Nuprint Transformed Through Investment in Skills

Nuprint Transformed Through Investment in Skills Thu 04 Nov 2010 NuPrint in Londonderry survived the decline in textiles by re-inventing itself successfully as a designer and exporter of labels to growth industries including food and bottling, Dr Bill McGinnis, Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills, said today. Bill McGinnis, speaking during a visit to the company, which is based at Springtown in Derry, said: “NuPrint is an excellent example of how a strategic approach to training and skills development can increase flexibility and agility to respond quickly and effectively to challenges including changes in its markets. “Speed of response is particularly important today because of the impact of the current global recession especially in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Opportunities can still be found in these markets and in other regions. By investing in skills Northern Ireland’s companies can ensure that they are able to compete more effectively for business in existing and developing markets. “Investing in skills is an essential activity if we are to strengthen the private sector here, increasing its competitiveness and driving the local economy forward, which is a strategic focus of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government.” Gavin Killeen, NuPrint Managing Director, said: “Training and upskilling are very important to the success of the business. Our business had previously been focused on the production of labels for the local garment industry and we had achieved considerable success from contracts with major retailers. “But the downturn in textiles here created a major challenge. We had to diversify and broaden our business base to survive. We looked closely at our markets and our skills and decided to re-invest the business as an expert in the design, development and manufacture of labels for a much broader range of industries. We knew how to make labels and what we had to do was to strengthen and market this knowledge and expertise by identifying new clients and to offer them a bespoke and highly responsive service,” Mr Killen added. The strategic focus on skills also led NuPrint to team up with the University of Ulster to enhance its IT skills in particular in its export drive. More than 80 per cent of its staff are now IT literate. The University’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences designed a database and an e-commerce system that has enabled NuPrint to increase business abroad. As a result, NuPrint now draws over 40 per cent of its business from outside Northern Ireland. The company’s business has also increased by over 60 per cent.

Thu 04 Nov 2010

NuPrint in Londonderry survived the decline in textiles by re-inventing itself successfully as a designer and exporter of labels to growth industries including food and bottling, Dr Bill McGinnis, Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills, said today.

Bill McGinnis, speaking during a visit to the company, which is based at Springtown in Derry, said: “NuPrint is an excellent example of how a strategic approach to training and skills development can increase flexibility and agility to respond quickly and effectively to challenges including changes in its markets.

“Speed of response is particularly important today because of the impact of the current global recession especially in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Opportunities can still be found in these markets and in other regions. By investing in skills Northern Ireland’s companies can ensure that they are able to compete more effectively for business in existing and developing markets.

“Investing in skills is an essential activity if we are to strengthen the private sector here, increasing its competitiveness and driving the local economy forward, which is a strategic focus of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government.”

Gavin Killeen, NuPrint Managing Director, said: “Training and upskilling are very important to the success of the business. Our business had previously been focused on the production of labels for the local garment industry and we had achieved considerable success from contracts with major retailers.

“But the downturn in textiles here created a major challenge. We had to diversify and broaden our business base to survive. We looked closely at our markets and our skills and decided to re-invest the business as an expert in the design, development and manufacture of labels for a much broader range of industries. We knew how to make labels and what we had to do was to strengthen and market this knowledge and expertise by identifying new clients and to offer them a bespoke and highly responsive service,” Mr Killen added.

The strategic focus on skills also led NuPrint to team up with the University of Ulster to enhance its IT skills in particular in its export drive. More than 80 per cent of its staff are now IT literate.

The University’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences designed a database and an e-commerce system that has enabled NuPrint to increase business abroad. As a result, NuPrint now draws over 40 per cent of its business from outside Northern Ireland. The company’s business has also increased by over 60 per cent.