For two economies so deeply entwined, Irish manufacturers have responded to the challenging trading landscape to achieve solid numbers.
Export Growth Despite Brexit Challenges
Demonstrating this agility, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has reported that Irish exports have significantly increased by 13 per cent in the first 10 months of 2024, when compared to 2023. Whilst exports to the EU have declined slightly, those to other countries such as mainland Europe, USA, and the Rest of the World have all increased.
Investment to Support Irish Manufacturers
Recognising these opportunities for Irish trade, one of Britain’s largest independent European road freight providers, Europa Worldwide Group, invested over €1m in its infrastructure in Ireland to establish a dedicated, local Europa Road team based at Dublin Airport Central, with the skills and expertise needed by manufacturers that were negotiating the new trading landscape.
Adapting to New Trading Rules for Irish Manufacturers
Elliott Watts, Dublin Branch Manager, commented: “Brexit completely changed the way the Republic of Ireland trades with the UK and, importantly, how freight moves through the UK to mainland Europe.
“For us, it’s been our key focus to ensure we provide a range of solutions that our customers could rely on. Manufacturers can’t gamble their reputation on delayed shipments and hidden fees, so our daily services that connect to 42 partner hubs across Europe means they don’t have to.”
Solutions to Simplify Trade for Irish Manufacturers
In a further step to provide frictionless trade services between Ireland and Great Britain, the company made its flagship service, Europa Flow, available to Irish exporters from June last year. Using a unique combination of DDP, postponed VAT accounting, and anticipated declarations, it offers reduced paperwork, lower costs, and faster transit times.
Elliott added: “Irish manufacturers are still experiencing the challenges of Brexit. Initially, Brexit paused the supply chain and as a result, product sourcing has had to remain local, causing some delays. This, coupled with new customs protocols continues to promote some complexity for manufacturing.
“But as exports increase, times are changing. Operators had to get inventive when restrictions were brought into place, which will continue as Britain tightens its requirements. It was vital we adapted to implement business processes that enabled manufacturers to continue to access their customer markets in Great Britain, the EU27, and beyond post-Brexit.”
Expansion and Growth for Irish Manufacturers
Despite a challenging trading landscape, the Dublin team of eight has expanded its customer base, more than doubled its shipments, and increased total bookings by over 400 per cent since opening its doors at Dublin Airport Central.
With plans of moving to a larger office space to accommodate an expanding team by the end of the year, the team’s growth is evidence for the value of these new services and the positive trading relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
Ensuring Timely Deliveries for Irish Manufacturers
Continuing to tackle local exporting challenges head-on, the team has expanded its dedicated linehaul daily service from Dublin to its Dartford hub in the UK, guaranteeing a direct and seamless transport process for all EU shipments.
Elliott continued: “At Europa we always strive to lead the way with our services and offer something that our competition doesn’t. So, by popular demand, we launched our direct linehaul daily service which has transformed Irish exporting. Previously, local sailings would all go on a Friday so if customers missed this, they had to wait another week. With our direct linehaul, we provide a daily service which means exporters can transport goods seamlessly to Great Britain and Europe.
“We’re celebrating our second anniversary this year and I’m proud to see our team continue to grow and our services are consistently supporting local exporters. Not only does our Europa Flow service provide a reliable pre-Brexit solution, but we also provide a Money Back Guarantee which ensures refunds for consignments not delivered on time.”
Ireland's Continued Export Strength Post-Brexit
The Irish Government has shared that over one third of Irish exports go to the UK.
Elliott added: “Our services have ensured that time-sensitive shipments are guaranteed to arrive at their destination on time and without additional hidden fees. We take care of the customs ourselves and with teams set up in Ireland and the UK, our customers can relax knowing we have it in hand.”
Supporting Irish Manufacturers with European Freight Solutions
Europa Road provides European road freight services. Its network of 16 sites across the UK and Ireland, which includes the company’s sites at Dublin Airport Central and in Belfast city centre, manage the shipments of goods into Dartford, from where freight connects with daily, direct services to its continental hubs.
