Grant Engineering is to expand its facilities in Birr, Co Offaly, as part of a €7m investment, which will also lead to the creation of 50 new jobs.

The firm, which manufactures heating appliances, said that the expansion plans will include the construction of an innovation centre, extensions to its manufacturing facility, a customer services centre and a training school.

Building works will commence in the coming months, with completion of the investment programme expected over the next two years.

Founded in 1978, Grant Engineering employs over 320 people in Ireland and 70 in the UK. The 50 new roles will include a range of part-time and full-time recruits, from operative roles to high-skilled engineering positions.

Stephen Grant, founder of Grant Engineering, said that the business had enjoyed continued growth in recent years. The Enterprise Ireland-supported investment, he added, would help fund expansion into new markets.

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Grant continued: “This is a very exciting time for Grant Engineering, as we continue to build on our reputation of supplying reliable, affordable, forward-thinking home heating technologies, which enable our customers to save money and lower their carbon footprints.”

Grant Engineering changed to unlimited company status in 2014 after filing annual accounts for the year to June 2012. Turnover in 2011/12 was €37.3m, down from €42.1m, and the operating profit was €1.4m, down from €3.2m the year before. The company’s net worth at year-end was €66.7m.

Grant Engineering was previously a recipient of taxpayer funding in 2010, when the company received payments of €445,000 from Enterprise Ireland.

Picture:  Stephen Grant (left) and general manager Niall Fay