CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND LAUNCH THREE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
9th July 2010
Irish Craft Industry worth almost a half a billion euro annually. A plan to develop and grow craft in Ireland was unveiled today by the Crafts Council of Ireland in a new, three-year, strategic plan. CCoI Strategic Plan 2010 - 2012
While the craft industry, like other sectors, has been affected by the decline in the economy and consumer spending, research commissioned by the Crafts Council of Ireland shows there is huge potential to grow.
The strategic plan outlines a range of actions over the next three years including:
Developing the markets for craft by expanding the retail channel, increasing direct selling opportunities including on-line selling, growing the tourism market and developing the commercial gallery and exhibitions channel for Irish craft
Developing the next generation of craft makers
Raising awareness of craft through CCoI activities and especially during 2011 which has been designated “Year of Craft”.
Research was recently conducted on behalf of the Crafts Council of Ireland by Indecon International Economic Consultants to evaluate the economic significance of the craft industry in Ireland and by The Research Perspective to provide a comprehensive picture of the full craft industry supply chain including craft enterprises, suppliers, retailers and purchasers. Reports on both research projects will be published by the Crafts Council of Ireland later this summer.
According to Indecon the craft industry last year was worth €498m to the Irish economy. The sector employs an estimated 5,771 people with domestic sales of €373.5m and exports worth over €124.5m.
However Indecon says there is huge potential for growth in the industry and for employment to increase to 7,589, with domestic sales and exports capable of growing to €527.6m and €175.8m respectively.
Critical to sales growth is creativity and innovation and both are strong within the craft sectors. According to The Research Perspective, 31 per cent of craft businesses report that all of their sales come from products introduced in the last three years, while 31 per cent say they export and 46 per cent of those not exporting wish to do so in the future.
In common with other enterprises in Ireland, however, the industry has been affected by the economic downturn with 48 per cent of craft makers reporting a decline in sales over the past year. This figure is 58 per cent among craft makers with employees.
Both research studies highlight a number of areas of focus which have been incorporated into the strategic plan.
A key recommendation is that the level of business skills training among craft enterprises needs to be developed. This is similar to the findings of the Report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs which identified that a lack of managerial capabilities is a particular inhibitor to micro-firm growth.
A large number of craft makers focus on their own shop or workshop as a primary sales channel. Research shows this is a limiting factor in business, as it is only used by 11 per cent of craft purchasers.
Research shows the most common reason for craft purchases is as a gift. 61 per cent of craft purchasers state they always try to give Irish craft products, while 42 per cent say they only considered Irish craft for their purchases. This highlights a lost opportunity due to lack of availability at point of purchase of an appropriate Irish craft product.
The Crafts Council of Ireland also published its annual report at the AGM in the RDS today. Chairman, Laura Magahy, said 2009 was another challenging year for people working in craft in Ireland. Over the coming years, the Crafts Council of Ireland will work on creating the right environment within which Irish craft can flourish, and widening the availability of Irish craft to the general public, she said.
Craft Council of Ireland Chief Executive, Úna Parsons, said the forthcoming Year of Craft will celebrate and raise awareness of Irish craft, involve the general public in craft and craft activities and will help develop the sector.
CCoI had a busy year of activities in 2009. Some of the highlights include:
2009 was the first year of a three year plan to develop Showcase, Ireland’s Creative Expo, which was rebranded for 2010 with an increased presence for Irish craft
The Christmas retail campaign Imagined, Designed, Made with Passion in Ireland was a huge success
2009 saw nine exhibitions in the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny including two from overseas, and a presence for the National Craft Gallery at SOFA in Chicago and COLLECT in the Saatchi Gallery, London
CCoI launched Creative Pathways – A Review of Craft Education and Training in Ireland which was the first comprehensive study of its kind
ABOUT THE CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND:
The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI), which is headquartered in Kilkenny, is the main champion of the craft industry in Ireland, fostering its growth and commercial strength, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality design, innovation and competitiveness. CCoI's activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation via Enterprise Ireland. CCoI currently has over 60 member organisations and over 2,000 registered clients.
The main craft categories in Ireland are textile making and clothing, pottery and ceramics, jewellery, glass and woodworking and furniture. Irish craft businesses are characteristically small in scale and are geographically widespread, but taken nationally the industry is a significant employer, while also providing viable, sustainable enterprises in all areas, including those isolated rural communities ignored as unsuitable by other manufacturing sectors.
For more information contact:
Noreen D’Arcy, D’Arcy Marketing & PR on 086–8227556 / 091–568390 or email: Noreen:@darcymarketingandpr.ie
and
Susan Brindley, Crafts Council of Ireland on 087–8595013 or email susan@ccoi.ie
|
|
News 