County Kildare Chamber Chronicle Feb 2021

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

INSIDE THIS ISSUE AN INTERVIEW WITH INTEL IRELAND GENERAL MANAGER EAMONN SINNOTT.

CHAMBERS LEAD THE WAY ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

W2W ON ‘THE NEW Chambers lead the way on NORMAL’ WITHDevelopment Sustainable WORKING FROM HOME Goals.

FULL CHAMBER MEMBER LISTING BY CATEGORY

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Corporate Partners 2021

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

11

Cont e n t s

T&I

Net Zero Carbon by 2030

02 Lilywhite News Snippets 05 Chamber Golf Society

06 Endress + Hauser – People for Process Automation 08 Chamber Sustainable Development Goals 09 Kendlebell Naas – The Perfect Answer 10 Movers & Shakers

14

11 T&I – Net Zero Carbon by 2030 13 The Pandemic & Family Succession 14 Redesigning your Business with Lean Thinking

Jigsaw

Redesigning your Business with Lean Thinking

16 Intel – An interview with Eamonn Sinnott 19 Upcoming Virtual Events 20 KWETB 22 In the Hot Seat 24 New Members 25 Membership Listing

16

Intel

An Interview with Intel Ireland General Manager Eamonn Sinnott

FOREWORD Welcome to the latest edition of our Chamber Chronicle. The Chamber is embarking on a range of new exciting projects for 2021, which we will keep you updated on throughout the year via our weekly e-newsletter. High on our agenda is our policy work, promoting our work with the SDG’s we prescribe to, our continued lobbying on behalf of our membership, creating relevant learning programmes for businesses and promoting Kildare as the ideal location for both existing and potential business enterprise. The ongoing uncertainty for business in relation to Covid19, the need for further support funding for business and the implications of Brexit remain our main focus. Whilst a large proportion of our membership will find navigating through 2021 extremely tough, we urge businesses to continue to engage with us as we are here to support them. We are the one stop shop for business, think of us as an extra member of your team. In 2020, the Chamber reinstated its position as the voice of business for the region. Our voice is heard and our lobbying is effective. We ask that in 2021, businesses continue to engage with the Chamber to ensure our voice as the leading business organisation in the region is heard by those at the highest level. Stay Safe, Stay Connected,

Allan Shine CEO, County Kildare Chamber 01

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Liam Maloney appointed Slovenian Honorary Consul Liam Moloney, the well-known litigation solicitor of Moloney Solicitors practice in Naas was given the appointment by the Slovenia Government. The consulate will be based in Naas. Currently, an Executive Board member of the Pan European Personal Injury Lawyers Association, Liam is also a member of the Board of Governors for Ireland and the UK of the American Association for Justice.

Osborne open in Kildare

€5.9 million investment for new Cultural Centre for Naas welcomed by County Kildare Chamber

Multi Award-winning Irish owned Recruitment Consultancy Osborne reached another big milestone as it officially opened its 8th operation in the Premier Business Centre in Naas in December. Osborne chose the location in a bid to be closer to its growing list of regional clients and to ensure it supported candidates and jobseekers on the ground locally.

Luke Hanahoe, President of County Kildare Chamber welcomed the announcement of the re-development of Naas Town Hall into a new cultural centre and library for Naas in November. The President of the Chamber said: ”This project will transform Naas Town Hall into an iconic community resource which will be utilised by people of all ages in Naas and surrounding areas. The centre will be the epicentre of arts, heritage and culture in Naas and it will form a catalyst for new businesses to open and support the commercial life of the town.”

Sponsorship of our network mornings with Permanent TSB continue for 2021 Catherine Doyle, Head of Business Development with PTSB said: “PTSB are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Chambers weekly network mornings. The strategic objectives of both PTSB and County Kildare Chamber around the SME sector are closely aligned as both seek to support businesses growth. We enjoy an excellent working relationship with the Chamber and look forward to connecting with businesses in Kildare through the network mornings in 2021.”

02

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

County Kildare Chamber welcome the announcement of 40 target investments for the Mid-East Region by IDA Ireland Allan Shine, Chief Executive of the Chamber said: “This is very positive news considering the current economic situation we find ourselves in. Kildare and the Mid-East Region is well positioned to welcome further foreign direct investment. Our highly skilled workforce, the attractiveness of our region coupled with the quality of life we enjoy and our excellent infrastructure provision & connectivity ensures we are well placed to secure investment”.

‘Unique in Ireland’ specialist digital business programme set up by Maynooth University, Meath Enterprise and County Kildare Chamber to help businesses re-think Covid-19, Brexit & Future strategies A bespoke innovation programme delivered by Maynooth University’s Innovation Value Institute (IVI) will support companies who are forced to re-think how they do business. The ReThink|ReDesign programme is unique in Ireland. The initiative provides customised help for firms to rethink, redesign, and reboot their business models to recover from the disastrous economic disruption caused by COVID 19, and the critical need to survive and thrive in a post-Brexit economic landscape. Contact the Chamber for all details.

DIAGEO announce Ballymore as regeneration partner for the Guinness Quarter at St James’s Gate Chamber member Ballymore and Diageo will work together on a shared vision for the Guinness Quarter that will preserve the heritage assets and create an inspiring urban neighbourhood that will open up the historic St James’s Gate site to the people of Dublin and beyond.

Terra Nutritech go global Terra Nutritech are planning to grow turnover to €15million over the next 36 months. “We see rapid expansion in the next three years. We developed all our technology so that it was hugely scalable. From day one we set out to develop the product as a disrupter to the incumbents in the market. We knew once we got traction we could scale very quickly,” says CEO Padraig Hennessy. The company has been self-funded with investment of €3m to date. 03

INTEL IRELAND IS LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Ireland is home to one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing locations in the world. We produce latest generation mic microchips which power the systems that make the world tick.

INTEL DONATES 100 HAND SANITISER UNITS TO BUSINESSES IN KILDARE Intel have donated 100 hand sanitiser units to businesses in Kildare as part of a COVID prevention initiative that is being supported by County Kildare Chamber. The sanitiser unit’s will assist businesses with their ongoing COVID prevention measures and have been distributed to businesses through the offices of County Kildare Chamber. Speaking about the donation, Intel’s External Relations Manager Lisa Harlow said: “As they continue to manage the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, we hope that this donation will be of practical support to the business community in Kildare”. Allan Shine, CEO of County Kildare Chamber said: “We are delighted to partner with Intel Ireland in supporting small and medium businesses in our county.”

“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on people and businesses everywhere. We continue to support businesses in Kildare through practical initiatives such as this with Intel and also with the varied suite of learning programmes we offer and our effective lobbying which ensures the voice and concerns of business in Kildare are heard.” Lisa Harlow, External Relations Manager Intel with Allan Shine, Chief Executive County Kildare Chamber at So Coffee Leixlip, one of the companies provided with a hand sanitiser.

04

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

CHAMBER

GOLF SOCIETY

2 0 2 1 Outing dates for 2021

26th March Millicent Golf Club €25 per person Tee Times 12.30pm – 2.30pm 30th April The Montgomerie Links Golf Course, Carton House €40 per person Tee Times 12.20pm- 2.20pm 28th May The Palmer North Course, The K Club €50 per person Tee Times 11am -3pm 25th June The Palmer South Course, The K Club €35 per person Tee Times 11am – 3pm 30th July The O’Meara Parkland Golf Course, Carton House €40 per person Tee Times 1pm – 3pm 24th September Kilkea Golf Course, Kilkea Castle €30 per person Tee Times 11am – 2pm 29th October Palmerstown Golf Course, Palmerstown House Estate €30 per person Tee Times 9am – 12pm Fee: €50 pp (max 6 members per company) T’s & C’s Apply For more information visit:

