Ballymena engineering manufacturer Ross Companies is investing £3.6 million in a manufacturing expansion near Ahoghill that will create 25 jobs and take its workforce from 29 to 54 people. The investment adds capacity, brings more processes in-house and develops the company’s industrial filtration range as it targets customers across Great Britain and Ireland.

The spend includes its recently acquired and refurbished premises near Ahoghill and recruitment of engineering, manufacturing and management staff, with the workforce growth expected over three years.

Established in 2017, Ross designs, manufactures, installs, finishes and maintains industrial equipment for quarrying and aggregates, cement and concrete, food and drink production, animal feeds, waste, recycling and energy, and wider industrial manufacturing.

Turnover has grown from £345,000 in 2019 to nearly £3.8 million, and the company expects sales to exceed £5 million over the next two years.

Alongside higher production, Ross plans to develop its industrial filtration and compliance solutions, which are designed to help businesses manage industrial processes and meet environmental requirements, with Nicole Ross serving as business development manager and chief financial officer.

Managing director William Ross said: “This reflects the confidence we have in the future growth of our business.” Ross added: “We have transformed from a small maintenance-focused operation into a multi-disciplinary engineering manufacturer serving customers across several sectors.”

Ross said: “Demand for our industrial filtration and engineered solutions continues to grow as businesses seek to improve efficiency and meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements.”

Ross added: “This investment will enhance our capabilities, increase capacity and support our expansion into Great Britain and Ireland, creating high-quality jobs in the local area.”

The structural driver is tightening environmental requirements, which are lifting demand for industrial filtration and compliance solutions.

For the sector, Ross is bringing more processes in-house as it moves from a maintenance-focused business to a multi-disciplinary engineering manufacturer, with 25 engineering, manufacturing and management roles to fill.

Source: irishnews.com / northernirelandworld.com / loveballymena.online