Inside Wexford Business - Issue 1 June 2021

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Brexit, Freight, and Wind energy driving progress at Rosslare Europort Incredible Boost for Businesses from Shop Local Vouchers Financial Planning Through the Pandemic

ISSUE 1 JUNE 2021

At Zurich, our insurance protects your world.

From your home and car to your farm or business.

Find out more about our great value insurance.

Car Home Farm Business

Visit zurich.ie, call 053 915 7775 or contact your broker.

And our protection goes beyond insurance

Zurich Insurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

CONTENTS PAGE 2 Chamber’s Role Vital As Economy Recovers

PAGE 15 A Taste Of Success With Wexford Home Preserves

PAGE 2 Our Corporate Partners 2021

PAGE 16 Exit Strategies For Irish Entrepreneurs

And Business Owners

PAGE 3 Business Profile - Wexford Bus Network Expansion PAGE 4 Financial Planning Through The Pandemic PAGE 5 Chamber Events & News PAGE 8 Business Update -Restructuring Viable Businesses

As Impact Of Pandemic Bites PAGE 10 Glenn Carr General Manager

Rail Freight & Rosslare Europort PAGE 12 Leader Grant Opportunities For The Wexford

Business Sector In 2021/2022 PAGE 13 Chamber Services - Incredible Boost For

Businesses From Shop Local Vouchers PAGE 13 Chamber Services - International Trade Service

PAGE 18 Social Responsibility -County Wexford Chamber Supports

Sustainable Development Goals PAGE 19 The Concept Of A Trusted Advisor Has Never Been More Relevant.

PAGE 20 Climate Action How To Reduce Costs And

Carbon Footprint In Your Business PAGE 21 Waterford And Wexford Educational Training Board PAGE 22 39 Years With Kent Stainless PAGE 23 Living With Covid PAGE 24 Member Testimonials PAGE 24 Maximize Your Membership

Welcome to this issue of Inside Wexford Business– a very exciting development in our toolkit of supports for businesses across the county.

PROGRESSIVE WAYS TO BEST SERVE OUR MEMBERS The board members of County Wexford Chamber are selected and nominated from each district. They are selected on the merits of their long and diverse business experience to enable the board to develop a progressive strategy and programme to best serve our members.

An important part of this process is to continually engage and survey members and non-members to ascertain subject matter to include in our offering to our members.

Our members are the County Wexford Chamber, and it is our desire to build an organisation to best serve and represent all of our members. This publication aims to enhance the flow of information to you, our members. To assist us in achieving this, I would ask that you engage with us and pass on your feedback and ideas to us - it is important that we are well informed by our members. As we emerge from the COVID pandemic, we will hopefully have more interaction with our members which we are looking forward to.

Work together and we will work better for our County and our people.

Finally, I want to compliment the editor of this magazine, Deputy CEO Emma Dunphy, co-editor Eimear Crosby and our dedicated staff for their commitment to informing and serving our members.

This magazine would not be possible without the support of our loyal members, sponsors, and advertisers - a sincere thank you for your support.

Willie Fitzharris President, County Wexford Chamber

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 1

The concept of County Wexford Chamber was developed and progressed by various members of District Chambers, with the help of Wexford County Council. Those members, through their many years of experience with District Chambers, had the foresight to identify the need for a larger more powerful organisation to represent businesses. And, they had the commitment to make this a reality. While setting up the County Wexford Chamber, it was a priority that no district or members supports, or representation would be diminished in any way. We are happy this will be achieved alongside the benefits of being represented and supported by a much bigger and more powerful organisation.

CHAMBER’S ROLE VITAL AS ECONOMY RECOVERS We are finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now that are economy is reopening - and the enthusiasm from Businesses and their employees has been phenomenal. It is a welcome and positive turning point for the sacrifices that were made by everyone over the past year.

As the vaccination programme continues to be rolled out, we also look forward to our economy coming back to life and planning for the future. While there is still a long road to recovery, I am certain it will bring many opportunities as well as challenges.

The ongoing uncertainty for businesses in relation to Covid-19, the need for future supports for many businesses and the implications of Brexit continue to be a focus for us here at County Wexford Chamber.

LOBBYING, ENGAGING, UPSKILLING While we have adapted to the virtual world over the past number of months, we have continued to communicate and lobby for what matters the most. Our voice is heard, and our lobbying is effective. We also continue our engagement at government level, with a recently successful event with Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English, TD, - to give guidance to local Businesses for the months ahead.

The Chamber has a vital role to play in helping employers upskill and train employees in a range of different sectors, as necessary skills are now evolving as is the business environment. Our Skillnet team are on hand to help cater to your Business needs.

INPUT FROM MEMBERS Our role in representing you and your sector continues to be at the fore of our activities and your input informs our agenda. By working together as a business community, we can achieve so much more. Keeping your finger on the pulse has never been so important. We encourage Businesses to continue to engage with the Chamber and stay connected through our many events and to share the variety of webinars, networking meetings, and training opportunities with your colleague.

There has never been a more important time to be a member of County Wexford Chamber as, together, we make County Wexford the best place for existing and new Businesses.

Stay Safe,

Emma Dunphy Deputy CEO, County Wexford Chamber

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 2

OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS 2021

BUSINESS PROFILE - WEXFORD BUS NETWORK EXPANSION The Wexford Bus network is expanding so visitors can access more of Wexford’s top attractions.

Wexford Bus have been connecting the people of Wexford to towns and villages across the county since 1996 and have been bringing visitors from Dublin, Waterford and Carlow to Wexford since 2007.

As the country gears up for a summer of staycations and visitor attractions re-open, Wexford Bus is keen to play its part in connecting visitors with many of the wonderful attractions throughout Wexford.

The company is launching a new route called ‘The Hook Hopper’ that will operate between Wexford Town and Hook Head to enable visits between Wexford and Hook Head Lighthouse, Tintern Abbey, Duncannon Fort and Fethard on Sea. This new service will complement the Wexford Bus network, which already provides services to many of the beautiful sites in the county including The Irish National Heritage Park, Enniscorthy Castle, The National 1798 Centre, The Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, Johnstown Castle, Kilmore Quay and Rosslare Strand to name a few.

“We are very excited about starting the new service to Hook Head and shining a light on all places that can be visited when travelling with Wexford Bus. Not everyone has a car and visitors, and locals are looking for sustainable transport options to get around the county. This summer, we will be highlighting how to access Wexford’s visitor attractions with Wexford Bus through a focused promotional campaign” explains Brendan Crowley, Wexford Bus. “As a public transport provider, we have a key role to play in the regions sustainability journey. We are looking forward to continuing to expand our service offering so we can welcome more passengers on board this sustainability journey with us.”

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 3

For full details on Wexford Bus’s Hook Hopper service and all its routes and services see www.wexfordbus.com

Financial Planning Through the Pandemic It’s never too early to plan for your retirement or to ensure you are maximising your pension When snails start crawling up walls, they do so because they know a storm is coming.

Anyone who has tried to run a business through the last 12 months certainly knows what it is like to try to survive a storm. Day- to- day budgeting made trigonometry look easy when suffering the loss of reliable income streams, coupled with the significant costs of the rules imposed.

