QPA Northern Ireland (QPANI) which was formed in 1998 has taken the decision to change its name to MPA Northern Ireland from 1 January 2019. QPANI is the trade association for the mineral products sector in Northern Ireland with 87 members employing just over 5000 people contributing almost £700 million to the Northern Ireland economy. It has been an affiliate of MPA since 2009 and now, after a full consultation process the Members of the Association have given unanimous support and endorsement to rebrand to MPANI.

Commenting Gordon Best Director of QPANI said:

"Our move from QPANI to MPANI was endorsed by our Members as they believe the time is right to take this important step. The reference to Minerals in our new title recognises the fact that our Membership base is wide and varied across our Industry in Northern Ireland representing the extraction and processing of hard rock, sand, salt, lime and chalk into products that support and sustain our quality of life. Importantly we are also recognised by Government, both locally and centrally, as a Minerals sector. We have an excellent working relationship with MPA, and indeed all MPA regions across the UK and with our colleagues in the Irish Mining and Quarries Society (IMQS) in the Republic of Ireland."  

Nigel Jackson CEO MPA said:

"QPANI has been a valued and important member of both QPA and latterly MPA ensuring that our work is genuinely national taking account of issues across the UK. QPANI makes an important contribution to our policy thinking and are a professional and energetic association in their own right. We are absolutely delighted that they have decided to adopt the MPA name which will strengthen the important ties between our two organisations.

Ends.