www.countykildarechamber.ie/chamber-golf-society/ 05

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Endress + Hauser People for Process Automation Beer is brewed using naturally grown products that vary from year to year and from harvest to harvest. The brewer must react to these changes to produce a beer of stable quality, and moreover, the beer must also taste the same year after year in order to meet the customer’s expectations. To hit this moving target, a lot of experience is necessary. And that is the art of brewing beer. For decades, global and local producers, as well as plant and machine builders have profited from our support and innovations designed to increase productivity and reduce costs. Globally, Endress+Hauser actively partners with Breweries and Brewery equipment providers in more than 100 countries to share experience and knowledge. Endress+Hauser is here to help you run your process consistently on a high-quality level day and night. Our state-of-the-art sensor technology supports the brewing process. Constantly improved accuracy of process sensors, along with high repeatability enables you to run your process in the most efficient manner. We help to ensure food safety, quality and compliance. With Endress+Hauser you can meet global hygiene regulations for food safety with robust proven in-use products. Benefit from traceable and accredited calibration services at your facility or in our lab. Accurate, hygienic inline measurements help conserve resources. Get real-time, accurate data from your critical processes and save money on raw materials, water, energy and labour, without interrupting your production. Receive quality guidance of the optimum-fit products for your specific needs from a network of global and local experts who stay by your side through the entire life cycle. Smaller breweries benefit from instrumentation in the same way as larger operations. The challenge is to know where to start and how to justify the initial expense. Endress+Hauser supports small as well as large scale breweries with high quality measurement solutions that are scalable to your needs. The first challenge for a smaller operation is to 06

achieve stable quality. Small breweries also need the critical information about their brewing process. This includes the amount of water they use in mashing and sparging as well as how much beer is moved in the cold block. High accuracy temperature sensors in brew house and fermenter ensure stable production conditions. Trust our reliable instruments for quality measurement that supplies the necessary data for ideal processes, supports suitable solutions for tracking and tracing your beer and minimizes product losses. Our experienced team of industry and application experts helps you select the right process instrumentation for your critical parameters. Contact Endress+Hauser today to see how we can help improve your beer quality control. Whether you are a larger or a smaller brewery, we can provide custom solutions to fit your application. If you are interested in measurement solutions from Endress+Hauser for your brewery contact us today on 045 989 200, or email us at info.ie.sc@endress.com. Visit www.ie.endress.com for more information.

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Chambers to lead the way on Sustainable Development Goals will integrate the SDGs into their dailyoperations, advocate for the goals locally and create or support policies that reflect the SDGs. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes the 17 SDGs, was adopted by the 193 Members States of the United Nations (UN) in September 2015. The SDGs cover a range of commitments that seeks to end poverty, protect the environment, develop a sustainable economy and many more.

In September 2019 on the anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all affiliated Chambers across Ireland announced that they have signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals. Our network values the necessity of driving sustainable development and advocating for economic, social and environmental equality. Each Chamber plays an integral part in creating a sustainable and work-friendly place in their area and they collectively work together on achieving a prosperous future for Ireland. Chambers across the country are uniquely positioned to advocate for local development and sustainable communities. Catering for their wide business membership, they host events and seminars, create partnerships with other local organisations and advocate for a thriving place to do business. This sign-up involves the Chambers pledging to uphold, communicate and implement the SDGs throughout the work that they carry out. Chambers 08

The 2019 SDGs Progress Report found that progress has been made on a number of goals and targets over the past four years. They have become a pivotal benchmark for sustainable development in Ireland and abroad. As we reach the end and beginning of a decade, we look back to see the progress we made and how far we are away from achieving the SDGs. While this is the first collective Chambers effort to embrace the UN goals, they have been organising and implementing key activities that are very much linked to the SDGs for years. This can be seen

through various initiatives such as establishing women’s networks linked to gender equality (SDG 5) to calling for public transport reflective of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Chambers are also well represented internationally through our membership of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The ICC is the only business representative organisation with UN Observer status, and as a result has been very proactive in the implementation of the SDGs within the business community, including the production of a Business Charter for Sustainable Development. By Chambers championing the SDGs, Ireland will be in a better position to lead on the SDGs globally and achieve some of the indicators linked nationally. We hope that Chamber activities, in addition to the global effort, would see all of the 17 goals achieved and implemented by 2030.

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021 Kendlebell Naas provide service to a range of companies other than Electrolux operating in every area of business from Physiotherapists to Tradesmen, Lift Companies to Medical Consultants, Facility Management Companies to Dog Microchipping companies. All their clients have one thing in common, they all wish to deliver customer experience second to none and capitalise on every business opportunity.

All calls are answered in the client’s business name and whether it is 10 or 3000 calls a month they are all handled by the Kendle Belles, fully trained professional Personal Assistants. As each customer has different requirements the service is tailored to meet their exact needs so whether it is handling quotations and prices, making or cancelling an appointment or processing a payment the Kendle Belles are there to help.

Naas In 2010 when Electrolux Ireland were looking for an outsourcing partner to provide a service desk solution for their business, Thomas Lee, Head of After Sales, was introduced to Tony Clarke of Kendlebell Naas. Kendlebell had only been in operation for 3 years but were already making a name for themselves in the contact centre industry, offering customised solutions for Telephone Answering, Virtual Receptionist and Service Desk Solution services. In June 2010, Kendlebell took on the role and the relationship has been strengthening since then. Kendlebell are the first point of contact for all service calls for Electrolux, Zanussi and AEG Products in the Republic of Ireland. The team at Kendlebell led by Tony, help deliver a service solution which is second to none in Ireland. No waiting on hold 20 minutes to speak to an agent, being repeatedly told your call is important to us, Kendlebell answer 98% of calls within 20 seconds and deliver first call resolution to over 75% of callers. The Kendlebell team handle calls from consumers and retailers and liaise with Electrolux’s 40+ engineers throughout Ireland to help deliver the Electrolux Customer Experience. To quote Thomas Lee “We have a very close working relationship with the staff, including Tony Clarke which enables us to ensure our processes are fully controlled. We maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and continuous improvement within Electrolux Ireland and Kendlebell Naas are very much a part of this.”

During the Covid 19 pandemic the Kendle Belles were all relocated to work from home with zero interruption to service levels. Having received early warnings from their medical clients about the upcoming issues, staff were all relocated to work from home early in March. They continue to do so at present and continue to deliver our full range of services. Kendlebell Naas are lucky to have a superb team of people who are dedicated to looking after their customers requirements and helping business people grow their business. Kendlebell Naas offer a No Cost No Obligation Free Trial of their services so that potential clients can experience for themselves the benefits of outsourcing their call answering and receptionist services. For more detail visit www.kbvo.ie or call Tony on 1800 844750.

09

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Movers & SHAKERS Catherine Bunn – Fusion Digital Fusion Digital is delighted to welcome Catherine Bunn as our new Sales & Marketing Manager. Catherine came highly qualified in Marketing and Business Development and ticked all the boxes with great enthusiasm and a friendly approach. Catherine is responsible for new business development planning and strategy and for the company’s business clients. “I am thrilled to become part of the Fusion Digital team. It’s great to be part of a vibrant team with such a fantastic reputation locally, and who take so much pride in what they do. It’s evident that the customer is key and we are willing to go that extra mile to ensure our customers brand is reflected in the best way possible”.

Sara Barbosa – O’Brien Fine Foods Sara Barbosa recently joined O’ Brien Fine Foods as Product Developer and will help support a major retail account. Sara has over seven years industry experience, working with many reputable brands such as Uncle Bens, Blenders, Mars, and M&M’s chocolate. O’Brien Fine Foods are a family run business based in Timahoe, Co. Kildare. They are the largest producers of cooked meats in Ireland and are proud owners of leading premium brands such as Brady Family, Homebird and Green Farm. They also produce the highest quality own label products supplying all the major retailers in Ireland and beyond. O’BFF are delighted to welcome Sara to the family and wish her every success in her role.

Liam Moloney – Moloney & Co Solicitors Personal injury Solicitor Liam Moloney has been appointed Honorary Consul in Ireland for the Republic of Slovenia. Mr Moloney was recently nominated by the Slovenian Government to the position of Honorary Consul and the Irish Government accepted the nomination. The main function of an Honorary Consul is to encourage and promote business, trade and economic interests between the sending and the receiving country. The Consulate is based at his Naas Solicitors office. Commenting on his appointment Liam said ‘’I am delighted to have been nominated by the Slovenian Government to be its Honorary Consul in Ireland. Slovenia has been an independent State since 1991 and has a vibrant work force. The main economic driver in Slovenia is the service industry followed by manufacturing and construction. In my new role I will be working to promote greater co-operation between Irish and Slovene companies in these areas along with the tourism sector’’. Liam qualified as a Solicitor in 1995 and has been in practice in Naas since 1999. His firm also has offices in Dublin City and specialises in personal injury and overseas travel law cases. He is currently an Executive Board member of the Pan European Organisation for Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL) along with being a member of the Board of Governors for Ireland and the UK of the trial Lawyers organisation the American Association for Justice (aaj.org). 10

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

T&I to be Net-Zero

Carbon by 2030

Initiative Outline

T&I Fitouts sees sustainability as the future of all companies, and our proactive approach aims to lead this change. As an industry, and a country we must have an adaptive mindset in order to produce a green legacy. This conviction is now driving our policies in creating a roadmap to achieving NetZero Carbon by 2030.

