It’s Time to Press the Reset

IT’S TIME TO PRESS THE RESET BUTTON

The Belfast Innovation and Inclusive Growth Commission, chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, former chairman of the BBC, has recently published forward-looking, pragmatic proposals for NI and Belfast to press the reset button on how prosperity and growth is delivered.

The ‘Reset for Growth’ report stresses that urgent and radical action is needed to turn around Northern Ireland’s struggling economy and deliver better future opportunities for people living here. It sets out a wide range of propositions to amplify the city and region’s future success under four focused action areas: • More globally relevant – Belfast and the region needs to up its game in supporting trade and investment successes. The opportunity exists for the region to punch well above its weight, but it must seize it. • Immediate action on climate change and turning this into an economic opportunity – the report recommends starting with retrofitting homes across the region and decarbonising transport to reduce demand on fossil fuels, with a target for Belfast to be Carbon Neutral by 2050. The Commission also believes that Belfast needs to grow its GreenTech industries at pace. • Housing development – Housing development needs to sit at the core of the city’s renewal plans. The provision, quality and affordability of housing is a key ingredient to a city’s attractiveness as well as offering a significant economic benefit. • Stronger core city – Belfast and other economic hubs need investment to bounce back from COVID-19 and other underlying economic and social challenges if they are to drive the region’s recovery.

• A laser focus on building world-renowned business clusters – through large scale investment in research and innovation and developing capability and talent.

Members of the Belfast Innovation and Inclusive Growth Commission: Suzanne Wylie (Belfast City Council); Grainne Long (NI Housing Executive); Ann McGregor (NI Chamber) and Cllr Áine Groogan.

A copy of the Belfast Innovation and Inclusive Growth Commission report is available by emailing bccmedia@belfastcity.gov.uk

HYSTER-YALE GROUP CELEBRATES 40 YEARS IN CRAIGAVON WITH MULTI-MILLION EXPANSION

Hyster-Yale Group is celebrating 40 years of manufacturing lift trucks at its plant in Craigavon with a multi-million dollar site expansion.

The Craigavon facility, which opened in 1981, was built and equipped with the most up-to-date robot systems and equipment. Over the years the plant has grown, and now manufactures thousands of forklifts each year for export throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It employs hundreds of people from the local area and is recruiting dozens more as the site expands in preparation for future manufacturing demands and new product lines.

Jim Downey, Plant Manager for Hyster-Yale Group EMEA in Craigavon, commented: “The success of our plant at Craigavon is driven by our incredible people who have worked together to conquer challenges, embrace new opportunities, and maintain forward momentum. With our site expansion and talented team, we are excited to be laying the foundations for the next 40 years of success.”

The company has invested millions of dollars over the past two years developing the factory, which incorporates leading technologies and automated systems. The new 60,000 sq. ft. extension to the factory will be known as the Sands Building, in honour of Harry Sands, former Senior VP and Managing Director, EMEA, for Hyster-Yale Group, who retired in 2020 after 40 years with the company, most recently based in Craigavon.

It has been built with environmental specifications in mind, as the site aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30%, in addition to realising targets for reducing water consumption, waste, and landfill. The latest plant extension also incorporates an environmentally friendly Sustainable Urban Drainage System, and the plant continues its commitment to biodiversity.

Hyster-Yale Plant Manager Jim Downey and Invest NI Chief Executive Kevin Holland.