Moira-based specialist construction firm McMullen Architectural Systems has won a £12m contract from the BBC in Manchester, it was announced today.

The company is to provide curtain walling for a new BBC television and radio centre, along with a 16 floor hotel and 19 floor office building as part of a Manchester city revitalisation scheme.

Design is currently under way on the development, with construction scheduled to commence in January 2009.

McMullen Architectural Systems, named exporter of the year at the Northern Ireland Showcase Build and Design Awards earlier this year, is owned by McMullen Group Holdings, which serves the UK, Irish and International construction markets.

It has doubled its turnover in the past two years to £50m and is expecting to reach turnover of £70m in two years.

Two years ago McMullen invested over £2m in setting up its US subsidiary, McMullen Inc, to meet demand for the company’s international order book.

In April 2008 McMullen acquired Systems Aluminium, a curtain wall contractor located in Cumbernauld in Scotland. This made McMullen the biggest UK based curtain wall contractor.

Managing director Ted McMullen said: “This contract announcement is a major coup for McMullen Architectural Systems and further underlines our ability to compete for and deliver major construction projects.

“The company has experienced significant growth and we are confident we will continue this success.”