Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) welcomed representatives from all 17 consortium partners of FactoryXChange 2.0 to its Mullingar facility, bringing together Ireland’s manufacturing innovation ecosystem to mark the start of delivery under the programme’s newly secured Phase 2 funding.
The gathering follows January’s announcement that FactoryXChange 2.0, one of Ireland’s four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), had secured continued backing as part of a €23 million investment by the European Union and Enterprise Ireland into Ireland’s EDIH network for 2026–2029. With that funding now confirmed, the Mullingar event marked a significant next step: bringing the full consortium together in person to showcase the support and expertise available as FactoryXChange 2.0 gets under way.
Around 60 attendees, drawn from the FactoryXChange 2.0 consortium and its client SMEs, took part in the afternoon, which combined opening remarks and keynote sessions with a “World Café” style breakout programme. Delivered by industry experts, the breakout sessions covered Data & AI Services, Business Services, Matchmaking, Skills Services, and Test-Before-Invest Services, giving attendees hands-on exposure to the practical supports now available under FactoryXChange 2.0.
FactoryXChange 2.0 builds on support already provided to more than 500 businesses and over 660 innovation services, generating more than €6 million in requested service value since 2023. With Phase 2 funding in place, the programme now moves into an expanded delivery phase, drawing on the expertise of 17 specialist partners and more than 55 experts to help manufacturers identify opportunities, reduce risk and move from exploration to implementation.
Speaking at the Mullingar event, Maurice O’Connell, Chief Operating Officer at Irish Manufacturing Research, said: “Manufacturers are operating in an increasingly complex environment. Rising costs, skills shortages, sustainability requirements and growing international competition are putting pressure on businesses of all sizes. At the same time, technologies such as AI, automation and advanced analytics are creating opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency and resilience.
“Bringing our consortium partners together in Mullingar marks an important milestone for FactoryXChange 2.0. With Phase 2 funding secured, we can now turn that commitment into action, working closely with partners across the country to help manufacturers de-risk innovation, accelerate adoption and unlock new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.”
The afternoon opened with remarks from IMR’s FXC 2.0 coordination team, followed by a keynote address from Livio Rubino of the European Commission’s AI Office on harnessing AI for inclusive growth, and an overview of the EDIH initiative from Laura Clifford, Enterprise Ireland’s Senior Programme Manager for EDIH and IC3. Representatives from Ireland’s other EDIHs, Data2Sustain, CeADAR and ENTIRE, joined the FactoryXChange 2.0 partners to set out the nationwide network of funded supports now available to Irish SMEs, before the programme was formally declared open.
Led by Irish Manufacturing Research, FactoryXChange 2.0 is delivered through a national consortium of technology, research, innovation and business support organisations, bringing together expertise across artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, high-performance computing, sustainability, digital transformation, skills development and business growth.
Karin Jancyková, Project Coordinator of FactoryXChange 2.0, said: “Manufacturers do not need more complexity. They need practical support, trusted expertise and access to the right technologies at the right time.
“Having all 17 partners together in Mullingar reflects the scale of the network now behind FactoryXChange 2.0, and the shared commitment to making innovation more accessible for manufacturers as we move into this next phase.”
Following the launch, FactoryXChange 2.0 moves into its three-year delivery phase (2026–2029), continuing to help Irish manufacturers future-proof their operations, embrace emerging technologies and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Businesses interested in learning how they can access expertise, technologies and innovation supports through FactoryXChange 2.0 can find out more at factoryxchange.ie.