The Report of the High Level Group on Manufacturing

Innovation, increased productivity, continuous learning, flexibility and adaptability will become the
norm, as firms anticipate change and respond in a way that enables them to take advantage of
opportunities and to turn challenges into opportunity.

Today, firms need to view monies spent on research, development and innovation, reskilling and
training, and organisational change as an investment in the future of the company – and NOT as a
cost or outlay that is only too readily cut in times of cost pressures.

While firms can engage in transformational change, it is important too that the business environment
remains supportive. I cannot ignore the issue of the rate of rising costs. It is a key concern to
manufacturing firms – and one that, if not addressed with a sense of urgency, will have a detrimental
impact on the existing multinational base and on our ability to strengthen the growth of indigenous manufacturing – and will diminish our potential to attract foreign direct investment and to stimulate
new start ups in manufacturing activities.

Full Report: http://www.forfas.ie/publications/forfas080402/forfas080402_manufacturing_report.pdf