The frequent changes in plans as to when doors could reopen, plans for winter stock lost, and the uncertainty whether summer stock would be needed has left shortterm financial planning in disarray. While there has been some support for business owners and significant propping up of the economy by the Government, all astute businesspeople know that this will all have to be paid for. There is a feeling that, unfortunately, the tail of the storm has still to come.

Financial planning for retirement remains as important now as it was before the pandemic. It is important to not only ensure you are making enough provision for your retirement plan but also to ensure that you are maximising the income tax benefit of proper pension planning. However, a fresh coat of paint is also needed now that the doors have reopened. Can business owners afford both?

MAXIMISE INCOME TAX SAVINGS

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 4

Business owners sacrifice their quality of life and lose countless unrecorded hours, even in good times, to ensure their enterprises run smoothly. There is a sense now that they will have to sacrifice even more. Before the ink dried on the news of our reopening for business, there was talk of possible tax hikes in the future. All the taxes that business owners are used to paying have been mentioned, including income tax, USC, PRSI, property tax, VAT, capital taxes, and more. One hopes that the national fiscal policy exemptions and protections previously afforded to our hard- earned and well-deserved pension funds will be maintained. Good financial planning will ensure that you are maximising the scope of the income tax savings that are available to you. After all, when explained in simple terms, pensions are tax- efficient savings schemes.

Another significant concern is whether the value of our money will hold? Many economies worldwide have an uphill struggle ahead to recover from the pandemic. Even aside from the pandemic, we have yet to count the real cost of Brexit. We constantly hear of the increasing costs of business, worldwide inflation, and corrections coming.

Banks charging negative interest rates is also a new norm.

All such factors have been known to affect not only the buying power of the money we earned in the past but also the real value of investment and pension funds.

This time last year, investments including pensions

experienced a sharp significant drop in value. Thankfully, most have recovered to pre-pandemic values for now.

Now, the perpetually recurring question is: Is there anywhere you can place hard- earned money, including pension savings, to improve the chances of beating the looming uncertainty?

NEW CONSIDERATIONS It appears that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are new elements associated with investments. Investors appear to be placing greater emphasis on companies taking account of these ESG considerations. EU fiscal policies also appear to be pushing national governments down the same direction.

This may translate into easier tax treatment for companies and investment funds that stick to these principles. Word on the street is that funds that place greater emphasis on companies including ESG considerations are showing more positive returns.

If business owners maximise tax exemptions available to them and keep the value of their investments growing in the tail of the storm created by the pandemic, they can protect their financial worth. Financial advisors can provide direction to business owners.

To survive a storm, many snails have to abandon their houses to crawl up a wall. Financial advisors generally cannot help snails find new homes when the storm is over, but mortgages are for another day!

Nick Redmond QFA O’Leary Financial Management Limited

COMMUNITY LOANS (053) 912 3909 www.wexfordcreditunion.ie

info@wexfordcreditunion.ie

Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Wexford Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 5

Designed to help not-for-profit groups & charities access capital and turn their vision into reality.

CHAMBER EVENTS & NEWS From tourism to broadband, retail to electricity, our informative briefings brought the latest news to our members Briefing with Minister Damien English & Duncan Graham

Damien English

In May, we held a successful briefing with Damien English, TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, and Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence Ireland.

The Minister discussed the important supports and grants available and raised an interesting point that they have been adapted to be more inclusive.

The current recruitment issue that retailers are facing as many people have taken on roles in other industries or gone back to education during the pandemic, was discussed by Duncan Graham. This is an area that Retail Excellence Ireland and the Government will be working closely on as reopening continues.

We would like to thank everyone who attended the briefing – if you missed the briefing, a recording is available on our County Wexford Chamber YouTube channel.

Duncan Graham

Fáilte Ireland roadmap and development of Wexford as tourist destination During an April Breakfast Briefing, Paul Kelly, Fáilte Ireland CEO, and Mary Houlihan, Manager of Ireland’s Ancient East, outlined the new context for tourism up to 2023. Paul Kelly outlined the eight strategic pillars which will aid businesses in determining their tourism strategies: survive to thrive, accelerate domestic tourism, opening the outdoors, digital that delivers, prepare the pipeline, reducing carbon footprint, stay safe and delivering excellence.

Mary Houlihan discussed the schemes, development plans, and Failte Ireland’s commitment to support the development of County Wexford as a tourist destination.

You will find a recording of the briefing on County Wexford Chamber’s YouTube Channel.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 6

Mary Houlihan

Mural welcomed by Gorey locals and visitors A beautiful mural to brighten up Gorey town has been created for the Gorey theatre. This work was carried out by a local artist James Kirwan and is set to be a great attraction in Gorey for locals and visitors alike. The Town and Village Accelerated Measures 2020 Scheme helped to provide funding to create the mural.

Paul Kelly

CHAMBER EVENTS & NEWS Chamber welcomes the Trinity Wharf project County Wexford Chamber also welcomed the brilliant announcement that Wexford town has secured funding of €20.51 million, under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). This has demonstrated a vote of confidence in Wexford by the Government.

The Trinity Wharf project will provide much-needed economic stimulus and job creation as our economy emerges from the depths of the pandemic. It will be a much-needed catalyst for regeneration, development, and growth. The development has the potential to bring significant economic and social benefits as it could position Wexford as a superior location to work, live, and visit.

Trinity Wharf is part of a €74 million funding allocation allocated to five regeneration projects in the South-East investment region of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Wexford. This announcement was made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD., Trinity Wharf is a brownfield site, centrally located in Wexford Town with a high amenity waterfront vista. The site is identified as a ‘Key Opportunity’ site in the ‘Wexford Town & Environs Development Plan 2009 – 2015’.

Conference with National Broadband Ireland In a survey about broadband, over half the respondents – businesses and people – said they did not have access to a good quality broadband service. In response to this shocking result, we held a briefing with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to hear about its broadband strategy for Ireland and the upcoming plans for the Government to invest €88million developing a national broadband plan in County Wexford. The results of our survey will be used as we campaign for improved broadband services across County Wexford. If you would like a copy of the NBI presentation, please email eimear@ countywexfordchamber.ie. And you can sign up to NBI to receive updates about developments in your area.

Wexford Working Its Way to A University Town County Wexford Chamber welcomes Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris’s commitment to delivering a Wexford campus as part of the new Technological University of the South East.

New Ross racing ahead The Albatros site in New Ross is set for a welcomed revamp with a new motor track being created. County Wexford Chamber welcomes the boost that the new racetrack will bring to New Ross in which will attract race enthusiasts to the county.

It is fantastic to see the Albatros site being put to good use. The Wexford Motor Club have worked hard to develop a racetrack, with the first event planned for June.

County Wexford Chamber joins EirGrid in shaping our electricity future We were delighted to hold a briefing with EirGrid and be part of their largest-ever nationwide consultation and engagement programme. Liam Ryan outlined the four potential strategies that they may undertake to shape our electric future: Generation-Led, Developer-Led, Technology-Led and Demand-Led. We would encourage everyone to get involved and submit your views on the projects proposed on EirGrid’s website.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 7

A Wexford campus of university status will bring people back to the local economy, communities, and businesses in County Wexford. The new Technological University will also provide further support to industries, greater innovation, and a larger variety of skills to businesses within County Wexford. This will build upon what has already been delivered to the region by Waterford IT and IT Carlow.

