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Co Antrim medical diagnostics company Randox Laboratories has created a further 34 high-value jobs as part of its on-going recruitment drive in Northern Ireland, it announced today.

The Crumlin-based company said it would continue bucking the trend locally and internationally with further expansion, both at home and overseas, planned.

The company now employs around 800 people in 26 countries worldwide, the bulk of them in Northern Ireland.

Managing director Dr Peter Fitzgerald said the company was delighted to be able to create employment in Northern Ireland amidst a challenging economic backdrop.

“We take great pride in creating local jobs for local people. We are an ambitious company and believe that we have the people, skills and products to increase our global market share.

“I am confident that we will be able to offer new opportunities, both locally and internationally, as our business continues to develop,” said Dr Fitzgerald.

Randox is privately owned and had been built up by the Fitzgerald family since the mid 1980s to be one of the major employers in Northern Ireland.

It produces diagnostic kits for use in hospitals, clinical and veterinary laboratories to diagnose for metabolic dysfunctions, diseases and environmental pollutants.

Its primary focus is on human health, helping in the diagnosis of cardiovascular problems, a range of cancers, diabetes, thyroid problems, liver and renal diseases.

The new jobs will deliver a range of skills and experience to a growing employee base of world-wide expertise that delivers true added value to the Northern Ireland economy, said the company.