Two Northern Ireland companies at the forefront of innovation in the UK and Ireland today announced they had merged to form a dynamic new enterprise.

Northern Innovation, run by entrepreneur Owen Lamont and R&R Power and Control headed by Terry Rooney have come together for a six figure sum and said they were set to revolutionise the manufacturing processes.

They plan to bring innovative technology and practices to the manufacturing sector throughout the UK, Ireland and overseas.

R&R Power and Control design software for a wide range of process and manufacturing plants while Northern Innovation is an engineering technology company providing process engineering and product development services to industry and commerce.

Mr Lamont said: "In combining the two we have a perfect marriage that adds real value to Northern Ireland's manufacturing base.

The merged company already has a range of blue-chip clients in both Northern Ireland and abroad and said it was rapidly developing new markets in sustainable development and green energy.

Clients of both businesses will be able to benefit from a wider range of services, with the addition of power engineering, process control and software services for Northern Innovation clients, and the addition of chemical and mechanical engineering, process and product development and project management services now available to R&R clients.

Mr Lamont added: "For many manufacturing has become a dirty word. Yet we all know that manufacturing remains at the heart of our economic future.

"The merger of these two companies marries the so-called 'old industries' which are largely manufacturing based, with the exciting 'new industries' which centre on technology and software development."

He added: "The catalyst for what will emerge is the innovative know-how brought to bear on them both and it is this which will set the manufacturing scene alight here in the next few years."

Mr Rooney added: "It has been a particularly easy merger as we have worked together for a number of years.

"We all appreciate exactly how the two companies work and will stay completely focussed on delivering the best solution to each and every client."