IPC Mouldings has announced a £1.7m investment to expand its Carrickfergus operations and strengthen its position in the global aircraft interiors market, giving aerospace supply chains evidence of small manufacturers adding production equipment, software and AI systems to meet rising international demand.

The investment covers new production equipment, software and AI systems, factory upgrades and recruitment of engineering, technical and production staff, creating 16 jobs that will take the workforce to 50 and build capacity for international aerospace customers.

Invest NI has offered £112,000 towards the new roles, and the company expects to increase export sales by £3m in total over four years, building on customers in international markets including the United States and Asia.

IPC Mouldings, established more than 30 years ago and based in Carrickfergus, designs and manufactures tooling, plastic injection moulded components and value-added assemblies for the aircraft interiors sector, and has achieved SC21 Gold status, the aerospace and defence supply chain excellence standard.

Joanne Liddle, managing director of IPC Mouldings, said: “This investment marks an important step in our growth journey.” She said Invest NI’s support with job creation, leadership development, operational excellence and international trade has made the company more resilient, and that the growth sits alongside a new People Strategy giving staff a clear pathway to build a career.

Brendan McGuigan, director of advanced manufacturing and engineering at Invest NI, said IPC Mouldings is investing to enhance capabilities and capture global aerospace opportunities, and that such investments strengthen supply chain capability, build specialist skills and enhance Northern Ireland’s reputation.

The investment reflects smaller aerospace suppliers adding equipment, software and AI alongside people to win more aircraft interiors work, with Invest NI support tied to job creation.

The timing tracks a growing market, with the global aircraft cabin interiors market forecast to grow from $29.22bn in 2026 to $38bn by 2031, driven by fleet modernisation and cabin upgrades.

For the sector, SC21 Gold status shows how supply chain excellence standards are becoming a route into larger aerospace programmes for regional manufacturers.

The wider signal for the sector is that export growth targets, here £3m over four years, are underpinning public support for aerospace suppliers in Northern Ireland.

Source: Invest NI / MarketsandMarkets