Manufacturing & Supply Chain

InterTradeIreland and TechIreland just launched an online platform to allow businesses to collaborate and meet the supply chain and manufacturing challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

The interactive map will allow companies to see who they can work with, in and beyond their region.

More than 100 businesses and supports already feature on the map, which will initially focus on healthcare innovation supports including PPE, contact tracing and ventilators but will soon expand to include broader economic and societal responses to Covid-19.

“Time is of the essence in the response to Covid-19, which is why we have worked swiftly with our partners TechIreland to develop this one-stop-shop for buyers and sellers,” said Aidan Gough, Designated Officer of InterTradeIreland

“It gives firms involved in developing healthcare responses the ability, at a glance, to find other companies they can work with in terms of securing expertise or supply chain input.”

It is hoped that highlighting the companies and groups will enable them to collaborate faster, learn from each other and avail of support from economic and industrial development agencies.

TechIreland’s chief executive John O’Dea said the business community had a vital role to play: “One of the positive responses which will help see us through this crisis will be the solutions that come from products and innovations that are being developed by the business community. 

“As a result of the avalanche of information around Covid-19, and because of social distancing, it’s difficult for firms to know what other companies are doing, how they are innovating and if there are opportunities to co-operate.

“In a fast-moving crisis, finding a potential partner or a customer, or identifying grants and funds can be time-consuming – but critical. This platform has been developed to address those challenges.”