This initiative also involves the installation of 2nr Electric Car Charging points at our facilities, powered through sustainable PV Solar Panels. Our aim is to ensure that our whole motor fleet is completely electric by the end of 2022. Our Electric Car Charging facilities are made available free of charge to our staff, in a bid to help them to fully participate in our renewable transformation.

Carbon Offset

Sustainable Materials/Upcycling

A crucial step on our path to achieving Net-Zero Carbon by 2030, was the establishment of T&I Carbon Neutral as a division of the company in 2019. T&I Carbon Neutral was established to procure, plant and manage sustainable, biodiverse, hardwood forestry. At the point of publication, we have planted 160 acres of hardwood forestry, in a mixture of traditional hardwoods and poplars. We are expanding hardwood forestry plantations each year to offset a portion of our Carbon Footprint. Each Fit Out project we undertake will be allocated a proportion of this forestry and this dedicated allocation will then be maintained for the lifetime of that Fit Out, thus offsetting Carbon Emissions now and offsetting the Embodied Carbon of these Fit Outs into the future.

Energy

T&I have partnered with Enerpower to achieve Net-Zero Carbon at our Head Office in Kildare. Through the adoption of solar panels, wind power, and other technologies and practices we plan to be carbon neutral energy user.

T&I promote the use of natural and sustainable products at all stages on all of our projects. Before we appoint joiners, we ensure that their wood is SFM (Sustainable Forestry Management) compliant. On every project we focus on Lifecycle Costing and Energy Usage to ensure our clients can see not only the environmental advantages of using sustainable materials today but also the cost benefits tomorrow. T&I procures goods from local suppliers wherever possible and maintains a local workforce thus cutting the travel distance for all staff and reducing our Carbon Footprint. Most importantly, when given the opportunity to propose a product to a client or architect, T&I leans heavily into sustainable / upcycled products.

Commitment

With our Roadmap in place T&I is now positioned to become Net-Zero Carbon by 2030. Although we will encounter the inevitable bumps in the road on this journey, we must adapt and evolve to these challenges as we are committed to fulfilling these goals.

T&I Fitouts Ltd

Longtown, Straffan, Co Kildare

T: 045-861799 E: info@tandi.ie W: www.tandi.ie 11

SURGICAL STANDARD

CE Approved 3 Ply High Quality Face Masks In stock with 24h delivery free of charge Keep your staff & clients safe!

*50 Units Per Box!

Price Match Guarantee Contact Magnet Medical at: 01-450-4141 087-239-9225 info@magnetmarketing.ie Find our range with pricing at www.magnetmedical.ie All Safety Data Sheets are available upon request

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Pandemic forces tough choices on family firms, covid crisis has raised issues from financial strains to thorny issues of succession.

Experienced family business advisor Paul Keogh has a simple mantra that he repeats to clients in times of stress: family first, business second. “I’m a great believer that a business should never rule a family, business is about profit, but it can’t be at the expense of a family.” It is advice that doesn’t always go down well, not least at a time like now when many family-owned companies find themselves facing severe stress and challenge. “I know a fair number of businesses where multiple family units of the same family are dependent on that business. And that causes an added stress. In lots of cases where they have hit a bad patch because of Covid it really has brought financial strain.” Keogh has worked with family companies throughout his career. He originally worked for Guinness - before it became part of global giant Diageo - and, as marketing director for lagers for the-then still family-controlled company, he brought Budweiser to Ireland. He was chief operating officer at Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore and a senior marketing executive for the Bamford family company, JCB. He now acts as an independent advisor for a range of Irish family companies, specialising in the delicate issues of governance and succession planning. “I think the stress level in a family business is one that really goes under the radar, because it stays within the family,” he said. There is a huge amount of anxiety and uncertainty, particularly for firms where there has been constant opening and closing over the past year and no clear idea as to when things will return to a type of normality. There is also a deep cultural resistance among the founders or current heads to face the issue head on.

“There can be a lot of procrastinating by owners around having the conversation with his or her kids about inheriting the business and the right time for them to take on the business. In some cases the pandemic has forced the issue.” Some business owners have had reason to have a growing appreciation of those coming behind them, said Keogh. “A lot of next generation family members have made an important contribution to their family businesses on how to get out of the crisis. It might be part naivety and partly a lack of entrenched fears, but a lot of younger people have been very important to helping their family business to adapt really quickly. “I’ve been amazed how many really traditional Irish businesses have adopted online trading as a necessity having resisted it for a long time because they previously didn’t really feel the need. But the next generation in a lot of family businesses just came in and said ‘We’re virtually closed unless we use the internet and if we do it right it gives us a global platform.” Covid will kill off a lot of businesses that were in trouble anyway and those conversations are the toughest part of his job, he said. “It’s hard to say to business owners ‘I’ve had a look at your business and your turnover and your profit before Covid and it is not viable’. But honesty is the key. Because in some businesses like that people need to be using this current downtime to look at what else they might be able to do after the business is gone rather than hanging around waiting for Covid to go, thinking they are going to be viable when they may not even have been viable before Covid.”

www.paulkeogh.com 13

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Redesigning your Business with Lean Thinking “We need to be more efficient at processing purchase orders”, Stuart Nelson, Co-Founder & Lean Coach with Jigsaw Better Business recalls a scoping call with a client. The client had seen a growth in their engineering business and along with it came an increase in admin volume. “I agreed with the client, ‘Sounds like a good place to start’, a quick look at the Purchase Order process showed some scope for improvement, but in Lean we like to make sure that we are not only doing things right but doing the right things.”. When it comes to solving problems with a Lean Mindset, Defining the Problem is key to making sure we are tackling the root cause and not just treating symptoms. “As I often say to clients it’s great that you have become experts at mopping the floor, but wouldn’t it be better to just turn the tap off?”

Allyson English, Co-Founder & Lean Coach with Jigsaw Better Business highlights that a common complaint among business owners/managers and their teams, is that of being STUCK, completing thankless tasks and feeling frustrated that they are not getting the return on the hard work they are putting in. Allyson recalled a recently completed project with a client, “they were stuck in their business and felt that there had to be a better way. They thought that the lean approach helped them untangle their business and with our coaching approach to problem-solving we engaged them and their team, moving their business to a healthier place from which to grow.” Through creative problem solving, people development & process innovation, Jigsaw Better Business help great businesses BE BETTER. Founded in 2017 by Allyson English and Stuart Nelson following 30- and 15-year careers respectively in various management positions, they bring a full understanding of the challenges, opportunities and cultural changes that companies face on a daily basis. With a growing, highly skilled team, they work with businesses to develop an “Organisational Growth Mindset”. Their mission is to help businesses of all shapes, sizes and sectors to achieve efficiencies, become more competitive, offer improved customer service and reduce waste and wasteful activities.

Put simply, Lean is doing what you do, Quicker, Better, Cheaper, and Together with your team. Lean is about more than cash savings to many business owners. It is about building a stable, secure, and sustainable business, that is agile enough to face competitive & economic challenges. It is about liberating the team from Non-Value adding activities through questioning and redesigning their processes, allowing them to focus on business growth and Value-Adding activities. For many businesses, Lean has given them the ability to get home on time, work less at the weekends, while still getting the work done. These businesses achieved these outcomes by focusing on eliminating waste from their processes, creating standards, implementing visual management, applying 6S-Workplace organisation, and accepting that what has taken them this far in business may not take them where they want to go next.

Lean in a Crisis

Lean itself was born in a crisis, helping Toyota to stay profitable in a reduced market with a scarcity of materials. In 2020, Jigsaw Better Business played a key role in supporting many Kildare companies with business continuity support. Using operating models to understand the now, business models to innovate for the future, and the power of peer support to help business owners navigate the COVID lockdowns.

The Lean Approach

Lean is the belief that waste exists in all processes, and the aim of every Lean project is to identify and eliminate that waste and retain only the steps that add value to clients. Allyson says, “we work off the assumption, the expertise is already in the business, we use ‘Lean Eyes for Waste’ to support the team, enabling an investigation, to see if these tasks can be carried out more efficiently”. 14

Finding the Value and Learning to see the waste.

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Lean is a vital part of the government’s strategy of support for business to address costs during BREXIT. For most businesses, 80-100% funded support to introduce Lean is available from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, and the Local Enterprise Offices across the country. Kildare Local Enterprise Office leads the way in the Lean for Micro program, having supported over 100 Kildare businesses to start their Lean journey.

