IMR supports create €18m in commercial value for Irish businesses

The Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) organization has contributed to creating nearly €18 million in commercial value for Irish businesses in 2025. According to IMR CEO Barry Kennedy, manufacturers can clearly see the potential benefits of AI and automation. In the past year, IMR supported 679 industry organizations, resulting in €13 million in additional revenue and €5 million in estimated cost savings.

The organization secured €7.3 million in competitive funding, marking a 26% increase from the previous year, and generated €6.3 million in industry income, up from €5.4 million in 2024.

IMR's services include helping businesses test and adopt newer manufacturing and production tools, upskilling 82 people, saving or creating 32 jobs, and leading emissions reductions of around 197 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. These impact figures are based on 31 client impact statements. The organization believes that digital readiness is crucial in determining how quickly manufacturers can convert AI and automation into commercial value.

IMR was established in 2014, inspired by renowned institutes like the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany and Tecnalia in Spain. The organization offers a testing ground for manufacturers to experiment with new technology and run trials before committing. IMR also collaborates with universities to develop industry-focused solutions, acting as a roadmap creator.

Through multiple routes, over 10% of organizations worked with IMR, combining services such as technology projects and workforce training. In its recent annual impact report, IMR highlighted that the next phase of industrial competitiveness will be shaped by how effectively manufacturers translate investment into implementation.

Kennedy emphasized that Ireland has the potential to lead in advanced manufacturing, but achieving this requires the right foundations and support to make technology work within their operations. The manufacturers that succeed in this endeavor will be better positioned to enhance productivity, build resilience, and compete effectively in complex global markets.

IMR also oversees FactoryxChange, one of Ireland's four European Digital Innovation Hubs, which recently received the STEP Seal by the European Commission. The organization also houses Ireland's first European Space Agency Phi-Lab, aimed at becoming the country's national platform for space technology development.