Reflecting on a year of progress — and looking ahead to 2026

IWIN building relationships in Lisbon

• by Gareth Sherry, IWIN

As 2025 draws to a close, the Irish Wood and Interiors Network (IWIN) can reflect on a year that showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared ambition across our industry. From Europe to the US, our members seized new opportunities, building global connections and strengthening our collective presence.

2025 saw IWIN members make their mark at Interzum in Cologne and LIGNA in Hanover. The collaborative stand at Interzum, organised by IWIN, was a highlight, attracting visitors from across Europe, the Middle East, and further afield. 

Companies such as The Galtee Group, Merenda, and OVVO showcased their products and capabilities, with OVVO’s award-winning launch, developed in partnership with Hettich, standing out as a proud moment that reflected the innovation and technical expertise of Irish interiors manufacturers.

IWIN at Interzum: from left Gareth Sherry with members Merenda, Galtee and Ovvo

Closer to home, our Export Cluster initiative gained real momentum this year. In October, over 20 companies gathered at The Galtee Group’s facility in Ballylanders, Co. Limerick, for an IWIN-hosted event focused on setting up a dedicated export cluster. 

The day included presentations on lean and digital advancements from Eoin Ryan, Managing Director of Galtee, and an inspiring talk by Limerick hurling manager John Kiely on creating high-performing teams. This event demonstrated how Irish companies can collaborate to develop a cluster that can win new markets and reduce dependence on domestic demand.

Gareth Sherry, Norm Fink, Paul McKenna, Eoin Ryan at Irish Manufacturing Research event focused on AI in manufacturing

We also ran a highly successful AI and digitalisation event at IMR, with over 60 attendees. This event offered not just networking opportunities but also valuable learning about how AI and digital tools are impacting our industry and how they can be leveraged to benefit our members.

Another milestone this year was the launch of this magazine, Irish Contract Interiors, which has become an important platform for manufacturers to showcase their capabilities to the built environment community. With this November-December issue being the fifth, we’ve distributed each edition to 2000 businesses, totalling over 10,000 pieces of literature this year alone.

Gareth, right, beside Liam McCool, director of golf at Carton House

We didn’t stop there. Our social networking golf outing at Carton House was another highlight, where we were honoured to be joined by Kerry manager Jack O’Connor. The day was filled with fun, craic, and serious business networking, and we plan to build on it in 2026 as a pivotal event in our calendar.

Throughout the year, I’ve also travelled the country, meeting with new and longstanding members, walking shop floors to understand challenges, and seeing how IWIN can help. These conversations have been key to understanding where we can provide assistance and support members in growing and advancing their manufacturing skillsets. I’m proud to say that our network has grown from 80 to 120 members this year, showing the strength and appeal of what we do together.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re ready to build on this momentum. Our US trade missions will be anchored around three major events: KBIS in Florida, NeoCon in Chicago, and IWF in Atlanta. These shows offer strong potential for Irish companies to build relationships with US buyers, distributors, and contractors. We aim to create lasting trade pathways, ensuring these missions deliver benefits for years to come.

IWIN’s Golf Day was always well supported and is now becoming a key date in the calendar

Most recently, IWIN has explored opportunities and made new acquaintances in Chicago

Part of this effort includes forming a dedicated export cluster, made up of select companies willing to invest their talent and resources to win new markets. This cluster will be key to expanding our collective business, and we’re already engaging with the Saudi market, connecting with key people on the ground. The goal is to establish genuine partnerships, not just supply from afar, and this will make our presence in that market more meaningful.

We’re also continuing to focus on attracting new talent into the industry. After launching our recruitment platform, the next step is to engage more strongly with guidance counsellors and third-level institutions. With AI disrupting fields like finance and law, our industry offers stable, human-centered careers that AI will enhance rather than replace. We want to emphasise that this is an industry with deep roots in every town in Ireland, offering long-term employment, growth, and sustainability.

One of our key objectives for 2026 is to adopt a shared-island approach to the network. We aim to encourage members from Northern Ireland to join IWIN, as this will strengthen our export strategy and be recognised globally as Irish, whether from north or south. 

Northern Ireland has a well-established joinery and contract interiors industry, with successful companies such as Specialist Joinery, Mivan, and MGM. There’s much to be gained from learning and collaborating across the border, and uniting our efforts will build a stronger, more coherent, and robust industry that can compete internationally.

2025 has been a year of real progress for IWIN and its members. Together, we’ve built partnerships, explored new markets, and laid the foundations for an exciting future. As we move into 2026, we remain focused on connection, opportunity, and ambition – building bridges that will lead to international success while strengthening the industry at home.

www.iwin.ie