Business

Campaign launched help Northern Ireland supply chain face up to Brexit

Manufacturing NI's Mary Meehan with Dr Trevor Cadden from Ulster University. Photo: Darren Kidd/PressEye
Manufacturing NI's Mary Meehan with Dr Trevor Cadden from Ulster University. Photo: Darren Kidd/PressEye Manufacturing NI's Mary Meehan with Dr Trevor Cadden from Ulster University. Photo: Darren Kidd/PressEye

A MAJOR advertising and information campaign has been launched to prepare manufacturers in Northern Ireland for the UK's departure from the EU, whenever it comes.

Manufacturing NI, the largest membership organisation representing the sector, will partner with Ulster University in a high-profile information campaign which will signpost manufacturing businesses to a new website (www.mnisupplychain.com) and learning portal offering relevant information on Brexit.

The campaign has produced 10 sectoral guides and an innovative e-learning series ‘Get Supply Chain Ready for Brexit’.

It will have information on everything from workforce issues and importing and exporting goods, to UK and EU regulations and supply chain issues, while the sectoral guides reflect the layout of the north's manufacturing sector and include information for companies working across a number of key sectors.

Mary Meehan from Manufacturing NI said: “Leaving the EU, deal or no-deal, will have a massive impact on our local manufacturing industry. Firms need to be confident they are prepared for every eventuality which may crop up.

“This campaign with Ulster University will ensure manufacturers have all the information they need to mitigate against the impacts of Brexit and to help keep their businesses running as smoothly as possible.

“Manufacturing is the bedrock of the Northern Irish economy, directly and indirectly supporting over 214,000 jobs, accounting for almost two-thirds of all exports and making up one-third of the region's entire economy.

“Given our importance to the economy, we cannot allow ourselves to be unprepared for Brexit. This campaign and the sectoral guides provide support and guidance to manufacturing firms across Northern Ireland and will provide clarity in an otherwise uncertain landscape.”

Dr Trevor Cadden, senior lecturer in operations management at Ulster University, added: “Companies are hugely concerned about the current uncertainty and how difficult it will be to navigate a changing landscape. Many businesses in Northern Ireland lack the necessary skills and resources to prepare for Brexit, so we trust that this unique set of easy accessible online supply chain resources will help guide them in the right direction.”

Manufacturing firms in the north will also receive campaign packs via email which will contain sector-specific information to help them prepare.