Irish Manufacturing Research has established itself as a critical intermediary helping Irish manufacturers adopt emerging technologies and improve competitiveness, according to a Silicon Republic report published 11 February featuring chief executive Barry Kennedy.

IMR operates as a testbed facility enabling manufacturers to trial new technologies before committing capital investment. The organisation, founded in 2014 with €15 million in funding, now employs approximately 140 people across Ireland and Europe, supporting companies from multinationals like Johnson & Johnson to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ireland's manufacturing sector directly employs over 220,000 people and accounts for more than 34 per cent of GDP, exceeding double the European average of 15 per cent. However, Ireland ranks 23rd globally in digitalisation and maintains only 54 industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees, compared with Germany's 397 per 10,000, according to 2023 data cited in the report.

"We demystify, de-risk and deliver emerging technologies for companies," said Kennedy, a former Intel programme manager. "You can't be the ninth most expensive on the planet and then hope to retain manufacturing unless you are running very efficiently."

IMR leads FactoryXChange, a European Digital Innovation Hub that recently secured €2.3 million in EU funding with €3.4 million matched by Enterprise Ireland. The programme received the highest possible European Commission evaluation and was awarded the STEP seal of excellence.

FactoryXChange 1.0 supported over 495 Irish SMEs in digital transformation. The second phase will continue providing discounted services connecting businesses with advanced technologies, expert advice and funding for ecological and digital solutions.

Learn more about IMR's approach to manufacturing technology adoption in Ireland in the full article.