technology
LIT & GTMA host largest ever Manufacturing Supply Chain Roadshow
LIT & GTMA host largest ever Manufacturing Supply Chain Roadshow
LIT & GTMA host largest ever Manufacturing Supply Chain Roadshow, as work begins to protect €60 billion UK-Irish Bilateral Trade relationship post-Brexit.
- Record breaking numbers attend Manufacturing Solutions Ireland 2017 – the first ever manufacturing technologies and engineering solutions road-show to take place outside the UK.
- Described by exhibitors as an opportunity to build closer relations and profitable opportunities between both countries post-Brexit.
More than 500 hundred people attended Manufacturing Solutions Ireland 2017 at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) – the first ever manufacturing technologies and engineering solutions roadshow to be held outside the UK.
Tool technologies trade association the GTMA, opted to bring its showcase annual event to LIT, introducing more customers and suppliers to each other from across the UK and Ireland, while creating an opportunity to build closer relations and profitable opportunities between both countries post-Brexit.
GTMA Chief Executive Officer, Julia Moore, said this year’s show was the largest in the 75-year history of the GTMA, with a record number of 500 visitors and 80 manufacturing technology and engineering solution companies filling the exhibition halls to capacity.
“GTMA’s aim, as a professional trade association, is to assist businesses to grow by introducing more customers and suppliers to each other across the UK and Ireland,” said Ms Moore.
“I feel sure that many companies both sides of the Irish Sea are looking for more trading opportunities, and important events such as this held at LIT here today, will provide the conduit for these business relationships to form and grow and establish links to open up opportunities for Irish companies to attend similar events we run for Aerospace, Automotive and the Rail industries in the UK,” she added.
LIT President, Professor Vincent Cunnane, described Manufacturing Solutions Ireland as a unique joint UK-Ireland event at a time of political and manufacturing change.
“Collaborations like this between LIT & GTMA have become more important than ever – both to capitalise on opportunities as well as to meet challenges. LIT is, therefore, delighted to be part of an event that not only allows us to build strong partnerships but facilitates an exchange of ideas,” said Prof Cunnane.
“The ability to adapt to change is vital, and LIT will continue to play a leading role in ensuring that manufacturing in this region is at the cutting edge of contemporary thinking.”
Charles Coughlan, Chairman of PTMA the Irish Precision Turned Parts Manufactured Association, said Manufacturing Solutions 2017 gave its members the opportunity to view and source equipment, materials and services to maintain future competitiveness in a global market.
Meanwhile, Special Guest speakers at Manufacturing Solutions Ireland 2017 addressed the subjects of change and evolution in both manufacturing and trade, as they shared information and ideas on issues from Brexit to Manufacturing 4.0 to Advanced Metrology.
Among the concerns addressed was how best to protect the bilateral trade worth €60 billion and supporting 400,000 jobs in both countries.
Deirdre McPartlin, Senior Advisor in the Enterprise Ireland Brexit Unit provided information on the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit, as well as details of financial support available to help EI exporting clients develop an action plan.
“By completing the online questionnaire, the Brexit SME Scorecard will provide companies with an assessment of their preparedness under six key pillars – Business Strategy, Operations, Innovation, Sales and Marketing, Finance and People Management. The tool is a starting point for SME management teams looking to develop an action plan to help mitigate risks and leverage opportunities which may arise from Brexit,” she said.
Enterprise Ireland will also provide funding up to the value of €5,000 to exporting clients to support the development of a business action plan. Enterprise Ireland will then work with these companies on a one-to-one basis to support the implementation of the plan.
For more information on GTMA click HERE
For more information on LIT click HERE
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