What Irish Manufacturing Research does

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is Ireland's national applied manufacturing research and technology organisation, founded in 2014 with €15M in state funding and currently employing approximately 140 staff across offices in Rathcoole (Co. Dublin) and Mullingar (Co. Westmeath). It is supported by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland as a Technology Centre and serves 400+ Irish startups, SMEs, and multinational manufacturers across verticals including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, logistics, consumer products, healthcare/life sciences, and electronics.

IMR delivers expertise, pilot infrastructure, and training across four service pillars — Digitisation, Robotics & Automation, Design for Manufacturing, and Sustainable Manufacturing. Its technology stack spans Industrial IoT (IIoT) and smart factory integration, applied AI and analytics, digital twin development, robotics and automation deployment, simulation and modelling, and data-driven manufacturing methodologies. This capability is anchored by capital-intensive pilot assets including a PCB Assembly Line, a Hybrid Printing and Machining Cell, and a DN Solutions SMX 2600ST machining centre, which de-risk technology adoption for SMEs that could not afford such infrastructure independently.

The business model combines four revenue streams: recurring membership fees through a formal 'Membership Benefits & Fees' programme, expert-led professional services (e.g., Digitise My Business, Automate Repetitive Tasks, Upskill Your Team), structured training courses, and substantial public/EU grant funding. Disclosed grant funding totals more than €36M, including the initial €15M state establishment grant (2014), €5.7M for FactoryXChange 2.0 (European Commission and Enterprise Ireland, 2026), €8.3M for the cross-border DATUM programme (2026), and approximately €8M from Horizon Europe (2026). IMR also convenes the national CIRCULÉIRE circular manufacturing platform (50+ members) and hosts Ireland's first European Space Agency Phi-Lab. The organisation is principally publicly funded rather than commercially owned, with no private shareholders, cap-table, or board composition disclosed in the source material.

Name

Irish Manufacturing Research

Legal name

Irish Manufacturing Research

Website

https://imr.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), founded 2014, is Ireland's national applied manufacturing research and technology organisation. It delivers digitisation, robotics, design-for-manufacturing, and sustainability expertise, pilot assets, and training to 400+ Irish startups, SMEs, and multinational manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Advanced Manufacturing Research & Consulting

NAICS

Machinery Manufacturing (333), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

akta.pro primary industry

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)

Keywords

• Advanced manufacturing research
• Industrial IoT consulting
• Robotics automation services
• Digital twin development
• Sustainable manufacturing training

Headquarters

HQ city

Rathcoole

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: IMR runs a membership programme ('Membership Benefits & Fees') through which companies access advanced manufacturing expertise, pilot facilities, and collaborative programmes. Provides recurring baseline revenue.
2. Professional services & expert engagement: Custom expert-led engagements (e.g., 'Digitise My Business', 'Automate Repetitive Tasks', 'Improve Products/Processes', 'Test Emerging Tech') delivered on a project basis to manufacturers.
3. Training and upskilling programmes: Structured training courses (e.g., 'Upskill Your Team') for manufacturing workforces, generating course and programme revenue.
4. EU and government grants / co-funded programmes: Significant funding from the European Commission (e.g., FactoryXChange 2.0 / Irish Manufacturing Consortium €5.7M award), Enterprise Ireland, and Irish departments (Climate, Energy and the Environment; Enterprise). Acts as both programme funding and indirect revenue.
5. Programme & community sponsorship (CIRCULÉIRE Awards): Co-organisation of programmes like the All-Island Circular Venture Awards with government and industry partners, generating sponsorship and programme funding tied to community activity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is Ireland's national applied manufacturing research and technology organisation, delivering expert-led advanced-manufacturing engagements, training, and a formal membership programme to Irish manufacturers. Its core services cover Digitisation, Robotics & Automation, Design for Manufacturing, Sustainable Manufacturing, Upskilling, and Emerging-Tech Testing, executed through capital-intensive pilot assets and co-funded national programmes such as FactoryXChange, CIRCULÉIRE, DATUM and ESA Phi-Lab Ireland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESA Phi-Lab Ireland: Ireland's first European Space Agency Phi-Lab, headquartered at Irish Manufacturing Research in Mullingar, focused on space-enabled innovation, advanced manufacturing, AI, and quantum computing.
• FactoryXChange (FXC)
• CIRCULÉIRE
• DigiWind
• BioDirect 2.0
• DATUM
• NWCAM2
• All-Island Circular Venture Awards
• Work Ready Graduate Programme (WRGP)
• Ideas Made Real

