Decorative and architectural glass specialist Topglass Contracts has invested over £1m in state-of-the-art manufacturing and display premises in Toome, and in initiatives to grow exports through the development of innovative products.

The company is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to increase productivity and marketing activities.

The expansion by Topglass was announced by James O'Kane, the company's founding Managing Director, and welcomed by Mary Gormley, Manager of Invest NI's North West Regional Office in Derry. The investment is expected to provide 10 new jobs over the next 18 months.

The company provides a wide range of glazing products for commercial, industrial and residential applications in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These products are used in shopfronts, fireglazing, flooring and frameless door systems, including the hugely popular Profilit system known as Reglit. In addition, it produces decorative and high technology glass, providing tailor-made glazing solutions for architects and other specifiers.

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Topglass is currently involved in two export contracts with a total value in excess of one million Euros.

Mr O'Kane, outlining the investment, said: "We've invested in a new manufacturing operation and showroom at Toome to enable us to meet the increasing demand from contractors and architects for our expertise.

"The new purpose-built factory gives us the additional space and scope for the latest production machinery for enhanced services and more innovative solutions. We have made a significant investment in a computerised cutting table, edging machine and automatic sandblasting equipment."

They also plan to install new kilns for manufacturing special fused and laminated glass up to a size of 4m by 2.4m which the company believe will be the largest in Ireland.

Topglass began trading in 1992 and has grown from a small decorative glass business into a dynamic company, employing 38 people, which specialises in large architectural glazing projects. Topglass is targeting a £4m turnover in the coming year and has a client base consisting of the main contractors within the construction industry in Ireland. It also provides a service to joinery and fit-out companies as well as domestic customers. Some of their recent projects include top hotels, bars, restaurants, major retail outlets, banks and airports.

(GK/JM)