Northern Ireland-based modular bathroom pods manufacturer Connex Offsite Ltd is creating 50 jobs in Newry in a £4.6 million investment to help it grow its business in international markets.

Established in 2017, the company specialises in the design, offsite fabrication and supply of steel-framed bathroom pods for the UK and Irish construction markets. The new jobs will see the company expand its workforce from three people in 2017, to 53 employees by the end of 2022.

Kevin Holland, Invest Northern Ireland’s CEO, said: “For an early stage SME, Connex has achieved remarkable success over the last three years securing multi-million pound contracts. This is driven by the ambition and entrepreneurial flair of Brendan Doherty, Connex’s managing director.

“We have been working with the company since 2019 offering business advice and guidance on how to grow the business, as well as support to successfully rebrand and also gave it access to the right industry expertise to undertake research into its first pod prototype.

“Since then, its success is driving the company to increase its workforce in Newry with the creation of 50 highly skilled jobs. Once in place, the jobs will provide a welcome boost to the Newry, Mourne & Down District Council area and contribute over £1.3 million in additional annual salaries to the Northern Ireland economy.”

Invest NI has offered the company £355,000 of support towards the 50 jobs and a marketing development grant to help it explore new markets and develop its brand. A total of 28 new jobs are in place with skilled trades, admininstration and designer roles still to be recruited.

Mr Doherty said: “We have an ambitious five-year growth strategy which will position Connex as the premier UK supplier of bathroom pods. We have seen huge growth in recent months and Covid-19 has forced restrictions on the level of labour on a construction site, which has been a catalyst for a shift to modular construction.

“Our pods are completely finished in a controlled environment at our site in Newry, shrink wrapped on the factory floor and are shipped to construction sites, which helps reduce the numbers of trades required on site.

“Last year, we finished a major refurbishment of our Newry factory and we have just finalised the purchase of an additional 45,000 sq ft facility opposite our current building, which will enable our production capacity to significantly increase per annum to meet projected demand.”

Connex Offsite’s services are proving very attractive to companies such as London-based property developer Mount Anvil; with a recent £3 million contract secured to deliver pods for its Royal Eden Docks scheme in London.

Mr Doherty concluded: “This new investment and expansion of our team will help us build on our London success and target opportunities in the high rise residential, hotel and student accommodation sectors, particularly in the GB and RoI markets whilst also exploring opportunities in North America.”