Products and services

• IMR Membership Programme Recurring membership scheme ('Membership Benefits & Fees') giving Irish manufacturers access to IMR's advanced-manufacturing expertise, pilot facilities and collaborative programmes across Digitisation, Robotics & Automation, Design for Manufacturing and Sustainable Manufacturing.
• Digitise My Business (Expert Engagement) Custom expert-led engagement that helps Irish manufacturers digitise operations using IMR's Industrial IoT, AI & Analytics, Data-Driven Manufacturing and Digital Twin capabilities, routed via a 'Talk to an Expert' call-to-action.
• Automate Repetitive Tasks (Expert Engagement) Custom expert engagement applying IMR's Robotics & Automation expertise to automate repetitive manufacturing tasks and improve throughput on factory floors; routed via a 'Talk to an Expert' call-to-action.
• Improve Products/Processes (Expert Engagement) Custom expert engagement applying Design for Manufacturing, Simulation & Modelling and Digital Twin Development to improve products and processes for Irish manufacturers; routed via a 'Talk to an Expert' call-to-action.
• Improve Sustainable Practices (Expert Engagement) Custom expert engagement focused on sustainable and circular manufacturing practices, including decarbonisation, circular material flows and energy efficiency; delivered via IMR's CIRCULÉIRE platform and routed via a 'Talk to an Expert' call-to-action.
• Test Emerging Tech (Expert Engagement) Custom expert engagement that lets manufacturers test and validate emerging advanced-manufacturing technologies using IMR's pilot assets (PCB Assembly Line, Hybrid Printing and Machining Cell, DN Solutions SMX 2600ST Machining Centre), reducing capex risk.
• Upskill Your Team (Training & Upskilling Courses) Structured training and upskilling courses for manufacturing workforces (including 'AI & Machine Learning' and related advanced-manufacturing topics), delivered through IMR's own platform/site.
• FactoryXChange (EDIH) Programme IMR-led European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) co-funded by the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland, providing digital transformation supports to Irish industry across multiple co-funded projects including FactoryXChange 2.0 (€5.7M award to support Limerick manufacturers in adopting digital technologies over three years).
• DATUM Cross-Border Programme €8.3M cross-border digital transformation programme implemented by Queen's University Belfast and Irish Manufacturing Research to help up to 100 manufacturing SMEs across Ireland adopt new digital technologies, increase productivity, and improve competitiveness.
• ESA Phi-Lab Ireland Ireland's first European Space Agency Phi-Lab, hosted at IMR's Mullingar facility, supporting Irish space-tech startups and SMEs in advanced manufacturing, AI, and quantum computing; MBRYONICS and Ubotica Technologies were the first supported companies.
• CIRCULÉIRE Membership & Awards IMR-facilitated national circular manufacturing innovation network with 50+ industry members, providing tailored tools, innovation funding, and cross-sector collaboration to scale circular solutions; includes co-organisation of the All-Island Circular Venture Awards with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
• DigiWind Programme IMR-led EU co-funded project under the Digital Europe Programme that closes the digital skills gap in the renewable-energy sector by equipping STEM professionals with advanced digital expertise.
• BioDirect 2.0 Initiative Two-year initiative (building on a previous engagement of over 200 stakeholders) in which IMR participates to promote circular bioeconomy practices across agriculture, manufacturing, textiles, and construction sectors.
• NWCAM2 Cross-Border Project Cross-border innovation project supported by PEACEPLUS funding, led by Catalyst with IMR participation, promoting innovation and sustainable manufacturing in the life and health sciences sector across Northern Ireland and the Irish border counties.
• Work Ready Graduate Programme (WRGP) Enterprise Ireland-funded IMR programme that helps Irish SMEs recruit skilled Master's graduates with less risk, less cost, and faster onboarding.
• Ideas Made Real (STEM Outreach) IMR STEM outreach programme that brings STEM to life for the next generation through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and cutting-edge technologies.
• AI & Machine Learning Training Course Standalone training course within IMR's training portfolio covering AI and Machine Learning for manufacturing applications, including 'Applications of AI' webinar content and an 'AI Strategy Workshop' service.
• Navit Virtual Tours / Buildings Service Service offering powered by Navit that delivers interactive 3D virtual tours of customer manufacturing facilities, supported by IMR's digital and smart technologies capability.

