Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), alongside 17 expert partners, has secured €5.7 million in funding from the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland for FactoryXChange 2.0. 

The programme is designed to advance operational excellence and resilience across Galway’s manufacturing sector over a three-year period.

The initiative builds on FactoryXChange 1.0, which supported over 495 Irish enterprises and public organisations to optimise business and production processes through digital transformation. 

The new phase will provide manufacturers with access to AI, robotics, advanced computing, and Industry 5.0 solutions, enabling scalable operational improvements and enhanced competitiveness.

Galway-based Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), a national centre of excellence, plays a key role in bridging high-performance computing with practical industrial application. By integrating cutting-edge data science into production workflows, the consortium ensures that advanced digital technologies are effectively deployed to strengthen operational processes and reduce inefficiencies.

FactoryXChange 2.0 also leverages a national network of Digital Hubs, connecting Irish manufacturers with industry expertise, digital tools, and funding opportunities to enhance workflow optimisation, process automation, and strategic capacity planning.

The programme received the highest possible score from the European Commission and was awarded the STEP – Seal of Excellence, recognising its proven ability to deliver operational impact at scale.

Through a collaborative, one-stop-shop approach, FactoryXChange 2.0 positions Galway businesses to implement advanced manufacturing strategies, improve process efficiency, and future-proof operations against global competition and evolving market demands.

The consortium is inviting manufacturers and public sector organisations in the Galway region to participate and access expert advice, technology, and funding to accelerate operational transformation.

Explore how FactoryXChange 2.0 is reshaping operational standards and scaling Irish manufacturing capabilities in the full story.

(Photo credits to FactoryXChange official website)