Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector has long punched above its weight on the global stage.
From advanced engineering and precision manufacturing to bespoke craftsmanship and digital production, local businesses continue to build an international reputation for quality, innovation and resilience.
But manufacturers today are operating in an increasingly competitive environment. Rising costs, changing customer expectations, workforce pressures, sustainability demands and rapid technological advancement mean businesses must continually adapt to remain competitive.
For many manufacturers, the challenge is no longer simply producing a great product. It’s understanding how to improve productivity, strengthen resilience, embrace innovation and build a sustainable business capable of long-term growth.
That is where Go Succeed is helping businesses across Northern Ireland.
Since launching in 2023, the government-backed enterprise support service has supported entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage of their journey – from those developing a business idea for the first time, to established companies seeking to grow and scale locally and internationally.
Delivered through Northern Ireland’s 11 local councils, Go Succeed provides completely free support tailored to the individual needs of each business.
That support includes one-to-one mentoring, specialist masterclasses, business planning support and practical guidance across areas such as digital transformation, AI, leadership, productivity, innovation and sustainability.
Leaders in manufacturing businesses also turn to Go Succeed for support in stepping back from day-to-day operations to assess where their business currently stands – and where future opportunities may lie.
Benchmarking
To support that process, Go Succeed has introduced a new suite of benchmarking and diagnostic tools designed to help entrepreneurs better understand their business performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make more informed decisions about future growth.
The tools provide practical, data-driven insights across areas including leadership capability, financial performance, productivity, resilience, operational efficiency and long-term growth potential.
For manufacturers operating in fast-moving and highly competitive markets, that ability to benchmark performance and identify opportunities for improvement can be transformative.
The new suite includes an Entrepreneur Profile Tool, helping business owners better understand their leadership style and development areas, alongside a Risk and Resilience Assessment Tool, which benchmarks performance against more than 100,000 businesses while examining areas such as productivity, efficiency and external business risks.
A further Business Model and High Growth Diagnostic evaluates overall business maturity across key operational areas including leadership, finance, customers, markets, innovation, sustainability and productivity.
Once completed, businesses can work with Go Succeed mentors and advisers to interpret the findings and connect with tailored support aligned to their specific goals and challenges.
For manufacturers, that support can range from improving operational efficiency and adopting new technologies, to strengthening leadership capability, developing export opportunities or investing in innovation.
The impact that tailored support can have is already being seen across Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and creative production sectors.
CASE STUDY 1: JUSTIN WOOD NI
Bangor-based woodworker Mark Justin transformed a personal passion into a growing business after accessing support through Go Succeed. Founder of Justin Wood NI, Mark creates handcrafted furniture and delivers woodworking classes for customers travelling from across Ireland and internationally. Although successful in a previous career in IT, Mark said he found himself professionally unfulfilled before rediscovering his love for woodworking – a passion first sparked in his late grandfather’s workshop as a child. What began as a hobby operating from a small shed eventually became a full-time business in 2019. But while Mark had confidence in his craftsmanship, he recognised he needed support to build a sustainable company. “I love everything about the craft – from the hard work and the tools to the design – but I was winging it when it came to running a business,” he explained. Through Go Succeed, Mark accessed tailored mentoring support covering areas including marketing, SEO, business strategy and growth planning. “The biggest thing was the mindset shift. It helped me stop treating it like a hobby and start running it like a real business.” Go Succeed also helped Mark secure grant funding to invest in CNC machinery, automating engraving processes that had previously been completed by hand. “It’s like having a colleague that works away peacefully in the background and does everything you tell them to do! It’s freed me up to focus more on design, quality, and teaching.”
CASE STUDY 2: KITHARA GUITARS
Ballyclare entrepreneur Chris Moffitt has turned a passion project into an internationally recognised guitar-making business with support from Go Succeed. Founder of Kithara Guitars, Chris now creates bespoke handcrafted guitars for musicians around the world, including customers associated with Lewis Capaldi, The Killers and Hozier. What began as a hobby after attending a guitar-making class in 2018 has evolved into a specialist workshop producing custom instruments tailored to each musician. “I sold my first guitar to my sister’s friend, and now I’m selling guitars to some of the greatest guitarists in the world,” said Chris. After approaching Go Succeed, Chris received mentoring support focused on financial planning, marketing, business development and export growth. “What stood out most was how personalised the experience was. It wasn’t generic advice, it was tailored to me,” he said. Go Succeed also connected Chris with organisations including InterTradeIreland to support export ambitions and overseas sourcing opportunities. “As entrepreneurs, we dream big,” he added. “What Go Succeed did so well was help me to stay grounded without clipping my ambition.”
Support
While the scale and sectors of Northern Ireland’s manufacturers may differ, many face similar challenges – balancing craftsmanship and quality with commercial sustainability, embracing technology while maintaining identity, and finding the confidence and support needed to grow.
That is why practical support, tailored mentoring and access to meaningful business insights are so important.
Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector has continually evolved throughout its history, adapting to changing markets and technologies while maintaining a reputation for quality and innovation.
With the right support, expertise and ambition, the future remains incredibly bright.
To find out more about Go Succeed and the free support available for manufacturers and entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland, visit www.go-succeed.com.
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