Centre for Competitiveness

Graduates from the latest Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training workshop received their certificates at our closing session last Thursday.   The 8 day workshop works directly with professionals in the manufacturing industry to complete a workplace based improvement project demonstrating the Lean Six Sigma tool set. Congratulations to our latest graduates and to their supporting organisations Translink Survitec Group Ltd. SAM Aerospace (NI) Limited   Get in touch to find out more about how our professional programmes can support your business

A great morning at the Belfast Business Show in the Kingspan Stadium, talking to businesses from across the Province about the work that we do, and how we can help develop their leaders, improve their processes, and scale their businesses. Bob Barbour William (W.) Ussher Barbara Lima Marianne Cushley Paul Madden James Young George Wilson

🌍 Day 2 of the Global International Summit 2024 at Queen’s University Belfast has been inspiring and insightful! Today’s sessions focused on building a more inclusive and innovative economy, with highlights on sustainability, digital transformation, and the future workforce. We explored how data-driven decisions can fuel career growth, harnessing AI to reshape industries, and the economic dividends of health and sustainability. Workshops delved into preparing for the digital age, making sustainable manufacturing a reality, and bridging health gaps. Looking forward to the Gala Dinner tonight, celebrating leaders in global competitiveness! #Innovation #Sustainability #GISBelfast2024

Students from the Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Programme (AMLP), jointly run by the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute at Queen's Business School and the Centre for Competitiveness, recently visited Caterpillar (NI) Limited at their Springvale site in Belfast.   After an introduction to the business, the management team then led the AMLP group on a tour of the Springvale facility which produces major component subassemblies including axles and transmissions for Caterpillar articulated trucks as well as other oil and gas applications.   William (W.) Ussher, Senior Executive CforC, said: 'This was a great opportunity for Front Line Managers from local Manufacturing companies to see how Lean Manufacturing Systems integrate Processes and Lean Tools to create a culture of continuous improvement centred around people. The use of digitalization to link real time performance with targets, access to SOP’s, aids for adherence to standards, and providing relevant information for tiered meetings was evident. The processes and systems in place to foster a problem solving culture and the commitment of all to safety and quality was evident throughout the visit. It was a positive learning experience for the students involved and a valuable contribution to the overall objectives of the Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Programme. Thanks to Clifford Cowan, Springvale Production Manager, and his colleagues for hosting a most informative visit.'

World-renowned physicist Professor Brian Cox, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Tech Women Today founder Cecilia Harvey are just three of the special guests at the Global Innovation Summit 2024. At this landmark event, global leaders from industry and academia are coming together to explore two of today's most urgent global challenges: #Sustainability and #EconomicInclusion. Watch live as groundbreaking ideas turn into real-world action: https://ow.ly/qHXy50TX2ME #GISBelfast2024

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir along with senior officials Jonathan McFerran and Judith Wilson officially launched the success of the Mid Ulster Biorefinery and Circular Economy Cluster facilitated by Centre for Competitiveness with Tobermore, Alltech, CEMCOR Ltd and RSC Group being awarded SBRI Phase 2 Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry project.   We as consortia aim to bring a new 3-point linkage to agriculture focussed on nutrients, energy and carbon recovery services for Northern Ireland agriculture, manufacturing, construction and logistics. Above all else supporting people, their livelihoods, livestock and the environment.    This approach will focus on:  🐮🐄Mobile separation of livestock slurry, allowing greater ease of slurry nutrient management for the farmer. ✅Phosphorous recovery from farm manures mitigating eutrophication to local and regional waterways #LoughNeagh ⚡️Recovery of energy and carbon through anaerobic digestion  🧱Advancement and development of new AD digestate technologies to enable cross-sectoral decarbonisation, sequestering carbon and nutrients within the manufacturing and construction sectors.    Overall, the project will help foster the Cluster’s ultimate goal to build and operate a 10MW AD facility as part of the biorefinery development. This approach will allow agriculture to prosper for future generations embracing sustainability and global decarbonisation challenges, allowing agrifood to reach the shelves of supermarkets and be competitive globally. We are excited for what is yet to come for the cluster; engaging with our farming community on this journey, equipment providers, government and wider industry in the overall project delivery. For more information on this project, please feel free to reach out info@compete.org GFCC | The Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils Mineral Products Association Invest Northern Ireland Ulster Farmers Union Department for the Economy NI Phoenix Energy firmus energy Irish Farmers Journal Gas Networks Ireland Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) Paul Madden James Young Bob Barbour Smart Grid Ireland

Join our 𝗖𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗖 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 and gain access to a team of industry experts with over 20 years’ experience who will assess your business and provide training, assessments and pragmatic advice to help your business overcome the obstacles blocking growth. Download our membership flyer https://lnkd.in/eu86hF8s or visit https://lnkd.in/ehTkMz7K to find out more Get in touch via email at compete@cforc.org or phone +44 (0)28 9073 7950 or our Dublin office +353 8 7224 2575. #cforc #innovation #quality #productivity #training #businessgrowth #upskill #businesstraining #competitiveadvantage #membershiporganisation  

The Mid Ulster Biorefinery business cluster members and associates, facilitated by the Centre for Competitiveness, met with the Economy Minister Conor Murphy and members of his department at CEMCOR Ltd cement works in Cookstown to discuss developments associated with the establishment of the first large scale farm slurry biorefinery in Northern Ireland.  This innovative project will change the way high volume farm manures are handled and transformed into biomethane gas, as well as producing value added new products supporting other sectors and markets. For more information, please contact us at compete@cforc.org Bob Barbour Paul Madden James Young David Henderson Patrick Ward, Ph.D. Claire Magennis Joseph McHugh David Millar Ian Marshall OBE Jonathan McFerran Tobermore Alltech RSC Group Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE) Department for the Economy NI William (W.) Ussher

🚀 Exciting news! In just over a month, the GIS 2024 kicks off in Belfast with over 1,000 delegates from around the world! 🌍 Together, we’ll delve into the crucial links between environmental stewardship and economic inclusiveness. These inspiring discussions will showcase how sustainable practices can boost economic performance while ensuring no one is left behind. We want to thank our members and co-hosts, Queen's University Belfast & Centre for Competitiveness, for their invaluable partnership! Register you interest now: https://lnkd.in/evq8a9ix #gis2024

The Centre for Competitiveness (CforC) and Queen's University Belfast (QUB) will host the GFCC | The Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils 2024 Annual Meeting and Global Innovation Summit in November, under the theme of Global Sustainability and Economic Inclusion.   As one of the foundational members of GFCC, CforC has been instrumental in bringing this event to Belfast providing a unique opportunity for local businesses to engage with peers, share global best practices, and take part in high-profile strategy conversations on the vital connections between #sustainability, #innovation, and #competitiveness.   This landmark event will run from 12 – 15 November, bringing key international and local leaders from industry, government, and academia together to discuss global best practices and strategies, and focus on how, in an era of complex global challenges, innovation can act as the key driver of competitiveness, promoting global sustainability and economic inclusion on a worldwide scale.   Click here to find out more and register for your chance to get a ticket: https://lnkd.in/eaFFCkAY Bob Barbour Paul Madden Roberto dos Reis Alvarez