25 new jobs are being created in Co. Carlow as Burnside Eurocyl is expanding its plant. A number of the positions have already been filled and the rest will be filled over the next 18 months.

Burnside is one of thes largest hydraulic cylinder manufacturers in Europe and operates four plants in Carlow and employs around 600 people.

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation says the €3.5 million investment will allow the firm to expand its manufacturing facilities, upgrade its R&D and train employees in Lean manufacturing techniques.

The expansion plan will also enable them to increase exports by 10% per year. Currently 95% of all sales are exported to 16 countries across mainland Europe, USA and Canada and have more recently started business in China and Russia.

Speaking during a visit to Burnside Eurocyl, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said "Throughout the country we have strong, family-owned manufacturing and engineering companies like Burnside, creating products and services to the highest standards for international markets".

"Companies like these can be the engine of Irish recovery, and through the Action Plan for Jobs we have put in place a range of measures to provide better supports for them, such as the Development Capital Scheme and the Foreign Earnings Deduction" he added.

Tom and Anthony Byrne, Joint Managing Directors of Burnside Eurocyl added "We are committed to growing the business in Carlow and this investment will enable us to expand our customer base over a wider geographic area and also into new market sectors".

They say a major factor in the continuing success of Burnside Eurocyl is the committed and experienced workforce.