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Manufacturing in Ireland
An Overview
09/04/2015
Contribution from Ireland
Andrew Lynch
Chief Innovation & Network Officer(IMR),
SME Coordinator & Internationalisation Manager,
Irish Centre for Manufacturing Research (ICMR)
Ireland’s Innovation for Energy Efficiency (i2e2)
HLG Manufuture Representative
Representative for AM
National Co-ordinator AVM KIC
[email protected]
www.icmr.ie [email protected]
Leveraging Irelands Unique Asset Base
US firms have invested more capital in
Ireland than BRIC combined
$189B IRE
1990-2011
vs
$159B BRIC
Government policy – Research Prioritisation
Skills
Manufacturing 4.0
Manufacturing 4.0
Big Data
Top 10 ways big data is changing the manufacturing landscape forever
In an article recently published by Forbes, software expert Louis Columbus.
Manufacturers are already using advances analytics to increase yields, reduce
costs, monitor production and gain operation insights.
1. Making the smart factory a reality
2. Better forecasts on product demand and production
3. Understanding plant performance across multiple metrics
4. Providing faster customer service and support
5. Integrating advanced analytics (e.g. Six Sigma) –fuel continuous improvement
6. Greater visibility and insight into supplier performance
7. Equipment monitoring and preventative maintenance
8. Measuring compliance and traceability
9. Making quality a top priority
10. Financial performance and visibility
Additive Manufacturing
Commonly known as 3-D printing, additive manufacturing processes
create 3D objects based on digital models by successively depositing
thin layers of materials.
Used in rapid prototyping but now being used more readily in
manufacturing processes proper.
Example – used in small batches of complex parts e.g. hollow spheres
with no seams – to micro level
Manufacturing is coming back!
Ten years ago Chinese labour costs were 1/10th of ours . It was obvious
to invest there rather than in a state of the art facility in Ireland. Now
after accounting, logistics, tax and other considerations taken into
account that gap has disappeared for many products.
Several Eastern European economies have lost their competitive edge
over us and Brazil for example is a more expensive place to manufacture
(overall) then here.
Germany with its drive towards 4.0 is an example we should follow and
seek to gain competitive advantage going forward.
Thank you
Andrew Lynch
ICMR