Lisburn-based KME Steelworks, which provides sub-contract services to a wide range of manufacturers, is recruiting 47 more people and upgrading its machinery as it sets its sights on further expansion — with the assistance of Invest Northern Ireland (InvestNI).

The company is also a supplier of bespoke steel moulds for use in the pre-cast concrete industry, with applications ranging from road traffic barriers to complex arch bridge sections.

Company director Jason Quinn said: “Growing our workforce is central to our business strategy, and we are delighted with the calibre of new recruits that have joined us so far.”

Fellow director Seamus Murchan said: “We aim to further increase our production capacity and the range of services offered to our customers over the next three years.

“Our new 55,000ft² facility houses ‘state of the art’ material-processing equipment which enables us to maintain our competitive advantage in our target markets.”

KME (www.kme-steelworks.com) manufactures products for the materials-handling, construction, quarrying and aggregates, recycling and agriculture markets.

Its sub-contract services are mainly supplied to multi-national engineering businesses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (with the end products subsequently exported around the world), while its pre-cast mould products are supplied direct to customers in the UK, Ireland and overseas markets.

Bill Montgomery at Invest NI said: “KME Steelworks is part of an important cluster of engineering companies developing innovative solutions for the materials-handling sector and the construction industry.

“The business has achieved sustained levels of growth in recent years, and we are pleased to be helping it implement its expansion plans.”