The Craigavon-based printed circuit board manufacturer Irlandus Circuits is investing £2.9 million (€3.7 million) to update its production facilities. The general manager of the US-owned company, Georg Klein, said the aim was to expand sales into selected markets.

"The installation of new state-of-the-art production equipment will enable us to further develop our product range, increasing efficiency and productivity, and improving our technical capabilities," Mr Klein said.

Irlandus Circuits is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the California-based company SMTEK International. The investment is being supported with a grant of £500,000 from the IDB.

Also in Craigavon, a software company specialising in applications for the farming industry could more than double its workforce following a £700,000 investment programme. Park Applications Computer Engineering (PACE), which employs 16 staff, hopes to recruit another 20 software specialists with qualifications ranging from HND to degree level.

Managing director John McGrann said a company objective was to become a major provider of high-quality management information systems to the agrifood industry throughout Europe. The investment will enable the firm to complete a sophisticated new animal identification and tracking system which it has developed in conjunction with BT, with the aid of EU funding.

"We believe the system has very strong sales potential, given the European Commission's wishes for such systems to be implemented throughout the EU," Mr McGrann said.

The investment is being backed by a grant of £140,000 from the IDB. The executive director of the agency's electronics division, Ms Tracey Meharg, said the quality of PACE's work was reflected in its customer base, which includes firms such as Weetabix, Galtee, Foyle Meats, and the food processing company Moy Park.

The company was founded in 1989 as a subsidiary of Moy Park, and was taken over two years ago in a management buy-out.