Engineering firm TES has opened a new manufacturing facility in Cookstown.

The 15,000 square foot building at Kilcronagh Industrial Estate is part of the major £4.4m investment by the wastewater treatment specialist.

Invest NI has offered £345,000 towards TES's expansion plans.

The firm has just recruited 30 new highly skilled staff including electrical engineers, programmers and business development personnel and a further 15 are expected to be in place by 2010 - bringing total employment to 90.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is encouraged by the firm's progress.

"TES's clear ethos of innovation and continuous improvement has enabled it to grow sustainably over the past 10 years, moving from an initial focus on basic electrical control panels, to the design, build and installation of complete water and wastewater treatment plants for the industrial and municipal sectors.

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"The £4.4m investment has led to the construction of a state of the art manufacturing facility that will further enhance product development activities and support continued growth in the RoI and GB markets," she said.

"With employment levels set to double, this is extremely positive news from a locally owned and long established manufacturing company at a time of difficulty for the wider industry."

Brian Taylor, Joint Managing Director, added: "The new facility is only part of the investment project which we believe will strengthen our market position and increase competitiveness."

Noel McCracken, Joint Managing Director added: "Now the new manufacturing facility is fully operational, we can move forward with our plans to develop unique products and services, move to in-house testing methods and ramp up sales in export markets."

Ian Jordan, Head of Business Centres, Ulster Bank, said: "We are pleased to have helped enable this latest important investment which will position TES strongly for further competitiveness and growth."

(PR/GK)