Incorporating a comprehensive conference programme and an extensive exhibition area displaying the latest technological solutions and business services available, the National Manufacturing and Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is the largest event of its kind in Ireland.
The National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition serves as a national forum for manufacturers and operators involved throughout the associated supply chains from across Ireland to gather to discuss pressing issues facing Irish industry. It is now firmly established as a ‘must-attend’ annual event, which successfully connects key stakeholders across the full spectrum of Irish manufacturing, including the food, drink, pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, life sciences and electronics sectors.
Engineering Industries Ireland
As the industry membership body for engineering and manufacturing, Engineering Industries Ireland connects its members to expert knowledge, advice, and supply chain opportunities, supporting a thriving and sustainable sector to compete effectively on both national and world stages.
Engineering Industries Ireland, Ibec’s newest trade association, was established in November 2021 with over 155 member companies today. The engineering sectors they represent have exports totalling €8.8 billion, accounting for 3.6% of national exports, 10,800 enterprises employing 50,751 people with 65% being indigenous companies. The companies span a broad range of markets, including industrial automation, precision engineering, agriculture machinery, material handling, packaging, energy and environment, process engineering, automotive, metal fabrication & processing, renewables, and engineering services.
As the voice of engineering in Ireland, the trade association collaborates with political leaders and other industry bodies to give members influence over industry-related issues locally and nationally. Engineering Industries Ireland also uses its position of influence to raise the profile of the sector in the media, celebrating its successes, and highlighting its challenges.
Learning is the key to a prosperous future, and Engineering Industries Ireland promotes the STEM agenda in education, facilitates training to develop skills for all levels of staff and management, and encourages a culture of best practice sharing among members.
Irish Manufacturing Industry
The National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is designed to reflect the crucial importance of manufacturing to the Irish economy. Employing over 270,000 people, the manufacturing industry accounts for 32% of Ireland’s GDP – significantly higher than the European average of 15% and Germany at 21%. Manufacturing also plays a key role in helping to redress the regional imbalance in the Irish economy with more than 80% of operations based outside of Dublin.
Indeed, manufacturing is one of the high-performing engines of the Irish economy, with clusters of world-class manufacturing operations in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, engineering, medical technology, building materials, and food production. The government and industry in Ireland are committed to continuing to improve productivity and increase investment in the manufacturing and engineering sectors to grow the Irish economy.
Challenges
However, Irish and international manufacturers are currently facing serious challenges due to disruption to supply chains and markets caused by Brexit, the war in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea region, and soaring energy, transport and raw materials costs. Indeed, theses crises may well accelerate the adoption of new technologies and techniques within the workplace.
The Irish manufacturing industry and its associated supply chain are also facing the major challenge of adapting to the disruptive changes generated by the digital revolution and the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ (Industry 4.0). A new wave of advanced technologies is transforming the manufacturing landscape. These technologies include AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), Cloud Computing, Digital Fabrication (including 3D printing), Big Data Capture, Advanced Automated and Autonomous Systems and Collaborative Robotics
This upheaval is creating both obstacles and opportunities for manufacturers and their supply chain operators, who must evolve accordingly by adopting new technologies and skill sets.
The 2024 National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will highlight the key trends and challenges facing the industry, while also offering practical solutions, as well as showcasing the latest innovations, developments in best practice and new technological advances.
