Secondary Economic Activities

Secondary economic activities

Jobs that involve making or manufacturing something

Jobs in the secondary sector

Carpenter, factory worker, baker, builder

Secondary economic system

A system made of inputs, processes and outputs

Inputs

Workers, money/capital and raw materials needed at the start

Processes

Actions done to inputs such as assembling, measuring, carving and welding

Outputs

Finished or semi‑finished goods such as beams, waste or furniture

Factors influencing factory location

Raw materials, markets, transport, labour force, services, government policy, personal preferences

Raw materials factor

Factories locate near heavy raw materials to reduce transport costs

Markets factor

Factories locate near markets to deliver goods quickly and cheaply

Transport factor

Good roads, rail, ports and airports help move goods efficiently

Labour force factor

Factories locate near towns, cities or universities for workers

Services factor

Factories need electricity, water, sewage, waste disposal and broadband

Government policy factor

Grants and low corporation tax encourage companies to locate in Ireland

Light industry

Industries that make small, lightweight products such as electronics

Apple Cork

Light industry producing IT products like iPhones and iPads in Hollyhill, Cork

Apple location reasons

Low corporation tax, good transport links, skilled graduates from UCC and CIT

Heavy industry

Industries that make large, heavy products such as cement or steel

Irish Cement Platin

Heavy industry producing cement with an onsite limestone quarry

Irish Cement location reasons

Raw materials onsite, close to M1, Drogheda Port, airport and large labour force

Footloose industry

Industry that can locate anywhere without being tied to raw materials or transport

Footloose example

PayPal Dundalk, which left in 2023 due to having no physical ties

Advantages of industrial locations

Cheaper land on city edges, good access to workers, motorways and rail

Disadvantages of industrial locations

Urban sprawl, higher house prices, lower‑paid workers priced out

Industry conflict example

Incinerators such as Indaver in Duleek

Argument for incinerators

Sustainable waste solution and provide electricity and jobs

Argument against incinerators

Fumes can be poisonous and contribute to global warming and acid rain

Alternative waste solution

Recycling instead of incineration

Multinational companies

Large companies operating in many countries such as Google

Positive impact of MNCs

Job creation, skilled workforce, economic growth and support industries

Industrial inertia

When an industry stays in its original location even if reasons no longer apply, e.g. Guinness Dublin