Leadership & Team Coaching

In addition to helping businesses implement Lean tools, Jigsaw Better Business have developed a leadership and team coaching program of support which in 2018, won the inaugural award for Contribution to Lean Learning at the 1st Lean Business Ireland / Enterprise Excellence awards. This research and the training /coaching program focus on Lean Culture’s pillars: Leadership, Teams, and Employee Engagement. Stuart believes that “Lean has a fantastic set of tools to support teams and individuals to get the best results with the least effort, but tools and techniques will only take you so far. To make change stick, we need to focus on culture. At Jigsaw, our team are people – people, we always seek out the person behind the process”. A frequent speaker on the Lean Mindset, Stuart has spoken at regional, national, & international conferences on the subject.

the root cause, planning and preparing the correct stock for the onsite teams not only reduced the volume of purchase orders, but reduced downtime while waiting on parts, and cut out the foreman’s non-productive time away from site. Jigsaw have gained valuable insight into the SME sector in Ireland and how best to apply Lean, having supported almost 300 businesses to sow the seeds of Lean Thinking, Jigsaw Better Business has a Vision to “stand out but fit in” and draw on their expertise in Lean, Leadership, Teams, & Digital Transformation, not just to help businesses be better but to see and support the people beyond the process. Jigsaw Better Business is an award-winning Enterprise Ireland, IDA, & Local Enterprise Office Lean Service Provider. If you find yourself at your desk or workstation, about to tackle a task and think to yourself “There has to be a better way” then Growing Lean is for you. Why not contact Jigsaw today and look into what funded supports are available to help your Great Business, Be Better!

Better Together Network

Given the challenges faced by businesses in 2020, Jigsaw set up the Better Together Network to help companies grow their peer support network, build relationships and develop partnerships. Like-minded businesses were clustered together with an expert facilitator to connect and collaborate in a safe, controlled space to share knowledge, challenges, solutions, and support. These small groups of business owners raised the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with honesty, respect and compassion. Coming back to the client with the purchase order issues, Stuart completes the story, “While we accepted the process could be improved, we used the ‘5 Whys’” to help understand the cause of the difficulty. This is a popular lean tool to get to Root Cause and Define the problem better. “Yes, increased business had increased the purchases orders, but it had also reduced the time available to plan and to provide the correct stock for the engineers who work onsite. This resulted in the foreman making multiple trips offsite to the wholesalers to get missing inventory items”. Addressing

hello@jigsawbb.ie / www.jigsawbetterbusiness.ie

\\\ /NLXF\'JYYJW'ZXNSJXX NJ

Leadership, Teams and Engagement training canvas 15

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

local businesses, or just finding new ways to support our longstanding community partners, it has really been a privilege for us to be part of the incredible pandemic relief efforts. Allan Shine: The way we do business will undoubtedly change, the long commute will shorten for many and the business landscape will change. Digital transformation will be fast tracked as businesses need to quickly adapt post COVID. What changes do you foresee over the next 2436 months with regard to digital transformation? Eamonn: I certainly agree that the post-COVID world of work will look different to what we have become accustomed to in the past. I hope that we can take the best of what we’ve experienced and incorporate that into how things go in the future. At Intel, we plan to introduce more flexibility into our working models that empower employees to do their best work in a way that makes sense for them, their teams, and our business needs, while continuing to build and strengthen our culture, and recruit and retain the most diverse talent. New ways of work will of course be underpinned by continuing digital transformation – as will new ways of learning, new social expectations, digital health solutions and much more.

When Intel first made the decision to locate in Ireland in 1989 it was simply impossible to imagine the development that would unfold over the next 30 years at its campus in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. From humble beginnings that involved a small assembly operation to becoming one of the most technologically advanced manufacturing locations on the planet, Intel is the jewel in the crown of FDI in Ireland and has been a bellwether for many investments that would follow. Intel has invested a total of $15 billion in the country and contributes €1.08 billion each year to the Irish economy. They support 6,669 full time equivalent jobs in the economy, which are in addition to the 4,900 people working for Intel. They support 771 Irish suppliers with whom Intel spend €284 million with every year. In the past 3 years, Intel has donated more than €3 million to communities across Ireland and every year they contribute €1.3 million to education initiatives. Intel is a key partner for County Kildare Chamber. Supporting business in the region is a key focus for both organisations and interviewing the Intel Ireland General Manager, Eamonn Sinnott, for the first edition of the Chamber Chronicle for 2021 was opportune as Intel are investing in a significant project at their campus in Leixlip, which of course is a huge boost for the region. Allan Shine: Eamonn, we have to start with COVID-19. It has been hugely impactful for business and for people in general. For Intel in Kildare, how have you reacted to COVID-19 over the past 10 months? Eamonn: From the outset of the pandemic, which is hard to believe was almost a year ago, the safety and wellbeing of all our employees, partners, suppliers, contractors and communities has been our top priority. In dealing with the

16

pandemic, we’re fortunate that we could tap into an international network of expertise within Intel. This network includes a specialised group of medical, safety and operational experts who are there to lead Intel through global health situations like the one we are navigating now. From the beginning of the crisis, they monitored any changes in the global environment and provided guidance for our local response team here in Ireland. We quickly implemented a number of measures to help slow the spread and mitigate the impact of COVID-19. From travel and event restrictions to broad work-from-home policies to social distancing and other protective measures, such as enhanced cleaning, the use of facemasks and strict visitor restrictions. These measures ensure that the products that we make here in Kildare can continue to reach our global supply chain and enable critical technology for use in healthcare, hospital systems, virtual learning, remote working environments, data centres and cloud services that run the internet, and critical manufacturing and service industries. For the construction activity that is being undertaken at our campus, our main contractor has implemented a wide range of carefully controlled safety measures to safeguard the health of all the workers at the site. One of the things that has been most notable about the past months is how individuals and communities have really stepped up to look after one another. I am really proud of how we’ve stood in solidarity with the communities around us and provided resources to support local needs. Whether through the donation of PPE, our sleep pods for use by frontline workers, relief funding, technology equipment, working in partnership with the Chamber to provide sanitiser units for

Digital transformation is also a fundamental aspect of our manufacturing operations. Manufacturing is undergoing a paradigm shift known as Industry 4.0. This new era for manufacturing, spurred by the fourth industrial revolution, is characterised by advanced capabilities and efficiencies enabled by extensive adoption of digital technology, including for example, autonomous/ collaborative robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. For example, two years ago, at our Leixlip plant, a small manufacturing team began to use augmented reality (AR) in training sessions. Implemented by the team to teach new tasks, they quickly found that the technology worked particularly well in the training of new employees. Wearing the headset and seeing tools, diagrams, step-by-step guides, and real-time instruction allows complex tasks to be repeated in the secure augmented space before performing the same tasks in the real environment of the fab. Fast forward two years and we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic, unlocking a whole new set of opportunities for a technology like augmented reality. The AR glasses have inbuilt into them a remote assist functionality. This remote assist allows us to connect the AR headset to a remote user on a laptop with a two-way interaction between both devices. This allows the users of both devices to remotely collaborate, regardless of where they may be. Little did we know how useful this capability would become as it has enabled social distancing in the fab as a trainee can observe a task being completed from a safe distance. It has also been a very valuable technology when people cannot be physically present. Allan Shine: As construction continues in Leixlip, when will we see the finish line, how many jobs will be created and what new innovative manufacturing products are envisaged within Intel? Eamonn: Across our global network, we are working to build for the future, continuing to invest in factory capacity to ensure that we can keep up with the growing needs of our customers.

