A Coleraine-based plant and tool hire firm has received backing from Invest NI.

CP Hire hopes to increase competitiveness and expand sales outside of the Province.

The family-owned and managed company, which employs around 70 people, has received support to strengthen its export sales through Invest NI's Growth Accelerator Programme.

CP Hire's Managing Director Andrew Hutchinson said: "We have identified substantial new business opportunities in the Republic of Ireland, where we already have a foothold, for our expert services.

"To maximise the growth opportunity, we sought guidance from Invest NI on how we could increase our capability and accelerate sales in the Republic of Ireland in particular.

-- Advertisement --

"We've been helped to strengthen our management team, which will enable me to focus on the strategic development of the business in the Republic. I have identified several new sites to expand our network of depots there, enabling many more companies in construction and related industries access to our services."

"This is an important development for the business and should lead to a significant increase in sales turnover over the next two years," he added.

Invest NI's Des Gartland said: "GAP was developed specifically to offer smaller companies quick access to an agreed level of support that would enable them to increase capability and overall competitiveness in external and export markets."

CP Hire has been in operation for 36 years and has seven depots in Northern Ireland and two in the Republic of Ireland. It supplies an extensive range of plant, machinery and tools especially for the building industry.

(PR/JM)