Irish logistics businesses cautiously confident

Irish logistics businesses cautiously confident

Third annual CBRE Ireland Logistics and Supply Chain Index 2018 reveals positive attitude among logistics industry in Ireland.

Despite a challenging trading environment over the past 12 months, Irish logistics businesses are seeing a recovery in confidence, according to the third annual CBRE Ireland Logistics and Supply Chain Index 2018, launched today.  However, as Freight Transport Association Ireland’s (FTAI) general manager Aidan Flynn says, without the availability of sufficient skilled workers to fill the industry’s vacancies in the year ahead, this confidence could be shattered:

“Ireland’s economy has taken a gentle upturn in the past 12 months, but Brexit and skills shortages present challenges which are difficult to predict as the logistics sector moves forwards.  The country’s continued economic recovery is dependent on the free availability of raw materials and finished goods for manufacturing and retailers, so it is imperative that those moving the products and services are able to do so, on time and to a workable budget.

According to the report “85 percent of respondents expect turnover to increase over the next year, and more than half of those questioned intend to increase their logistics-related headcount to some degree in 2018.  However, with the country reaching almost full employment levels, it is vital that the transport and logistics sector is able to identify and employ individuals with the appropriate skills to keep Ireland trading, both at home and overseas.”