Manufacturing & Supply Chain

SMEs

Tariff confusion is impacting confidence despite consistent business performance in Ireland

    Tariff confusion is impacting confidence despite consistent business performance in Ireland

InterTradeIreland’s latest All-island Business Monitor shows that business sentiment across the island remains resilient in 2025, with most firms holding steady and staying profitable. Yet, beneath this stability, new data

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New Chief Executive Officer appointed at Enterprise Ireland

    New Chief Executive Officer appointed at Enterprise Ireland

The Board of Enterprise Ireland has announced the appointment of Jenny Melia (pictured) as its new Chief Executive Officer (Designate). Ms Melia, who has worked in the Agency for 29

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£250 million of Access to Finance funding to support start-ups and SMEs in Northern Ireland

    £250 million of Access to Finance funding to support start-ups and SMEs in Northern Ireland

A new round of Access to Finance funding from Invest NI has been launched. The portfolio of three funds includes £100 million from Invest NI and is expected to attract

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Breaking down the automation cost barriers

    Breaking down the automation cost barriers

With the introduction of its RackBot™ system Rainbow Dynamics has broken through the cost barriers that have prevented many SMEs from introducing automated mini-load tote picking systems in the past

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New ESRI research explores trends in investments among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland

    New ESRI research explores trends in investments among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has released a new report, co-authored and funded by the Department of Finance, titled SME Investment Report 2024: Developments Between 2016 and 2023. The

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Irish Medtech Manufacturing Report highlights need for investment in advanced manufacturing and digital adoption

    Irish Medtech Manufacturing Report highlights need for investment in advanced manufacturing and digital adoption

Irish Medtech, the Ibec group representing the medical technology sector, has released its latest Manufacturing Report, emphasising the urgent need for greater investment in advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. As

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FDF calls for a strategic approach to EU trade, as new data reveals widening UK food and drink trade gap

    FDF calls for a strategic approach to EU trade, as new data reveals widening UK food and drink trade gap

Five years on from the UK’s departure from the EU, a new report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) giving insight into the UK’s food and drink trade performance

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AIM Centre welcomes David Bermingham as Director of AI to lead National AI Studio

    AIM Centre welcomes David Bermingham as Director of AI to lead National AI Studio

Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Centre has announced the appointment of David Bermingham (pictured) as its new Director of AI. David will spearhead the launch and expansion of the AIM

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Over €12 million capital investment in equipment for industry research and innovation in Ireland

    Over €12 million capital investment in equipment for industry research and innovation in Ireland

Ten projects are to receive €12.1 million in funding to access cutting-edge equipment to increase R&D collaboration and competitiveness for companies through the Technology Gateways and Technology Centres based in

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AIM Centre launches National AI Studio for Irish manufacturing SMEs

    AIM Centre launches National AI Studio for Irish manufacturing SMEs

The AIM Centre, based in Sligo, has announced the establishment of an AI Studio, a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower manufacturing SMEs across Ireland by showcasing the transformative power of

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Over £7 million awarded to help AI boost growth in the UK

    Over £7 million awarded to help AI boost growth in the UK

Over 100 projects are to receive funding to trial productivity-boosting artificial intelligence (AI) tools for businesses. Small businesses across the UK will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency

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UK manufacturing output, new orders and employment fall at faster rates in December

    UK manufacturing output, new orders and employment fall at faster rates in December

The downturn in the UK manufacturing sector deepened at the end of 2024, as December saw rates of contraction in output, new orders and employment gather pace. Destocking at clients,

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Almost €400 million in grant support was paid to Irish SMEs in 2024

    Almost €400 million in grant support was paid to Irish SMEs in 2024

Almost €400 million was paid in 2024 to SMEs right across the country under the Power Up grant and the Increased Cost of Business Scheme (ICOB). The schemes were designed

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New figures reveal dramatic uplift in sales revenue for UK food manufacturers