BUSINESS UPDATE Restructuring Viable Businesses as Impact of Pandemic Bites Examinership and a new scheme – the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process – are options for businesses that have hit troubled waters “The issue of company rescue has become ever more urgent as companies struggle with the continued impact of Covid-19” - Robert Troy, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Company Regulation and Digital.

Since, the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, most businesses have prioritised survival. In general, 2018 and 2019 were good years for Irish businesses. Before the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in early 2020, businesses had healthy balance sheets, robust trading figures, and growth aspirations for the year ahead.

Suddenly, the world was thrown into the midst of a pandemic, forcing businesses to shelve growth strategies and prioritise survival. Whilst the Government supports (particularly the Temporary/Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme [T/EWSS] and the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme [CRSS]) provided essential assistance to struggling companies, certain industries have had their doors closed for over 14 months and have continued to accrue a portion of their fixed overheads. Many of these struggling businesses will now have an unsustainable level of debt and need to formulate a coherent strategy to navigate their way out of this situation.

The 2021 insolvency statistics in Ireland remain artificially low for several reasons. To survive the recovery phase, struggling businesses should be aware of their options and reach out to experts for help regarding restructuring tools available, including the well-established examinership and the newly proposed Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) for small and micro businesses.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 8

EXAMINERSHIP: Introduced in 1990, Examinership aims to save viable businesses from closure, thus saving the jobs of those working for them. Although examinerships have helped to save over 16,000 jobs in Ireland during the last decade, it is still underutilised as only around 2% of corporate insolvencies end up in examinership.

There are two requirements to qualify as suitable for examinership: 1. Balance sheet or cash flow insolvent 2. Reasonable prospect of survival During an examination, the protection of the Court lasts 70 days which can be extended by applying to the Court to 100 days (150 due to the Companies [Miscellaneous Provision] [Covid-19] Act 2020). In comparison to a

receivership or liquidation, directors maintain executive control of the business, while the examiner conducts an analysis of the company’s affairs with the process typically resulting in a scheme of arrangement with creditors, while safeguarding the company’s assets.

For the Scheme of Arrangement to be successful, one impaired class of creditors would accept before the examinership can be brought before the Courts for approval, the dividend creditors receive must be higher than the amount they would receive in a winding up, and all creditors within the same class must be treated the same way.

SMALL COMPANY ADMINISTRATIVE RESCUE PROCESS (SCARP): SCARP is a newly proposed corporate rescue mechanism which was recommended by the Company Law Review Group in October 2020. The proposal came as the perceived legal costs associated with Examinership are seen a deterrent for small and micro companies (as defined by the Companies Act 2014) that employ over 788,000 people in Ireland.

What are the key elements of the proposed legislation?

•

Seeks to arrive at a conclusion within 70 days.

•

Commenced by resolution of directors rather than by court application.

•

Overviewed by an insolvency practitioner.

•

Approved by majority in value of an impaired class of creditor with a 21-day cooling off period when creditors can object to the court.

•

Safeguards against irresponsible and dishonest director behaviour that apply to liquidations will apply to SCARP.

•

No automatic stay on proceedings.

•

State creditors will be able to exclude themselves from the process on limited and specified grounds e.g., in relation to the potential abuse of the process for tax avoidance.

SCARP is a huge step forward in the right direction to allow SMEs greater access to a low-cost restructuring option similar to an Examinership. It is expected to be passed into law before the Summer recess in August 2021.

Entering into these types of formal restructuring mechanisms should only be considered if all else fails and other options have been exhausted. But it should give hope to businesses adversely affected by Covid-19 that options do exist, and help is out there.

Neil Hughes – Baker Tilly

Supporting Businesses throughout County Wexford.

Funding training and upskilling for employees up to 25%.

susan@countywexfordchamber.ie 087-3489618 or aoife@countywexfordchamber.ie 087-7099394

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 9

For more information and all other enquiries please contact:

Glenn Carr

General Manager Rail Freight & Rosslare Europort

Brexit, freight, and wind energy driving progress at Rosslare Europort

Emma Dunphy interviewed Glenn Carr, General Manager of Rail Freight & Rosslare Europort, to gain an insight into the current and future developments and opportunities for Rosslare Europort and County Wexford Q: Tell us about the Port of Rosslare? What are its main characteristics?

A: Rosslare Europort is the closest geographical port to Europe and is the fourth largest port in Ireland in terms of overall tonnage handled, and the State’s second largest roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) traffic and passenger port. The port is operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann, which is the Port Authority for Rosslare Europort, and is just over 90 minutes from Dublin.

With excellent road, rail and sea connectivity, Rosslare Europort can expertly handle roll on- roll off freight and passengers, agricultural and trade vehicles, bulk cargo, oversize loads, cruise ships, wind turbines, and other offshore renewable energy facilities.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 10

Rosslare Europort offers a comprehensive service, including mooring, stevedoring and passenger-car / freight check-in for RoRo shipping lines. The port has a fleet of Tugmasters service, fork-lift trucks, tractors, and other handling equipment to cater for nonstandard RoRo freight. Rosslare Europort is Ireland’s number one port for direct Ro-Ro services to Europe with 30+ weekly services operating to and from Rosslare with Brittainy Ferries, Stena Line, and DFDS to the ports of Bilbao, Cherbourg, and Dunkirk. The port also offers 54 weekly services to and from Rosslare to the ports of Pembroke and Fishguard in the UK with Irish Ferries and Stena Lines.

equipment, etc. to protect our staff and operations.

Great credit for this is down to the staff of the port, shipping lines, haulage companies, and the State agency staff working at the port.

Financially, this has brought added cost to our business, but also sizable loss of revenue with the travel restriction on passenger services. As we move through 2021 and the vaccine rollout, we are very much looking forward to welcoming our passengers back and are excited about the opportunity to grow this market, as we have seen with freight through the additional new services we have operating now at the port.

Brexit has brought challenges to Rosslare Port as well as all industries across Ireland. Do you think that Brexit may also have brought opportunities?

Brexit has brought uncertainty, risk, significant additional administration, and cost to the supply chain in Ireland. For me, it is quite simple to avoid by going direct from Ireland to other member states of the EU. With Rosslare being the closest port to Europe, there are considerable benefits for the shipping lines to operate out of the port.

Covid-19 has had a major impact on the activities of Rosslare Europort and provided many unforeseen challenges. How have you dealt with these challenges? Do you feel that you have adapted well?

We worked closely with several shipping lines in trying to convince them to come to Rosslare and demonstrated the opportunities that Rosslare could offer. The market was clear that it wanted and needed more direct services and connections to the EU and to avoid the Landbridge. It has been terrific to see Brittainy Ferries, Stena Line, and DFDS step up with both the increase in capacity but, more importantly, the increase in frequency. The new and additional services out of Rosslare have given real choice and alternatives for industry across all sectors in Ireland and have been hugely welcomed by all, enabling Rosslare to become a port of National significance.

The Covid pandemic has affected us all in so many ways. Our priority was to keep our colleagues and customers of the port safe. Like many organisations, overnight we had to change our operations and how we worked, while, at the same time, ensure that the port remained fully operational so that the supply chains could be protected in and out of the country.

