Increased business orders from the south and new contract wins in Britain are encouraging a Derry manufacturing firm to expand its operations and create 12 additional jobs.

Carella Laminate Systems, which primarily delivers fit out solutions to the education, health and leisure sectors, said it now wants to expand its workforce to capitalise on new business opportunities in both markets.

Seamus Heron, Carella’s managing director said: “We have seen a recent uplift in projects secured across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and want to continue to grow our market share, driving sales of our worktops and contract interior fit-out solutions.”

Mr Heron said the Derry company had also recently invested in a new site and machinery at Campsie which he believes will boost its chances of winning “higher value projects” in its key markets.”

Carella also manufactures and supplies worktops and bonded boards for the kitchen and bedroom markets.

Bill Montgomery, Invest NI director of advanced manufacturing and engineering, said the agency is supporting the Derry firm’s latest expansion project with £90,000 of funding.