MAGHERAFELT glassware company Fire Glass Direct Ireland has announced it is to create 40 new jobs in a £1 million expansion plan.

The Hillhead Road based business is investing £1,196,456 in its strategic plan which aims to substantially increase sales and consolidate its position in the market.

The boost will drive the leading fire and safety glass firm’s workforce to a staff count of 77.

Speaking after the announcement on Tuesday, Director Seamus O’Connor said: “This investment marks a major expansion for us, almost doubling our workforce, and is a reflection of our confidence in the potential of our new products to significantly increase our turnover and market reach.

“Invest NI’s support is allowing us to put the jobs in place quickly and therefore take advantage of market opportunities.”

Invest Northern Ireland has offered Fire Glass Direct £160,000 of support through its Jobs Fund, which has a budget of £19 million to support the creation of 4,000 jobs by March 2014.

Fire Glass Direct, which was established in 2004, provides mirrors, double glazed units, office partitions and movable walls.

Over the last few years the company has developed a range of new products including toughened glass and Mediglaze, which is used in critical care and isolation units for the medical/health industry.

Des Gartland, Manager of Invest NI’s North-west Regional Office, said the investment would bring huge benefits to Mid-Ulster’s construction sector.

He said: “This investment marks the next step in the company’s strategic plan to substantially increase sales and consolidate its position in the market. Its new products, which were developed with Invest NI’s support, have opened up more avenues of opportunity for it and demonstrate that even in difficult economic conditions companies can succeed by constantly innovating and seeking out new markets outside Northern Ireland.

“These new skilled jobs are very welcome in Mid Ulster where the construction sector in particular has been badly hit by the economic downturn.”

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