Brexit has had a significant impact on the port, both positive and negative. UK freight through the port has declined by over 30% to date. However, our Continental freight has increased by a phenomenal +440% and, overall, freight through the port is up +60%, which is a terrific story against the challenges the industry has faced in 2020 and 2021.

In Ireland, the various stakeholders in our industry have collectively come together and worked in a collaborative way with the support of Government and all key State agencies. At a Rosslare level, we introduced many new working protocols, procedures, testing,

Rosslare Europort worked with all stakeholders through 2019 and 2020 ensuring that all Brexit plans were put in place. Huge efforts and planning were put in place, which saw additional resources recruited, new border check facilities, new traffic management systems, ship

What projects are currently underway and how busy is the Port?

There are four major investment plans identified for the port over the next three to eight years. These include.

•

The port Masterplan with a capital investment of €42 million over the planning period which is necessary to maintain Rosslare’s position in the RORO/RORO Passenger market into the future and to better serve existing and new customers.

Phase 1 works will commence in Q3 2021, with Phases 2, 3, and 4 being completed over the next number of years of the five-year plan.

•

A new link road will be constructed and connected to the port and the new freight entrance which will provide direct access onto the final planned motorway that will be built and will connect Rosslare by motorway to all the major hubs in the country.

•

Significant investment is planned for the permanent BCP (Border Control Post) at the port that will provide state- ofthe- art facilities to ensure all regulatory checks take place with trade from third countries, especially the UK.

•

Rosslare Eurosport offers the best location for Ireland’s National Offshore Wind Energy Hub. The port has the capability to be developed in the coming years to meet the needs of the industry. We have put forward an extremely ambitious €200 million plan to the Irish government to ensure that the required port infrastructure and facilities can be delivered to meet the needs of the industry and deliver the best return on the investment for the country.

You are currently in Year Two of Rosslare Europort’s strategic plan that focuses on five key areas. What key areas are you focusing on, and are you on track to achieve the objectives of this plan?

In 2018, the port was facing a significant number of challenges and opportunities. Following my appointment, I undertook a Strategic Plan for Rosslare Europort which was ratified by our Board. Our plan focuses on five key areas: Infrastructure Masterplan, Business Development, Operational Efficiency, Digitalisation of the Port and Brexit.

We are making significant positive progress in several areas: Business Development: Our Strategic Plan identified the imperative for additional revenues generated through existing or new customers, business expansion with existing ports, or new ports served from Rosslare, attracting new bulk and/or trade car opportunities, and exploring the possibility of developing the port as a supply base for emerging offshore wind energy in Ireland.

New services out of Rosslare have been secured with a significant increase in services to the Continent with DFDS, Stena Line, and Brittainy Ferries. Services to and from Rosslare in 2021 to the Continent have increased from six per week in January 2020 to 30+ per week from Q1 2021.

Masterplan: The Masterplan for Rosslare was granted planning permission in Q4 2020 and has identified a number of key infrastructure investments to make better use of available capacity, improve efficiencies and target specific sectors, while promoting the benefits of congestion-free access to European and UK markets.

Operations Efficiency: A review of the operating model in Rosslare Europort aligned to the current and future growth will be completed

by Q2 2021. Rosslare Europort will be a seven-day operation, 24 hours a day, with a continued focus on delivering an efficient, safe, and flexible service to all our customers.

Digitalisation of the Port: It is planned to invest circa 1.5 million in the digitalisation of the port through the implementation of a fully

integrated Port Terminal Management system. The system will be used to support freight / passenger check-in, vehicle recognition, custom port clearance, CCTV and damage reporting, resource planning, operational performance and automation, data capture, billing, and administration activity at Rosslare Europort.

Rosslare Europort is ideally positioned to be the gateway for the development of offshore wind energy in Ireland. What are the plans for the strategically placed port?

Significant offshore wind developments are planned in both the Irish and Celtic seas and Rosslare Europort is best positioned to be developed to meet the needs of this industry. Currently, no port in the Republic of Ireland has the required facilities that will be necessary for the multiple projects that are planned in the coming years.

Following an extensive review of the industry, and consultation with the key players who will be commissioning the projects, a detailed plan, design, and business case for development of a purpose-built offshore wind energy facility at the port has been submitted to government. But it is crucial that we design and build a facility that does not just meet the needs of the offshore customer, but we must also ensure that we do not interfere or compromise the current and future RoRo activity at the port.

To achieve this balance, we believe the plans which we have put forward meets the criteria and ambition that is needed to ensure Rosslare Europort can fully exploit both future offshore wind and RoRo freight and passenger opportunities that will emerge.

Competition from other ports and regions, both inside and outside of Ireland, will be fierce to attract this business and it will be vital that all public representatives, communities, and businesses in Wexford get behind our plan and support us in securing the funding, the business case and delivering the plan, so that, collectively, the benefits are realised for the county.

Will the upcoming plans and developments for Rosslare Port have a positive impact on its surrounding areas?

Absolutely, Rosslare Europort is not just the gateway to Europe for the country, but it is the engine driver for the county. You just have to look at the last six months and the increase in activity and all the benefits that it is bringing, such as jobs and new business into the county.

The story of Rosslare has been incredibly positive with media outlets from across the world showing an interest and highlighting the national importance of the port to our economy. It is fair to say that without Rosslare Europort, and the new services we have secured, Brexit would have had a much more severe effect on businesses and the economy. It is a great credit to all involved at the port and the role we have played in helping the country through incredibly challenging times. Rosslare Europort is now firmly on the map and we are committed to further building on what we have started.

What does the future look like for Rosslare Europort?

There will be challenges ahead. Considering where we were just over three years ago when I first came to the port, I hope the people of Wexford feel that the changes we have been able to deliver have been positive. And that, we have restored a little of their faith and trust, knowing that we are determined to develop the port to its full potential.

The future of the port is looking very positive, we are commencing Phase 1 of our Masterplan later this year, and freight is +60% ahead of last year. The digitalisation plan for the port has started, further investment by the Government and Wexford County Council is planned with the BCP and the new port access road. The port is in the National Development Plan, we have an ambitious plan for offshore wind energy, and we are excited with the potential growth for tourism and passengers that the new and additional services will bring post- Covid.

www.rosslareeuroport.ie

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 11

scheduling reviews, a full communication and advertising campaign, and review of operations and safety procedures at the port. The focus was to ensure that the port would remain congestion- free, and that traffic would move through the port efficiently and without delays, and we have been extremely happy that this has been achieved.

LEADER Grant Opportunities for the Wexford business sector in 2021/2022 LEADER forms part of Ireland’s multi-annual Rural Development Programme, co-financed by the EU through the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) that operates in seven-year cycles.

The Wexford Local Development LEADER Team on behalf of Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) implements the LEADER Programme in County Wexford.

During the lifetime of the last LEADER Programme that recently completed, in excess of €4.7m in grant aid was allocated to eighty-six niche enterprises throughout the county. This resulted in the creation of up to 250 new jobs as well as sustaining a further 725 jobs in the grant aided businesses.

