin MP, Michelle Gildernew, also welcomed the news.

"This announcement is very positive news for the local economy and a great boost to Dungannon," the Fermanagh South Tyrone MP said.

"I am also delighted to see Invest NI offering grants towards developing Mallaghan Engineering Limited's new products. These are the type of investments we need in order to sustain our local economy and support our local businesses.

"The engineering sector in south and east Tyrone is going from strength to strength. There are many opportunities for young people to gain skills, training and secure employment with career progression and I encourage young people making choices this August to consider engineering as a career option."

(LM/MH)