Belfast based Chemtest boosts workforce and export prospects
Chemtest Ireland in West Belfast plans to double its workforce, creating 15 new analyst and administration positions as part of growth efforts supported by Invest Northern Ireland.
The business is focused on expanding its client base in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland and has recruited a business development manager to help drive its market development plans.
Speaking about the division’s plans, Chemtest Ireland’s Laboratory Manager, Ashleigh Greeves said: “We recognise the potential to grow our business outside of Northern Ireland and are concentrating on generating awareness of our brand at trade fairs and exhibitions to improve Chemtest Ireland’s competitive position and help leverage new business.“
Following continued success, the division invested in new facilities last year, taking on an additional 4000 sq. ft. unit which has been refurbished into a dedicated laboratory.
“Our ambition is to double sales in our second year of trading by targeting prospective customers among water treatment companies, asbestos surveyors and healthcare and mechanical contractors“, explained Ashleigh.
“Invest NI’s support will enable us to accelerate our recruitment plans to deliver contracts and implement an extensive marketing strategy to help us achieve our objective. Our extended facilities give us the capabilities to increase our revenue streams exponentially.“
Invest NI has offered Chemtest over £115,000 to support its growth efforts including an employment grant of £90,000 towards the creation of 15 new jobs.
Damian McAuley, Invest NI’s Director of Advanced Engineering and Construction said: “Chemtest is pursuing an aggressive growth strategy and the company is progressing well towards its sales target. Invest NI support has enabled the company to put the resources and marketing collateral in place to exploit new business opportunities.”
“The new jobs to be created by the business will contribute £269,000 annually in additional wages and salaries to the local economy and help the company establish itself in the specialist areas of microbiological and asbestos testing.”
