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A Scientific camera maker in west Belfast has announced a 50% jump in pre-tax profits.
AIM-listed Andor makes hi-tech cameras costing around $20,000 each for government, universities and manufacturing companies.
Chief executive Conor Walsh said the strong performance, which saw pre-tax profits go up to £8.7m in the year to September 30, was down to a "combination of factors".
"We have thankfully been able to achieve strong growth for some time now. The key thing is having something different that sets you apart from the competition."
He said investment in research and development was also propelling the company forward to enjoy 20% growth in markets such as America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The company announced on Friday that it would be creating 166 new jobs at its Belfast headquarters in Springvale in west Belfast in an £18m investment, including £1.5m assistance from Invest NI. It already employs 220 people in Belfast.
Mr Walsh also revealed that Andor was served with a 'cease and desist' letter by a company linked to Bank of Scotland over the use of a name.
In October it revealed plans to develop a new research and development centre called Certus.
But one day later it received the legal letter from banking company Certus, appointed to close the operations of Bank of Scotland (Ireland). Mr Walsh said: "We are now calling it our research and development acceleration centre."