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Here in Ireland, at our Leixlip campus, early enabling works on a manufacturing site expansion first commenced in December 2018 and we are continuing to progress through a multiyear construction project to develop manufacturing space and support buildings. The construction activity is progressing well, and we are now coming to the end of the substantive excavation period. Although smaller elements of excavation will continue through this year, we will start to see more of the activity focussed on the interior of the buildings. We expect that the development will provide for up to an estimated total of 1600 full time jobs on site once completed. It is important to keep in mind, these multi-year projects and the associated investment will be taken in stages and is subject to change based on business, economic and other factors. Allan Shine: In Q1 2021, the Chamber will launch the Kildare Sustainability Council charged with supporting SME’s with the “Race to Zero”. The council will consist of all key climate and sustainability key stakeholders in the regions. What advances are Intel striving to achieve in relation to climate change? Eamonn: Intel’s long-standing commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainability—built on a strong foundation of transparency, governance, and ethics—is deeply integrated throughout all aspects of our business. Our commitment to transparency and setting ambitious goals has enabled us to drive meaningful results and challenge ourselves to achieve higher levels of performance. Last year we published the latest of these ambitious goals when we launched our new RISE strategy and 2030 goals. Through this strategy, we are working to create a more responsible, inclusive and sustainable future, enabled through our technology and the expertise and passion of our employees. Here in Ireland, we have strongly reflected that commitment to sustainability, continuously working to find ways to reduce emissions and improve energy management through conservation, renewable energy, efficient building design, and other efforts. For example, over the past 8 years we have invested €58 million in energy conservation projects and our water conservation efforts in that same period have resulted in 8.1 billion litres of water being conserved. We have adopted these company-wide RISE goals for our Irish operations and have a number of specific targets that we will strive to reach by 2030. For example; •

Intel has a company-wide goal to deliver 10 million volunteer hours to improve our local communities. Here in Ireland, we have set an ambitious target of delivering 10% of that goal, despite only representing less than 5% of the global workforce.

•

Intel has committed to achieve net positive water use by conserving 60 billion gallons of water and funding external water restoration projects. We are committed to delivering a water restoration project here in Ireland that will help us achieve net positive water use at a local level.

•

As part of our company wide sustainability commitments over the next decade, Intel is committed to achieving 100% renewable energy use across our global operations. Here in Ireland, since 2016, 100% of all

electricity supplied to our Leixlip campus was generated from indigenous renewable sources, making Intel one of the largest voluntary, private purchasers of renewable energy in the country. Over the next decade, we are committed to maintaining this 100% supply of electricity from indigenous renewable sources, even as our operations are set to expand.

•

Another important element of our sustainability commitment over the next decade is our aim to conserve an additional 4 billion kWh of energy across our operations globally. Here is Ireland, we have set a target to conserve 800million kwh of that 4 billion target, which is 20% of the overall goal.

Allan Shine: You are heavily invested in the business success of the mid-east region chairing the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan. What are, in your view, the main reasons for MNC’s and indigenous SME’s setting up home in the region? Eamonn: It was my privilege to chair the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Committee through the last 2 phases. In February 2019, we set out to deliver on four core objectives for Meath, Kildare and Wicklow in addition to promoting a culture of enterprise development that would continue the process of sustaining and revitalising our communities. We could not envisage the incredible changes that our lives, our communities and our economies would have experienced throughout 2020. The rapid acceleration of remote working has brought into sharp focus the demand for a connected network of hubs across the country as employers, employees and businesses experience the need to find different ways to work. The key focus of our plan over the last two years has been roll out of this network. The success of the plan can be witnessed first-hand through the funding and development of a number of co-working and sector specific hubs across the region. In Wicklow, the Clermont Content Creation Enterprise Hub will enhance its position as a leader in screen content creation and production. In Kildare, MERITS in Naas will provide state of the art digital and technology facilities. In Meath, the Boyne Valley Food Hub will provide the infrastructure for food business to start and scale. These hubs will all be underpinned and supported by a skilled workforce that can meet the ever-changing demands of our region and our economy. I want to acknowledge all the members of the Mid East REP Steering Committee for giving of their time and invaluable expertise over the last two years. In particular the enterprise champions Siún ní Raghallaigh, John Cunningham, and Kate Brosnan whose world class insights and contributions were always offered freely. The Project Delivery Team, comprising the local authority Heads of Enterprise and the CEO’s, working hand in hand with the state agencies, and the specially appointed Project Manager Conor Sweeney, ensured the unwavering focus on delivery. Without the commitment of these individuals, the progress achieved would simply not have happened and it is these efforts that will continue to underpin the attractiveness of the Mid-East as a place to do business for many years to come. Allan Shine: In 5 years time, 2026, what will Intel look like in Kildare?

Eamonn: The pace at which the world around us is changing makes that a pretty challenging question – it would appear that only The Simpsons are any good at making future predictions! That said, who would have imagined back in the early 90’s the impressive track record of Intel Ireland that was to follow. Innovation and the pace of change in the world has not relented. The key to success is to win every day at the task that is immediately in front of us. Our ongoing commitment to manufacturing at high volume for our global supply chains, together with our commitment to manufacturing expansion, enables us to contribute significant economic value - €1.08 billion each year to the Irish economy – this is something that is hard won and which we must never take for granted. I think that there is opportunity in the next 5 years to continue to be recognised as a world-class hub of advanced manufacturing, one of the most significant in Europe and indeed the world. As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve and unlock the potential of Industry 4.0, we will see increasing technological advancements. As the world emerges from COVID-19, citizens will be more prepared for the future of work and the possibilities of Industry 4.0. This, I believe, will underpin an empowering, human centred, social transformation that has the power to radically improve the lives of all people. Something else that I think is fundamental to our story in the years ahead is our continued commitment to local communities, here in North Kildare and further afield. Our journey since 1989 has been proudly characterised by the relationships we have built with local partners and stakeholders and by their continued support and guidance to us. This will continue to be vitally important to us in the years ahead. In summary, the next 5 years are poised as a very exciting time for Intel and indeed for Ireland. We have the chance to continue to play our part in enhancing Kildare’s reputation as a leading place to do business. Allan Shine: FDI is hugely important for Kildare and the mid-east region, what would you encourage Government and our key agencies to focus on over the next few years to firstly maintain our FDI companies but also to attract more. Eamonn: The first thing that I would encourage is something that I think is applicable to our national ambition, and that is the opportunity of manufacturing. The unique challenges posed by 2020 have accelerated the adoption of digital technology in manufacturing. While this is an exciting development, it introduces a certain degree of urgency for Ireland. Every government, industry, and citizen in the world will be affected by Industry 4.0. Ireland must make decisive plans to cement our place as a leading voice in this area. It is the decisions, networks, and policies we forge now that will shape the future. The most pressing items ahead are advancing Ireland’s digital and physical infrastructures, increasing the investment in R&D closer to the often quoted 3% of GDP and maintain a relentless focus on lifelong education. Given our expertise and reputation as a global centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing, Ireland is in a remarkable position to be a leader in Industry 4.0. We each have a part to play to shape the future for the benefit of all.

17

Discover our difference. Life CU is the credit union for the modern workplace. Everything we do is designed to empower our members’ lives. We’ve been around since the 1960s, so our expertise and know-how has built up over many decades. Life @ Work is our dedicated programme for businesses, proven to help employees save and budget more efficiently to enhance their financial wellbeing. There's no cost to employers and our Life CU support team are on hand to implement everything effortlessly and smoothly! We'd love you to be part of it!

Get in touch today for more information about our Life @ Work programme. Contact our Head of Business Development, Nicola at nsmyth@lifecu.ie or 087 7732 829. Or find out more at lifecu.ie. We'll have you up and running in no time!

GOODBYE

debt!

Lowest rate on the market! 5.5% (5.64% APR)

on all loans transferred in to us bank loans, car loans, credit cards!

If there is one good thing to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time! With the restrictions in place we now have the time to focus on things we never could do before with our busy and hectic lives. So why not focus on saving some money on your existing debt! Until 31st December only, we have the LOWEST RATE ON THE MARKET! Simply combine all your debts into one smarter single payment with Life CU at an amazing 5.5% (5.64% APR).

Here to help. Apply online in minutes! Lifecu.ie I (045) 879 622

Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Loans are subject to repayment capacity & financial status. Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your credit agreement, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Changing your loans may result in you paying over a longer term and/or paying more interest over the life of your loan. Life Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank or Ireland.

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Upcoming Virtual Events Weekly Chamber Networking Events Every Wednesday @ 8:00am Networking events kindly sponsored by:

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Google for a Digital Garage offering an array of different training webinars. Check out what we have lined up so far below: Thursday 28th Jan Get your business visible online ¦ 11am – 12pm

Given the current situation in Ireland, the normal way of networking is at a provisional halt. However, we continue to host our networking events via webinar where our members can log in from wherever they are and e-network with their fellow Chamber members. Non-members can attend up to 2 network meetings before joining the Chamber. Member Benefit Briefing - Maximise Your Membership

Thursday 4th Feb ‘Measuring what matters’ ¦ Google Analytics ¦ 11am – 12pm Thursday 25th Feb Understand consumer demand with Google trends ¦ 11am – 12pm Thursday 11th March Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for your Business ¦ 11am – 12pm

Friday 12th February @ 11am – 12pm

Tender Training Excellence Programme

Friday 26th March @ 11am – 12pm

Thursday 18th February 9am – 1pm Member Only Event ¦ €50 + VAT pp

Members, join us for this virtual event with the Chamber team, learn how to fully benefit from your membership & how to fully utilise our new member CRM system. This webinar will allow our members to learn how to fully utilise this new member CRM system - learn how to update your company information, post news articles, refer other members, add job listings & more!

