A £5.5million investment plans by Bombardier Aerospace looks set to put some 'wind beneath the wings' of an Antrim engineering firm.

The aircraft giant has awarded six supply contracts to firms across Northern Ireland.

One recipient is Mallusk-based Nicholl Engineering Ltd, who will provide components for Bombardier's new CRJ1000 NextGen regional jet.

The jet, due to enter service next year, will ensure two years of supply work for the firm.

Vice-President and General Manager of Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast, Michael Ryan, said: "One of the reasons why these companies are winning business with us is because they are investing in new technology and actively seeking to move up the value chain to take on higher value added work."

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Bombardier, who runs a Newtownabbey facility, has already committed half a billion into the design and manufacture of wings for its C-Series aircraft, to be built in east Belfast.

Mr Ryan said: "The investment will generate more than 800 jobs in wing production in Northern Ireland during the peak production years of the C-Series programme."

"There will be significant benefits both in skills development of our employees, and for our suppliers in the UK and Ireland, and wider European and global supply chain," added Mr Ryan.

It has not been confirmed if this latest financial injection by the aerospace group will lead to more Mallusk jobs.

Around 400 workers are already employed at Nicholl Engineering.

(PR)