13 skilled engineering roles for aerospace industry as Datum takes off

6 Sep 2016

Datum Tool Design Ltd is set to bring 13 engineering jobs to Co Down as part of growth plans targeting global aerospace opportunities.

Datum Tool Design – a highly specialist, niche designer of composite tooling for the aerospace and automotive sectors – will be rolling the jobs out over the next three years, as part of a push into global markets, particularly China.

The expansion is supported by Invest Northern Ireland, which has donated some £785,000 – with the possibility of a further £177,500 – to enhance the company’s manufacturing capabilities so that it can compete for higher-value projects.

Speaking about the expansion and investment, Michael Maguire, director at Datum, said, “A number of new aircraft programmes are being introduced to meet increasing demand for air travel, and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities and workforce will enhance the scope to target emerging markets.”

It is expected that the new roles will generate £358,000 in annual salaries in the local economy, supporting Economy Minister Simon Hamilton’s belief that the hires will have a knock-on effect.

“By implementing this expansion, Datum will strengthen its global competitive position and enhance, not only the skills and capabilities of the business, but also those of the wider Northern Ireland aerospace sector,” said Minister Hamilton.

Datum recently signed a $1m initial order with the Chinese X’ian Aircraft Corporation, adding the manufacturer to a roster of customers that already includes Airbus, Boeing, Aston Martin, Bombardier, Gulfstream and Formula One teams.

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Main image via Shutterstock

Kirsty Tobin
By Kirsty Tobin

Kirsty Tobin served as careers editor of Silicon Republic from 2015 up to August 2017. When she was younger, she had a dream where she started and won a fight with a T-Rex, so she’s pretty sure she kicked butt at this, too. Passions include eating all the cake, watching more TV than is healthy and sassy comebacks.

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