The Lurgan company Courtaulds Jersey Leisurewear is investing £2.8 million in new equipment to make fabrics for car manufacturers. The investment will provide added capacity, greater flexibility, and improved quality, according to Mr Bob Redfern, the company's chief executive.
"In addition to the new products," Mr Redfern said, "the investment widens our skills base, and supports initiatives we are taking to secure a greater share of higher added-value business in more advanced garment fabrics and in products for the automotive industry."
He said that it had meant that the company would in future be depending less on the kind of work now being carried out by Far East competitors on a lower-cost basis.
The head of the IDB's textiles division, Mr Lawson McDonald, said that it was an important strategic investment, in line with the IDB's strategy of moving textile companies towards more specialist and technical areas. Mr McDonald said it would allow the company to focus on higher volume products such as thermal fleece, and to supply fabrics to car makers in Britain and Japan.
Courtaulds Jersey Leisurewear is part of Courtaulds Textiles plc, and employs almost 300 people at its Lurgan plant.
