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The Irish Exporters Association (IEA), in association with Rhenus Logistics Ireland, Ulster Bank, Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail and Fleet Transport held its final and fourth large seminar of eight regional events in the IEA’s 2018 Supply Chain Series. The event titled: “Securing the Interests of Irish Exporters in the Leinster Region” took place at Ulster Bank Headquarters, George’s Quay, Dublin and attracted over 70 exporters, manufacturers and service providers from all over the region. The series focuses on import and export challenges; offers solutions and practical support from logistics, trade finance experts and exporting companies; provides information around third country shipping and associated documentation as well as maximising opportunities with our air, road, sea and rail services.
Attendees received an update on the Brexit-related issues on the Agri-Food sector from Jane Dempsey, Assistant Principal, Brexit Unit at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; on immigration and employment rights from Aoife Newton, Director and Head of Corporate Immigration and Employment at KPMG; and were briefed on the opportunities and challenges of trading with a non-EU third country from a Revenue perspective by Helen Brennan, Higher Executive Officer with Revenue.
Other speakers included industry specialists from Bulgari, the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport in Ireland (CILT), Rhenus Logistics Ireland, Ulster Bank and the IEA who provided an insight into multimodal regional issues, currency trajectories and challenges facing competitiveness locally and internationally. A lively panel discussion led by Patrick Daly, IEA Supply Chain Series Chair & Managing Director of Alba Consulting Group addressed common supply chain challenges and solutions to doing business on and off the Island of Ireland relevant to the Leinster region. Breakout sessions on ‘Skills and Regulations – A focus on Brexit’ and ‘Multimodal Transport’ were well attended and provided attendees with further opportunities for engagement.
Commenting on the success of the series, Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association said: “The Leinster Region is the economic hub of Ireland with many manufacturing, engineering, business and ICT service companies located in Dublin and the wider Leinster Region. Home to Ireland’s premier export hubs, Dublin Port and Dublin Airport, the Region is the key facilitator of trade to and from the island of Ireland. Irish businesses need to be sufficiently prepared to adapt to the challenging and uncertain times in today’s international trading environment. The 2018 Supply Chain Series was able to give the business community across Ireland a platform to connect locally and discuss regional and national issues. The final event wrapped up the Supply Chain Series for 2018 and we are delighted to continue this successful Series in the New Year. All our events directly feed into our service offering to our members as well as feed into policy, training courses and consultancy.”
Ulster Bank’s Managing Director, Commercial Banking Division, Eddie Cullen added: “We’re delighted to support this event in Dublin as we know from talking to our customers that managing their supply chain is an important part of growing their business, especially for those that cross borders and time zones, as is the case for many export-focused businesses. Ulster Bank provides meaningful help for these businesses through helping them to manage their foreign exchange risk, supplier payment methods or support to fund business expansion to capitalise on market developments. Ulster Bank has a strong partnership with the Irish Exporters Association and the Supply Chain series is a great opportunity to meet further with businesses, to hear more about how we can help them fulfil their ambitions.”
Glenn Carr, General Manager Freight Rail/Road & Rosslare Europort/Iarnród Éireann stated: “The Irish Exporters Association Supply Chain programme offered the opportunity for us to showcase our Rail Freight, Navigator Road Agency and Rosslare Europort businesses. We are delighted to again have been a partner of Supply Chain Ireland in sponsoring the exciting and informative range of events and seminars organised for 2018.”
Declan Sinnott, Managing Director, Rhenus Logistics Ireland stated: “The Irish Exporters Association Supply Chain programme of events provides a real platform to share and exchange supply chain innovations and developments across a number of industries. Rhenus Logistics was proud to sponsor the Irish Exporters Association and its partners again this year.”
Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor/Director, Fleet Transport said: “After a successful past year of being involved as media partner with the Irish Exporters Association Supply Chain events, Fleet Publications, through its titles Fleet Transport & Handling Network continues to feature the happenings from these meetings around the country. These gatherings are important as they hear the voices from the grass roots of local industries and exporting companies. Advice offered across the table is invaluable, especially to start-up firms.”