Manufacturing NI

STEPHEN KELLY, CEO MANUFACTURING NI

Despite all that has been thrown at them, once again Northern Ireland manufacturing community is demonstrating its problem solving and positivity as they lead the fight for economic recovery post pandemic and Brexit. That’s brought into bright light by our manufacturers leading the way in the numerous Top 100 lists of economic contribution to Northern Ireland.

Alongside Tughans we published the now annual “State of Manufacturing” report recently. The report brings in to sharp focus the huge challenge brought on by disrupted supply chains, eye watering input inflation and an acute lack of labour yet despite that, our manufacturers are winning more business and more positive about where they are in 2022 and in to the future.

2 out of 3 firms say they are growing which a further 21% reporting a stable position meaning just 11% believe that the challenges they face means their business in contracting. Bringing in almost £15bn of external income, more than what Treasury passes back to the Executive to run public services, means that we really don’t have an NI economy if it weren’t for of manufacturers. Which is why it is important that 39% say they have increasing sales in the EU and 40% increasing sales in GB. And in employment local firms are returning or creating jobs four times faster than their counterparts in Britain. Nothing seems capable of stopping the march of our makers.

That is why we designated May 2022 as Manufacturing Month. To not only cherish and celebrate those who in great businesses, populated by great people are making great products enjoyed in markets at home and abroad.

Blue chips like KPMG, Pinsent Masons, Lockton, Barclays and public sector partners Invest NI and the Further Education Colleges recognise the economic and social contribution being made by the sector which is why they’re supporting Manufacturing Month. The Department for the Economy

Stephen Kelly.

AG reduces its LPG carbon usage by 70%.

Pictured at FAST Technologies in Derry, one of the businesses which will receive the £25k Manufacturing (Industrial Derating) Support Grant are: Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, Mark Higgins, Director of Operations FAST Technologies and Stephen Kelly, CEO of Manufacturing NI. Mandatory Credit ©/Lorcan Doherty

recognises it by picking out Advanced Manufacturing as an opportunity in its 10x Strategy and the Department of Finance singling out the need to buy more locally to ensure supply chain resilience whilst rebuilding our economy. Despite the challenges for UK manufacturing from Brexit, companies like Almac are out in the market and talking up their advantage provided by the NI Protocol and winning business which in turn is generating not only wealth but much more work for local people. Indeed, in the last year they’ve announced not only a £40m investment in new production facilities in Portadown but 1,800 new jobs, 1,000 of which will be here in Northern Ireland. This represents probably the largest single jobs announcement in a generation. We know a small corner of Derry and Tyrone dominate the world’s materials handling industry so it is no wonder that the Terex Corporation have that global division headquartered in Omagh under local leadership. Terex have expanded in to new production facilities including bringing new products for the recycling industry to the North West and a recent announcement of an extension to their plant in Ballymoney. Homegrown engineering firms like Edge Innovate and CDE Global have grasped the opportunity provided by deep expertise, industry connections and that Ulster entrepreneurialism which has been developed by working so closely together. Whilst our engineering and food success is well understood, there’s not just a growing reputation but a deeper economic impact in other sectors too such as food, packaging, transport, Life Sciences and indeed construction materials are who hugely successful yet under appreciated. Firms such as Brett Martin, Kilwaughter, Creagh, Macrete, Tobermore, Keystone and other are big and smaller players in not just our domestic but increasingly in GB and export markets who provide products to the wider construction industry products but also direct to consumers as we all trade our hands at home improvements during lockdown. Our firms demonstrate every day that they are capable or running towards and quickly tackling problems and grasping opportunities. Imagine the impact they would have in our cities, town and townlands if the right environment was created for them to be successful.

But most important, we need to celebrate, not just for a month but throughout the year, the people who make all the things we see every day but take for granted.