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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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.
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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