A Crossmaglen-based manufacturer of hybrid electric crushing equipment is investing £2.5 million to expand its factory and create 30 new jobs after securing £8 million in export sales over the past year. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald announced the expansion by Roco on 17 June 2026, highlighting the deal as evidence that local firms can compete globally while boosting employment in South Armagh.
The investment will double the company’s headcount and significantly increase production capacity. Roco, which manufactures mobile crushers and screeners for the construction, quarrying and recycling industries, has seen demand surge for its dual-powered hybrid electric machines that can run on diesel or mains electricity.
Export Success Drives Expansion
The announcement follows a period of rapid international growth for the family-owned business, which was incorporated in January 2020 and is registered at 205a Concession Road, Crossmaglen. Roco’s equipment is now sold across Britain, Ireland, the US and European markets, with the company recently appointing master distributors in North America and Spain to drive further growth.
Speaking during a visit to the Crossmaglen facility, Dr Archibald said:
“Roco’s export success shows how local firms can compete on the global stage. This investment will boost productivity, create high-quality jobs in Crossmaglen and help strengthen the local economy, supporting my vision of a more regionally balanced economy.”
The global mobile crushing and screening market is projected to grow from $3.15 billion in 2025 to $5.24 billion by 2034, driven by infrastructure development and stricter environmental regulations favouring electric-powered equipment. Northern Ireland currently manufactures over 40% of the world’s tracked mobile crushing and screening equipment, making the sector a critical pillar of the regional economy.
Bringing Production In-House
Shane Connolly, Chief Executive of Roco, explained that the expansion aims to improve product quality and reduce lead times by bringing more assembly work under one roof. He said:
“To grow our business we need to improve the quality of our products and reduce our lead times. We’ve realised that to do this, we need to expand our facility and our workforce, to bring more assembly production work in-house.
“This will not only improve our efficiencies but also our productivity. We will be able to double the amount of machinery options we offer so that we can attract even more new customers in international markets following our recent export wins.”
The new roles will span production, design, finance and sales. Seven positions have already been filled, with 23 remaining vacancies to be recruited.
Public Support and Regional Context
Invest Northern Ireland has offered £210,000 towards the job creation element of the project. The economic development agency has worked with Roco since its establishment in 2020, supporting its attendance at key trade shows including the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo in the United States and the Hillhead exhibition in Derbyshire.
Alistair Quinn, Invest NI’s Head of Southern Regional Business, said:
“Since 2020, we have worked in close partnership with Roco to build its capability and unlock international opportunities. Our support for the company to attend AGG1 in the US, and its attendance at the Northern Ireland pavilion at Hillhead contributed towards these impressive export wins.
“It’s great to support the company to double its Crossmaglen workforce now. Along with the support to grow its headcount, our trade team has connected Shane with our in-market teams in the US and Middle East to develop opportunities in Mexico, Europe and Asia. We’re looking forward to seeing where this investment takes the company next.”
The investment adds to a growing cluster of manufacturing activity in South Armagh, which includes Stone Bakery’s £4 million gluten-free facility in Crossmaglen and the broader Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Local Economic Partnership area.
Unanswered Questions
While the announcement signals confidence in the region’s manufacturing future, several details remain unclear:
- The specific timeline for filling the remaining 23 vacancies has not been disclosed, beyond the confirmation that seven jobs are already in place.
- The breakdown of the £2.5 million investment—between building works, machinery and working capital—was not specified.
- No details were provided on supply chain commitments, such as whether the expanded facility will increase local sourcing of components.
- The company’s environmental impact assessment for the factory expansion was not published, despite Roco marketing its products as sustainable alternatives to diesel-hydraulic machinery.
What to Watch
The expansion places Roco at the centre of Northern Ireland’s push to dominate the global mobile crushing market while transitioning to cleaner technologies. Observers will monitor whether the company can maintain its growth trajectory amid competition from established local rivals such as Terex and Powerscreen, and how effectively it can recruit skilled manufacturing staff in a tight labour market.
With the Minister’s Regional Balance Fund prioritising economic growth outside Belfast, the success of this Crossmaglen expansion could serve as a template for other rural manufacturing investments. The recruitment process for the remaining positions is expected to begin immediately, with roles advertised through local job portals and Invest NI networks.