InterTradeIreland launches SupplyChain+ to strengthen SME supply chain capability across the island
InterTradeIreland today announces the launch of SupplyChain+, a new all-island support programme designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enhance their supply chain capabilities and become supplier-ready.
With SMEs continuing to feel the effects of economic shocks and ongoing geopolitical instability impacting global supply chains, strengthening supply chain resilience across the island has never been more critical. SupplyChain+ has been specifically developed to support businesses in building capability, credibility, and long-term resilience.
The programme will support companies at different stages of development, with interventions tailored to individual business needs. Through a combination of expert mentoring, specialist guidance and structured improvement planning, SupplyChain+ will help businesses identify gaps, strengthen internal processes, and compete more effectively for new opportunities.
SupplyChain+ forms part of InterTradeIreland’s broader ambition to boost all-island trade by connecting businesses with new customers, markets and opportunities, helping to accelerate sustainable economic growth across the island of Ireland. The programme will help open the doors of larger businesses to SMEs, building on the success of previous initiatives with proven results, helping SMEs to establish credibility with some of the islands leading players in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and aerospace sectors.
Colin McCabrey, Director of Trade at InterTradeIreland, said:
We engage with businesses every day that have the ambition to grow but are not always able to capitalise on the opportunities available. SupplyChain+ is designed to bridge that gap.
By equipping SMEs with the tools, insights and confidence they need, the programme will enable them to enter new markets, compete for larger contracts, and integrate into established supply chains. Becoming supplier ready opens the door to more customers, broader market access and sustainable growth.
Aidan Doherty, CEO at MOAT Consultants said:
We’re delighted to work in partnership with InterTradeIreland to deliver this new programme. Supply Chain+ is exactly the kind of initiative SMEs need right now. From our work with businesses, we see two key barriers: a lack of capability and a lack of credibility. More often than not, it is credibility that determines whether an SME secures contracts with larger organisations.
Many SMEs already possess strong technical expertise and innovative thinking. What they need is support to clearly demonstrate compliance, resilience, governance, and supplier readiness in a way that procurement teams trust. This programme has the potential to support businesses at every stage of the supply chain, bridging critical gaps and unlocking real commercial opportunities across the island.
SupplyChain+ builds on InterTradeIreland’s long-standing track record of supporting SMEs to strengthen supply chain resilience and grow through cross-border trade. By combining capability development with a clear pathway to market opportunities, the programme is designed to deliver practical, measurable results for participating businesses.
Businesses interested in taking part in SupplyChain+ can find out more and register their interest at intertradeireland.com/sales-growth/supplychain
