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A major supplier to the construction industry announced plans today to make a £2 million investment in a new plant in Belfast¿s Titanic Quarter.

Cemex NI ¿ a key supplier of cement and aggregate to builders ¿ said it hoped its new Belfast plant would contribute to the lifting of the gloom which had taken hold over the construction supply industry over the past 18 months.

The company has already been servicing some of the initial Titanic Quarter developments in the £100 million project commemorating the iconic liner.

The new strategically placed plant ¿ delivering up to 80 sq meters of concrete an hour ¿ would mean it can supply and deliver to the greater Belfast area and the number of individual projects backed by the Northern Ireland Executive and Belfast City Council, it said.

Paul Connolly, Regional Director for Cemex NI said he was enthusiastic for 2009.

He said: ¿The industry has had a tough time in recent months with the slowdown in the construction and building related industries. We have noted the downturn in our own business, however we are continuing a process of modernisation across our sites in Northern Ireland to help meet our own efficiency targets and to be able to deliver high specification concrete and building material to our customers across the region.

¿This investment is aimed at further strengthening our industry leading reputation for quality and service.¿

He added: ¿We are confident of our business in Northern Ireland as we move into 2009.

¿The NI Executive is now meeting and building projects are being brought forward which are positive signs. My hope is that we can get the sector working again and restore market confidence.¿