Caterpillar is to invest 9 million US dollars (€6.6 million) to expand its Northern Ireland truck parts manufacturing operation.

It will maintain up to 100 jobs and enhance skills at the plant in Larne, Co Antrim, the US company said.

Northern Ireland operations director Robert Kennedy said: “This important announcement primarily recognises the high standard of the facilities, processes, skills and expertise in Northern Ireland.

“It is also a testament to the cost competitiveness of manufacturing in Northern Ireland and advantages the local facilities have in terms of proximity to customers, access to ports and other transportation infrastructure.”

The decision to permanently source axles from Caterpillar’s Larne factory follows a preliminary production period, which has been under way for a number of months.

The axles are a key part of trucks, which are used for earth moving, mining and quarrying throughout the world.

PA