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Looking for expert guidance? Connect with a Certified FactoryXChange Digital Strategist for a 30-min consultation. Our diverse team of specialists can help you: · Identify your digital challenges and goals across any industry or business size. · Explore relevant technologies and resources tailored to your unique needs. · Gain valuable insights and recommendations to move forward. Schedule your 100% discounted consultation now, and don't hesitate to secure further consultations when required! About Rishi Pandey: Rishi is a data and AI professional with over 4 years of experience across machine learning, data engineering, and digital transformation in both academic and industry environments. His work focuses on delivering practical, end-to-end solutions that turn raw data into actionable insights—driving automation, predictive analytics, and measurable innovation.He has played a key role in industry collaboration projects, applying AI in areas such as predictive maintenance, process optimization, and AR/VR-enabled immersive learning. With hands-on experience working with sensor and operational data from industrial systems, Rishi has built machine learning models that improve efficiency, reliability, and data-driven decision-making on the factory floor. Beyond technical development, Rishi also delivers professional training programs in AI/ML and data visualization (Power BI, Orange Data Mining), helping industry professionals adopt modern data tools with clarity and confidence. His strong communication skills allow him to effectively engage both technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring successful adoption of digital strategies. Rishi is passionate about building smarter, more intuitive systems—whether through intelligent automation, real-time analytics, or immersive technologies that enable workforce upskilling and transformation. #Project development #Innovation development #Skills improvement #Data processing and analysis #Technology competencies #Decision-making

Looking for expert guidance? Connect with a Certified FactoryXChange Digital Strategist for a 30-minute consultation. Our diverse team of specialists can help you: · Identify your digital challenges and goals across any industry or business size. · Explore relevant technologies and resources tailored to your unique needs. · Gain valuable insights and recommendations to move forward. Schedule your 100% discounted consultation now, and don't hesitate to secure further consultations when required! About David Downey: David is an experienced industry practioner in advanced manufacturing, machining and additive manufacturing. David leads an industry cluster focussed on supporting SMEs with Digitalisation and Green Transformation, he is passionate about the next phase in manufacturing (Industry 4.0/5.0) and, the digital journeys for SME to enable sustainability. He possess a high level of technical acumen, having completed a mechanical trade (Toolmaking) early in his career and pursued Continued Professional Development over many years to a Masters Level 9 qualification, in business. #Project Development #Access to Finance #Innovation Development #Tech Support on Scale-Up #Innovation Development #Community building

Looking for expert guidance? Connect with a Certified FactoryXChange Digital Strategist for a 30-minute consultation. Our diverse team of specialists can help you: · Identify your digital challenges and goals across any industry or business size. · Explore relevant technologies and resources tailored to your unique needs. · Gain valuable insights and recommendations to move forward. Schedule your 100% discounted consultation now, and don't hesitate to secure further consultations when required! About André Martins: André is a Researcher in Intelligent Manufacturing Systems for IDEAM, within the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). André graduated in Electrical Engineering in 2016 from the Polytechnic University of Leiria in Leiria, Portugal, where he also completed a master's degree in Electrical Engineering – Automation and Robotics, in 2021 with the project entitled "Industrial Device Integration and Virtualization for Smart Factories”. He moved to Ireland from Portugal in 2021 to pursue a PhD while being a researcher at RUN-EU European University, collaborating internationally on different tasks and projects between IDEAM, the Technological University of the Shannon and the Polytechnic University of Leiria. From 2018 to 2021 he was an Assistant Lecturer at the Polytechnic University of Leiria in the scientific areas of Electrical Engineering, lecturing on subjects such as Robotics, Computer Vision, Electrical Machines and Fundamentals of Electrotechnology. In the same period, he was part of two research projects in Portugal “Tooling 4G – Advanced Tools for Smart Manufacturing” and “S4Plast – Sustainable Plastics Advanced Solutions” as a researcher, mainly in tasks related to data gathering and shopfloor digitalisation in the Plastics and Precision Engineering sectors. #Project development #Innovation development #Process and organisation maturity #Technology competencies #Data processing and analysis #Skills improvement

