Everyone agrees that Northern Ireland is the place to do business and the place to invest if your business is wanting to expand and grow in the UK and abroad. All the conditions are right for those that see the many benefits of unrivalled proximity to European markets, a strong and skilled manufacturing sector and a connection to the community of all the British SME and larger manufacturing sectors more broadly.
“The only way for Northern Ireland manufacturing is up. We have the people, the products and the ambition to fulfil the promise of becoming a world-class centre for innovation, investment and collaboration across other disciplines. That’s the unique quality of being a Northern Irish business – we tick every box right now and are ready for green, sustainable growth this year.”
Alan Lowry, Environmental Street Furniture (ESF)
Alan and his marketing team are keen to tell all their customers that the easiest way to know exactly what you’re buying and who you’re buying from is to be guided by the Made in Britain Northern Ireland Mark. Alan is an export champion for the GREAT campaign and spends quality time exhibiting his range of environmental outdoor furniture all over the globe.
Alongside Martin Mallon of Northern Ireland-based C-Tec, manufacturers of CT1 sealant and adhesive, and Made in Britain CEO John Pearce, Alan was a guest on the panel discussion last month (22 June 2023) billed as a 'fireside chat' at the recent TEC-located event Manufacturing and Supply Chain conference in Belfast and was featured in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Magazine. Their dialogue on the future of making in Northern Ireland covered topics vital to manufacturing across the UK: managing supply chain disruption, achieving sustainability goals, and making the most of Northern Ireland’s unique proximity to EU markets. The speakers were encouraged by the optimism and positivity surrounding the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland.
Investment in innovation and confidence in the future is confirmed with one click on the website of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC). Launched in October 2022, the flagship facility, a £98m state-of-the-art Factory of Future at Global Point in Newtownabbey will be an industry-driven game changer and a springboard for manufacturing innovation, to elevate Northern Ireland globally. The teams led by Interim CEO Professor Sam Turner are working to collaborate closely with manufacturing sectors to ensure that when it opens, it supports industry in exactly the way it needs to:
- create innovative and creative products;
- generate jobs;
- create economic growth.
Read more about the partnership to drive industrial transformation in Northern Ireland here.
"Working both with and for industry, AMIC will be providing opportunities to expand manufacturing research, drive innovation, and develop future-focussed skills when we go live later this year. Our flagship facility, a state-of-the-art Factory of Future in Newtownabbey, is an industry-driven game changer that will drive forward Northern Ireland's manufacturing capability for years to come. Crucially, it will also play a role in harnessing the vitality and optimism surrounding manufacturing in Northern Ireland, and help to elevate the region on the global stage. It is fantastic to see the Made in Britain: Northern Ireland mark in use in the region as well, as it enables our manufacturers to clearly demonstrate the provenance and quality of their goods." Sam Turner.
What really makes the difference in Northern Ireland? It ticks every box for a sustainable and profitable future for British manufacturing. All eyes are looking at the official Made in Britain Mark – and even more, are on Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector growth and prosperity.
By Made in Britain 1 year ago | By Made in Britain