New jobs at Toomebridge-based roofing firm

Stephen Thornton (Managing Director), Jenny Neeson (Finance Director) and Kenny Smyth (General Manager) from Thorntons who have announced a major recruitment and investment programme as part of their 50th year in business. In the background is the Belfast Waterfront Hall's new extension where Thornton installed cladding and soffits.

Thornton Roofing which operates throughout Ireland from its Toomebridge HQ has recently won a series of high profile contracts within the health, education, heritage and leisure sectors that will serve as a platform for its five year growth programme which will include the recruitment of more than a dozen apprentice joiners.

Managing Director, Stephen Thornton, said his company was benefitting from the recovery of the UK’s construction sector.

“Whilst we do work in the Republic of Ireland and Britain, from time to time, our core business over the last five decades has been drawn from Northern Ireland latterly in the form of projects at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast; Altnagelvin Hospital, the Museum of Free Derry and the Seamus Heaney Centre in Bellaghy. A key element in our growth programme, however, will be securing of contracts in England and Scotland.”

Mr Thornton believes the recruitment of raw young talent will be key to his firm’s future.

“Having experienced consistent growth in recent years we believe we are poised to enjoy the benefits of our growing reputation for roofing, cladding, small works, maintenance and architectural metal-works. We envisage the recruitment and training of bright young apprentices as critical to achieving further growth with employment levels being increased from 60-110 by 2021.”

As part of the growth programme Thorntons plans to expand its office accommodation and manufacturing facilities at Toomebridge with the addition of a new 1,000 sqm building.

“The creation of new office accommodation and manufacturing space at Toomebridge is particularly important for us as we continue to invest on Research and Development with a view to exporting a range of new products internationally.”