Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector continues to play an important role in the Northern Ireland economy, accounting for approximately 13 per cent of employment.   

Global organisations such as Caterpillar, DuPont, Bombardier, BAE Systems and Sandvik have all invested in Northern Ireland.

They are attracted by a loyal, disciplined workforce, highly qualified young people and a manufacturing tradition dating back to the earliest days of the industrial revolution. Northern Ireland ingenuity has created inventions such as the:

• pneumatic tyre
• Ferguson tractor
• portable defibrillator
• vertical take off jet

The legacy of world-class excellence and achievement lives on in a modern manufacturing sector. The availability of skilled labour, a highly competitive cost base and commercially orientated universities still make the region a prime destination for inward investors.

Academic links

Traditionally, there have been strong links with both of Northern Ireland’s universities, which have tailored post-graduate and management development courses to suit the needs of manufacturers.

On average 2,000 graduates qualify with degrees in engineering and IT-related degrees every year, ensuring a plentiful supply of young talent for manufacturing based investors.