A leading provider of tile and marble products, Armatile, has been celebrating an investment.

Invest Northern Ireland is supporting the local tile manufacturer to help increase sales by £500,000 by 2012.

Invest NI has offered over £39,600 towards the company's development plans which aim to enhance its export marketing capability and secure growth in export markets.

Visits to new markets will be undertaken along with the development of promotional literature and company websites.

In addition, the investment will result in two additional jobs for Armatile including the appointment of a Sales and Marketing Manager and a new Head of Design position. Armatile also plans to develop a Research and Development facility, situated alongside its existing factory in Armagh.


Commenting on the investment, Mark Bleakney, Manager of Invest NI's Southern Regional Office in Newry, said: "This award winning company is focused on exploiting potentially lucrative business opportunities in GB and ROI markets and Armatile's investment demonstrates its commitment towards future growth.

"With an enhanced marketing strategy and skills base, combined with the firm’s unique design and manufacturing capabilities, Armatile can become more competitive as it seeks to secure this new business."

The company has a wide range of products and services available from showrooms in Armagh, Belfast and Newry.

Paul Quinn of Armatile, commented: "In order to achieve our targeted sales levels, we realised the need to enhance our business profile outside Northern Ireland.

"With Invest NI's support we are implementing plans to enhance our marketing capability and increase Armatile's visibility, position and sales in target markets."

Armatile has been recognised by industry peers at The Tile Association for their work on St Patrick's Church, Dungannon.

This adds to the 10 previous awards won since 2004 for various projects including St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh and Peter Marks Hair Salons in Dublin.

(BMcC/GK)