Manufacturing & Supply Chain

The annual Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will he held at RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin, on Tuesday, 28^th, and Wednesday, 29th of May 2024. 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.

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.

Sustainability and Digital Technology

A recent Manufacturing in Ireland report by Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, highlighted that the manufacturing industry is committed to sustainability and digital technology. The report found that there is widespread participation in sustainability and digitalisation initiatives, with half of organisations involved in each of these expecting to save money as a result. Indeed, the Irish manufacturing industry is well placed to exploit the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and other cutting-edge technologies.

Engineering Industries Ireland

Engineering Industries Ireland (EII), the Ibec group representing the engineering manufacturing and services sector in Ireland, is the Headline Sponsor of the annual Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition. 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 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.

Co-located Events

The National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition incorporates several complementary events – all under one roof. The co-located events include: the Automation and Robotics Event; the IOT & Industry 4.0 Expo; the Sustainability Summit; the Supply Chain & Logistics Expo; the High Tech Manufacturing & Precision Engineering Expo; the Digital Transformation in ; Manufacturing Event; the Pharma and MedTech Expo; and the Lean Productivity and Continuous Improvement Summit. The co-located events  within the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition are designed to show visitors how to harness new technology to improve their own business performance.

Free registration to attend the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is now open at https://www.manufacturingevent.com/register/

The Organiser

The organiser of the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, Dublin-based Premier Publishing & Events, has been staging similar exhibitions and conferences in the UK and Ireland for many years. Forthcoming events include:

* UK Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition – March 28th – Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes, England;

* National Construction Summit – 18th April – Sports Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin;

* Power & Energy Conference & Exhibition – 13th June – Tower Hotel, Waterford;

* Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition – 12th September – Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland;

* Scottish Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition – 23rd & 24th October – Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow, Scotland.