Due to delays at EU level in agreeing new CAP regulations and the wider EU budget for the period 2021-2027, the next EU LEADER programme is not expected to commence until January 2023. In order to bridge the gap between the EU programming periods and address the challenges facing rural Ireland in the coming period, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphries, recently launched a Transitional LEADER Programme to run until December 2022.

Wexford LCDC has received an allocation of €2.1m for projects – the 7th highest allocation in the country.

This grant aid will be allocated 50/50 between private enterprise and the voluntary community sector.

From an enterprise perspective, in excess of €1m will be available to niche enterprises across County Wexford, seeking to reach new markets, expand, innovate and/ or diversify in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. New and innovative projects in the areas of climate change, environmental protection and the green economy are especially welcome. A particular focus will be on projects to include tourism that have a capacity to sustain and create jobs and generate positive economic benefit.

RATES OF LEADER GRANT AID FOR MICRO & SMALL ENTERPRISES Type of Expenditure

Maximum Rate of Aid

Maximum Grant Amount

Capital & Marketing 75% €100k Feasibility Studies 75% €30k

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 12

Additional funding under the LEADER National Food Initiative scheme is soon to be launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine. This initiative aims to support new and existing food and beverage producers to address emerging challenges through investment in areas such as market development, competitiveness and innovation. Grant aid of up to 75% subject to a maximum grant of €200k will be available to Wexford food and beverage businesses subject to specific criteria.

To discuss the potential grant opportunities for your business, Contact the LEADER Enterprise team in Wexford Local Development: Tom Bermingham – Gorey/Wexford/Rosslare Districts Email: tbermingham@wld.ie Helena Dempsey – New Ross/Enniscorthy Districts Email: hdempsey@wld.ie

Helena Dempsey

Tom Bermingham

CHAMBER SERVICES - INCREDIBLE BOOST FOR BUSINESSES FROM SHOP LOCAL VOUCHERS Our County Wexford Shop Local vouchers have been a huge success, with sales figures in 2020 reaching an amazing €482,000. This is a great testament to the County Wexford community who came out in force and quickly got behind the shop local initiative. Local people stood behind their local businesses and supported local at a time when businesses needed it the most.

The vouchers are available all year round from our Gorey, New Ross, and Wexford Chamber offices in denominations of €10, €25, and €50. They are an ideal gift for any occasion, from birthdays to work gifts. Indeed, every week, new businesses sign up to accept the Shop Local vouchers – the growing and extensive list of participating businesses is available on our website.

If your business is reopening after an extremely difficult year, don’t forget to proudly display and promote that you accept County Wexford Shop Local vouchers. There are plenty of vouchers still in circulation, just waiting to be used, so it is important to let customers know that you accept these vouchers.

County Wexford Shop Local vouchers are available to purchase in our offices, or on our website: www.countywexfordchamber.ie.

If you are interested in being part of this great scheme, contact us on 053 912 2226 or email admin@countywexfordchamber.ie.

CHAMBER SERVICES INTERNATIONAL TRADE SERVICE

CHAMBER DOCUMENTATION EXPORT SERVICES A Certificate of Origin is a document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained or produced or manufactured or processed in a particular country. The type of Certificate required varies according to the destination of the goods, e.g., member States of the Arab League require an Arab-Irish Certificate of Origin.

HERE TO HELP Denise, who oversees our exportation services, specialises in Certificates of Origin applications for businesses that require the certificates to prove the origin of goods and satisfy customs or trade requirements.

Our export documentation service is available to Chamber members and non-members. If you have any queries about the process of obtaining a Certificate of Origin, we are always on hand to help and share our expertise.

For more information, contact us on 053 912 2226 or email denise@countywexfordchamber.ie.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 13

County Wexford Chamber is officially authorised by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Chambers Ireland to issue and certify Certificates of Origin to a wide range of businesses across County Wexford.

Wexford

#GetReady 053 9196020 info@leo.wexfordcoco.ie

The Local Enterprise Office Wexford provide a range of complementary supports to assist people who want to start up or grow a business.

The supports range from providing an initial "First Stop Shop" service where individuals can receive advice on the steps involved in setting up a business, to the provision of a range of training, and various financial supports.

Financial supports are available to qualifying businesses, in the establishment and/or growth phase of their business with a turnover of less than €2m and who employ up to ten people.

SUPPORTS WE PROVIDE INCLUDE: Mentoring Training Trading Online Voucher Scheme – up to €2,500 grant available MFI Loans: €2,000 to €25,000 Grad Start: providing companies financial support to hire graduate talent LEAN for Micro Covid 19 Specific supports

For manufacturing or internationally traded services: Feasibility Study Grants Priming Grants Business Expansion Grants

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 14

For further information visit: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/ The objective of the Green for Micro programme - a new initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices - is to help prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future. This is a FREE programme, available to companies with up to ten employees.

Increased cost savings Improved resource efficiency (for example: using less energy, water and materials) Reduced environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions Opportunities for higher and additional value on products and services Increased access to customers, improved corporate image Increased resilience to climate change impacts

For further details and applications visit www.localenterprise.ie/Green/Green-for-Micro.html

A Taste of Success with Wexford Home Preserves Wexford Home Preserves is a rare and wonderful thing.

A small family business dedicated to making everything by hand using ingredients sourced as local as possible and a growing powerhouse of an Irish food brand with national distribution and a wealth of awards under their belt.

Owned and run by Tom and Laura Sinnott in New Ross, Wexford Home Preserves has a strong reputation for quality and innovation.

The range of products is often changed to reflect consumer demand and the wonderful ingredients that are available.

“It is so special to be able to visit the farm that your ingredients come from,” says Laura. “We are lucky in Wexford that we have such great growers. When we cannot source something in our own region, for example oranges, we still like to deal with small family growers, and we make sure to visit them and see their farms.”

DEMAND FOR LOCAL FOOD AND SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is as the heart of Wexford Home Preserves they are members of Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme, and they continually strive to find new ways to ensure that their products are as environmentally friendly as possible.

NEW RANGE, IRISH INGREDIENTS Along with their main range of family favourites, they have launched a fabulous red onion relish using onions grown especially for them in Cork, the nearest place they could source them from.

Their tomato and red pepper relish features tomatoes grown in Horeswood, just outside New Ross.

Wexford Home Preserves uses Des Jeffares’ blackcurrants, Eamonn Creane’s strawberries, and Malcolm Robertson’s rhubarb. Tom and Laura are always on the lookout for local produce that they can create delicious products from.

THE LEADING SUPPLIER OF

DIGITAL SIGNAGE

FULL 3600 SOLUTION

HARDWARE - SOFTWARE - INSTALLATION CONTENT CREATION & MANAGEMENT

053 9180094

THINKSOLUTIONS.IE

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 15

IN THE SOUTH EAST

Exit strategies for Irish entrepreneurs and business owners Having worked hard to build a successful company and create a legacy, selling a business can be a highstakes, emotional event for entrepreneurs and private business owners. How can you ensure a well-structured and well-executed exit process?

Selling a business can be one of the toughest decisions of an entrepreneur’s working life. However, planning your exit can give you control over your destiny – and that of your business.

Interestingly, despite economic headwinds and the impact of the pandemic on all of our lives and businesses, corporate and private equity investors now have unprecedented access to capital for potential deals.