Quantifiable outcome

• €169M saved annually across 58 companies
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA launched its first Phi-Lab Ireland innovation lab hosted at IMR's Mullingar facility in the National Science Park. The lab supports Irish space-tech startups and SMEs, with MBRYONICS and Ubotica Technologies named as the first supported companies. The partnership gives IMR a strategic role in space-related advanced manufacturing innovation in Ireland.
• Queen's University BelfastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-Border DATUM Programme run in partnership with Queen's University Belfast, focused on data-driven manufacturing collaboration across the Ireland/Northern Ireland border.
• Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Minister Peter Burke)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMinister Peter Burke announced the €5.7M award to the IMR-led Irish Manufacturing Consortium, signalling strong Irish government endorsement and co-promotion of IMR's Westmeath Manufacturing Initiative.
• CatalystminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst is referenced as the lead on the NWCAM2 initiative with IMR participation, connecting IMR into the Northern Ireland / wider UK-Ireland advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
• BioDirect 2.0 consortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioDirect 2.0 is referenced as a partnership/consortium activity in which IMR participates, focused on biomanufacturing/direct production themes.
• CIRCULÉIREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRCULÉIRE is the national circular manufacturing innovation network facilitated by IMR with 50+ industry members. IMR co-runs the All-Island Circular Venture Awards together with CIRCULÉIRE.
• MBRYONICSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRYONICS is named as one of the first companies supported through ESA Phi-Lab Ireland at IMR's Mullingar facility, reflecting a deep tech / space customer relationship anchored via the partnership.
• Ubotica TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUbotica Technologies is named as one of the first companies supported through ESA Phi-Lab Ireland at IMR's Mullingar facility, indicating a strategic relationship between IMR and an Irish space-tech startup.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TWI (The Welding Institute): UK-based global RTO providing membership-based industrial R&D, training, certification and consulting across advanced manufacturing, materials and joining technologies — same membership + bespoke engagement model as IMR at greater international scale.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM): Part of the broader Fraunhofer applied-research network. Conducts contract R&D, pilot-line work and Industry 4.0 consulting for manufacturers, with similar public co-funding — much larger and broader than IMR, but operating on an analogous RTO model.
• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI): Taiwan's large-scale applied RTO operating pilot lines, Industry 4.0 advisory and government-funded programmes for manufacturers — same structural model as IMR but at a vastly larger scale and in Asia.

Regional players

• Tyndall National Institute: Ireland's ICT/photonics/semiconductor research centre with deep EU and industry engagement. Adjacent in mission (national RTO, public-private funding) but focused on microelectronics rather than manufacturing floor operations.
• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Sweden's national RTO combining industry-focused contract research, pilot assets and EU-funded programmes across manufacturing and digital technologies — closely comparable governance and revenue mix to IMR, but in Sweden.
• SIRRIS: Belgium's collective RTO for the manufacturing industry, funded by government and member companies. Provides pilot facilities, expertise and Industry 4.0 advisory — directly comparable mandate but operating in Belgium rather than Ireland.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's national applied RTO with a strong Industry 4.0, sustainable manufacturing and circular economy mandate. Comparable mix of public funding, contract R&D and pilot facilities, but Finland-focused rather than Ireland-focused.

Emerging players

• Catena-X: European automotive-focused data ecosystem for manufacturing supply chains. Tangentially comparable to IMR's Data-Driven Manufacturing and IIoT capabilities, but automotive-specific and consortium-led rather than a national RTO.

Direct peers

• High Value Manufacturing Catapult: Network of seven UK manufacturing technology centres providing access to facilities, expertise and innovation programmes to manufacturers — same RTO/membership/pilot-asset playbook as IMR, just at UK scale.
• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK's largest applied manufacturing RTO, established and co-funded by government to de-risk Industry 4.0 adoption for manufacturers. Operates capital-intensive pilot assets, runs paid membership and bespoke consulting engagements, and channels national/EU funding — the closest international analogue to IMR.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IMR_ie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEGHBIV-9-tVh5Ysl2Uhhzg
• Facebookfacebook.com/IrishManufacturingResearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irish-manufacturing-research
• Instagraminstagram.com/irish_manufacturing_research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Irish Manufacturing Research