Press release
Enterprise Ireland increases Eurozone presence with new offices in Munich and Lyon
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Exports to the Eurozone increased by 8% in 2018 to €4.8 billion; the Eurozone region accounts for 20% of all Enterprise Ireland supported companies’ exports.
Enterprise Ireland today announced that it is expanding its footprint in the Eurozone with two new office openings in Munich, Germany and Lyon, France this week. The opening of these new offices and additional personnel and investment in the Eurozone is a key Brexit response measure to deepen trade opportunities for Irish companies in the Eurozone. The Eurozone is the second largest market for Enterprise Ireland clients, seeing an increase in exports of 8% to €4.8 billion in 2018.
The new Munich office will be officially opened today by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD and Bavaria's Vice-Minister Roland Weigert. Representatives from 25 Irish companies with strong ties to Munich will be in attendance, along with their German counterparts. The opening of the new office in Munich will support the growth and collaboration of Irish and German companies particularly in the areas of industrial, life sciences, IT and automotive industries which are strong in the region. The new office builds on Enterprise Ireland’s presence in Dusseldorf since 1962.
The Lyon office was officially opened yesterday (Wednesday) by Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources, and Digital Development, Seán Canney TD. Known as France’s most ‘business friendly’ city, the new Enterprise Ireland office will support Irish companies to expand into the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region and particularly in the areas of life sciences, clean technologies and engineering. The Enterprise Ireland Paris office was first opened in 1968.
Attending the opening of the new Munich office, Minister Humphreys stressed the importance of German Irish trade relations:
"I am delighted to be in Munich today to officially open Enterprise Ireland’s new office in Bavaria, which is their second office in Germany. It is one of seven new offices that the Government is funding in key markets worldwide, as part of our overseas strategy, Global Ireland 2025, which aims to double our international impact. Market diversification has never been more important than it is now with Brexit on the horizon. Germany is our biggest export market in the Eurozone but there is scope to do more. For this reason, the Government is committed to strengthening our mutually-beneficial relationship even further."
Speaking during the visit to France and Germany this week, Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said:
"This week’s office openings in Lyon and Munich align with Enterprise Ireland’s market diversification strategy which sees the agency significantly expanding our existing overseas office network. This strategy aims to support Irish companies in expanding their reach into new markets and to scale their exports into the Eurozone in preparation for the post-Brexit era.”Sinnamon also added “France and Germany are key markets for Enterprise Ireland and the companies whom we support. Over 600 innovative Enterprise Ireland supported companies increased their exports to Germany last year to a record €1.1 billion, positioning Germany as Ireland’s largest trading partner in the Eurozone. Similarly, more than 500 Irish companies are now doing business in France with exports by Enterprise Ireland supported companies to the French market increasing by an impressive 9% in 2018 to over €1 billion."
Reflecting the increasing trade ties between Ireland and Germany, four Irish companies today announced new deals with German partners.
Perigord Life Science Solutions: The Irish headquartered and global leader in the provision of creative and packaging artwork solutions to the Life Science industry announced that they have selected Waldkirch, Germany for the establishment of their 4th Global Centre of Creative and Packaging excellence. The new Global Centre will serve and support the company’s expanding global client base across the DACH region. To facilitate this move, Perigord partnered with Faller Packaging Germany acquiring a majority stake in the August Faller artwork business in Waldkirch. As part of the establishment of their new Global Centre in Waldkirch, Perigord plans to significantly grow its headcount and footprint in Germany over the coming years.
Meetingsbooker.com: In partnership with German media company dfv, will launch a new meetings booking platform via the tagungsplaner.de brand. From a small meeting, to a large conference, the tagungsplaner.de engine will streamline the search and selection of these meetings venues for the corporate user. With access to over 137,000 meeting spaces globally, the tool will bring an unrivaled choice of hotel, conference and alternative meeting spaces to the German consumer.
Dairymaster: One of the world's leading manufacturers of milking and barn equipment, developing innovative technologies for modern, profitable and sustainable dairy farming reports strong growth in the Bavarian region. One of Dairymasters Bavarian dealers, Probst Agrartechnik GmbH, located on the outskirts of Munich, is currently installing its eighth Dairymaster milking system - a 16 unit SwiftFlo Swing-Over parlour. Covering the Northwestern region of Bavaria, Dairymaster has also announced a new business partner, Peter Schuster Melktechnik, to further increase sales opportunities across the region.
Dennsion Trailers: Manufacturers of high-quality commercial trailers, today announced that they have sold 21 Special Chassis to Thiedmann, a logistics company from in Leutkirch im Allgäu, Germany. The 2 specific types of Chassis were exclusively engineered and manufactured based on the requirements of the company. In the future, Dennsion Trailers will supply the majority of their fleet. Dennsion has had a physical presence in Germany for more than 10 years.
Speaking at the new office opening in Lyon, Minister Canney stated:
“As the uncertainty of Brexit continues, trade diversification for Irish companies is hugely important in building resilience. France is the 5th largest market globally for exports from Enterprise Ireland supported companies, highlighting the significance of the market as one of Ireland’s closest and most significant trading partners. France and the wider Eurozone region offers a reliable, established option for companies seeking to diversify. I am delighted to be in Lyon to officially open the new Enterprise Ireland office which aligns with Enterprise Ireland’s market diversification strategy and is a key part of the Irish Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy, allowing Enterprise Ireland to be in an even stronger position to provide our international partners with a gateway to Irish innovation."
ENDS
For further information: Louise Cunningham, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Enterprise Ireland louise.cunningham@enterprise-ireland.com 01-727 2973
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. www.enterprise-ireland.com