Businesses Urged To Seek Certainty On Post-Brexit Supply Chain

Businesses in Ireland are being urged to contact their suppliers and service providers to get assurances about the continuity of their supply chain post-Brexit, by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys.

With just six weeks to go until the date on which the UK will leave the EU, Minister Humphreys said: "Whether a business is a construction company, local beauty salon, bakery or even an Irish base of a multinational medical device company, it is crucial that they check their supply chains for vulnerabilities to Brexit impacts.

"If a business hasn't already done so, there are a number of steps they need to take. Firstly, they should make contact with their UK suppliers, service providers, logistics companies, wholesalers or distributors, to seek assurances about the continuity of the goods and services they rely on to do business.


"Next they should check to see if their suppliers use the UK as a landbridge to move their goods. If they do, this might cause delays and increased costs after Brexit. If they have any doubts about continuity in their supply chains, they should contact their Local Enterprise Office who can point them in the right direction to avail of Government supports and advice," the Minister added.

The Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, recommended that businesses avail of the range of Government financial supports and advice available through InterTradeIreland, the Local Enterprise Offices and Enterprise Ireland.

"Enterprise Ireland is today hosting a webinar on the topic of 'Building resilience in your supply base' at 11am. This is relevant to all businesses to learn more about what types of suppliers will impact them most, how to build stability and add some certainty into supplier relationships. They will also cover tips and tactics to prepare supplier networks for Brexit.

Minister Breen continued, "InterTradeIreland meanwhile offers financial support of up to €2,250 which businesses can use for professional advice on specific Brexit issues such as supply chains and currency management."

(MH/JG)