Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2004
Annual Report and Accounts 2004
Enterprise Ireland continues to support client companies striving to increase their productivity. Productivity-enhancing initiatives can be focused on in-company activities or on sectors as a whole. An example of this is the review into the competitiveness of the Paper, Print and Packaging sector which was commissioned in 2004 by the Print and Packaging Forum. The recently launched Enterprise Ireland Technology Club also aims to enhance productivity by bringing client companies and Enterprise Ireland personnel together to gain insights into the latest technological developments impacting business.
Applied benchmarking for competitiveness: In today’s highly competitive global markets, it is essential for clients to rate themselves against their peers and international best practice in order to improve their position in world markets. Benchmarking facilitates this through research, networking and one-to-one consultancy. World class business techniques are then used to apply the feedback to prioritising areas for improvement and to track progress over time in such areas as new product development, management capabilities, research investment, sales and marketing and operational performance.
In 2004, 91 individual clients were benchmarked against their sectoral peer group in Europe. Clients also used benchmarking on a sectoral group basis to identify common areas of weakness and strength. Through its work with the EU Japan Centre for Industrial Co-operation, Enterprise Ireland organised a benchmarking workshop on World Class Manufacturing in Europe with over 250 participants from 19 countries. In addition, the Irish Benchmarking Forum was formed to facilitate co-operation in benchmarking on the island of Ireland.
Effective supply chain management: Enterprise Ireland has taken a lead role in promoting best practice in supply chain management and world class manufacturing – key drivers of productivity improvement and competitive advantage. This work has continued through 2004 and has supported over 130 clients in the food, medical devices, engineering and timber sectors. The success of both initiatives has resulted in plans to combine them into one offering, the Supply Chain Capability initiative.
Competitiveness through e-Business: Enterprise Ireland’s e-Business Unit managed the Open-up education campaign in follow-up to the e-Bit initiative in 2003. This highlighted the key aspects of best practice in managing IT and e-Business as a means to achieving competitiveness and profitability – www.openup.ie. Enterprise Ireland also played a key role in the development of the National e-Business Strategy. A pilot series of seminars entitled Growing Profit Through Best Practice Application of IT and e-Business was also launched.
Environmental productivity: Environmental issues, policies and legislation are crucially important factors in the productivity of client companies. It is essential that corporate growth strategies comply with national and EU environmental policy requirements and that clients grow their productivity levels within this framework. To this end, Enterprise Ireland enhanced its website (launched in 2003) dedicated to providing the latest information on environmental issues for clients – www.envirocentre.ie. Enterprise Ireland has also formed a cluster of clients in the environmental sector to support as a group and manage under its Environment Markets Unit. Assistance includes export market development, technology and human resources.
Competitiveness through design: In order to enhance the profile of Irish companies competing abroad, it is important to use best international practices with regard to branding. To this end, Enterprise Ireland assists client companies to prepare their brand marketing strategies and to gain a competitive edge through their use of design. A series of design clinics was organised in seven centres countrywide with 80 companies taking part.
Internationalisation: As a result of the competitive pressures of world markets, some Irish companies are investigating new ways to ensure their long-term survival. There are three main methods by which domestic companies can internationalise in order to create long-term growth and security: outsourcing, overseas direct investment, and an overseas merger/joint-venture/acquisition. Enterprise Ireland has been active in supporting client companies that are internationalising aspects of their business. Our aim is to ensure that the maximum level of value-added activities remains in Ireland and that long-term company growth is sustained.