FactoryXChange 2.0, led by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), has secured €5.7 million in funding from the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland to deliver digital and sustainable manufacturing supports over the next three years. The funding was announced by Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and will enable Irish manufacturers and public sector organisations to future-proof their operations through access to advanced digital technologies and expert support.   Ireland’s manufacturing sector faces growing pressure from rising costs, global competition, and the urgent need to embrace digital and green technologies. Companies must adopt artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), and cybersecurity to stay competitive and relevant.   FactoryXChange (FXC) is Ireland and Europe’s leading catalyst for sustainable, human-centric manufacturing transformation. Led by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and supported by 17 expert partners nationwide, FXC 2.0 has secured 40% funding (€2.3 million) from the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) programme with match funding of 60% (€3.4 million) from Enterprise Ireland to continue their work in helping Irish businesses move from uncertainty to action by offering up to 100% discounted services and tailored support, harnessing advanced technologies in a way that is ethical and sustainable.   Manufacturing is the backbone of the Irish economy. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the sector directly employs more than 220,000 people. It accounts for over 34% of Ireland’s GDP – more than double the European average of 15%. In 2023, goods exports reached €197.25 billion, generating €13.7 billion in wages, €3.03 billion in income tax, and more than €10 billion in corporation tax.   FactoryXChange is coordinated by Karin Jancykova, Senior Programme Manager, IMR and operates through a national network of 17 consortium of partners in digital innovation, AI and robotics. Together, the consortium makes advanced digital tools and expertise accessible to businesses and public sector bodies across Ireland. FXC 1.0 supported over 495 Irish enterprises and public organisations SMEs to become more competitive in their business and production processes through digital transformation.   Speaking about the announcement, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said:   “ Extending the European Digital Innovation Hub programme in Ireland into Phase 2 ensures that our SMEs will continue to access world-class digitalisation support. By maintaining this momentum, we are increasing Ireland’s competitiveness and enabling enterprises across Ireland to future-proof their operations. This continued investment reflects our commitment to making advanced digital technologies accessible for every region and sector. ”     FXC’s funding application received the highest possible score from the European Commission and was awarded the prestigious STEP – Seal of Excellence. This places FXC among a select group of projects recognised for outstanding quality and impact. The award underlines the consortium’s proven ability to deliver and unlock new opportunities for additional support, ensuring that Ireland remains a leader in sustainable and innovative manufacturing.   FactoryXChange 2.0 will apply the new funding to empower Irish businesses by connecting them with advanced digital technologies, expert advice, and funding to integrate ecological, digital, and societal solutions, thereby fostering sustainable growth and competitiveness. Through a collaborative, one-stop-shop approach, FXC and its 17 partners transform digital innovations into practical, impactful solutions that benefit both society and the economy, particularly focusing on enabling Industry 5.0 factories and accelerating digital transformation.   Manufacturers and public sector organisations can now engage with FactoryXChange 2.0 to access expert support and discounted services and help shape the future of Irish industry.

Avoca Seafood is an early-stage, pre-revenue SME in the Irish aquaculture sector, with a bold vision to develop a Circular Marine Park in Ireland. Between July and December 2024, FactoryXChange supported Avoca Seafood and its associated parties in exploring this ambitious project, including the preparation of a pre-investment case analysis. The engagement not only helped define the capital requirements but also identified the socio-economic opportunities and digitalisation needs to make the vision feasible.  Challenges   Like many SMEs at the beginning of their digital journey, Avoca Seafood faced several challenges. Investments in digital technologies were limited, focusing mainly on administrative tasks, while advanced solutions such as AI, IoT, and automation were not yet in place. Employee digital skills were basic, with little structured training, and many processes remained manual or paper-based. Data management and cybersecurity strategies were still developing, and customer-facing digital tools, including e-commerce and CRM systems, were underutilised.  Even for more advanced SMEs, similar challenges persist in scaling digitalisation. While staff may already be skilled and mainstream tools widely adopted, gaps remain in integrating advanced technologies, fully automating processes, improving data interoperability, and embedding sustainability into digital strategies.  Solutions Implemented   Avoca Seafood took steps to address these challenges. For SMEs at the early stage, the focus was on creating a clear digitalisation plan, allocating resources for IT infrastructure, and involving digital specialists to guide transformation. Mainstream technologies such as ERP and CRM systems were introduced to streamline operations and enhance customer interactions. Training programmes were developed to upskill employees, and initial data management and cybersecurity measures were implemented.  For the moderately advanced stage, the plan included integrating advanced technologies such as AI and automation to improve productivity and decision-making. Data systems were strengthened to allow real-time access across departments, while green ICT initiatives were prioritised to ensure sustainable operations and reduce environmental impact.  Results and Benefits   Even at the early stage, Avoca Seafood began to see tangible benefits. Digital tools streamlined internal processes, reduced operational costs, and created new opportunities for market expansion through e-commerce. Employees became more engaged and confident as they gained new digital skills.  For more advanced stages, the adoption of data-driven strategies and automation enabled better decision-making and freed employees to focus on higher-value activities. Digitalisation supported the development of innovative, digitally enhanced products and services, and sustainability measures reduced environmental impact while strengthening the company’s reputation.  Perceived Social and Economic Impact   The socio-economic impact of Avoca Seafood’s initiative is significant. The Circular Marine Park project is expected to create over 750 direct jobs, with an additional 1,000 to 1,500 positions in subsidiary roles as the facilities become operational. Capital investment in land-based facilities and the park could increase productivity in the Irish aquaculture sector by 850%, potentially generating up to €500 million over the next ten years.  On a social level, digitalisation and training improved employee confidence, retention, and career development opportunities. Economically, the company is better positioned to compete both domestically and internationally, while sustainability initiatives demonstrate responsibility toward the environment and community.  Measurable Data   The impact of digitalisation and business growth can be measured in several ways:  Percentage of operations using digital tools  Number and type of processes automated  Staff participation in digital training and upskilling programmes  Customer satisfaction and retention rates  Cost savings from digitalised operations  Proportion of documents and processes digitised  Reductions in paper use, emissions, or energy consumption  Cybersecurity incidents prevented  Lessons Learned   Do:   Invest steadily in both mainstream and advanced digital tools  Create and follow a structured digitalisation plan across all departments  Provide ongoing training for staff at all levels  Involve IT specialists in decision-making  Align digitalisation efforts with sustainability and green practices  Implement robust cybersecurity measures and data management policies  Don’t:   Delay investments in emerging technologies such as AI and automation  Allow digitalisation to remain siloed in administrative functions only  Rely on partial or ad hoc automation without a strategy  Overlook employee engagement in digital adoption  Neglect environmental considerations in IT and operational choices