    New figures reveal dramatic uplift in sales revenue for UK food manufacturers

UK food manufacturers are riding high on a wave of newfound confidence, as figures reveal a dramatic uplift in sales revenue and purchasing. Small and mid-sized firms saw their average

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UK manufacturing downturn worsens as PMI falls to nine-month low

    UK manufacturing downturn worsens as PMI falls to nine-month low

The UK manufacturing sector showed further signs of contraction in November, as output fell for the first time in seven months following the sharpest retrenchment in new order intakes since

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Thousands more SME manufacturers to benefit from Made Smarter after UK Government’s Budget commitment

    Thousands more SME manufacturers to benefit from Made Smarter after UK Government’s Budget commitment

Made Smarter Adoption, the UK Government’s programme helping SME manufacturers adopt technology and digital skills, will continue next year and expand into all regions of England. The Government has announced

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23 more companies secure grants from UK adoption programme to digitalise

    23 more companies secure grants from UK adoption programme to digitalise

A cupcake manufacturer is among 23 more to secure backing from Made Smarter, the movement accelerating the digital transformation among SME manufacturers in the UK. Cupcakes By Sophia, based in

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UK alcoholic drinks suppliers losing out on over £27,500 in repeated sales every year

    UK alcoholic drinks suppliers losing out on over £27,500 in repeated sales every year

Small and mid-sized suppliers in the UK alcoholic drinks sector could unlock an average of £27,575 in repeat sales with a renewed focus on customer loyalty, a new report reveals.

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Staffing, energy costs and access to finance are biggest worries for Irish SMEs, SBCI survey reveals

    Staffing, energy costs and access to finance are biggest worries for Irish SMEs, SBCI survey reveals

Access to skilled staff, high energy and transport costs, and access to finance are the biggest risks identified by Irish SMEs in a new survey by the Strategic Banking Corporation

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Scottish start-up aims to peel back plastic use with onion skin packaging

    Scottish start-up aims to peel back plastic use with onion skin packaging

A range of new eco-friendly packaging materials made from onion skins and peelings is being created by an Oban-based start-up, offering an alternative to fossil fuel-derived plastic products – a

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Engineering Industries Ireland welcomes the Government’s commitment to review the R&D Tax credit scheme

    Engineering Industries Ireland welcomes the Government’s commitment to review the R&D Tax credit scheme

Engineering Industries Ireland, the Ibec group representing the industrial engineering, manufacturing, and engineering services sectors, has welcomed the Government’s ambition outlined in Budget 2025, particularly the commitment to review the

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New £11 million Cluster Acceleration Programme to support businesses to work together to achieve shared goals in Northern Ireland

    New £11 million Cluster Acceleration Programme to support businesses to work together to achieve shared goals in Northern Ireland

A new £11 million Cluster Acceleration Programme has been launched in Northern Ireland. The programme has been designed by Invest Northern Ireland to support businesses, in particular SMEs, to work

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MMC Ireland calls for overhaul of public procurement to drive digitalisation and decarbonisation in construction

    MMC Ireland calls for overhaul of public procurement to drive digitalisation and decarbonisation in construction

MMC Ireland, the largest industry representative body for stakeholders in the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) sector, has today submitted its recommendations for the 2025 Budget, calling for transformative changes

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Digital transformation confusion risks paralysing SME manufacturers, says Made Smarter

    Digital transformation confusion risks paralysing SME manufacturers, says Made Smarter

Confusion around digital transformation is risking paralysis among SME manufacturers, says Made Smarter. Donna Edwards, director of the North West

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Profitability declines by almost 30% for UK food and beverage manufacturers, new data finds

    Profitability declines by almost 30% for UK food and beverage manufacturers, new data finds

Small and mid-sized food and drink manufacturers in the UK are facing a ‘silent killer’ as new figures show profitability

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New €250 million Seed and Venture Capital Scheme announced

