Unilever logistics project aims to slash its European truck distances
Unilever has announced details today of a new logistics project designed to reduce the distance travelled by its trucks around Europe by 200 million kilometres annually by the end of 2014. The project, which is being part-funded by the EU through the Marco Polo programme, aims to reduce around 450,000 vehicle kilometres from Irish roads. Under an agreement signed with the European Commission, a new network of transport hubs will be established across Europe and managed by Unilever’s existing operations centre in Katowice, Poland. According to Unilever, the project will use cutting edge technology to maximise the load efficiency of the trucks in use. The project will see Katowice logistics…
Read MoreAn exporter’s guide to Brazil as trade mission starts
Exporter’s Guide to the Brazilian Market: Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission In light of the Enterprise Ireland Minister-led trade mission to Brazil starting today, Clear Currency provides an exporter’s guide to the market. Brazil’s Growing Economy and Resilience The Brazilian economy is now sixth largest in the world and showed a solid performance during the 2008 financial crisis. Its strong and early recovery, including 2010 growth of 7.5pc, have contributed to the country’s transition from a regional to a global power. GDP growth is forecast to be 1.9pc in 2012 and 4pc in 2013. Managing Currency Appreciation and Inflation Concerns regarding global economic conditions drove the central bank to reduce interest…
Read MoreFormer Anglo executives sent forward for trial
Former Anglo Irish Bank executives Seán FitzPatrick, Willie McAteer and Pat Whelan were today sent forward for trial at the Circuit Criminal Court on charges of providing unlawful financial assistance to 16 individuals in July 2008. The former chairman, finance director and managing director were served the books of evidence during the hearing at the Criminal Courts of Justice. They were charged, indicted and released on bail last July following a three-and-a-half year investigation by detectives from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Anglo Irish Bank. The three were today remanded on continuing bail to appear again at the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal…
Read MoreWeb Summit by Night to take over four Dublin bars
The Web Summit has launched Web Summit by Night, which will see attendees of the two-day tech event take over four bars on Dame Lane in Dublin 2 on the evening of Wednesday, 17 October. In association with partner Dyn, Web Summit by Night will feature four Dublin pubs opening their doors and providing free comedy, music and drinks to the attendees from across Europe. The Mercantile, Sweeney’s, SpeakEasy and The Stag’s Head will host a mixture of music, comedy and entertainment from a variety of acts from around the world including Quiet Life, Liam MacDougal, Blah’gards, White Collar Boy and The Gorgeous Colours. Entrance will be free to all…
Read MoreFrom the outside in: Bringing external input into the innovation process
Bringing external input into the innovation process is crucial for any business that wants to stay on top of its game, according to author and strategic advisor Stefan Lindegaard. Whether it’s labelled open innovation, crowd-sourcing or co-creation, bringing some kind of external input into the innovation process is vital for organisations that aspire to be in leadership positions in their sectors. So says Copenhagen-based author and strategic advisor Stefan Lindegaard, an expert in open innovation, intrapreneurship and identifying and developing those who drive innovation. According to Lindegaard, companies are learning that they must embrace this paradigm shift in the innovation process to keep up with the competition. Those that are…
Read MoreBoots Ireland Launches Contactless Payment Across All Stores
Boots Ireland has introduced a contactless payment option at all its stores across the Republic of Ireland. The option, delivered through a partnership with Streamline and Visa Europe , allows customers to pay for items totaling less than €15 by touching the point-of-sale terminal with their contactless Visa card. Using this method, customers do not have to enter their personal identification number (PIN). “Our aim is to offer customers a great shopping experience with quick, easy ways to pay, and we believe that contactless payment is one way to deliver this,” said Boots Ireland managing director Debbie Smith. “The new technology should help to reduce transaction and queuing times.” “Contactless payments make in-store payments…
Read MoreElavon launches MobileMerchant chip and PIN payment system in Ireland
Elavon, a wholly owned subsidiary of US Bancorp, has announced the Irish launch of its secure chip and PIN MobileMerchant smartphone card processing system. According to the company, MobileMerchant, which is aimed at small – and particularly mobile – businesses, had a “highly successful” world market launch in the UK in January 2012. The MobileMerchant system transforms mobile devices into payment terminals, allowing businesses to accept card payments quickly and securely anywhere and at any time. The MobileMerchant payment app is paired with a chip and PIN card reader, allowing payments to be processed using BlackBerry or Android smartphones and tablets. “Elavon is excited to extend this innovative and secure…
Read MoreSysco acquires food service division of Keelings’ Group
Sysco Corporation has acquired the food service division of Keelings’ group, which specialises in fresh produce, employs 160 and has operations based in Dublin, Cork, Belfast and Wexford. Reporting through Pallas Foods , the business will retain its existing brand identity and management team. All employees will remain with the business. The wider Keelings Group , headquartered in North County Dublin, has operations in Ireland, the UK, Europe and Asia. Keelings is a fresh produce specialist and is the largest grower of fruit in Ireland. The Keelings Group will continue to operate its retail, market, international and solutions divisions. Tim Geary, Chairman of Pallas Foods, said: “Keelings’ food services’ business is a strong entity…
Read MorePrimark opens first Austrian store in Innsbruck
Primark opens first Austrian store in Innsbruck Primark has today opened its first store in Austria. This is the company’s 50th store outside Ireland and the UK and brings its total number to 246. The company also has stores in Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and Belgium. Located at the Sillpark Shopping Centre in Innsbruck, the new store covers 40,000 square feet and will employ 250 people. Primark will open two stores next week, the first in Thanet in the UK on Monday 1 October and the other in Zaragoza, Spain on Thursday 4 October. Grainne Rothery
Read More€100k prize up for grabs in Spark of Genuis competition
The finalists of the Electric Ireland Spark of Genius Competition have been revealed, with the winner to be announced at the Dublin Web Summit on 18 October with a prize fund worth €100,000. The competition, now in its third year, focuses on the most promising high potential startups in Ireland. Some 1,000 entries have been shortlisted to 100, who will be offered an opportunity to pitch to leading international investors, including Google Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins, Atomico and Accel, industry leaders and startup experts at the Dublin Web Summit in the RDS. Paddy Cosgrave, CEO, Web Summit said “This is the third year of the Electric Ireland Spark of…
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