NEWS Ibec launches European Election Manifesto
EU competitiveness must be a top priority for the next European Parliament amidst accelerated global change.
Ibec said that the upcoming European Elections are occurring at a critical juncture for Ireland and Europe as the global economy undergoes accelerated change. Geo-political tensions, increases in protectionism, and intensifying global competition are creating an uncertain business environment across Europe. According to Ibec, to strengthen the EU and address the challenges facing business and society, competitiveness needs to be at the forefront. The Ibec “Electing for Business” manifesto notes that the strength of the European economy and its ability to deliver for people depends on businesses of all sizes. This will determine Europe;s capacity to grow, attract investment, and create job opportunities. The manifesto also highlights the impact
of competition and regulation, advancing the European single market, enabling the labour market, and addressing trade barriers and other key priorities. Pat Ivory, director of EU and International affairs,
said: “The elections for the 2024-2029 European Parliament are occurring in a critical period for Ireland and Europe.
“Against the backdrop of significant global
change, businesses are grappling with new legislation, unprecedented in complexity and scale, as it begins to enter into force across a range of policy areas, notably on environmental, digital, and social policy.
“The EU is central to our ability to meet these challenges and achieve future success, as businesses and as citizens. The European Parliament elections on June 7 are an opportunity to help shape that future and an opportunity to put strong Irish voices into one of Europe’s key institutions.”
Keystone Group celebrates 35 years of innovation
The Keystone Group, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading manufacturers of construction products, has opened its new headquarters in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. With an annual turnover of over £300 million, the Keystone Group
Irish manufacturing sector sees biggest orders slump in 16 months
New business orders in manufacturing slid to a 16-month low in April, compounding a sector-wide decline, according to AIB’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector. The decline in new business orders was linked to a sharp fall in export
sales. The PMI collates several industry measures into a single index. Anything
below 50 signals the sector is contracting. As a so-called leading indicator for the health of the economy it is closely monitored. AIB’s headline index for April fell to 47.6, down 49.6 in March and
below the neutral 50-point threshold for the fourth time in the past five months.
“The fall in April was the sharpest rate of decline since July 2023 and aligns with broader declines observed across other European PMI surveys last month,” said David McNamara, AIB’s chief economist. “This decline in the headline index reflects underlying weakness in
output, new orders, and hiring trends in the sector last month. A generally weaker demand environment was cited, including from clients in the construction sector.”
4 May 2024 Irish Manufacturing
has evolved from a solo steel lintel manufacturing operation started by former building control officer, Sean Coyle, in 1989, into a leading and innovative manufacturer of construction products. The Group’s newly expanded headquarters at Ballyreagh Industrial Estate in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, has been designed with staff wellbeing as a key focus. It also offers purpose-built space designed to encourage greater collaboration and innovation. The opening also marks another significant milestone for the Keystone Group with the recent appointment of its 2,000th member of staff. Mr Coyle said: “Thirty-five years on from its beginning, the Keystone Group now operates from 27 locations across the UK, Ireland, Poland, and the Netherlands. We have chosen to make this investment in our Cookstown headquarters, however, as a signal of our continuing commitment to the people of Mid-Ulster and to ensuring economic growth and prosperity for the region and Northern Ireland as a whole.”
www.irish-manufacturing.com
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