Written answers

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Company Closures

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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13. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the closure of a company (details supplied) and other long-standing printing companies, if he has any initiatives planned to protect and develop what is left of the printing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23813/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, I should point out that the company concerned is not a client of Enterprise Ireland.

I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the agency is working with client companies in the printing sector committed to diversifying their operations into new technologies such as digital print (to offer short runs, economical and quicker turnaround, personalisation) and fulfilment/packaging services for target markets. Such growth areas include the medtech, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, as well as electronic consumer and software customers.

Enterprise Ireland is actively engaged with in excess of 100 companies in the print and packaging sector, and has supported development in these companies through its Market Access, Job Expansion, R&D grants and Exploring Opportunities programmes.

The ongoing move from print to web for traditionally printed items has resulted in a significant decline in market print volume. Print companies that have successfully moved their business to focus on solutions, that include print, are growing both domestically and internationally. Print companies targeting sectors that developed niche or differentiated products are growing in turnover, export sales and employment. There is a need to innovate with respect to product, services and business within the print sector because of decline in large volume printing.

Enterprise Ireland continues to support clients, through the Lean Programme targeting improved efficiencies, enabling companies address margin issues in a very competitive market. There is also a need to adopt new products, services and business models to develop new revenue streams with the volume of general print declining. Print will continue to move towards a low cost service and differentiation of core customer offer will be essential to the development of a sustainable sub-sector.

Enterprise Ireland also:

- continues to work with companies seeking changes to their business models, market requirements and technology through its R&D programmes; and

- promotes Management Training to better position client companies to meet the challenges of the sector.

Enterprise Ireland promotes opportunities within the Public Procurement landscape. The most recent initiative was to invite consortia including print companies to develop solutions for the State Examinations Commission to move towards an on-line marking system while maintaining student experience. The aim is to improve capability and move towards higher value service offer which involves print services.

Enterprise Ireland is committed to engaging with their client base in the printing sector as a third party in discussions with the banking sector. This is done in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland’s Banking Relations Unit and the Sectoral team.

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