Industrial equipment valued at millions of euro was on display at the premier event in Ireland for showcasing technological and engineering innovation, held on the northside of Limerick.
Up to 1,000 attendees witnessed displays of cutting-edge industrial precision from 120 firms over the two days of Manufacturing Solutions, held in the Coonagh Campus of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), on Wednesday and Thursday, June 11th and 12th.
The event was organised by TUS in partnership with the UK-based Gauge and Tool Makers Association (GTMA) and in association with the Precision Tooling and Machining Association of Ireland (PTMA).
It has grown since its 2016 launch into a cornerstone event for industry and is now the largest of its kind in Ireland.
Deals were struck between enterprises during the event which delivered a cross-channel boost for trade in Ireland with many exhibitors arriving from the UK.
Major exhibitors delivering live demonstrations included: Mills CNC, Hurco, Starrag, ZEISS, ETG Ireland, Haas, Team Air Power, DG Systems / Haitian International Germany, TLM/FOBA Laser, and FANUC, among others
The machinery on show included equipment valued in the tens and hundreds of thousands of euro with some items valued at up to as much as half a million euro.
Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said: “Once again, Manufacturing Solutions showcased the ingenuity and expertise of Irish industries, helping to connect these businesses with like-minded companies from the UK. TUS is proud to play a role in forming those relationships which have a knock-on positive impact on the economy here locally. Our goal at TUS is to support industry through applied research, education, and collaboration, ensuring that local businesses are not only competitive but also leading in their respective fields. Events like Manufacturing Solutions are vital in creating those networks and opportunities for growth, particularly in a time when innovation and adaptability are more important than ever.”
Citing the success of the event, Alan Arthur, CEO of GTMA, said: “It is important we continue to collaborate and form relationships as the EU-UK dimension when it comes to trade is not being maximised fully. There are lots of companies in this region of Limerick, particularly in the biomedical and pharma space, who are looking for supply chain partners. It works the other way around too, companies in the UK are looking to do businesses with manufacturers over here. Bringing key people from this region and the UK together is why this is the success it is. No other event allows this level of dialogue between important decision makers.”
Among the guest speakers during the exhibition was Quentin Willson, motoring broadcaster and former Top Gear presenter, who is the founder of FairCharge, the UK campaign to drive the switch to electric motors.
Quentin Willson spoke about the opportunities for Ireland if it was to fully embrace to move to EVs, including possibly for manufacturing batteries.
He said: “Home-grown battery factories are essential and this is the perfect place for them. There is a lot of EU money and a lot of EU will for this, to have them here, and that is on top of the talent and skills, the drive and tenacity that I have seen here today, This is the undiscovered country when it comes to batteries and EVs, I firmly believe this.”
