FEATURE ARTICLE
New #PrepareforBrexit campaign




  • Enterprise Ireland launches Brexit SME Scorecard to help companies self-assess their readiness for Brexit as part of a new #PrepareforBrexit campaign
  • "Irish companies must prepare for a hard Brexit - SME Scorecard is a first step to putting a Brexit Business Plan in place" - Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland
  • Campaign launched with Enterprise Ireland client Kayfoam on RTE Six One News
  • Scorecard report will help Irish SMEs #prepareforBrexit providing an overview of potential risk areas and generating suggested actions, information and resources
  • Enterprise Ireland clients can apply for up to €5k in funding to develop a business action plan.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Seeing the wood for the trees is vital for timber exporters
Sunday Independent
 
The timber sector has new challenges in the face of competition from Scottish mills and, with Brexit, possible tariffs and longer wait times at entry points into the UK. Given the forest industry's ability to handle past difficulties, there is no doubt it can overcome these ones.
Chanelle Group's Michael Burke on Brexit #GlobalAmbition

Irish companies need to spread their wings and look further afield than the UK, according to Michael Burke, Chanelle Group's Managing Director



Irish company Chanelle share their thoughts on Brexit


Driving R&D in Irish firms with Enterprise Ireland
Irish Times
 
Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Gateway Programme has enabled more than 900 Irish companies to complete 1,800 research and development projects over the past four years.
Funding of €44m to be made available for start-ups
Irish Times
 
Up to €44 million in funding is to be made available for start-up and early-stage companies. The investment is to leverage private sector funding to create a pool of capital to support the growth ambitions of high-potential companies.
Agri Careers Fair 2017
Morning Ireland, RTE Radio 1
 
What are investors looking for in AgTech start-up companies? Enterprise Ireland's Dr Tom Kelly was one of the AgTech Village speakers at last week's Agri Careers Fair 2017 in Dublin's RDS.
Irish firm Kastus wins award for solution that kills superbugs
Irish Times
 
Fatal superbugs that have contributed to the deaths of patients and to outbreaks in Irish hospitals face a new enemy in the form of an award-winning antimicrobial solution.
Arralis gets €50m from Hong Kong-based consortium
Irish Times
 
Irish tech firm Arralis, has secured a €50 million investment from a consortium of Hong Kong-based investors that will allow the company to expand its operations and add up to 25 new jobs.
Black Twist’s coffee and whiskey blend targets millennials
Irish Times
 
Black Twist has been created by Conor Coughlan who has brought his background in chemistry and food science to bear on his love of artisan coffee and an interest in brewing techniques.
Buymie gets your groceries to you when you need them
Irish Times
 

Consumers spend on average 5½ days a year grocery shopping. This is over two hours a week and ultimately means you’ll spend roughly one full year of your life in a grocery store. Buymie gives customers this time back.
Enda Kenny to meet Angela Merkel on Brexit
Irish Times
 
Taoiseach Enda Kenny will meet German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin next Thursday to discuss the European Union’s Brexit strategy and Ireland’s concerns over the impact on trade, the peace process and the Border.
Leaders’ Insights: Alison Campbell, Knowledge Transfer Ireland
Silicon Republic
 
Alison Campbell came to Dublin in 2013 to establish Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI), a joint venture between Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Universities Association.
Version 1 raises €90m to boost expansion
Irish Independent
 
IT services company Version 1 has raised €90m in fresh capital to drive expansion in the UK and Europe. The money comes from Volpi Capital, a UK-based private-equity.
Super job of online retail supply
Irish Examiner
 
While online retailers across the globe have been working on ways of making online shopping easier for consumers, Dublin start-up SuperDisty has been working on software which makes it easier for manufacturers and distributors to supply those online retailers.
Irish start-up raises €1m for overseas expansion
Business World
 
AmbiSense, a DCU spin-out focused on developing next generation sensor technologies for the environmental monitoring sector, has secured investment of €1m to scale-up its business and to expand into additional overseas markets.
Immigrant Investor (IIP) & Start Up Entrepreneur (STEP) Programmes
 
A number of applications received by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) from potential investors suggest that they may be confusing the IIP and STEP Programmes. INIS has recently published a clarification on the differing criteria for each programme.
Spectac International creates major brewery project
 
The Dundalk Bay Brewery Company will focus on contract brewing for Ireland and the UK and is looking at expanding into mainland Europe and US markets.

A new brewing company will soon begin production in Dundalk. Speaking to the Irish Times recently, founder Faye Healy said that the Dundalk Bay Brewery Company will be “focusing on contract brewing on behalf of others that do not have the capacity to brew themselves, of which there are many in Ireland and the UK”.

The company's export strategy will “focus on Ireland, with the UK as our primary export target during year one. From then on, we’ll be looking to expand into mainland Europe and the US, where we’re already seeing interest”.

Faye Healy is also a Director of Enterprise Ireland client Spectac International which manufactured, installed and commissioned the brewery for Dundalk Bay Brewery Company last year. She sees a positive future for the brewing industry in Ireland and the UK: “I think people are increasingly looking for something that is both authentic and different and I don’t see that changing anytime soon”.

The Dundalk Bay Brewing Company will operate alongside Spectac International’s stainless steel manufacturing business at Finnbair Business Park and will employ approximately 40 staff at their HQ in Dundalk.

Spectac International is the only manufacturer in Ireland to design, manufacture, install and commission breweries and distilleries in Ireland. Recent projects include the Alltech Distillery in St. James Street and Teelings Whiskey Distillery in Newmarket Square, Dublin.

The company also manufactured a 25HL Brewery in 2015 for the McGargles beer brand, Rye River Brewing company, making it the first commercial brewery in over 100 years in Kilcock, Co. Kildare.

Spectac was established by Tony Healy in 1986 and started with just one employee. Since then the business has grown from a small workshop to an impressive 44,000 sq ft. facility in Dundalk. The business has grown considerably in terms of workforce also and employs design engineers, manufacturing/mechanical engineers and electrical engineers at their offices. Spectac International’s markets are all over Ireland and the UK with plans to expand into Europe and the US.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 5 2017: Fuelling Ambition Roadshow, Wicklow
April 6 2017: Fuelling Ambition Roadshow, Kilkenny
April 7 2017: First Friday for Startups, Dublin
31 May 2017: Enterprise Excellence Ireland, Dublin
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