Topframe expands with £2m investment in new Castledawson factory

Pictured (L-R) are Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering, Invest Northern Ireland; Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy; Matt Connery, Managing Director, Topframe Engineering. 

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced a £1.96 million investment by Topframe Engineering in a new 30,000 sq ft factory in Castledawson, which will enhance the company’s productivity and drive export growth, creating 22 new jobs.

Topframe Engineering, a specialist in structural and general engineering, machine design, and fabrication, currently operates across two sites in Castledawson and Portglenone. The new facility will allow the company to focus its operations at their primary site in Castledawson, significantly improving efficiency.

Minister Murphy said: “This investment is a significant boost for the Mid-Ulster region, creating 22 skilled jobs with competitive salaries while enhancing Topframe Engineering’s overall productivity. Increasing productivity is crucial for improving living standards across the north, and I’m pleased to see that the new factory and equipment will help the company achieve an almost 40 per cent rise in productivity per employee.

“Furthermore, this investment will open doors for Topframe to secure new export contracts and accelerate its growth. I’m also encouraged by the company’s commitment to achieving ISO 14001 Environmental Accreditation, which supports our goal of transitioning to a net-zero economy.”

Topframe Engineering currently employs 26 staff. The new factory will be built on its 14 acre site adjacent to the current facility.

Matt Connery, Topframe Engineering’s Managing Director, said: “We have bold growth plans for the next three to five years, including significant investments such as refurbishing and expanding our Castledawson factory and building a new, state-of-the-art 5,000 sq ft office block.

“These investments will drive a substantial increase in sales within the structural steel industry, materials processing industry and our Biddy Attachments brand; positioning us to expand into new markets beyond Northern Ireland.”

Invest Northern Ireland is supporting the investment with a capital grant as well as technical assistance to help the company install a software system that will optimise operations across all aspects of the business. 

Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering in Invest NI commented: “Topframe Engineering has doubled its turnover over the past five years, a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation. It’s plans for new products continue to reflect that ongoing focus, and earlier this year, it was awarded silver recognition through our Invest NI Innovation Assessment. The addition of a graduate design engineer among the 22 new roles will also further strengthen the company’s design capabilities.

“This investment will provide the infrastructure, skills, and operational efficiency needed to increase its sales outside Northern Ireland to 40 per cent of turnover by the end of 2026. It also reinforces Mid-Ulster’s growing reputation as a leader in the materials handling sector, known internationally for its high-quality goods and services.”