SMTEK Subsidiary to Invest Millions Overseas
DDL Electronics, a subsidiary of SMTEK International in Thousand Oaks, plans to invest nearly $9 million in Northern Ireland to help meet increasing global demand for outsourced manufacturing services, the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland announced.
DDL will expand its existing manufacturing facilities and international marketing operations in Northern Ireland. The investment includes $5.8 million in planned capital expenditures over the next two years, as well as extra marketing expense and working capital totaling an additional $3 million.
DDL manufactures printed circuit boards and related products at its Lurgan, Northern Ireland, plant for customers in Europe and the United States. SMTEK provides electronics manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers in the computer, telecommunications, instrumentation, medical, industrial and aerospace industries.
“We are investing in our Northern Ireland operation because we’ve found the right people with the right skills and very positive attitudes who enable us to deliver top-quality services on time,” said Gregory L. Horton, SMTEK chief executive officer.
Roy Adair, managing director of DDL in Northern Ireland, said the investment will help position the company to take advantage of growing demand by major manufacturers worldwide that are outsourcing the production of equipment.
The investment is backed by the Industrial Development Board, an economic development agency in the United Kingdom, with headquarters in Chicago. It is expected to result in nearly 150 new jobs in Northern Ireland.
