On Thursday the 4th of July, Manufacturing Excellence VIII was held at the premises of Robert A. Merry & Company in Clonmel.

Recently Robert A. Merry completed a large extension to their premises at Cashel Road, Clonmel.

Don & Michael showed us the advanced Merrys Irish Cream operation and their extensive bottling facility. Great to see such a wonderful, efficient manufacturing set-up in Clonmel.

We were given a heads up on the production methods for Merrys Irish Cream and the huge bottling operations done for other distributors.

Thank you to Don, Karen & Micheal for the hospitality shown us.

Thank you to our sponsors Boston Scientific and County Tipperary Skillnet.

Following on from Brendan’s recent 24-hour golf marathon, Eolas Money made a presentation to the South Tipperary care centre of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland which is based here in Clonmel. The fundraising event raised €11,171 and this is in addition to the €1,000 already donated in April bringing the total contribution to €12,171. All proceeds raised by Eolas Money for the Alzheimer’s Society stays within the community here is South Tipperary.

BA in Early Childhood Education & Care Level 7

This two year part time flexible/ blended learning programme due to commence in September 2019 will be delivered by LIT and is designed to provide a progression route for those currently working in the Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC) sector who wish to further their education to degree level.

Please contact us if you wish to discuss your training needs.

Contact Sabrina:

​[email protected]​​/052 6191103

Contact Karen:

[email protected]/052 6191105

We are sad to have learned of the job losses at Amneal in Cashel. We very much hope to see Amneal return to growth soon.

Amneal are a very valued Member of our Chamber and we wish the Management and staff the best for the future.

Located rurally in Drangan, a small village in the south Tipperary countryside, Horan Automation and Consulting is an organisation that designs, programs and installs bespoke robots. These robots then carry out specific tasks as requested by each individual client. Automation is a growing industry and global spending on robotics is expected to reach approximately €59 billion by 2025 and Horan Automation is a market leader in Ireland, as well as beginning to make an impact on the European market.

 Emma Lacy, Commercial Director of Horan Automation highlights how health and safety issues drive automation in manufacturing; “The decision to automate for about 50% of our customers is derived from health and safety issues.  Either the product their operators are working with or the process of manufacturing is dangerous.  The customer would rather automate these areas of production and re-deploy operators to less dangerous, less repetitive work.”

These machines provided by this business in South Tipperary are now in operation all over Europe including many Irish companies. Horan Automation is now one of the leading manufacturers of high quality bespoke automated machinery.  Their systems are specified for the manufacturing industry and are used particularly in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Horan Automation are now exporting their machinery to Europe and beyond, building a name internationally for their innovative customised manufacturing solutions.  For more information on Horan Automation and consulting visit their site below.

Following the publication of the revised Brexit contingency action plan from the Irish Government on July 9th,  Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive urges businesses to comprehensively review this latest Brexit resource and to continue to prepare for a highly possible ‘no-deal’ outcome this October.  

“Today’s revised contingency action plan is being published as a result of the lack of action being taken, or likely to be taken in the next few weeks, in Westminster to remove the threat of a disruptive and damaging ‘no-deal’ scenario for the UK’s departure from the EU, as we move closer to the end of October deadline.  

The threat of a ‘no-deal’ scenario remains a dire prospect for which businesses in Ireland need to consciously prepare.  

Businesses must continue to examine and strengthen their existing models of operation against the possible impacts of a ‘no-deal’ scenario and make use of every opportunity and resource which is available.

This includes registering for an EORI number, reviewing supply chains and seeking specialised customs advice. While there continues to be a strong focus on our exporters, businesses involved in importing, or dependent on imports, must also consider their exposure to ‘no-deal’ threats and the additional tariffs, delays and administrative costs of the UK operating under WTO rules for trade.  

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot today (17 June 2019) welcomes the publication of the All Government Climate Action Plan and highlights the need for an all island perspective on how we transition to a low carbon economy.

'If we are to realise the collective goal of tackling climate disruption, investment from Government and collaboration with business must be at the heart of its delivery. As with any strategy, the implementation plan is key. This will be one of the most important programmes of activity undertaken by the State, involving an extraordinary number of distinct but interdependent projects.'

To see full article, click here.

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EU Single-Use Plastic Directive Approved by Council 

On the 21^st May, the European Council adopted the ambitious directive which introduces new restrictions on certain single-use plastic products.

This Directive is part of the EU’s plastic strategy and builds on existing waste legislation but further expands on stricter rules for products and packaging that belong to this cohort of specific plastics. This will see a ban top ten single-use plastic items that account for 70% of the marine litter’s items. These items will include straws, cotton buds, balloon sticks and disposable cutlery to name a few.

Member States under EU law will have 2 years to transpose this directive after the date of entry into force. Therefore, 2021 is set to be the year that sees a  ban on single-use plastic across the EU Member States.

As single-use plastics is apart of business everyday life, updates on how this directive will be provided as new information develops. 

To find more information about the directive, click here.

Skillnet Ireland - Statement of Strategy

Skillnet Ireland is the national agency responsible for the promotion and facilitation of workforce learning and this month has launched its formal Statement of Strategy 2020-2024 Consultation process last week and is seeking engagement from all stakeholders and interested parties. This new strategy will seek to articulate a vision for Ireland’s Workforce Development and set out strategic goals and targets for Skillnet Ireland.

Skillnet Ireland is inviting submissions in relation to its new Statement of Strategy 2020-2024. The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Tuesday, 6 August 2019.
Full details are available on the Skillnet Ireland website by clicking here.

Should you have submissions and feedback for the strategy, please send it to Emma Kerins, Head of Policy and Public Affairs via her email address: [email protected]