$26m Engineering Centre of Excellence investment

The centre-piece of a $26m investment to create a world-class Engineering Centre of Excellence at FG Wilson in Larne has been unveiled.

The company, at the centre of Caterpillar's Electric Power Division, has leveraged a number of strategic Invest NI support packages to help create this facility.

The centre was officially opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of York,the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, during his visit to Northern Ireland.

The investment will transform the product testing and validation process at the generator set manufacturer, enhancing product development and increasing competitiveness.

The 1700 sq m Engineering Centre of Excellence incorporates some of the most advanced testing facilities in the global industry, and will reduce the time and cost of new product development and improve the performance and efficiency of generating sets.

Products manufactured at the Larne site are exported throughout the globe and provide prime and stand-by power for a wide range of domestic, commercial and other uses.

Dr. Mark Sweeney, FG Wilson managing director and global operations director of Caterpillar's Electric Power Division, said the investment will help make the company more competitive and sustainable.

"This is an extremely important investment for FG Wilson, Caterpillar and the local economy. It will enhance sustainability at the company, one of our major corporate objectives, by streamlining the product development process and enhancing the efficiency of products.

"We are very grateful to Invest Northern Ireland for their support and we look forward to further development at Larne in the next few years," Dr. Sweeney added.