A Co Antrim textile company has announced an investment of £1.2 million which is expected to create 15 new jobs. Ambler of Ballyclare currently employs around 275 people spinning a range of yarns for knitwear manufacturers. The company's director, Bertie Casement, said that some of the money would be spent on a dedicated line aimed at developing new yarns to fight off competition from third world countries.

"We need to move from our present position as a spinner of commodity yarns," Mr Casement said, "and become a provider of a distinctive range of innovative products. This is a fiercely competitive market, and we will continually be looking to develop new yarns in association with key customers."

Around 90 per cent of Ambler's output is sold outside Northern Ireland. Its main markets are in Britain, mainland Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

The project is being supported by a grant of £250,000 from the IDB. The agency's executive director for the textiles and clothing division, Mr Lawson McDonald, said that the investment was aimed at helping Ambler to consolidate its position as the largest worsted spinner of acrylic yarns in the UK. Mr McDonald said that the money would make the company more versatile, and help it to take advantage of new opportunities in overseas markets.

"Ambler is a forward-looking company with an established and successful presence in key markets," he said. "The investment will enable the company to develop these by providing existing and potential customers with innovative yarns for hosiery and other garments. It will also strengthen its overall competitiveness through improvements in production efficiency and customer service."