A company in County Antrim is set to create 68 new construction industry jobs over the next two years.

The new roles at Dowds Group, a mechanical, electrical, facilities management and build contractor based in Ballymoney, will support the firm's planned export growth.

Recruitment has already begun for the posts which include a number of managerial roles as well as operatives and engineers. Once in place the jobs will contribute over £2.2 million annually to the local economy.

The Invest NI-backed development will strengthen the company's design and engineering capability, enabling it to target higher value 'design and build' contracts, particularly in the UK and Republic of Ireland markets.

The company is also creating 40 apprenticeship posts.

James Dowds, Managing Director of Dowds Group, said: "Over the last 40 years our company has earned a reputation for providing high installations in the health, education, commercial, industrial and public sectors. We can offer clients a one stop service for build, fit-out, facilities and planned preventative maintenance whilst combining mechanical, electrical and design provisions.

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"Our Build service contains experienced engineers who have the technical expertise to understand client's requirements and deliver engineering and refurbishment solutions that add value and enhance working environments.

"Over the next three years our objectives are to increase turnover by 25% and drive up sales outside Northern Ireland. In the current economic climate this £4.5 million investment is not without its risks but with Invest NI's financial support we feel we are well positioned to pro-actively target larger scale contracts and take advantage of market opportunities in Great Britain and Ireland."

Dowds Group has offices in Ballymoney, Belfast and London. The company currently employs 181 staff in Northern Ireland and a further 12 in London. It recently completed the mechanical and electrical installations on the revolutionary new High Energy Proton Beam Cancer Therapy Centre in Thames Valley Science Park, Reading.

This investment is good news for the Northern Ireland construction sector as a whole and for the local Ballymoney area.

Commenting on the investment, Alastair Hamilton, Invest NI's Chief Executive, said: "Dowds Group is to be congratulated for continuing to seek out new markets and higher value contracts that will help to secure the long-term viability of the company.

"As well as providing financial support for these new jobs, Invest NI worked closely with the company to help it crystallise its vision. Previously we have also provided skills and technology support to Dowds to help it maximise the efficiency of its operations and the capability of its staff."

Invest NI has offered Dowds Group an Employment Grant of £442,000 to support the 68 jobs.