Boxmore International, the Northern Ireland firm, is investing £16 million to relocate its healthcare packaging division to a new hi-tech plant. The move, which will also create 60 jobs, entails transferring operations from west Belfast to Mallusk, Co Antrim. The Industrial Development Board (IDB) is backing the investment with £2.9 million sterling.

IDB chief executive, Mr Bruce Robinson, said yesterday that the relocation was designed to position Boxmore Healthcare Packaging for continued growth in a "very quality orientated and competitive market". "It will provide the world class facilities which its existing and potential customers are increasingly demanding. Boxmore chief executive, Mr Mark Ennis said the investment in what he termed a state-of-the-art facility was essential if the company was to support its pharmaceutical and healthcare customers in its highly competitive global markets and ensure the company's continued growth.

"The existing factory was built in 1865 and is a multi-layer building on a three-acre site," he said. "However, it is no longer capable of providing the level of service and delivery expected."

Mr Ennis claimed the new factory would be one of the most advanced pharmaceutical packaging plants in the world. He said it would also provide a prestigious headquarters for the group which now operates worldwide.

Mr Ennis said Boxmore had been very successful in winning additional business from the competitive tendering process on which many healthcare companies had embarked over the last year.

The company currently employs 180 people in Belfast in the design and manufacture of folding cartons, self-adhesive labels and thermoformed plastic trays for international pharmaceutical companies in Britain and Ireland.