The workshop is based on Bid Service’s acclaimed Tender Training Excellence Programme and is aimed at sole traders, small businesses and SMEs who wish to secure a share of the €150 billion in public works, supplies and services that will be procured by the Irish Government over the next five years.

For more details and to register for any of the above events visit

www.countykildarechamber.ie

19

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board are a key resource for businesses in the Kildare & Wicklow region. The way in which we work, learn, do business and engage with one another has changed as technology advances. In KWETB, we provide a suite of courses in a diverse range of sectors to ensure that you have a future pipeline of talent available to you from the local labour pool to meet your future business needs.

Hospitality Supports: The Hospitality sector, a critical pillar of the Irish economy has been significantly damaged by COVID-19. Maintaining adequate employees will be crucial in the coming year. Retaining and attracting top talent will be a priority. However, this will present a significant challenge. This was a challenge pre-covid and has been exacerbated as employees fear for job security and leave to other sectors. The Hospitality industry is built around consumer experiences and delivery of same is underpinned by the skill set of the workforce. The sector is all about human connections and people will be at the heart of the revival.

Hospitality and Management Training This training is a national skills initiative between the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), Failte Ireland, The Regional Skills Fora and the Education and Training boards (ETBs’). This project is a Government Funded Initiative to support the Hospitality sector and ensure its successful revival. Training is an important factor to ensure the retention of staff. As the industry moves to recovery training will be essential to attracting, developing and keeping the right talent into and within the hospitality industry. This programme will be rolled out nationally in March 2021. KWETB will be offering the following programmes to hospitality in Kildare and Wicklow:

Level 5

Hospitality and Tourism Team Leader

Level 6

Hospitality and Tourism Team Supervisory Manager

Digital Credentials are the latest technology in skills certification and recognition, they provide a secure way to showcase your achievements online, using social media. You can display your Digital Badge on your CV and on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.

The Certification sets a global benchmark for job roles across:

Your Future, Your Skills Led by KWETB, Your Future, Your Skills is a global skills framework that has been co-designed by World Chefs and City and Guilds. The certification recognises skills and experiences gained while working in Hospitality against an international benchmark, in the form of a digital badge. 20

• • • •

Culinary Food and Beverage Front of House Housekeeping

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Manufacturing Supports with KWETB.

Online Programme or In-Company Training Delivered by a Tutor. Ireland is the first country in the world to roll out a National Training Programme, 50 Shades Greener, to ‘green’ the Hospitality and Tourism Industry and reduce our carbon footprint. Led by KWETB. this programme includes: • Establishing baseline and green KPIs (carboncalculations) • Monthly benchmarking of utilities. • Short and easy to follow video training for all staff members. This course will embed sustainability practices to all employees and not just the Green Manager in an organisation. • Workbooks and charts to help learners complete each task.

HRM Toolbox

KWETB’s, HRM Toolbox is a targeted learning programme for HR managers within the Hospitality sector who wish to progress their businesses HR practices, build job descriptions for more effective performance and competitive advantage whilst aligning to the City & Guilds Global Hospitality Framework. This focused programme of study is delivered through a blended model of video tutorials, handouts, tasks and downloadable tools, that will support the Hospitality business objectives of improved recruitment, increased retention and effective talent management.

The skills needed to work in the manufacturing industry are constantly changing due to rapid digitalisation from technologies such as AI, robotics/cognitive automation, analytics etc. This has created a skills gap between industry needs and employer skills. While some may see modern technology as a threat to employment, this digital explosion has created more jobs than it has misplaced. The ability to adapt to modern technologies while possessing dynamic capabilities are crucial in this industry. Kildare and Wicklow ETB have an Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Celbridge in Co. Kildare. Courses undertaken here include:

•

Advanced Manufacturing Technician Course with Electrical Skills

•

Advanced Manufacturing Technician Course with Pneumatic Skills

•

Cybersecurity Apprenticeship

•

ICT Associate Professional Network Engineer Apprenticeship

•

Software Developer Apprenticeship

In 2021, our Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will triple training capacity. In response to employer demand and an extensive Skills Needs Audit conducted in 2020, KWETB will deliver modular training to the market in key skill areas For more information please contact our Enterprise Engagement Officer, Bernice McLoughlin at employerengagement@kwetb.ie

21

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Q1. A recent international survey of 4,700 knowledge workers showed that 72% of workers prefer a hybrid arrangement that combines the home and the office. Workers are far less enthusiastic about going all in on one environment: Only 12% would prefer working from the office all the time, and 13% want to work from home fulltime. What does that mean for a company that owns/leases an office space for 100 employees? The current pandemic has generated a great deal of focus in this area and, indeed, the very future of the office. The reality is though, that advances in workplace technology and the rise of ‘cloud computing’ have been driving changes in the office workplace landscape for many years now, notably including our ability to work remotely and work from home (WFH). It’s notable that a key furniture ‘partner’ of ours, Knoll International, completed research back in 2015 that recognised, at that time, a global trend of allowing employees to choose where to work continuing and showing no signs of reversing! So, what we are witnessing, I believe, is an acceleration in the evolution of the office which will undoubtedly lead to changes in how companies organise their real estate and changes in how they will fit it out. Another point of note would be the rise of co-sharing workspaces, the WeWorks of the world, which has been evident and is forecast to continue or grow, though perhaps more rapidly now.

TRUSTED INTERIOR SOLUTIONS

IN THE HOT SEAT with Michael Clarke, MD at Walls to Workstations

22

Q2. What changes have you seen in the past year with large companies – are we likely to see the office layout and fitout change dramatically when we are fully back to work and are Covid free? As yet we have not seen much change; the big question our industry has been trying to anticipate is what will any change look like. There is a great opportunity to engage all stakeholders - employers, staff and greater society - to address key problems with work and society including work-life balance, climate change and sustainability as well improve greatly the design of our work environments. A great WFH experiment has been thrust upon the population at large, enabled by technology (the big winners here) but what is becoming clear is that WFH is NOT, for many any kind of nirvana but rather fraught with difficulties. Is it helpful to have the option to work from home? Yes. Would I want to work from there fulltime? No.

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Q3 The office at home for many is a laptop in the quietest part of the house and when the kids are home, it could mean the car or the attic! What tips can you give the employee working from home, who has in many cases 5 offices in any one given day at home? As the advert goes, “I wouldn’t start from here!”. What do I mean? The current circumstances won’t persist. This is an emergency. Forced, extended lockdowns. Parents and children at home. HealthCare impacts rampant. To a great extent we are all doing our best. What is real though is the acceleration of change I see. Will more people work from home? Yes, they will. Will we all work from home 5 days a week? No, we won’t. For now - as you’ve said, find that space to work in that allows you to focus, and to Zoom call. Try to ensure that you have a good, well designed chair. Above all, move regularly and make a point of getting outside at least once during the day - lunchtime being the obvious opportunity. Q4. Managing a large workforce with so many strands to it must be challenging. Rethinking your business model, and pivoting your business is a challenge for many, what have you started to do differently in W2W lately? Such an important question. Business activity was going to be, and has been, impacted during 2020 throwing a sharp focus on what we were doing, as well as prompting us to review our fixed overheads and working capital needs. In the first instance we were concerned with our contractual obligations and cashflow - it’s fair to say though, that the construction sector has responded cooperatively to the pandemic and all parties, clients and contractors, for the most part, have acted in solidarity, recognising the national crisis at hand. From there we focused on what actions we could take to mitigate reduced levels of activity while grappling with the impossible task of trying to anticipate the future - specifically the how and when of businesses returning to the office. In doing so we developed the following business initiatives:

1:

Working from Home (WFH) - anticipating a significant increase in market demand here we curated our WFH portfolio and launched an eCommerce site residebyw2w.ie to promote it. We have also been developing eCommerce portals for Corporate Clients to enable them to provide staff with options for preselected WFH packages that meet their obligations as employers to provide appropriate WFH environments that meet health and wellbeing standards.

