A cabling company in Co Tyrone is creating nearly 70 jobs to carry out contract work for a major telecoms provider.
McCann Cabling Solutions will be working for the KN Group, a large provider to the telecommunications sectors in Ireland, the UK and overseas.
McCann Cabling Solutions (MCS), which is based in rural Benburb just outside Dungannon, provides a range of services to telecoms and utility companies, specialising in internal and external installations and associated ground works.
The company’s management and staff operate particularly in BT and Eircom’s existing networks.
MCS currently employs 83 staff, but the sizeable deal with the KN Group will enable it to expand its workforce.
The contracts MCS are working on are of significant value to the company as it continues to grow, the Belfast Telegraph understands. By the end of 2015 the total number of employees is expected to exceed 150.
Ignatius McCann, director of MCS, said: “Since establishing the business in 2013 we’ve witnessed rapid expansion as we service the roll-out of fibre broadband to rural areas and premises across UK mainland, Scotland and Ireland.”
Mr McCann also attributed the expansion to the dedication and organisation of the father-son run company.
“Our commitment to deliver projects on time and to budget with safety paramount has seen the client base swell in the last year.”
A spokesman for the company added: “MCS as a company has grown rapidly over the last number of years mainly down to major investments into the utilities industry and also the determination of the management team and structures within the business to push the growth of MCS to the limit.”
The contract with the KN Group will see MCS open offices in Dundee and Banchory in Aberdeenshire, with the new employees filling construction roles as well as vacancies as fibre cabling engineers.
KN Network Services has won major business across the UK, and has depots in Dublin, London and the Cayman Islands, employing around 1,200 people.
The father and son duo Ignatius and Conor McCann had operated in the utility sector separately for a number of years before joining together to create MCS.
They currently still operate in other areas of the utilities industry as well as in construction.
The spokesman from the business told the Belfast Telegraph that the rural location of the company has not hindered its growth. “Often customers specifically come to us for our expertise which is a great indication of how our reputation is continually growing and strengthening within Northern Ireland and the UK,” he said.
The plans for the expansion also included the purchase of six new Volkswagen Crafter vans from the Donnelly Group.
Raymond Donnelly, director at the company, talked of his pleasure doing business with MCS. “The six vans were specifically built for MCS and we’re delighted to partner the firm as it continues to flourish,” he said.
“Over recent months, the Donnelly Group has seen a significant rise in the number of businesses leasing or purchasing vans, as more and more firms realise expansion now that consumer and business confidence has returned.”
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Caption: Expansion: Ignatius McCann