Over 100 jobs to be created in Belfast

Around 100 jobs are to be created in Belfast by a US-owned company, which is to set up a new £17 million engineering and research centre in the city.

CEM Solutions, which is part of Tyco Fire & Security, which currently designs, manufactures, installs and services electronic security systems, fire protection, detection and suppression systems, will fund the centre of technical excellence, and increase the current workforce from 47, to over 100.

The new centre will be involved with developing software for surveillance cameras, as well as other security equipment.

Invest NI has already offered financial support in the form of a grant worth £1.75 million which will enable the new centre to increase the competitiveness of CEM product engineering and design.

Making the announcement, Stephen Quinn, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment said: "Tyco`s investment here sends out a clear message that Northern Ireland has a knowledge-rich technology infrastructure, and a highly talented workforce that can add value to the operations of global companies.

"In addition, it reinforces this region's reputation as a highly competitive location for world-class companies."

Don Lyman, director of CEM Systems, said they assessed a number of locations and Northern Ireland had met all their requirements.

"The new centre of technology excellence in Belfast will enable us to make major global advances in the area of digital internet protocol (IP) applications," he said.

"(This is) thanks to the strong local skills base and a specially designed research and development and product engineering facility."

Recruitment has already started and all the jobs are planned to be in place by next March.

(EF)