2: Digital Presence = as Zoom meetings replaced personal, and ‘physical distancing’ became normal, we wondered when it would end. In the interim though, we have reassessed our website redevelopment project and learned to connect with our markets virtually. Our new website will launch imminently and support increased service, resources and eCommerce. 3: Returning to the Office - having contemplated the future of the office and why we would return; we have prepared, and started promoting, product collections that support hybrid, collaborative work spaces and staff wellbeing; providing attractive work environments that encourage mentoring and promote company culture. We have been very pleased to introduce well researched furniture solutions from a new Irish brand, GreyFox Design (www greyfox.design). 4: WorkSpace Management - increased blended working post-Vaccine will necessitate the provision of safe, effective workspaces. We now also offer software based solutions to better manage shared work spaces, signaling them for cleaning when released and providing key data to better manage and organise your workspace. Talk to us today about Go Bright shared workspace solutions. 5: AV & Video Conference Technology - we have all learned to hold Zoom meetings and it’s expected that any new hybrid work arrangements will continue to see the prevalence of this technology and, indeed, the seamless integration of furniture and technology. We are now promoting the latest DTEN Zoom screens to support virtual meetings and focus rooms. Be Present Anywhere “Zoom for Huddles - Zoom for Home”

“Agile, collaborative solutions for tomorrow’s blended working” www.greyfox.ie

“Working & Wellbeing at Home!”

23

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Chamber New Members Magma Design

Glam Doll

HouseLet Property Management

Magma is a design, web development, branding, and strategy company. We help businesses create a beautiful brand, and plan a strategy to grow it.

GLAM DOLL creates special vanity spaces for your home. Helping you with optimum lighting, organisation, and style so you can start your day with ease.

HouseLet is a family run business with an excellent reputation in consistently delivering first class Lettings and Property Management services across North Kildare and Dublin.

www.magma.ie

www.GLAMDOLL.ie

www.houselet.ie

Bargetrip.ie

AMC Removals Ltd.

Printscan Support Services Ltd

Come aboard a restored traditional canal barge and enjoy a skippered private cruise on the Grand Canal in Kildare. Max 12 passengers. Bar service onboard.

Taking care of your next move. AMC Removals is located in Naas Industrial Estate and operates to the highest FAIM standards when it comes to Moving and storage . Bringing the value of experience, skill, knowledge, time-saving and efficiency to your next move.

Printscan are a leading supplier of Label Printing and Barcode Solutions, offering off the shelf and Bespoke solutions.

www.bargetrip.ie

www.amcremovals.ie

www.printscan.ie

Covaworld.com

Kala Management Solutions Ltd.

TIO Consulting Ltd.

Covaworld.com connects Suppliers, Retailers & their Consumers. It delivers an eCommerce store in minutes which can be connected directly with suppliers and vice versa.

Kala Management Solutions offers ‘straight talking human resource (HR) advice’ for SME’s and large businesses across all industries.

We drive and deliver positive change in leaders, teams, and organisations, through Executive Coaching, Leadership Development and Team Development. Let our team help yours!

www.covaworld.com

www.kala.ie

www.tioconsulting.ie

The Catering Innovation Agency

Zenair

Integra Accounting & Outsourcing Ltd

The Catering Innovation Agency (C.I.A.) designs and installs energy efficient commercial kitchens. With a client list that includes Adare Manor,Ballyfin Demense and the Red Cow we have huge experience.

Protect the people you care about with ActivePure® Technology brought to you by Zenair. Scientifically proven to kill 99.9% of Covid-19. 10% discount available to members.

We provide outsourcing services for accounting firms and SME’s which can save employee costs up to 50. Outsourcing your accounting task will reduce your time and cost significantly.

www.ciaireland.ie

www.zehnacker.ie

www.integraaccounting.ie

Excytech

Dawsongroup Ireland

Eolas Managed Solutions

Excytech is a technology solution provided based in Maynooth Co. Kildare, offering a wide range of technology solutions to Irish small and medium business. We do it all from new equipment, office setups, support, website design, managed IT services, branding and marketing - a truly 360 technology solution provider

We give our clients an increased capacity without risking capital and endow them with the flexibility to say “Yes” to any growth opportunities.

We focus on strategic planning, business transformation, supply chain optimisation, risk management, and M&A activity utilising common sense to embrace the reality of business and marketplace conditions.

www.excytech.ie

www.dawsongroup.ie

www.eolasms.com

MERITS

Kilkea Castle

Aldi

MERITS – a new Innovation Hub for Digital and Technology StartUp companies in the Mid East Region. Providing fully serviced co-working space and offices, we run Incubation and Accelerator Programmes to support companies on their growth journey.

Upgrade to Corporate Membership: After extensive renovations, Kilkea Castle Hotel & Golf Resort now boasts 140 bedrooms, 18-Hole Championship Golf Course, Boutique Spa & superb Meeting & Conference Facilities.

Upgrade to Corporate Membership: Aldi employs over 4,500 people and operates a network of 145 retail stores across the country, working with over 250 Irish suppliers

www.merits.ie

www.kilkeacastle.ie

www.aldi.ie

24

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

County Kildare Chamber Membership 2021 A

Accountancy & Tax Services

Grant Thornton Price Waterhouse Coopers Brennan & O Reilly Accountants Conway, Conway & Co Dillion Byrne and Co HTH Accountants Integra Accounting & Outsourcing Limited John P Greely & Company Kealy Mehigan Accountants Kildare Audit & Accountancy Services Mark Graham & Co. O’Kelly Sutton O’Neill & Brennan Quinlan and Company S. C. Dunne & Co Taxkey The Leinster Partnership Wallace O’Donoghue

Agri Tech

Terra Nutritech

C

Car/ Van Hire/ Lease/ Sales Sheehy Motor Group Crossings Motor Centre Go Rentals Joe Mallon Motors Naas Nissan

Catering Supplier

Catering 365 Catering Innovation Agency

Charity

Barretstown KARE

Cleaning and Hygiene Provider Caterclean Ecokem

Cold Storage Solutions

Dawsongroup TCS Ireland Ltd

Conference and Accomodation Architecture

Alison Rea Architects Demesne Architects Vivian Cummins Architects

Air Conditioning Crystal Air

Arts/ Theatre/ Cinema Odeon Cinema Moat Theatre Riverbank Arts Centre

B Bank

AIB Bank of Ireland KBC Bank Ireland Ulster Bank Permanent TSB

Bookeeping

Premier Accounts Assist Ltd

Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation

Construction

Ballymore Group Boston Access Limited Crylock Developments Ltd DMC Restorations Ltd Mick O’Shea Heating & Plumbing Ltd Tradecraft Building Products Ltd

Consultancy

Auxilia Consultants Bruce McCormack Consulting Enable Me Coaching En-Route Consulting Eolas Managed Solutions Ltd Galileo Energy Services JAH - Business Operations Specialist Jigsaw Better Business Kildona Consulting Ltd Organic Trust CLG Paul Murtagh Business Consulting SAR Consultancy Sontai Data Solutions Spotlight Investigation Limited The Alternative Board, Midlands TIO Consulting Vulcan Consulting Ltd

Copy Writer Rafferty Writes

Corporate Branding CarveOn Limited Magma Design

Corporate Gifts Balloon HQ

Credit Union

Croi Laighean Credit Union Life Credit Union

CRM Systems Provider Cloudtech Monread CRM Team Project

D

Distillery

Powerscourt Distillery Limited

E

E Commerce CovaWorld

Education

Maynooth University Faculty of Capacity Development IT Carlow Junior Einsteins Kildare KWETB Leah Moran Stage School and Productions LTD Learn International Leinster Senior College The Johnny Magory Company

Electrical Services

Schneider Electric Ireland Netherbrook Ltd RGN Electrical & Communications Specialist

Engineering

Endress+Hauser Powercomm Engineering LTD

25

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

E

Enterprise Park

Millennium Properties Limited Partnership Ladytown Business Park Clane Project Centre

Equine

Godolphin Ireland Irish Equine Centre BBA Ireland Ltd Centrepiece Rosettes Horse Racing Ireland Irish National Stud & Gardens Willie McCreery Racehorse Trainer

Equipment Supplier/ Hire Haven Hire Hireco Loading and Lifting Solutions Pumpwatch Superior Pipeline Products Ltd

Estate Agents

Brophy Farrell Real Estate Alliance Coonan Property Jordan Auctioneers MMWard O’Neill & Co Remax Partners ¦ Bryan Little Remax Platinum Sherry Fitzgerald Brady O’Flaherty Sherry Fitzgerald O’Reilly - Naas

