US Car Drivers Drive Safer With Schrader

More US car drivers than ever before will now benefit from an innovative Northern Ireland-made in-car indicator that may save their lives.

Co Antrim's Schrader Electronics - which employs 830 people in Carrickfergus and Antrim - has announced a £4.6m investment to enable it to step up production of its specialist tyre pressure monitoring equipment.

The firm is a market leader in devices which detect deflation in tyres and displays dashboard information to the driver.

Managing Director Stephen McClelland said new safety legislation in the United States in 2005 has led to a significant rise in demand: "As we raise our production levels to meet this demand, it is crucial that we develop the skills of our staff in tandem to ensure high levels of process efficiency and cost competitiveness," he said.

The investment will be used to engage in research and development projects and extensive staff training to improve skills and will be part funded by £1.6m coming from Northern Ireland's economic development agency, Invest NI.

Assembly Economy Minister Nigel Dodds said: "A focus on innovative product design and manufacturing is central to export success in highly technical markets.

"Investment in skills can help externally owned firms attract further investments from their parent companies and enhance Northern Ireland's economic competitiveness in the long-term," he said.

Schrader is part of Britsh company Tomkins PLC, and the minister said the staff training project was helping improve the company's position within the group.

(BMcC)