Irish Exporters Association brings Supply Chain Series to the Mid-West: Revenue and Department of Agriculture brief exporters on customs, supply chains and Brexit

The event titled “Securing the Interests of Irish Exporters in the Mid-West”took place at the Strand Hotel Limerick and attracted over 60 exporters and manufacturing companies from all over the region. The initiative, in its second year, focuses on import and export challenges for manufacturers and service providers; 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 were briefed on the exposure of the Irish agri-food sector to the UK Market and implications of Brexit for supply chains by Jane Dempsey, Assistant Principal, Brexit Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Carol-Ann O’Keeffe, Assistant Principal Officer, Corporate Affairs & Customs Division, Revenue advised on the opportunities and challenges for the region from a Revenue perspective and preparedness for Brexit.

Other industry speakers included Limerick Chamber, Rhenus Logistics and Ulster Bank who provided expertise on regional issues, logistics and the economy and exporters UrbanVolt and Irema. A lively panel discussion led by Patrick Daly, IEA Supply Chain Series Chair & Managing Director of Alba Consulting Group took place on common supply chain challenges and solutions to doing business on and off the Island of Ireland relevant to the Mid-West region. Breakout sessions in the areas of ‘Skills and Regulatory Update – A focus on Brexit’ and ‘Multimodal’ were welcomed and attended.

Expert Advisory Panellists

• Jane Dempsey, Assistant Principal, Brexit Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• Carol-Ann O’Keeffe, Assistant Principal Officer, Corporate Affairs & Customs Division, Revenue
• Declan Sinnott, Managing Director, Rhenus Logistics Ireland
• Simon Barry, Chief Economist Republic of Ireland, Ulster Bank

Industry Speakers

• Brian O’Donnell, EU Projects, Limerick Chamber
• Kieron O’Neill, Commercial Manager, UrbanVolt
• Mark McGuire, Business Development Manager, Irema

 For full list of IEA Supply Chain Series events scheduled for 2018 see below.

Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association commented: “Maintaining Ireland’s position as a leading location to conduct supply chain and logistics activities is a key deliverable of this initiative. The Mid-West of the country is an extremely important export location. It has the distinct advantage of being nationally connected with rail and road networks and internationally connected with Shannon International Airport and Shannon Foynes Port. There is strong export community in the region with top class talent and expertise giving rise to rapid growth. The Supply Chain Series gives this community a platform to connect locally and discuss regional issues will which will feed into IEA policy, training courses, consultancy and member representation.”

Ulster Bank’s head of SME Banking South, Midlands and West, Pat Horgan said: “We’re delighted to support this event in Limerick as we know from talking to our customers here that managing their supply chain is an important part of growing their business, especially for those that cross borders and time zones. Ulster Bank provides meaningful help for these businesses through managing foreign exchange risk, supplier payment methods or advice on expanding 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 commented: “The Irish Exporters Association Supply Chain programme offers the opportunity for us to showcase our Rail Freight, Navigator Road Agency and Rosslare Europort businesses. We are delighted to be again 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 is 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 with the Irish Exporters Association Supply Chain events, Fleet Publications, through its titles Fleet Transport & Handling Network is looking forward to another busy series to be held around the country during 2018. Again, we will feature previews and reports on the topics presented, addressed and discussed in our magazine titles, websites and through its social media platforms. More details can be found on www.fleet.ie and www.handling-network.com.”