Events

52nd Street Band/ John Forde Piano Man All Event Productions Exhibition and Conference Services Mondello Park Mongey Communications Pop Up Races Ltd VEMs Ltd

F

Fitness

Health And Wellness Ireland Infinity Hot Yoga Ltd K Leisure

Food & Beverage

33 South Main Street Fate Chinese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar Hartes of Kildare Indie Spice Grill Lemongrass Lock 13 Brewpub Urban Kitchen Ely Wine Bar Wine Lab Kavanagh’s Bar

Food Producer

O’Brien Fine Foods Queally Group

Funeral Directors

Murphy Brothers Funeral Directors Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors

G

Gambling/ Bookmaking Lottoland Services Ltd

Financial Services

Face Credit Consultancy Finance Ireland Leasing Gerry Cuffe Financial Services Ltd Traction Finance

26

I

Information Technology

Inspection and Verification

Government Agency

Ian Fleming Design

H

Healthcare

House of Finance Osborne Financial Planning

Aspire HR Curran HR Consultancy Ltd Kala Management Solutions Limited Peninsula

Graphic Design

Gas Networks Ireland

Finance

Financial Advice

Human Resources

Eirgrid IDA Ireland LEO Kildare Local Employment Service Network

Gas Networks

Health & Safety

Acorn Life Close Brothers Ltd Grenke

Osprey Hotel Kilkea Castle The K Club Carton House Hotel Celbridge Manor Hotel Clanard Court Hotel Cliff at Lyons Court Yard Hotel Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Club Kildare House Hotel Killashee Hotel Lawlor’s of Naas Maudlins House Hotel Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort The Johnstown Estate Hotel The Keadeen Hotel The Westgrove Hotel

Intel ITM Kendlebell Naas Hereworks Technology Limited INIT Kala Technology Leaconbi Plimso Software Limited VEI Global Zinon IT Solutions

Facilities Management

Advanced Workplace Solutions Elite Maintenance

Hotel

NOVID Zehnacker Ireland Healthcare Ltd UPMC Kildare Hospital Care at Home Services Ltd. Elm Hall Nursing Home Homecare Solutions

Home/ Office Interiors Gannon Office Solutions Wall to Workstations Alena C Design T&I Fitouts Ltd Wildthings Interiors

Hospitality

Palmerstown House Estate & Golf Club

SGS Ireland Limited

Insurance

J F Dunne Insurances Dooley Insurance Group Murray # Spellman New Ireland Assurance Plc

L

Logistics

AMC Removals Elsatrans Ltd

M

Maintenance

Action Chimney Escalator and Lift Services Sanctuary Synthetics

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Manufacturing

Etex Group MGS MFG Group Ash Technologies Atlantic Bitumen Labplan Lanogreen Minch Malt Profile Systems Rampower Ventac & Company Limited

Marketing

Elevate Marketing Vine Digital Ireland whathappensnext

Media

Kfm Radio

Medical

Blackberry Hearing International Medical Information Limited Magnet Marketing Solutions

Mortgage Provider EBS - Drumchondra

O

Office Space Provider Digital Office Centre

Office Supplies

Egan Office Supplies

Opticians

Crowleys Opticians

Public Relations

Kildare GAA Naas Driving Range Millicent Members Golf Club

Q

Steel Stockholders

Quantity Surveyor

Lambert Surveyors Limited

R

Racecourse

Curragh Racecourse Punchestown Racecourse Naas Racecourse

Recruitment Services

Clark Recruitment Albatel Ltd Flexsource Solutions/ CPL Leinster Appointments Recruitment Specialists Osborne Recruitment Sparktel Teamworx ISS Recruitment Noel Group

Removals

Oman Beverly Smyth

Retail

P

Payroll Services

BUSI Business Services

Pharmaceutical Pfizer

Photography/ Videography Frame It Productions Tony Gavin Photography Celtic Photography Green Road Film Media Milk

Print Solutions

EMS Copiers Character Print Solutions Click Printing Printscan Support Services Ltd Punctual Print

Product Sourcing Made Personal Sweetspot Sourcing

Property Management

HouseLet Property Management Naas Property Management

Sport

Big Picture Communications Get It Across PR and Communications Leo Nulty Promotions O’Brien PR

Aldi Colourtrend Kildare Village Newbridge Silverware Cross Centra Dalys Pharmacy GLAM DOLL Johnstown Garden Centre Monread Fare (Lidon Group) The irish biltong co Vodafone

S

Security/ Security Systems Manguard Plus Safewatch Security Systems

Signage Provider Element Creative

Solicitors

Coonan Cawley Solicitors Coonan Morgan Solicitors Hanahoe & Hanahoe Solicitors Moloney & Co. Solicitors Osbornes Solicitors Stephen Walsh & Co. Solicitors

StartUp Support MERITS

RFL Steel

T Taste and Nutrition Solutions Kerry

Telecomms

LogMeIn Ireland Ltd National Broadband Ireland Ltd (Deployment)

Tourism

Bargetrip Ltd Celtic Horizon Tours Fairways and FunDays Into Kildare

Training/ Coaching/ Mentoring Acornstar Ltd ActionCOACH Amber First Aid Training Services Cenit Group Choice Training & Consultancy Essential Health and Safety Ladybird Driving School Rubgy Academy Ireland Soft Skill Success

Travel Agency Freedom Travel

V

Voluntary group Naas Tidy Towns

W

Warehouse Solutions Jungheinrich

Web Design

Excytech Ltd Fusion Marketing Graphedia

Wellness

Cellnutrition Sport Ltd

Members who wish to be categorised under a different heading can contact Jennifer@countykildarechamber.ie before close of business on Thursday 11th February

27

ISSUE 2 - FEBRUARY 2021

Weekly Networking Events

Chamber Golf Classic

International Women’s Day

Kildare Business Awards

Quincy Chamber Visit Kildare

County Kildare Chamber | Voice of business for the region It has been a challenging year for business, and while we have moved all our activities to virtual events online, we look forward to seeing you all once it’s safe to do so.

Stuart Lancaster Business Breakfast

John Bercow Business Breakfast

Kildare Business Expo

Kildare to Boston Trade Mission

28

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Visits Kildare

Ireland’s gas network A national asset of size and scale Delivering Ireland’s energy

31%

1

of Ireland’s total energy demand

2

subsea interconnectors

47%

14,521km pipeline

gas used in Ireland sourced indigenously from Corrib and Kinsale gas fields (2019)

1st

• 12,044km lower pressure polyethylene distribution pipes

52%

76.5TWh transported through the network

1

of Ireland’s electricity generation

Delivering for the future

21%

• 2,477km high pressure steel transmission pipes

expected growth in gas demand between now and 2027

assessment for the potential of hydrogen injection on the network underway (2020)

1st

public and private Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations delivered. Development of network of public stations on key transport routes in progress

300,000

1st

Delivering for customers

houses in close proximity to network with potential for connection 2

renewable gas injected into the gas network

705,000+

537,000

81,242

116,292

128,500

1.8m

customers in 22 counties. With 305 large industrial and commercial customers, including 11 power stations

‘Pay As you Go’ meters on the network, 5,000+ gas credit top-up outlets in Ireland (as of October 2020)

61%

total residential consumption accounted for by Dublin postal districts and county 3

customer contacts handled by our Contact Centre

‘Change of Supplier’ actions facilitated in 2019, affording customers the option to achieve better value

1.1m

gas supplier switches completed since the gas market opened to competition in 2004

customer appointments with c.99% delivery

meters reads undertaken in 2019

Delivering benefits 40% less CO than coal and 22% less than oil

natural gas emits

Read the full report at: www.gasnetworks.ie/gas-report-2020/ 1. SEAI Energy in Ireland 2019 Report 2. Ervia Decarbonising Domestic Heating in Ireland 2018 3. Networked Gas Consumption 2018. CSO Statistical Release October 2019 4. SEAI Energy-Related CO2 Emissions in Ireland 2005 – 2018 (2020 report)

2

4

Award winning HR & Health and Safety for your Business EMPLOYMENT LAW

HR Support

HR Software

Lay-offs & Redundancy

Rota Planning & Redundancy Navigator

Let’s talk about growing your business

1890 252 923 peninsula-ie.com

HEALTH & SAFETY

Litigation Representation

Unfair Dismissal & Discrimination Claims

Unlimited 24-hour Advice

Contracts & Documentation

Risk Assessments

Work From Home Risk Assessments