Majority of Guaranteed Irish members forecast growth for 2019
Guaranteed Irish has unveiled more positive news around its championing of Irish business, with a majority of its members reporting their intention to create more employment in their respective sectors in 2019.
Print5 March 2019
Guaranteed Irish, predicts employment among its members to increase by 4,151 in 2019, with 53% of members reporting that they expect to hire new staff by the end of the year.
This continued growth comes as total employment at all Guaranteed Irish member businesses reached 71,390 in 2018, an increase of 43.3% (21,573) on the same figure for 2017. As well as existing members increasing their employee numbers, this figure also reflects the fact that 200+ new members joined the organisation last year.
Total revenues among its members increased to €26.2bn in 2018, up €350m in just 12 months. Turnover figures for sales in Ireland by member companies also increased last year – rising by 2.3% to reach €11.2bn.
Meanwhile, Helen McEntee TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, launched Guaranteed Irish Month 2019 with a breakfast event at Croke Park. The ‘Ireland’s Winning Business Teams’ briefing offered Guaranteed Irish members an opportunity to meet with the Minister and discuss how the outcome of Brexit negotiations will affect businesses in Ireland.
Research unveiled by Guaranteed Irish at the event highlighted the importance to consumers of supporting businesses that contribute to Ireland’s economy and society. A third of respondents believe it is ‘very important’ to buy from businesses that create jobs in Ireland. A business’s involvement in its local community was also deemed to be significant, with 48% of respondents said it was ‘quite important’ or ‘very important’
Running for the entire month of March, a range of activities are planned for ‘Guaranteed Irish Month’, including partnership campaigns with leading brands such as SuperValu, FBD Insurance and Harvey Norman, and an extensive marketing campaign showcasing members’ success stories from across the country. Guaranteed Irish has also launched a new website which features a dedicated members’ portal, allowing Guaranteed Irish members to easily contact, trade and do business with one another.
Brid O’Connell, CEO of Guaranteed Irish, said that Guaranteed Irish Month is all about supporting businesses in Ireland. “As confidence in the Irish economy grows, it’s crucial that businesses continue to expand at home and abroad,” O’Connel said, “strengthening Ireland’s reputation for quality goods and services, innovation, and competitiveness in business.”
“However,” O’Connell added, “it is clear from speaking to our members that Brexit represents a significant existential threat to that growth, and our panel of speakers will address how it will affect a range of sectors, and what can and is being done to mitigate its effects and create new possible opportunities.”
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