Following the announcement of £1.25 million investment to expand its specialist printing operations in Lisburn, Communisis is poised to create 20 new jobs.

Bill Harris, Executive in the Industrial Products Division of IDB, and Dave Murray, Divisional Managing Director of Communisis, announced the investment at the firm’s Lisburn plant where the company currently employ 47 staff.

Mr Harris said: "Communisis plc is a multinational group focused on information management and communications. The division of which Lisburn is a part is the UK market leader in the manufacture of secure and specialised documentation for use in both the retail and corporate financial institutions.

"The securing of such an investment by a major plc is encouraging and is a prime example of a local plant that has shown itself more than capable of holding its own within a highly competitive market place.

Commenting on the expansion, Mr Murray added: "This investment will see the Lisburn plant expand from a supplier to the Irish market into a strategic supplier to the mainland UK market and in so doing create sufficient critical mass to secure our future continued growth.

"In terms of sales and profitability we have been able to remain well ahead of our competitors and this, allied to a customer base which boasts names such as NatWest, HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and Abbey National means we can look to the future with confidence.

"The expansion here in Lisburn will involve the purchase of additional machinery including finishing and enveloping equipment. To cater for this an 10,000 sq ft extension to the existing factory premises is also planned."

Communisis is a multinational group of companies which was formed last year following the acquisition of Waddingtons and the printing Division of Rexam by the John Mansfield Group.

As well as the Lisburn site the company also has facilities in Crewe and Manchester and currently employs around 2,600 staff. (MB)