Invest Northern Ireland

As the regional business development agency, Invest NI’s role is to grow the local economy. We work with individuals, companies and organisations in manufacturing and tradable services which show the ambition and commitment to grow by being more innovative, more entrepreneurial and more internationally focused. Invest NI’s resources are focused on assisting our clients to improve competitiveness, increase innovation, promote a stronger international focus and create positive attitudes to enterprise.  At Invest NI we work closely with our partners to deliver a range of support to make our manufacturing companies more competitive in the global marketplace including supply chain resilience and competitiveness, trade support, operational excellence, skills and R&D. 

Smart Manufacturing Data Hub

The Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, is an Innovate UK funded project which helps manufacturers to unlock insights from their factory data. Our team of specialist technology experts can give you personalised advice, digital tools and dashboards to drive data-driven decision making within your business. Examples of recent projects include energy assessments, machine monitoring, inventory optimisation, sales order insights and process optimisation. Follow the links below to access SMDH current opportunities –

• Digital Readiness Tool – designed to help business identify their current digital position with a report and recommendations for next steps.

• Energy Insights Dashboards – review and optimise your energy usage with our energy insights, energy bench-marking and carbon tracker dashboard. See template and guidance attached on how to get started.

• Data Science & Dashboards – SMDH offer a range of IoT Sensor Solutions depending on monitoring need, work with our data science team to visualise your equipment or processes in real-time and identify areas for improvement. You can also work with our lighthouse solution providers who provide real-time monitoring software solutions – Total Control Pro, Output Industries, Flowlens,Scanmatix, DevTank, FSL Electronics

   

• Factory Simulation – support to digitally design and validate your manufacturing concepts and production facilities with 3D factory simulation software. 

• Virtual Manufacturing Platform – “try before they buy” some of the most beneficial, but costly, manufacturing technologies such as robot automation and additive manufacturing.

• SMDH Training Academy – free-to-use learning resources to develop digital and data skills within your company, courses range from lean manufacturing to data science and cyber security. 

• Join our Community – An online platform designed for manufacturing professionals to connect with advisors, peers, and mentors.

• Digital Innovation Fund – apply for grant funding up to 315K for a digital project in conjunction with SMDH and the Manufacturing Data Exchange Platform.

As a key partner on the SMDH programme, Manufacturing NI is pleased to support our members on the further development of digital factories, leaders, and skills in Northern Ireland. We invite you to avail of this opportunity to explore transformative avenues for manufacturing operations, processes, and productivity. 

If you would like more information on any of the above, please get in touch and we can arrange a meeting to discuss the project in more detail – aodheen@manufacturingni.org

Mills Selig

Mills Selig is a local and independent law firm renowned for its expertise in corporate, commercial, and regulatory matters. With a proven track record of assisting businesses across the manufacturing sector, Mills Selig offers tailored legal solutions to navigate complex challenges.

Specialising in areas such as corporate governance, intellectual property, employment, renewable energy, and regulatory compliance, Mills Selig provides expert advice to optimise operations and mitigate risks. With a specialist team of lawyers committed to delivering excellence, Mills Selig has earned its reputation as the law firm of choice for businesses across Northern Ireland and is committed to supporting the Manufacturing industry as well as the local economy.

Reliance Automation

Barclays 

Barclays is a bank that values the big picture. Barclays Corporate Banking has the banking excellence you’d expect with the data and insights you don’t. We look beyond banking to help you see what really matters. Through our sector and regional specialists, and the power of the wider Barclays network, we can act on those insights together. We can provide you with innovative financing solutions that help you achieve a more expansive, better-connected future for your business.

We can help to provide market insight and identify opportunities for manufacturing businesses. We have specialists to deliver a seamless service, providing innovative thinking to help you find the right solutions for your business. With expertise across the whole value chain, we’ll help you think outside the box.

From food and drink to metals, aerospace and machinery, electronics to pharmaceuticals, our relationships with leading manufacturers enable us to stay ahead of this continually evolving sector.

Our industry-focussed bankers and credit teams understand your sector and the finance available to support your growth. We provide our clients with access to bespoke financing solutions across the Barclays group including Trade & Working capital, Debt Finance, Cash management, Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate management and Investment banking.

See things clearly with Big Picture Banking at Barclays, visit www.barclayscorporate.com

See our manufacturing insights here.

KPMG

The manufacturing sector plays a vital role in Northern Ireland’s economy.

Advancements in technology, investment in infrastructure and increased insights from data and analytics have allowed many manufacturers to redesign operations to reduce costs and increase productivity.
However there are also challenges in today’s fast-moving environment with businesses under increasing pressure to evolve and adapt to changing consumer behaviours and stakeholder expectations. Additional pressure from rising cost bases, resource constraints and new market entrants is impacting supply chains, growth prospects and profitability.

KPMG’s industry professionals understand the opportunities and challenges encountered by businesses and provide integrated advice which delivers effective results for our clients.
Our team has wide-ranging expertise including audit, tax, strategy and governance, M&A, funding, working capital management, IT strategy and implementation and risk consulting.