    New €250 million Seed and Venture Capital Scheme announced

The Irish Government has announced a new cycle of the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme which will operate for the

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Made Smarter launches peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers

    Made Smarter launches peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers

Made Smarter North West has launched a new peer-to-peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers in England. The

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Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Centre, Sligo leads the way securing Arctic Edge Project funding

    Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Centre, Sligo leads the way securing Arctic Edge Project funding

Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Centre, Sligo will act as the lead partner on an EU Project aiming to enhance

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An Post eCommerce Index Highlights reveals how Irish SMEs can do more for their customers

    An Post eCommerce Index Highlights reveals how Irish SMEs can do more for their customers

A full year’s data from the An Post eCommerce Index reveals that convenience (72%) is the key driver for online purchases

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Made Smarter Adoption Awards recognise digital transformation champions among UK SME manufacturers

    Made Smarter Adoption Awards recognise digital transformation champions among UK SME manufacturers

Made Smarter, the movement connecting manufacturers to technology and skills, has launched a national awards programme to celebrate digital transformation

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New campaign links Scottish manufacturers with energy transition opportunities

    New campaign links Scottish manufacturers with energy transition opportunities

A new campaign by Scotland’s national and international economic development agency Scottish Enterprise aims to alert businesses – particularly SMEs –

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Funding of €6.8 million announced for sustainable disruptive technology MedTech project

    Funding of €6.8 million announced for sustainable disruptive technology MedTech project

The Irish Government has announced funding of a further €6.8 million for a twelfth project under Call 6 of the

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Made Smarter and tech institutes partner to help UK manufacturers go digital

    Made Smarter and tech institutes partner to help UK manufacturers go digital

Made Smarter and leading technology demonstrators have joined forces to demystify digital transformation with a new white paper. ‘Made Smarter technologies:

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New Research highlights business opportunities in the All-island Circular Economy

    New Research highlights business opportunities in the All-island Circular Economy

InterTradeIreland, the all-island economic development agency, has launched a report revealing new business opportunities available in the all-island circular economy

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UK SME manufacturers in the food and drink sector prepare for digital future with leadership programmes

    UK SME manufacturers in the food and drink sector prepare for digital future with leadership programmes

UK food and drink manufacturers have been empowered with the vision, skills and drive to pursue smarter manufacturing through Made

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86% of SMEs optimistic about business environment in Ireland in 2024, up from 70% in 2023

    86% of SMEs optimistic about business environment in Ireland in 2024, up from 70% in 2023

86% of SMEs are optimistic about the business environment in Ireland this year, according to the Melior Funding for Growth

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Food and drink makers secure Made Smarter backing

    Food and drink makers secure Made Smarter backing

SME manufacturers in the UK food and drink sector are the latest to secure backing from Made Smarter’s trailblazing adoption

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Majority of Irish SMEs confident about 2024

    Majority of Irish SMEs confident about 2024

A new economic survey, by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), has found that 80% of SMEs are either

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New €16 million ‘Work IQ’ Innovation Centre opening in South Dublin in early 2024

    New €16 million ‘Work IQ’ Innovation Centre opening in South Dublin in early 2024

A €16 million purpose-built innovation centre, Work IQ, situated in Tallaght’s newly developed Innovation Quarter is on track to open

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Origin Green Gold Membership 2023 Recognises Sustainability Excellence in Irish Food and Drink Sector

    Origin Green Gold Membership 2023 Recognises Sustainability Excellence in Irish Food and Drink Sector

Bord Bia has acknowledged the sustainability performance of 97 Irish food and drink companies that have attained Origin Green Gold

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Made Smarter national roll-out to turbo charge digital transformation for British SME manufacturers

    Made Smarter national roll-out to turbo charge digital transformation for British SME manufacturers

Made Smarter, a programme helping British SME manufacturers access technology and digital skills, is to be rolled out nationally. The

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All four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHS) now operational in Ireland

