Ross Companies to nearly double workforce as £3.6m investment drives major expansion near Ahoghill
Pictured (L-R) are Nicole Ross, Business Development Manager and Chief Financial Officer, Ross Companies, Iain Joannides, Head of Regional Business for the Eastern Region, Invest NI and William Ross, Managing Director, Ross Companies
Thursday 29 October 2026
A Ballymena engineering manufacturer is investing £3.6 million in a major expansion that will create 25 new jobs, almost double its workforce and support further growth across Great Britain and Ireland.
Ross Companies, which has grown from a small maintenance business into a multi-disciplinary engineering manufacturer, is expanding its operations at recently acquired and refurbished premises near Ahoghill.
The investment will see the company's workforce increase from 29 to 54 employees over the next three years, with new opportunities in engineering, manufacturing and management.
Invest Northern Ireland has offered £125,000 towards the creation of the additional jobs.
Major expansion follows rapid business growth
Established in 2017, Ross Companies designs, manufactures, installs and maintains industrial equipment for customers across a wide range of sectors.
These include quarrying, cement and concrete production, food and drink manufacturing, animal feeds, waste and recycling, energy and other industrial operations.
The £3.6 million investment will increase manufacturing capacity, allow more production processes to be carried out in-house and support the development of the company's industrial filtration products.
The expansion follows substantial growth in recent years, with turnover rising from £345,000 in 2019 to approximately £3.78 million. The company now expects annual turnover to exceed £5 million within the next two years.
Managing director confident in future growth
William Ross, Managing Director of Ross Companies, said the investment marks another significant stage in the development of the Ballymena business.
“This investment reflects the confidence we have in the future growth of our business. Over the last few years, we have transformed from a small maintenance-focused operation into a multi-disciplinary engineering manufacturer serving customers across several sectors.
“Demand for our industrial filtration and engineered solutions continues to grow as businesses seek to improve efficiency and meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements. This investment will enhance our capabilities, increase capacity and support our expansion into Great Britain and Ireland, creating high-quality jobs in the local area. Invest NI's continued support has helped us build the foundations for this next phase of sustainable growth.”
New jobs and investment in local manufacturing
The planned recruitment represents an increase of approximately 86% in the company's existing workforce, with the additional positions expected to be created over three years.
The expansion will also strengthen the company's ability to manufacture more of its products locally, reducing its reliance on outsourced production while increasing capacity to serve customers in external markets.
Invest NI's £125,000 employment support forms part of a longer relationship with the company, which has previously participated in its Ambition to Grow and Grow Beyond programmes.
Those programmes helped Ross Companies develop its growth strategy, increase employment and expand turnover.
Iain Joannides, Head of Regional Business, Eastern Region at Invest NI, said:
“Ross Companies is an example of the ambition and innovation we see among our Eastern Region client base. Since first engaging with our Eastern Regional team, the company has consistently demonstrated its ability to identify growth opportunities, invest strategically and deliver strong results.
“Building on previous Invest NI support, this investment will help Ross Companies strengthen its manufacturing capability, increase productivity and expand its presence in external markets. The creation of 25 new jobs will also deliver significant economic benefits for the local area.”
Expansion to support environmental improvements
Alongside increasing production, Ross Companies plans to develop its range of industrial filtration and compliance solutions, which are designed to help businesses manage industrial processes and meet environmental requirements.
Bringing additional manufacturing processes in-house is also expected to improve resource efficiency and reduce the company's dependence on external suppliers.
For the Ballymena area, the investment represents a significant commitment to local manufacturing, with 25 additional jobs planned and further development of the company's operations near Ahoghill.
With recruitment and expansion planned over the next three years, Ross Companies is positioning itself for further growth while creating new opportunities for skilled workers in the local engineering and manufacturing sector.
