Ei Electronics 2019 – Mid Year Review

Awards

One of the many highlights of 2019 was the outstanding recognition we have received for all aspects of our operations. Shannon Group – through its subsidiary Shannon Commercial Properties – acknowledged Ei Electronics’ remarkable contribution to the Mid-West economy of Shannon Free Zone. Employing over 700 people today at Shannon Free Zone, the company over recent months has celebrated not alone 55 years of operations here but 30 years since it became a fully-fledged Irish company after a management buy-out under the direction of CEO Mick Guinee. Shannon Commercial Properties Managing Director Ray O’Driscoll has hailed the company’s success and impact, as one of the region’s great success stories. Read full story here

Earlier last month, our UK subsidiary Aico attended the Shropshire Chamber Business Awards for the first time and were proud to win the prestigious ‘Business in the Community’ award. In order to be shortlisted for this award Aico had to meet strict criteria, such as building relationships with residents, schools and community groups, offering financial support through donations and working with local Shropshire traders and suppliers. As well as having an environmentally friendly approach to the community and turning work experience into employment opportunities for local people. We are exceedingly proud of their achievement as Ei’s core values are carried throughout all our worldwide operations. Check out Aico’s CSR Initiatives here.

Nationwide

On RTE Nationwide’s recent visit to the world’s first free trade zone at Shannon, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, we were honoured to have a main feature in the episode. As one of the largest employers in the Shannon Region with 100% of manufacturing, R&D and Engineering based here for our worldwide operations, the episode takes a look at the people inside our growing campus and explores our rich history over the last 56 years. Catch up here.

CSR

A strong pillar since the inception of the company, our CSR efforts both at home and with our global partners have seen an exciting few months. 

In January we celebrated our ‘Innovator of the future Challenge’ Winner – Kieran McMahon from St Caimin’s Community College. In the lead up and to Engineering week and the whole month of March our CSR initiatives followed on theme, with the Ei team getting involved in the Adopt a School Programme, the Curiosity Box and STEAM Education initiatives to name but a few. Ei Engineer Sam Kingston recently finished up his 12-week programme with Mrs Murphy’s class in St Aidan’s primary school, after a fun and engaging few weeks of challenging the class with engineering projects. Read more about our Limerick for engineering partnership and initiatives here.

This year we are the official proud sponsor of Limerick Women FC – Founded in 2018, Limerick FC now compete in the FAI Women’s National League for the very first time in the club’s 82-year history.

Earlier last month we were pleased to announce our Significant Funding for Shannon Aviation Museum. The Centre provides accredited education and training aviation courses for adults in partnership with Limerick Institute of Technology and Shannon Aviation Cluster Companies, but also provides accessibility to schools and the general public offering a range of learning activities and experiences for people of all ages with a passion for aviation. Read the Full Story here.

More recently, students at Our Lady Queen of Peace Janesboro received a welcome end-of-school-year present: a brand-new AstroTurf pitch. Ei Electronics was proud to supply the funding for this as part of our ongoing CSR initiatives. Opened by The Mayor of Limerick and CEO Mick Guinee, the inaugural game on the pitch was a basketball game between teachers and students, with the teachers squeaking out a win over their pupils.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Awareness Campaign

Recognising the importance of education in residential fire and CO safety, we recently released a Carbon Monoxide Safety Awareness Video. The video gives viewers a chance to test their own knowledge and learn new facts about the dangers of CO and precautions to be taken in the home. This has seen great success and use by public safety service organisations across the country.

Events

Our Centre of Excellence at the heart of our Shannon Campus has been a proud host of many activities and visitors in the region already this year – with a number of high-profile events.

One of these key events included welcoming Director General Li Yong of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation into our campus during his historic visit to the Shannon Region to explore the Shannon Free Zone. The event featured Ei Electronics as one of three successful case studies in the region. Read more here.

Continuing our successful partnership with Shannon Chamber throughout many of these events, Our expert team featured as part of their successful LEAN Network workshop on Standard work, demonstrating the importance of Kaizen or ‘Continuous Improvement’ Methodology in Ei Electronics operations.

The largely successful Limerick for Engineering Showcase was a spectacular display of engineering talent and opportunities in the region. As a first-time participant, the culmination of our 12-month partnership with other leading employers and education providers in the region came to fruition on March 7^th with thousands flocking to Shannon Airport on the night. 

Training

The Ei Mobile Unit continues to travel to wholesaler locations across the country for our team to deliver our CPD accredited Expert Installer Training. This training is a testament to our commitment to quality for each alarm and the individual installing it. The free training covers all current Irish Standards and Regulation as well as inter-connectivity demos, ensuring whole house protection. Globally, our German Expert Installer Training Team have now trained over 10,000 installers and counting and the UK fleet of Mobile Units continue to expand and travel across the UK daily.

Graduates

Looking forward to the next 6 months, earlier this year we found the first of our talented 2019 Graduate Programme applicants, with many securing their place in the company once completed their studies this year. Graduates continue to add to the company culture of continuous improvement and innovation, growing the company more than ever. Our recent launch of ‘Ei Careers – Meet the Team’ Series of videos gives a behind the scene look inside the company with staff from all areas talking through their own career progression, training and development as well as the company culture. With work-life balance at the forefront of modern-day working culture, we take pride of place in the thriving Mid-West Region.

Employees

With many personal and sporting achievements over the last 6 months the 700 staff of Ei have certainly had a very successful start to the year. These achievements came in the form of golf and cycling tournaments to summiting the highest mountain in Europe. Most recently we celebrated our Family Fun day with all our staff here, hosted in Wolfe Tones GAA club Shannon – all Ei employees and their extended families in the community came together for a day of Sport, Games and delicious BBQ. Our growth and success over the years as a company is a testament to the commitment, passion and dedication of each and everyone one our staff here who continue to drive us forward as global leaders in fire and gas detection.