As business valuations increase, the expectations placed on businesses being sold become more onerous - and unwanted surprises in a deal become more costly. Sellers need to give buyers confidence in their intent and ability to move transactions towards a successful and timely conclusion. Proactive preparation has become paramount.

Processes have accelerated and become more data and technology driven. Quality of earnings analyses and the due diligence process are becoming more extensive and intrusive.

A well-structured exit process has five distinct phases: MAKING THE DECISION TO SELL:

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 16

It is important to identify both the business and personal goals for selling your business, monetary and other.

Objectives will be both financial (e.g., liquidity, valuation, tax/estate planning) and non-financial (e.g., succession, employee and other stakeholder concerns, family dynamics).

To a large extent, these considerations will determine the appropriate exit strategy. Being proactive at the outset empowers you to assert more control over the process and the ability to strike when the time is right. It also enhances the eventual value of the business to buyers.

UNDERSTANDING THE BUYER UNIVERSE: One of the smartest moves you can make to sharpen your message to the market is to look at your business through the eyes of a buyer. Are you going to maintain a continuing role in the business? What are the buyers’

expectations about control? Can you determine the appropriate transaction structure and reconcile both the buyer and seller objectives?

The earlier you step back from the ‘coal face’ and study the business anew, the more time you have to make substantive changes that can add real value. The different ways in which buyers will drive value in your business after closing the deal may not loom large to you now, but they could play out in ways that leave you with very different options when it comes to exiting.

PREPARING THE BUSINESS FOR A SALE: Among the key actions required when preparing your business for sale are: •

Conducting a pre-sale health check and taking corrective actions – is your business ready for sale?

•

Considering due diligence preparations.

•

Putting together the best package to present to buyers.

•

Valuing and evaluating the business, including price expectations.

•

Determining the right time to sell.

•

Pre-emptively addressing potential buyer concerns.

•

Managing employee expectations and putting in place appropriate retention packages in the transaction setting.

•

Turning complexity into confidence.

THE DEAL PROCESS: You have made the decision to sell. You have considered the possible types of buyers and the type of sale that will work well for you and your business. You have considered the value of the business and geared up for the sale process, building the package and key messages to present to the market. Now you are ready to approach potential buyers and begin the actual sale process.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER THE DEAL: How are you going to enjoy, preserve, and ultimately transfer the wealth generated by the sale of your business?

There are multiple estate, tax planning and investment considerations to address. It is important to recognise that managing wealth effectively is not too dissimilar to running a business. You will have many alternatives for preserving wealth for the long term, in the most taxefficient manner possible.

Remember, the great deals are those where “the best is yet to come” for the sellers, the buyers, and the business – and advance planning will have a major impact on a successful outcome for all.

THE

5 KEY

Billy Sweetman, Partner, PwC Billy is a PwC Partner with 30 years’ experience in the firm. He has extensive deals experience spanning two + decades, across multiple industries and business sectors. Billy has advised clients ranging from SMEs to large multinationals on a host of issues, including buy and sell-side M&A, management buy-ins and buy-outs and the raising of expansion capital.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland where he served on the Governing body for seven years.

ACTIONS TO TAKE NOW:

ACTION 1 Align the business goals with your sale objectives.

ACTION 2 Select key management team participants and retain trusted specialists.

Brendan French, Manager, PwC

ACTION 3 Get ready for the deep dives that the buyer’s due diligence will require.

A Manager in PwC’s South East practice, Brendan supports private and family-owned SME clients in a range of sectors. He advises businesses and their shareholders on topics including succession planning, buy & sell transactions, business valuations and finance raising. Brendan has been with PwC for 8 years and is an Associate member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

ACTION 4 Identify buyers and what is important to them – look for strategic fit.

ACTION 5 Evaluate potential tax and transaction structuring options and review the legal landscape.

Delivering the value you’re looking for

Billy Sweetman Assurance & Business Advisory Partner +353 (0) 53 91 52404 billy.sweetman@pwc.com

Ronan Furlong Tax Partner +353 (0) 53 91 52421 ronan.furlong@pwc.com

pwc.ie © 2021 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 17

We work to create the value our clients, people and communities are looking for. And we do this by building long-term relationships and contributing to your success.

To find out how we could work with you, contact us in Wexford or visit www.pwc.ie.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY County Wexford Chamber supports Sustainable Development Goals 3. COLLABORATE AND CREATE: Put in place a plan to aligning your business and work practices with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Along with our nationwide network, County Wexford Chamber signed Chambers Ireland’s pledge in September 2019 to adopt and support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These Goals are a commitment ‘to end poverty and hunger, in all its forms and dimensions, ensuring that all human beings can fulfil their potential with dignity, equality and in a healthy environment.’

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 18

Partnership is a vital component in achieving the 2030 targets set out for the SDGs, which is why every Chamber in our network is involved in helping to promote the SDGs and support their members to embrace the Goals in their work, communities, and home life. The targets for these Goals are ambitious, but they will have long-lasting effects on our future and will safeguard the planet and livelihoods of generations to come. With commitment and dedication, we can work together to make a real impact.

Many businesses wonder where to start and how best to incorporate the SDGs into their companies.

Alongside Chambers Ireland, County Wexford Chamber will be releasing an SDG Toolkit for business members in the coming weeks, which will help guide businesses through assessing and adopting the SDGs. Our Toolkit has been created to foster ideas and offer guidance on becoming more sustainable and responsible within the workplace.

Look at business opportunities that could help to benefit your business and others. Assess your supply chains and how the companies that you already work with engage with the SDGs. Encourage partners to align with the SDGs or look at sourcing alternative suppliers that are already engaging with the Goals and implementing more sustainable and responsible business practices in their workplace.

4. MEASURE AND REVIEW:

Getting started with SDGs If you wish to take the first steps towards building awareness of the SDGs in your business, here is an outline of where to get started: 1. IDENTIFY AND COMMIT: Look at all 17 SDGs, what they mean and how they relate to your business.

Identify one or two of these Goals which best align with your vision for your business and how they correlate with where you wish to take it in the future. Discuss your chosen Goals with employees, partners, your Board and stakeholders, and publicise your commitment to supporting these SDGs as this will help keep you accountable and on track.

2. SET TARGETS: Outline key performance indicators for each chosen Goal and a timeline in which you hope to accomplish them.

These targets can be as simple as increasing interest and engagement with an SDG to making changes to how your business is conducted.

Clearly communicate your ambitions to your staff and outline ways in which they can contribute to overall progress and reaching these targets.

Continue to measure, assess and report changes relating to the SDGs at regular intervals. Review your work and commitment to the Goals annually, and see where you can improve your actions to keep your targets on track.

Look at where you have succeeded and the areas where you haven’t made much progress and come up with solutions to these issues.

5. ALIGN POLICY AND STRATEGY: Committing to the SDGs is a longterm responsibility and an ongoing process. Aligning your company’s corporate strategy with the Goals ensures that the SDGs stay at the heart of business operations for years to come.

Keep an eye out for our SDG Toolkit – launching soon! We will be sharing more advice and ways to incorporate the SDGs in your business.

The concept of a trusted advisor has never been more relevant.

