The Ballymena construction company Moore Concrete plans to invest £500,000 sterling in an expansion programme which could create 10 jobs over the next year. The firm's managing director, Mr Wilbur Moore, announced the details, saying that a pre-cast quality service meant having the right selection of product lines and on-time delivery.

"We are investing so we can continue to come through on both counts," Mr Moore said.

But he warned that penalty clauses were presenting the industry with one of its biggest challenges, and he called on builders to work in co-operation with suppliers to meet the strict deadlines imposed by tenderers.