    All four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHS) now operational in Ireland

With the recent establishment of CeADAR and ENTIRE as European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), the number of Irish Hubs that

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UK industry risks falling behind on AI and automation as competitors steal a march

    UK industry risks falling behind on AI and automation as competitors steal a march

Britain’s manufacturing sector is warning the UK risks falling behind its international rivals in the race to embrace cutting edge

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UK regional SME innovation clusters to receive up to £75 million boost to economies

    UK regional SME innovation clusters to receive up to £75 million boost to economies

Regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) clusters of world-class innovation across the UK are being backed by a share of

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Industry and academia partnerships aim to boost UK economic growth

    Industry and academia partnerships aim to boost UK economic growth

Nine new regional partnerships between UK universities and manufacturing businesses will address industry-driven challenges and develop new technologies. The Early-Stage

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The SMEs guide to cloud technology

    The SMEs guide to cloud technology

Thousands of UK-based small and medium-sized businesses struggle to overcome their fear of technology, placing them in jeopardy of lagging

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Made Smarter whitepaper to accelerate manufacturers to net zero

    Made Smarter whitepaper to accelerate manufacturers to net zero

Made Smarter has launched a whitepaper to help SME manufacturers accelerate their net zero plans. ‘Decarbonisation through Digitalisation: manufacturing made

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€47 million funding for Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme

    €47 million funding for Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme

The Government has announced €47 million of funding for the continuation of the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme until 2029.

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Made Smarter Awards recognise food manufacturers pursuing digital transformation

    Made Smarter Awards recognise food manufacturers pursuing digital transformation

Two food businesses are among the first recipients of the Made Smarter Awards, which celebrate excellence in manufacturing. The scheme

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Boyne Valley Food Hub opens for business

    Boyne Valley Food Hub opens for business

A flagship food development project in the heart of one of Ireland’s richest farmland areas has been unveiled this week

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A further €17.8 million invested in innovative and novel technologies under Calls 4 & 5 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund in Ireland

    A further €17.8 million invested in innovative and novel technologies under Calls 4 & 5 of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund in Ireland

Funding has been announced for a further five innovative projects under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). Two projects have

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Technophobia threatening the future of British SMEs

    Technophobia threatening the future of British SMEs

Small and medium UK businesses are being held back post-pandemic by a reluctance to adopt new technologies, experts have warned. Experts from TelephoneSystems.Cloud

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Invest NI commits £1.3 million to support local SMEs to grow exports by £12 million and create over 150 jobs

    Invest NI commits £1.3 million to support local SMEs to grow exports by £12 million and create over 150 jobs

Invest Northern Ireland’s Ambition to Grow Programme has offered support to 37 local companies to assist them to grow exports

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Positive outlook for UK manufacturing small businesses in a quarter rocked by market uncertainty

    Positive outlook for UK manufacturing small businesses in a quarter rocked by market uncertainty

The beginning of 2023 has seen a significant rise in manufacturing small businesses predicting growth in the next three months,

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Launch of Skills for Better Business – a new resource for Irish SMEs

    Launch of Skills for Better Business – a new resource for Irish SMEs

The Irish Government has launched Skills for Better Business, a two-part initiative aimed at assisting SME owners and managers across Ireland. Skills

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Major change for small Irish companies

    Major change for small Irish companies

Thousands more Irish companies will now be eligible for Government export grants in a move designed to fill a crucial

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£6.1 million funding boost to accelerate digitalisation among SME food and drink manufacturers

    £6.1 million funding boost to accelerate digitalisation among SME food and drink manufacturers

A trailblazing programme that has backed 2,500 manufacturers to adopt new digital technology and skills to create growth and jobs

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Call for financial support for Irish SMEs amid ongoing energy crisis

    Call for financial support for Irish SMEs amid ongoing energy crisis

The Irish SME Association (ISME) is calling on the Government to provide greater levels of support for SME businesses in

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