A Co Fermanagh company is investing over £600,000 to develop its environmentally friendly method of laying sewer mains for export markets, with help from Invest Northern Ireland.

Conwell Contracts, a family run business, provides drilling services for water and sewage lines, and specialises in trenchless drilling which provides both environmental and cost benefits to its customers. Invest NI has offered almost £60,000 of support, including part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The investment will enable Conwell to purchase specialist attachments for its auger boring machine, to allow it to provide trenchless drilling across a broader range of terrain.

Conwell Contracts currently employs 20 at its Brookeborough base and the investment will see a further 12 posts created, including two managerial positions over the next two years. An extensive marketing campaign will also be undertaken.

Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest NI, said: "Conwell Contracts has identified a niche service area which, as the principles of sustainable construction become embedded in infrastructural projects, should result in strong performance by this local firm.

"Theie dual focus on sustainability and innovation has already proven to be a successful strategy. This investment now promises to deliver further business growth in markets outside Northern Ireland," he commented.

Christopher Conwell, Managing Director of Conwell Contracts, said: "This investment is the springboard for our ambitious plans to significantly increase turnover, in particular our export sales to the Republic of Ireland.

"As a specialist in the niche area of trenchless drilling, we have identified a number of market opportunities and Invest NI's support is already helping us to take advantage of these.

"By moving forward in export markets and utilising state of the art equipment we will maintain our high level of expertise and innovation, further consolidating our position as a leader in the industry."

(BMcC)