Friday, 13 February 2004
The Irish Engineering Enterprises Federation (ieef) held a regional engineering briefing in Stranrolar, Co Donegal on Thursday, 5 February 2004 in conjunction with IBEC North West. The briefing was aimed at the managers of engineering companies and addressed key competitiveness issues including:
· Human Resources
· Health and Safety / Insurance
· Engineering Sector Update - Business Environment and Trading Conditions
· World Class Manufacturing - Case Study by Swan Net-Gundry, Killybegs and Enterprise Ireland
Paul Kelly, ieef Director said that the engineering sector is a major employer in the North West with over 200 engineering companies. He said that the ieef had made a submission to the Enterprise Strategy Group established by An Tanaiste. In its submission it called for National Policy to address the strategic requirements of the engineering sector, which needed:
· Grants and/or tax credits for R&D;
· Support for investment in automation;
· Supports for training;
· Assistance with business management improvements e.g. processes, supply chain management, outsourcing, purchasing.
Padraig O’Grady, Regional Director, IBEC North West announced that IBEC and the ieef would be hosting a breakfast briefing on insurance issues for engineering companies in Harveys Point Hotel, Donegal Town on Wednesday, 7 April 2004.