E.W. Levingstone & Co. was established by Ernest Levingstone in 1977 in New Ross, where the main office is still located, the business also has a branch office in Pearse Street, Gorey. For over 40 years, the business has served the accountancy needs of clients across the South East region. In that time, it has built a reputation as one of the region’s foremost accountancy firms where the customers’ needs are always placed centre stage.

AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE However, by the Sunday of that weekend, he knew that his business was regarded as an essential service. “That was hugely important for us as we operate a payroll bureau and our clients’ employees have to get paid,” he said.

To ensure the smooth running of the business, two employees worked behind closed doors in the office, while the other staff members worked from home.

“Within a few days, the technology was set up so that we could operate”. “With the benefit of Zoom, we could attend meetings and AGMs without leaving our office.

The business also provided support to clients by phone and email to help them handle the challenges posed to their respective businesses as the pandemic increased.

E.W. Levingstone & Co. enjoys a reputation for professionalism that has been forged from a tradition of knowledge and years of experience.

TRUSTED TEAM The team behind the scenes are all extremely knowledgeable and the personal service of the business is provided by Ernest himself, along with his trusted team composed of Breda Cashin, Paul Brennan, Olive Byrne, Pauline Lawlor, Mary Quigley, Chris Hearn, Catriona Tyrrell, and Ann Dixon.

Breda and Pauline look after business clients while Paul looks after farming clients, helping them prepare their annual accounts, tax returns and VAT queries. Olive looks after the audit department which includes auditing credit unions and financial services companies.

The payroll bureau is looked after by Catriona while Mary works part-time as business administrator. The office reception is overseen by Chris Hearn, in New Ross and Ann Dixon, in Gorey.

PERSONAL SERVICE There are no answering machines in E.W. Levingstone & Co. indicative of the personal approach Ernest has always invested in running the businesses.

“We don’t believe in using answering machines as we believe in the personal touch,” he said. This approach means clients’ needs can be dealt with efficiently and promptly. “There is a logging system in place, therefore all calls to the office are logged and every call is followed up on the same day”.

In addition to running a business in New Ross, Ernest is also very involved in the local community. He is a founding director of the JFK Trust, New Ross Community Hospital, and is a member of the Economic Development Committee of Wexford County Council.

In a time of unprecedented challenges, it pays to have the peace of mind knowing that your business needs are in professional and caring hands. “It’s uncharted territory for us all but being able to help clients provides a good feeling during these troubling times,” said Ernest. “My practice as a whole is making sure that we’re talking to all of our clients,” he said.

www.ewlevingstoneaccountants.ie

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 19

Like many businesses across the country, the pandemic has presented a range of challenges for E.W. Levingstone & Co. Commenting on those challenges, Ernest Levingstone said the weekend of March 13 2020, when the first lockdown was announced was a worrying time.

CLIMATE ACTION How to reduce costs and carbon footprint in your business Dunamaise Cumulative Net Savings Tips on how to cut the carbon footprint of your business and reduce unnecessary costs, from Wexford business EcoMerit The recent publication of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill highlights how all sectors of society and our economy will have to play our part in taking climate action. We also know that carbon taxes will continue to rise and that businesses will be required to have meaningful green credentials – superficial greenwashing will not cut it. Most businesses are keen to play their part, but it can seem like a daunting task. While the will is there, businesses may not be sure where to start, and may have concerns about cost and complexity.

With more than 10 years’ experience working with a wide range of enterprises, EcoMerit knows that businesses that take a proactive approach to reducing their carbon footprint can reduce their financial costs at the same time. For example, members of the EcoMerit community have saved anywhere between €5,000- €50,0000 per year while reducing their carbon emissions by an average of 9% per annum year-on-year over 10 years. (See graph showing the cost savings Dunamaise Arts Centre made while improving their environmental performance).

How to cut the carbon footprint of your business and reduce unnecessary costs:

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 20

CHECK YOUR ENERGY CONTRACT •

Have you got the right day/night tariff? -Night rate electricity can be around half the cost of day rate.

•

-Has your initial contract expired? -The energy supplier may not always tell you that your initial contract has expired and then bump you up to a more premium rate, so be sure to check this out.

•

-Check what Maximum Input Capacity you are paying for. Many businesses may be unwittingly paying for a maximum capacity input that is way above their needs, costing thousands of euro more per year than is required. -You also do not want to have your contractual capacity lower than what you use as you will then be hit with punitive charges, so check your usage and amend your contract accordingly.

€40,000 €35,000 €30,000

LIGHTING INVESTMENT

€25,000 €20,000

DOORS INVESTMENT

€15,000 €10,000 €5,000

LIGHTING INVESTMENT

LIGHTING INVESTMENT

BOILER INVESTMENT

€0 (€5,000)

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

CHECK YOUR LIGHTING USAGE Many businesses have areas that are over- lit or are lit unnecessarily at certain times. Check controls such as sensors/timers/dimmers as well as encouraging good practice among employees.

LOFT INSULATION If your loft insulation is less than 300mm, this could be a cheap, easy, and highly effective way of reducing your carbon footprint and heating bill.

LED LIGHTING. LED lighting is around 80% more efficient compared to standard lighting solutions. This means that LED lighting are much cheaper to run and a simple way to make significant reductions in carbon footprint.

UPDATE BOILER Older boilers (>10 years) are around 10-30% less efficient than modern equivalents. While a sizeable investment, updating your boiler is highly likely to save you money in the long run and lower your carbon footprint by several tons of CO2 per annum.

GET INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT The ‘environmental performance’ landscape is becoming more complex, with a wide range of offers being promoted from lighting to renewable energy. Understanding what is best for your business may not be easy, so professional support can help you choose the best options – and avoid costly mistakes.

Government support is increasingly available under programmes such as the SEAI Community Grant Scheme and a range of Green for Business schemes. EcoMerit is actively involved with these schemes and would be happy to discuss with any business that is interested.

Bobby Lambert - EcoMerit

www.ecomerit.ie

Waterford and Wexford Educational Training Board (WWETB) Services to Business Unit provides a quality-based training and development service to industry and business in both counties.

WWETB manages and coordinates all statutory apprenticeship programmes in Waterford and Wexford.

We encourage and promote focused initiatives for the development of people in employment through the SOLAS Skills to Advance Training Initiative and the Skills to Work Programmes.

APPRENTICESHIP • Statutory Role of Solas Authorised Officer.

• Promote Generation Apprenticeships • Assessment of a Company (suitability to train) • Apprenticeship Employer Grant • Apprenticeship Induction / Registrations • Female Bursary • Apprenticeship Allowances • Female Scholarship • Apprentice Learner Support Service • Dedicated Apprentice Learning Pod • Post primary School liaison Officer for Apprenticeship briefings/promotion • Apprenticeship Administration • Representation for Recognition of Prior learning • On / off the job Apprenticeship Monitoring • Apprenticeship Certification • Apprenticeship Career Advice

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT • Stakeholder Engagement • Company Training Needs Analysis • Promotion of training programmes • Team of Six Senior Training Advisors • Employers /Employees funded professional development certified training programmes • Probe Benchmarking (fully funded business diagnostic tool) • Probe Accredited Partner • Team of Probe licensed Facilitators • Promotion of Lifelong learning • SME Management Development Programmes i.e.

