The move follows the firm's acquisition of Dublin-based UniBoard last summer. That operation has subsequently been expanded with a new warehouse and logistics facility nearby that can store 11,000 pallets of paper and board.

EBB has invested €500,000 (£435,000) in the 3,720sqm warehouse with high bay racking, with a further €1.5m spent on additional paper stocks. It will be fully up and running at the end of this month.

The warehouse will supply the new EBB sales office in Belfast, which will focus on serving local commercial print businesses.

EBB sales and marketing director Chris Sandwell said: “EBB is committed to growing its footprint and expanding sales in Ireland, we have a fantastic business in UniBoard and we are looking to further enhance the offering by stocking paper products for the commercial print market.”

The new Belfast office will open on 6 April. Sandwell said the firm had recruited five new staff and the group was also recruiting for additional roles in Dublin.

UniBoard and EBB Board will continue to handle cartonboard and packaging.