Brendan McGuigan, Director, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Invest NI
Made in NI – the global reach of local manufacturing
Manufacturers from Northern Ireland were at the heart of the industrial revolution. From ship building to the inventions of Dunlop and Ferguson, manufacturing is embedded into the fabric of our society. This proud legacy continues to flourish in our manufacturing industries such as aerospace, green technologies, materials handling, construction, agri-food and life and health sciences.
A recent report by Manufacturing NI found that employment in manufacturing has grown to nearly 100,000 jobs, representing 1 in 10 of Northern Ireland’s workforce. It contributes almost £3 billion in wages and salaries into the local economy and currently exports £7,382 million.
As Manufacturing Month draws to a close, let’s take a look at the diversity of manufacturing in NI, and just how far around the globe we’re reaching.
Aerospace
Did you know that the world’s only fully composite aircraft wing – the Airbus A220 wing – was designed and is manufactured and assembled in Belfast?
In total, Northern Ireland contributes £1.8 billion to the UK aerospace sector.
Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier and GKN Aerospace are among the Aerospace Primes and Tier One companies that do business here.
There is significant scope for the aerospace industry to grow in Northern Ireland. A current backlog of unfilled aircraft orders is at its highest level ever – currently standing at 17,000 jets. As a key location for global companies looking for supply chain providers, Northern Ireland is poised to take advantage of this opportunity.
Our aerospace manufacturing sector is also diving into the space industry, and its impact is gaining momentum in both the upstream and downstream space sectors. Within the next decade, thrusters manufactured in Northern Ireland will be taking cargo to the moon.
Materials handling
Over 40% of the world’s tracked mobile crushing and screening equipment is manufactured in Northern Ireland.
Much of this activity is concentrated around the mid-Ulster region, which is home to global companies like Sandvik and Terex, and several innovative SMEs.
The mobile crushing and screening industry is a mainstay of our manufacturing economy, driven by increased infrastructure development and a growing demand for onsite recycling.
Construction
Northern Ireland’s construction sector has implemented major landmark projects around the world, ranging from refurbishing the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to building new airport runways in Hong Kong.
Have you ever taken a ride on the Ratatouille Remy’s Adventure ride in Disneyland Paris, or the Hotel Transylvania ride in Dubai? Both were built by Deluxe Art & Theme, based in Portadown, which builds truly impressive attractions in theme parks all around the world.
Our construction businesses use creative design techniques and innovative production methods to build long-lasting products such as concrete, quarry products, doors, windows, and facades.
Many football fans will be aware that the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium opened in 2019. But many might not be aware that Macrete, a masonry and concrete company based in Toombridge, manufactured and delivered the precast concrete units for the construction of the new stadium. What’s more, Macrete used innovative and sustainable methods of manufacturing to minimise carbon emissions, utilising 100% locally generated renewable energy.
Green
Northern Ireland is making waves in the low-carbon and net-zero sector.
An incredible 60% of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing companies are selling into the green economy, which is generating £1.5 billion turnover and £230 million exports.
A leader in this space is CASC Engineering, based in Lisburn, which specialises in infrastructure projects to manufacture products such as wind turbines in the offshore renewable industry.
The innovations from Northern Ireland companies in the green economy are far-reaching. Artemis Technologies, for example, develops zero-emission maritime vessels and is having success across the globe, from the UAE to the US.
Agri-food
If you travel to the US, you can enjoy a Boatyard gin brewed in Fermanagh. Travel to Abu Dhabi, and you can find Irwin’s Nutty Krust in popular supermarkets.
Food and drink products from Northern Ireland are sold to over 70 countries worldwide.
Our food and drink industry is worth over £8 billion and is Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing sector.
Companies like Mackle Food Company in Dungannon are having a real impact on the industry. Mackle Food Company specialises in extruded snack products for the early years and healthy eating markets. It is an innovative manufacturing company that sells products to 15 countries and produces 120 million packs per year. Recently, Mackle Food Company announced a £6.3 million investment to expand its factory, enhance automation, and boost productivity.
Life and health sciences
Northern Ireland is home to globally recognised life and health sciences companies specialising in pharmaceutical and medtech manufacturing.
The life and health sciences sector in NI manufactures a range of medical devices, such as ventilators, training manikins, and diagnostic kits.
Lisburn-based Cirdan designs, manufactures and supplies innovative software and diagnosis imaging for pathology and clinical laboratory usage. Its products are used in 200 laboratories globally and it is leading the way in innovative diagnostic solutions.
Future potential
There are many challenges facing businesses today – rising costs, increased wages, potential trade tariffs and global competition. But for Northern Ireland’s manufacturers there are also opportunities – frictionless trade with both GB and EU, globally recognised industry reputation, innovation and agility. We’re here to support businesses and work with bodies such as Manufacturing NI to ensure manufacturers here achieve their full potential.
For more information on how we are supporting Northern Ireland businesses, read our 2024-2027 Business Strategy.
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