(Step up and Grow Project) • Development of transversal skills through Industry funded certified training.

• Registration to E-college training provision • Sectoral Business Initiatives /briefings • Working in partnership with other organisations i.e., South East regional skills forum, DSP, Chamber of commerce, Local Employment offices, Institutes of Technologies etc.

• NZEB Promotion (nearly zero energy buildings) • Research and Development with industry on certified programme development SKILLS FOR WORK • Provides training in literacy, numeracy, and communications to low skilled employees.

• Client referrals to WWETB Adult literacy Service • Programmes suited to work patterns.

For more information, please contact our Service to Business team on servicestobusiness@wwetb.ie

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 21

This is provided by interacting with business through: • Craft Apprenticeships • Craft Apprenticeship Female Scholarship (WWETB Schools) • 2016-plus Apprenticeships • Traineeships • Skills to Advance • Skills for Work and • SME Management Development

39 years with Kent Stainless Innovation has been at the heart of expansion at Kent Stainless, now a leading player in the landscape and street furniture market in Ireland and the UK In 2001, Wexford County Council completely pedestrianised the main street in Wexford. This was followed more than a decade later with the repaving and pedestrianisation of Selskar Square. These two landmark projects allowed Kent Stainless to showcase to visitors what could be achieved with the use of highend paving combined with suitable recessed access covers, drainage, and street furniture.

MARKET LEADER Dublin Docklands soon followed this lead and the first major design

specification for these kind of projects in the UK was achieved when the architects for Wembley Stadium were made aware of these developments. What followed on has led Kent Stainless to become one of the largest players in the UK market for landscape and street furniture products. Famous projects include Battersea Power Station, The Shard, Greenwich Market, King’s Cross, Stratford International Quarter, and One Tower Bridge.

PRODUCT RANGE Starting out with stainless steel bollards, cycle stands, balustrade and litter bins in the 1990’s, the stainlesssteel street furniture range at Kent Stainless has grown enormously. Its stainless-steel seats and benches are complemented with the use of corten steel, along with oak, cumaru or iroko timber, while its planters and planter edging are most popular in bronze powder coated.

Tree protection pits and tree guards are made mostly in stainless steel but also in corten, with decorative laser- cut patterns. Stainless steel tactile warning strips and studs are used in railway station platforms and streetscape projects while the company’s stainless-steel traffic light poles are used in city centre locations. Kent Stainless has also installed steel bus shelters and tram stop shelters in some of the country’s largest rail projects.

Now in its 39th year in 2021, the company is completing a major factory expansion investment and its workforce has grown from 120 to 150 in the past two years.

www.kentstainless.com

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 22

If you are looking for your own out sourced “IT Department” or additional expertise to complement your existing resources contact us to discuss our wide range of support services.

Our experienced team can also provide consulting and project management services with full range of hardware and software procurement options. Our dedicated retail department supplies hardware support and eCommerce solutions to retailers across Ireland.

Clonard Business Park, Whitemill Industrial Estate, Wexford Phone: 053 9184116 E-mail: info@theitdepartment.ie

www.theitdepartment.ie

LIVING WITH COVID New responsibilities for employers in Covid era

We are far from being in the post- Covid era but, as the vaccines roll out and, hopefully, Covid recedes, we are increasingly in a better place. With businesses reopening, this brings about new challenges in many areas.

Employment

Remote working

As an employer, what are your ‘Covid obligations’?

Defining a place of work

In general terms, an employer’s obligation to provide a safe (place/system) of work does not change. Applying that general principle to Covid presents individual challenges.

That may require a new description/definition to include working from home with consequent employer obligations. You should check with your Insurance broker as to risk cover for remote working.

•

•

Following HSE guidelines and following the advice/ guidelines of your own organisation i.e., vis- a- vis your particular trade or business; appointing a specific person for Covid-19 compliance to provide ongoing implementation/enforcement feedback.

If an employee is unable or unwilling to wear a face covering, that requires objective assessment. A similar assessment applies to a vulnerable employee.

210mmW-x-145mmH-3mm-Bleed-Blacknight-Broadband-Wexford-Chamber.pdf 1 12/05/2021 13:59:21

Business: What are your obligations as a business/trade that interacts with the public i.e., say a retail shop?

The same principles apply i.e., risk assessment, appointing a specific person for Covid-19 compliance, and completing an ongoing review of the situation.

Employers and employees, business owners and the public, all face the unseen, the unknown, and the unmeasurable. We can only do the best we can to apply common sense in situations that will arise.

Liam Hipwell - Hipwell Solicitors

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 23

Covid-19 risk assessment is the key. In that context, a number of issues need consideration to include:

MEMBER TESTIMONIALS I am a proud member of County Wexford Chamber. As a former board member of Gorey Chamber, I know firsthand the amount of hard work and commitment that goes on behind the scenes, both from the fantastic staff and the great members who volunteer their time for the various committees. From keeping members informed about key issues and lobbying on members behalf to great networking and training events County Wexford Chamber are very proactive with a team that are very friendly, helpful, and professional. I strongly advise all business owners in the county to get involved in the Chamber DAVE HOWICK - FHM Accountants and FHM Business Coaching

County Wexford Chamber is a valuable resource to me, and I highly recommend it to all other businesses. The B2B networking sessions provide a useful opportunity to meet other businesspeople in the county; to share issues and find solutions as well as to be inspired by the innovations and creativity of others. The sessions are run very professionally but manage the trick of being informal and welcoming at the same time.

I have attended several special events with dedicated speakers and found them to be hugely informative and interesting. Well done to everyone who makes things happen in County Wexford Chamber - you are making a big difference to the county’s business community and you are appreciated.

PAULA RONAN - Ronan Marketing

The County Wexford Chamber has been so proactive on behalf of its members over the last few years, but especially so during the uncertain times of the pandemic. Sharing important business-related information, including information on supports etc. as soon as it was available. The networking breakfast briefings moved online and have played a key role in keeping us all connected as local businesses.

LINDA DORAN - Baker Tilly

MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP Attend Chamber events to raise your Businesses profile and create valuable connections.

Take advantage of the free advertising opportunity that we offer to our Members in our weekly newsletter.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 24

Connect and interact with us on Social Media

Collaborate with us to create an event to place your Business in the spotlight.

Upskill you and your workforce with Wexford Chamber Skillnet.

Vodafone provides high-speed broadband to 15 remote working hubs across rural towns and communities in Ireland.

Search Vodafone Business Broadband.

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 25

If we can connect everywhere, we can work anywhere

COME EXPLORE WEXFORD’S TOP ATTRACTIONS WITH WEXFORD BUS Whether you are on a staycation or visiting our lovely county in the sunny southeast here is a taste of where you can explore with Wexford Bus, connecting Wexford with sustainable transport.

GOREY 740

TO DUBLIN

ENNISCORTHY CASTLE

740

340

TO WATERFORD

IRISH NATIONAL HERITAGE PARK DUNBRODY FAMINE SHIP EXPERIENCE

340

878

INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 26

TINTERN ABBEY

HOOK LIGHTHOUSE, HOOK HEAD

WEXFORDBUS.COM

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

390

KILMORE QUAY SALTEE ISLANDS

ROSSLARE STRAND