Digitalisation and AI for manufacturing
How Irish industry is embracing the smart future.
Eoin Carroll – Pembroke Alliance
Over 80 industry professionals gathered at the Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) for a stand-out event focused on practical ways to embrace digitalisation and AI in manufacturing.
Organised by the Irish Wood and Interiors Network (IWIN), the event brought together leading voices in data, automation, ERP, and AI to showcase what’s possible – and how to get started.
Gareth Sherry, Norm Fin, Paul McKenna and Eoin Ryan
Held at the state-of-the-art IMR campus, Digitalisation and AI for Manufacturing provided attendees with actionable insights on using smart dashboards, ERP systems, and AI-driven tools to reduce waste, improve productivity, and make better decisions on the shop floor.
Speaker highlights
David Keeley – Irish Manufacturing Research
David opened the day by laying out why digital transformation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. He highlighted the real-world implications of Industry 4.0, stressing that businesses who take small, strategic steps can see immediate benefits in efficiency and competitiveness.
Jason Carey – Wayloader
Jason brought a mix of cutting-edge tech and grounded delivery, sharing his experience from both the tech world and the football pitch. Now Head of Sales & Operations at Wayloader, Jason previously led digital transformation at Errigal using AI, IoT wearables, and Power Apps.
He showed how emerging tech can be applied directly to manufacturing and construction environments to improve decision-making and outcomes.
Jim O’Hagan – Smarter Factory Technology Gateway, TUS
Jim presented how TUS’s Smarter Factory Gateway supports manufacturers through research-backed projects that deliver measurable gains. From production analytics tools using SAP and Power BI to digitisation roadmaps, his session offered clear, supported pathways for companies ready to innovate.
Eoin Carroll – Pembroke Alliance
A data analytics and strategy specialist, Eoin demystified the buzz around data. With deep experience in both multinationals and SMEs, he stressed the importance of starting with business goals and using existing tools to build a smarter, data-driven culture. His advice: start small, measure often, and build from there.
Mark Flynn – Rubik Technologies
Mark wowed attendees with dashboard demonstrations developed in collaboration with IWIN member companies. As Managing Director of Rubik Technologies, he focuses on packaging enterprise-grade analytics into solutions tailored for SMEs. His talk reinforced that you don’t need to be a tech giant to be data-driven—you just need the right visibility.
Mike Conroy – Data2Sustain (EDIH)
Mike introduced the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) network, and how Data2Sustain, led by Atlantic Technological University, supports businesses with digital assessments, pilot projects, and funding guidance. A seasoned leader in global engineering, Mike’s message was simple: don’t go it alone—there’s support available.
Themes from the day
Start small, focus on real business needs
Use existing tools (Power BI, Excel, ERP add-ons)
Support is available—from IMR, EDIHs, and research gateways
A collaborative approach speeds up success
The day concluded with a tour of the new and impressive IMR facilities
Collaborative energy and a clear path forward
The event concluded with a panel featuring Paul McKenna, Eoin Ryan, and Norm Fink, who shared practical insights and engaged the audience in a lively discussion around implementation challenges and opportunities.
Organised by Gareth Sherry of IWIN, the event delivered on its promise: helping companies navigate the noise around digital and focus on the real steps that drive change.
“We’re at a point where smart manufacturing is a need to have rather than a nice to have to compete effectively but the good news is there is plenty of help from agencies such as Data2Sustain,” Gareth noted.
Mike-Conroy, Karin-Jancykova, Becky-Garrard, Sonal-Dhalta and Gareth Sherry
This event marks another important step in IWIN’s mission to help Irish manufacturers remain competitive and confident in a fast-changing digital landscape. From robotics to real-time data capture, the IMR campus demonstrates how innovation is being put to work.
