The Unigate subsidiary, Malton Foods, has announced a £11.4 million investment in its pork processing plant in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, which is expected to create up to 129 new jobs by the end of this year. The expansion is aimed primarily at developing new products for the export market. Both machinery and buildings are to be upgraded at the plant.

Industrial Development Board chief executive Bruce Robinson said the investment was strategically important for the entire Northern Ireland pigmeat industry because "Malton's export focus will impact on every part of the industry". He said it would also provide incentives to farmers to develop their business by producing the precise quality of animals the company required.

Mr Gordon Summerfield, chief executive of Unigate's European Food division, said the expansion fell within an overall drive by Malton Foods to increase export sales in the United States, Europe and the Far East.

He said the company expected to have the Ballymoney factory approved by the US authorities within 12 months, which would enable it to export into the US. Mr Summerfield said markets in the Middle East and Far East were also being targeted.

Meanwhile, another Co Antrim company, Ballyclare Special Products, which specialises in flame retardant garments for fire services, will today announce an investment of £659,000 to develop its product range and increase sales in domestic and foreign markets. An IDB-backed project, 134 new jobs will be created over the next three years.