Since their establishment in April 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices have worked with a number of key state agencies and government departments, including the Department of Finance & Department of Communications to deliver a variety of new services to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, development and growth of Irish SMEs. The Local Enterprise Offices are now partnering with the NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) to ensure the continued competitiveness of companies supplying the construction sector, in particular Steel Fabrication Companies.

The construction industry is facing one of the most significant changes for a decade. Since July 2013 CE Marking for construction products, covered by a harmonised European standard or conforming to a European Technical Assessment is now mandatory, and it is imperative that Irish SMEs and companies now prioritise the development of systems, processes and procedures to ensure their compliance with this regulation which will in turn develop their competitiveness and help sustain employment.

For Tipperary engineering companies along with firms in the South East, a seminar has been arranged for 21st January 2015 – details as follows :

Time:    7pm-8.30pm (Refreshments Available from 6.30pm)

Venue: Enterprise House, O' Brien Road, Carlow

To Book E-mail: enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or call 059-9130880

Cost: Free of Charge

The seminar will give companies a direct insight from industry experts into the steel fabrication process and will be delivered by Sean Balfe, Director of Sustainability and Built Environment from the NSAI. Speaking about the seminar Mary White, Manager Standards & Business Support in NSAI said “NSAI has a database of over 23,000 national, European and international standards and it is vital that Irish companies make use of these standards so as to improve their operating processes, drive efficiencies and meet regulatory requirements.    These seminars will inform steel fabricators about the European Construction Products Regulations along with the associated standards and will also provide an opportunity for peer learning”.

Rita Guinan, Head of Enterprise Tipperary said “we in the Local Enterprise Office are delighted to be partnering with the NSAI to deliver these essential workshops for companies affected by the introduction of the standard. This initiative will assist the LEOs in supporting clients in the construction and engineering sector and we are encouraging Tipperary based firms to attend if at all possible.”

NSAI Workshop.pdf (size 276.7 KB)