A Co Down company is investing more than £500,000 at its factory in Annahilt to help it develop new business outside Northern Ireland. International Net and Twine employs 67 people making a range of products including trawl and industrial netting, electric fencewire, braids and twines, and drawcords. The project is being supported by a grant of £119,000 from the IDB.

Managing director Mr Alan Boyd said that the aim of the investment was to increase annual sales by around 35 per cent, and to increase exports from 45 per cent to more than 50 per cent of turnover over the next two years. He said that he expects to recruit another 11 employees over that period.

"We have identified an opportunity to use our manufacturing expertise to develop new business in the marine and other areas such as fencing for livestock control," Mr Boyd said.