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Local Council Sets Out Its Investment Targets
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Council On Course To Attract £1bn Investment And Create Over 2000 High-Quality Jobs
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Stephen Ross with Ronan Hamill Chief Executive Jans Group, and Edel Doherty Chief Commercial Officer Jans Group during a recent visit to the Antrim site.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is capitalising on its position as the number one planning authority in Northern Ireland to attract major investment and create jobs throughout the Borough.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the high-quality portfolio of advanced manufacturing projects being lined up at Global Point Business Park, Newtownabbey.
This exceptional site is fast becoming a highly desirable and sought after location for advanced manufacturing companies, both big and small.
In August, one of the biggest advanced manufacturing investments in Northern Ireland’s history was approved by the Council - a new £150m facility by Ardagh Metal Packaging.
Ardagh chose Global Point as the location for their Northern Ireland base and will build a state-of-the-art 42,585sq m facility, creating around 200 jobs.
Another major project set to make Global Point a centre of advanced manufacturing excellence is the planned ‘Factory of the Future’, which will be the main facility of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a Belfast Region City Deal project.
Led by Queen’s University with industry partners, AMIC will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, offering advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses access to the very latest technology, specialist equipment and expertise. Professor Paul Maropoulos, Director of AMIC, explained the importance of AMIC to the future of Advanced Manufacturing in Northern Ireland. “AMIC and the new £98 million Factory of the Future facility at Global Point will have the capacity and scale to define and deliver high quality, industry-focused research and development projects that can meet the demands of our Advanced Manufacturing sectors for business growth in a sustainable and zero carbon economy, and will be central to driving innovation across industry, within Northern Ireland and the UK.
“Working in close partnership with
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industry we will develop a range of core capabilities, delivered by a team of professional engineers and experts with access to advanced digital technologies and specialist equipment and we will be paying special attention to skills development. AMIC will be underpinned by experts from Universities and will develop links with the UK Catapults and other international centres of excellence.
“Our ambition is for AMIC to become a beacon of manufacturing excellence with national and global visibility, advancing manufacturing technology, skills and supply chain capability, and attracting inward investment and talent to Northern Ireland and the UK.
“Personally, I am delighted with the strategic relationship we have developed with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and the strong support we received from the wider stakeholders in Northern Ireland. Everyone in the AMIC team is excited to be working closely with industry partners and stakeholders to deliver this groundbreaking centre that will have a lasting, positive economic and growth impact on the City Deal’s six Council areas and Northern Ireland as a whole.”
As plans for this ambitious project continue to take shape, the Council has been looking towards the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) for inspiration and insight.
Located on the site of a former coalfield in South Yorkshire, the AMRC is now a thriving centre of innovation that is home to industry heavyweights such as Boeing, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.
The facility has been truly transformative for the surrounding area, drawing in a wave of investment and job creation. The Council hopes to emulate that success with the AMIC project.
Other standout investments at Global Point Business Park include:
• Sensata’s new £16.5m research and development centre • A £4m investment by Steel Mac
Distribution Ltd, who plan to move from their current site at
Titanic Quarter in Belfast
These strategic investments will sit alongside the existing multi-million pound, world-class manufacturing facility developed by RLC Engineering, which has been based at Global Point for several years.
Such headline grabbing investments are just one link in the chain of the Council’s strategy to cement the Borough’s reputation as Northern Ireland’s economic powerhouse.
The Council has been involved in a host of other major investments across the length and breadth of the Borough. The following projects represent an overall investment of more than £33m and will see the creation of around 320 new jobs:
• Mining equipment firm Tribe Tech setting up a new state of the art manufacturing facility in Mallusk; • Leading fitness equipment manufacturer BLKBOX relocating from
Belfast to a new facility at Monkstown; • Continued expansion of Jan
Composites site in Antrim and plans to significantly grow its existing workforce; • Dobbie’s Garden Centre flagship store at The Junction retail park, Antrim; • The hospitality industry has also reaped the benefits of strategic investments, with continued redevelopment and expansion of the Kingfisher Country Estate (previously Hilton Hotel) and the
Rabbit Hotel, both in Templepatrick.
A key driver in attracting major investment into the Borough is the reputation of the Council’s efficient planning process for major applications - we are the only local authority in Northern Ireland to meet the major planning application target of 30 weeks, progressing applications through the system at an average of just 25.1 weeks.
Ardagh Metal Packaging - Aerial View
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Stephen Ross said: “The ever-growing raft of major investments throughout the Borough demonstrates the confidence investors have in the area.
“Our reputation as an economic stronghold is well-earned. The Council’s complete package of support, coupled with our best in class planning performance, means we are well on track to attract over £1bn of investment and create 2000 jobs by 2025.”
Alderman Mark Cosgrove, Chair of the Council’s ‘Our Prosperity Outcome Delivery Group’ added: “As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic it is more vital than ever for the Council to use the full force of its economic development and planning powers to support entrepreneurs, businesses and investors to create jobs and support economic growth.
“Creating jobs is a central focus for the Council and that can be seen in our plan to transform Global Point into a world-class hub of advanced manufacturing, with AMIC at its heart.
“The benefits that AMIC can bring to the Borough and Northern Ireland as a whole are clear to see - just look at the scale of what has been achieved at the AMRC in Sheffield. What was a barren, brownfield site just 20 years ago is now teeming with advanced manufacturing giants and is home to a first-class apprenticeship programme for the budding engineers of tomorrow. That is the vision this Council has for Global Point.”
