Fourds Ltd, a Draperstown engineering business, has launched a new window blind system with help from Invest NI.

The new product is expected to create five new jobs over the next three years.

The firm, formed in 2006 by Cormac Diamond, the Managing Director and an experienced engineer, has received Invest NI Product and Process Development (PPD) assistance to develop the black-out window blinds for roof windows and is being helped to market the new product through a range of activities including e-business technology.

Mr Diamond said: "Our black-out system features a unique fast fit installation system that we developed in conjunction with Keylite, a major and very successful manufacturer of roof windows. Keylite has been immensely encouraging and supportive.

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"Our focus is on offering Keylite and other manufacturers, as well as DIY enthusiasts, a very competitively priced product that they can access quickly from our production operation in Draperstown.

"We've designed the system to be both robust and as easy as possible to install on all brands of roof windows in just a few minutes. Installation can be carried out by a homeowner or installer with the minimum of tools."

Des Gartland of Invest NI said: "Fourds has developed a highly innovative click and fit black-out system in response to a demand from Keylite, the successful Cookstown manufacturer of roof windows. Keylite will be the first to fit the new system to its windows and will thereby provide Fourds with an important and substantial source of ongoing business.

"It's another excellent example of market-focused innovation being developed by smaller companies, in particular in key business sectors in the North West such as construction supplies," he added.

The project represents a £126,000 investment by Fourds and includes financial assistance of around £31,000 from Invest NI.

(PR/JM)