Across Europe, manufacturers are facing pressure from every direction - climate goals, digitalisation, labour shortages, unstable supply chains. We’re no longer asking if change is needed. The question now is: what kind of change - and who is going to drive it?  Over the last few years, digital transformation in manufacturing has been framed largely around technology: automation, AI, robotics, data. But the more we work with businesses on the ground, the clearer it becomes technology is only part of the story. What really drives transformation is collaboration: between companies, across sectors, within regions, and increasingly, across countries.  That was the underlying message at the European Parliament’s recent ValueFacturing  conference, where policymakers, unions, researchers and SMEs gathered to reflect on how European industry creates value in a time of rapid change. Our team at FactoryXChange,part of Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) ecosystem,took  part in the conversations, and what we heard strongly reinforced what we see in our day-to-day work.  Digital tools are necessary. But without shared intent, shared learning, and shared infrastructure, they don’t go very far.  Giorgio Gori MEP spoke about the need for deep local roots: SMEs that are embedded in their communities, shaping the skills and innovation around them. Sergio Ventricelli called for a more unified voice among SMEs in Europe. One that not only adopts technology, but challenges very often outdated fiscal systems that hold innovation back. And Mirko Dolzadelli reminded us that transformation can’t happen to workers; it has to happen with them.  These are more than good points. They reflect a shift in thinking that’s already underway, but not yet consistent or coordinated.   At FactoryXChange, we’re trying to put that thinking into practice.  We’re not the only EDIH in Ireland. We’re part of a network, part of a broader system that has to function together if we want real progress. But our work is focused on making sure that digitalisation is useful, accessible, and aligned with what matters to people.  That’s not a matter of handing over toolkits. It’s a matter of building relationships between research centres and small manufacturers, between policy teams and factory managers, between digital strategists and workers on the floor.  And that’s especially true when it comes to skills.  The skills gap isn’t new, but it’s growing more urgent. As new technologies emerge, the risk is that many workers and firms will be left behind. Not because they lack interest, but because they lack access. We regularly meet companies who know they need to evolve but don’t know how to start, or who are eager to invest in training but unsure what’s actually relevant. At the same time, we see employees, on the floor and in management, who are being asked to adopt tools they’ve never been introduced to in a meaningful way.  We’ve learned that the biggest breakthroughs don’t always come from the biggest technologies. Sometimes they come from a conversation that didn’t happen before. From a small manufacturer finally getting access to a testbed they didn’t know existed. From a local FabLab demystifying automation for a business that thought it was “too small” to innovate. And increasingly, from a skills session that shifts mindset, from fear to possibility.  We’re learning that what SMEs need isn’t just advice. It’s context. A map. A way to understand how their journey fits into something larger. When businesses start seeing digitalisation not as a compliance issue but as a lever for resilience, then real change begins.  We’re also learning that collaboration takes design. It doesn’t just emerge. It needs time, trust, and incentives. If we want manufacturers to co-invest in sustainability, or digital skills, or workforce transition, then we need to reduce the friction, make it easier to participate, easier to see the return, and easier to align around shared purpose.  This is where we see our role. Not as a gateway to technology, but as a platform for connection. We work alongside others, other hubs, government teams, regional stakeholders, to make sure that no SME is left out of the picture. That no region is left behind because it’s “too peripheral.” That no transformation plan is built without the people who’ll be asked to implement it.  And we’re not pretending this is simple. Collaboration is hard. Skills development is hard. It takes time. It often runs counter to the fast-paced, metrics-driven way we’re used to operating. But the alternative - fragmentation, duplication, missed opportunities - is far more costly.  So what are we doing, in practice?  We’re helping SMEs sit around the same table as large manufacturers and academic experts. We’re shaping neutral spaces where public sector and private sector can talk about common risks, not just funding rounds. We’re working to align digitalisation plans with upskilling pathways, so that transformation becomes something employees can see themselves in, not something done to them.  And we’re constantly looking for ways to support a culture where testing, sharing, and adjusting are the norm, not the exception.  Because if we’ve learned anything over the past two and half year, it’s that resilience is not just a technical challenge. It’s a human one. It depends on who we include in the process, how early we bring them in, and whether we’re willing to share the benefits as well as the burden of change.  Ireland’s manufacturing sector has momentum. There’s vision, policy backing, and deep expertise in both industry and academia. But to realise that potential at scale, we need more than strategy. We need systems that support real, ongoing, purposeful collaboration, and that invest in people as much as infrastructure.  That’s what we’re working toward, not as the centre of the story, but as part of a much larger one. One where digital transformation is about more than machines. It’s about what happens when people, companies, and institutions choose to move forward together.