Newry contractor McGuinness Mechanical Engineering (MGME) has announced an investment of £3.5 million to create 28 new high-quality jobs, in a drive to double its current workforce.

This expansion will allow MGME to grow its maintenance division and substantially increase sales into the Republic of Ireland.

Making the announcement during a visit to MGME, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald highlighted the impact of the investment.

Archibald said: "This £3.5 million investment is a transformative step for MGME and a significant boost for the Newry region. Thanks to Invest NI's ongoing support, MGME is now equipped to strategically compete for larger contracts allowing the company to double its turnover and increase its sales to the south of Ireland by almost £11 million."

The Minister added that the investment aligns with her economic vision of creating a regionally balanced economy with more high-quality jobs. She noted that the new roles would generate £1.5 million a year in wages for the Newry region and provide an estimated £250,000 annual boost to the local supply chain. McGuinness Mechanical Engineering specialises as a heating and plumbing contractor, offering design, supply, and installation of mechanical services for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. The new roles, which include senior managerial positions like Contracts Managers and Mechanical Operatives, will have an average salary of £54,250. This expansion is expected to enhance productivity by enabling the company to undertake larger-scale projects, leading to economies of scale, improved planning, and better cost control.

Thomas McGuinness, Managing Director at MGME, expressed his enthusiasm for the growth. "Our vision is to become a leader in Ireland's mechanical engineering industry. We're excited to make this investment and step into that vision by growing our business and increasing our sales in Ireland," he stated. He credited Invest NI for its crucial role in their journey, particularly through its leadership and supply chain programmes, which helped refine their strategic direction and increase resilience.

George McKinney, Executive Director at Invest NI, affirmed the agency's long-standing relationship with MGME. "We've worked closely with MGME for over 10 years, supporting the business to scale through leadership and capability development, and to boost its supply chain resilience. We've also provided vital trade support to explore opportunities for growth in the Republic of Ireland," he said, concluding that the support has positioned MGME to realise its growth ambitions through exporting.