The growing success of the advanced manufacturing sector stretches right across the Borough with significant expansion planned by the Jans Group based in Antrim. This business has experienced rapid growth over the last two years and continues to go from strength to strength, with ambitious plans for growth and job creation. Ronan Hamill, Chief Executive of Jans Group, speaks about why he chose to invest in the Antrim and Newtownabbey area. “Coming from the local area ourselves, we really wanted to give back to the community.
“The infrastructure benefits of this particular location, with Belfast International Airport, the local transportation routes and the proximity to the motorway - which gives us access to all the regional ports - means that this is a hugely accessible area and a great area to do business in.
“We also recognise the strong local talent that helps us drive our business forward.
“Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council have been very supportive of our growth plans as we continue to develop the site here at Caulside Drive in Antrim. We have been given assurances that the Council will continue to support that growth in whatever way is possible.
“The Council’s plans to support an advanced manufacturing hub in the Borough is a very strong idea. This will allow us to develop our existing product range and develop those higher level products, which will ultimately help support the supply chain.
“The Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey is an excellent location to invest in, with infrastructure, seriously good talent and strong university and school support. It is a great place to do business and the Council will support you in whatever way they can.”
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Libraries NI and Fujitsu Announce New Partnership
Moira Barratt, Fujitsu Delivery Executive, Jim O’Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI and David Clements, Client Director Fujitsu NI are pictured signing a new contract worth £27million over a seven-year period to deliver modern and innovative IT services to Libraries NI.
Leading digital transformation company Fujitsu has secured an initial seven-year strategic partnership with Libraries NI to deliver the next phase of innovative IT services to the organisation and its network of 98 libraries across Northern Ireland.
The partnership is key to the success of Libraries NI’s mission critical e3 programme to ensure Libraries NI has the necessary ICT infrastructure and services to support the delivery of a diverse range of library services to stakeholders, including corporate and public users. As well as managed IT services, Fujitsu will bring extensive technological and industry knowledge to align with the Authority’s in-depth understanding of their business.
The new agreement builds on Fujitsu and Libraries NI long standing relationship which saw the organisations successfully replace and manage the entire ICT infrastructure in every public library across Northern Ireland. This included introducing selfservice and printing solutions, delivering business intelligence systems to inform decision making and creating an effective platform for modern ‘virtual library’ services.
Fujitsu will also deliver digital skills volunteer support sessions and career development workshops to local community groups as part of the contract. This forms part of Fujitsu’s commitment to promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion as a responsible business.
Welcoming the new strategic partnership, Fujitsu’s Delivery Executive, Moira Barratt, said:
“Libraries are important social, educational and wellbeing spaces in our community, helping people connect with information, connect with others, learn, and relax. We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Libraries NI and will help to strengthen their impact even further.
“The demands on library services have grown considerably as libraries adapt to support the communities they serve, and with that comes the need for new approaches and solutions. We are proud to help deliver these solutions through a close working collaborative relationship which will help the Authority innovate its business, further develop its digital credentials and ultimately ensure the robustness of the underlying technological platforms vital for the services that Libraries NI provide.”
Jim O’Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI said:
“Libraries are a valued and trusted resource at the heart of communities, and we’re pleased to award this new contract to Fujitsu which as well as enhancing IT infrastructure, our partnership with Fujitsu will deliver a range of social inclusion initiatives including digital skills and career development workshops. We will continue to advance our technology platforms which help us remain at the cutting edge of library services, providing opportunities for people to learn and to connect.”
The contact is initially worth £27million over a seven-year period, with the option to extend for a further three periods of up to 12 months each.
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ARTHUR COX ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF LEADING TRAINEE PROGRAMME
Leading law firm Arthur Cox is currently seeking applications for its expanded trainee programme offering.
Successful applicants will work with numerous high-profile, ‘blue-chip’ clients across Arthur Cox’s four main practice areas, Corporate, Finance, Litigation and Property.
Arthur Cox trainees learn directly from some of Northern Ireland’s most prominent and successful legal professionals, equipping them with the skills necessary to excel within the corporate law sector.
Catriona Gibson, Managing Partner, Arthur Cox commented:
“As one of Northern Ireland’s best-known and respected law firms, we seek out dynamic, adaptable and forward-thinking trainees that will make a real and positive contribution to life at Arthur Cox and our continued success.
“Our trainee programme aims to provide unrivalled insight into a career in corporate law and focuses on developing both professional competency and personal skillset.
“Arthur Cox is a global firm, but we are firmly committed to developing local talent. We continually invest in our trainees throughout their time with us, dedicating significant time and resources to provide them with a solid foundation for a career in the legal sector.
“Our decision to expand our trainee intake forms part of Arthur Cox’s long-term strategy for growth. We look forward to welcoming many new trainees to our Belfast office and helping them to realise their true potential.”
Arthur Cox advises leading corporate clients, government and the SME sector. In addition to Belfast, the firm has offices in Dublin, London, New York, and San Francisco.
Richard Armstrong, Partner, Arthur Cox added:
“Having started my career as an Arthur Cox trainee I have witnessed first-hand just how dedicated the firm is to supporting trainees in their ongoing career development.
“Throughout my career I have worked across a wide range of clients and cases, gaining the breadth of experience necessary to progress to Partner level.
“Working at Arthur Cox has driven my professional and personal development forward and I would recommend the firm’s programme to anyone seeking to kickstart their legal career.”
