THE Co Antrim company, O'Kane Poultry, has announced that it is to invest almost £6 million sterling at its plant in Ballymena in an attempt to develop new products, and to expand into the European market.

The company has a workforce of more than 600 people, and is part of the O'Kane Group of companies, which employs a total of 1,700 people in Northern Ireland, as well as another 500 in the Republic. The IDB backed investment is expected to create 32 new jobs over the next three years.

Economy Minister, Baroness Dent on, described it as one of Northern Ireland's most innovative companies.

"The more efficient chilling systems now being installed, for example, will increase efficiency by enabling products to be processed more quickly without any loss of quality."

She said that the company was market driven and an example to others in this sector not to let their products leave the factory without adding value.

The managing director, Mr Billy O'Kane, said that the project would enable the company to build on the experience gained in developing new products for leading retailers.

We believe that there are many opportunities for our innovative approach to new product development." Mr O'Kane said.