Northern Ireland firm Bluefield Houseboats has unveiled a new production facility as part of its major investment programme.

Supported with funding from Ulster Bank, the specialist houseboat manufacturer acquired an acre of commercial ground outside Ballynahinch where it has invested in the development of a 6,000 sq ft purpose-built production facility. This represents the first phase of a multi-phase investment programme.

The first phase of work has seen the firm treble its manufacturing capacity from a dozen hand-built to order houseboats per year to 36. It has also created three new production jobs with future recruitment in the pipeline.

Bluefield Houseboats chairman Tony Reid said: "Our core business is focused on the development of houseboats for commercial use. However, our long-term outlook sees significant opportunity in the residential space as well as supporting marinas to capitalise on tourism potential to generate new and sustainable revenue streams."

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Ulster Bank Business Development Manager Derick Wilson added: "Before this investment, Bluefield Houseboats had already established a solid reputation for its premium product suite. With the benefit of a modern and built-for-purpose manufacturing base, the company is now equipped to attract further investment and maximise its export potential in a market with huge opportunity for growth. Northern Ireland has a proud manufacturing heritage and at Ulster Bank we're pleased to lend our support to new entrants to the market that are driving forward innovation and creating new employment opportunities."

Operations director Colin Nelson said the aim of the investment was to minimise waste while maximising productivity.

"It was all about implementing the principles manufacturing best practice to sustain growth," he commented. "Already, we have a very strong proposition and a high demand product which we believe will only continue to grow as population size and density combined with land availability intensifies."

Subject to planning permission, phase two of the investment programme will see Bluefield Houseboats further expand its production site, adding an additional 13,000 sq ft which will enable it to manufacture up to 100 houseboats annually.

The firm currently manufactures seven different models of houseboat from three ranges, offering a 'light touch' to waterfront and riverside sites by minimising permanent infrastructure.