'Investing in its people': Northern Ireland glass manufacturer and bottler invests £700,000 in workforce as it targets greener production
Three-year investment, backed by £157,200 from Invest NI, will equip employees with skills in low-carbon technologies, alternative fuels, digital and AI
Northern Ireland glass manufacturer and bottler Encirc is investing more than £700,000 over three years in skills development at its Derrylin site.
Part of the Vidrala Group, Encirc produces around three billion glass containers annually for leading global brands across the UK.
Invest NI has offered £157,200 towards the training programme, which will equip employees with skills to support the company’s decarbonisation ambitions and long-term competitiveness.
Sean Murphy, managing director at Encirc, said: “As the industry evolves, we must continue investing in the skills and capabilities needed to support new technologies, alternative fuels and future ways of working.
“A key element is our new One Horizon Programme, a continuous professional development initiative designed to strengthen leadership capability and support long-term business transformation.
“Invest NI’s support is enabling us to accelerate this investment and develop the highly skilled workforce needed to achieve our ambition of producing glass without generating carbon emissions. It will also help keep our Derrylin site at the forefront of sustainable glass manufacturing.”
Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, continued: “Encirc is an important employer in Fermanagh and a leading manufacturer with a clear vision for a sustainable future. Its latest investment will help its employees develop the technical, digital and leadership capabilities needed to support its ambitious plans to achieve net zero emissions in its glass manufacturing process from 2030.
"This investment demonstrates how businesses like Encirc can invest in their people while preparing for the opportunities and challenges of a greener economy.”
Along with the new One Horizon Programme, Encirc employees will participate in training across leadership development; specialist engineering training related to low-carbon technologies and alternative fuels; digital and data skills; artificial intelligence awareness; and professional development opportunities.
Gráinne Moody, director of Food and Drink at Invest NI, added: “Encirc continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to investing in its people, building on the success of its skills development that we supported from 2023 to 2026, creating a culture of continuous learning across the business.
“This latest investment will help its employees develop the skills needed to support its decarbonisation plans and future growth. Encirc’s ability to create opportunities for employees to develop and progress their careers in areas such as alternative fuels, low-carbon technologies and AI capabilities, is helping it to not only enhance its productivity, but to equip its people with the confidence and skills required for the next generation of sustainable manufacturing.”