What Advanced Manufacturing does

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is a Dublin-headquartered, membership-based advanced manufacturing research and innovation intermediary serving the Irish industrial base. The organisation is structured around four pillars — Digitisation, Robotics & Automation, Design for Manufacturing, and Sustainable Manufacturing — and delivers three flagship programmes: FactoryXChange (Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hub, co-funded by the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland), DigiWind (digital skills for renewable energy under the Digital Europe Programme), and CIRCULÉIRE (a circular economy initiative with 50+ industry members). IMR serves Irish SMEs as the primary segment, supplemented by multinational corporations (Boston Scientific, Vodafone, KUKA, ABB, EATON, Bank of Ireland, Glanbia, Janssen) and startups, using a Demystify-Derisk-Deliver methodology that combines thought leadership, low-risk pilots, and peer referrals to convert prospects into long-term members.

Underlying technology is platform-agnostic and partnership-driven rather than proprietary. IMR curates access to a pre-validated network of technology partners — KUKA (robotics), Hexagon (metrology/3D scanning), ABB, Aspera Solutions (digital platforms) — and operates the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) assessment framework as a benchmarking and roadmap tool. A physical Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AM Lab) at the National Science Park in Mullingar supports prototyping, testing, and pilot work on emerging technologies. Sub-brands (FactoryXChange, DigiWind, CIRCULÉIRE) function as semi-autonomous delivery vehicles for distinct funding streams and verticals.

The business model blends three revenue streams: (1) tiered membership subscriptions via the INSIDE IMR series, granting access to the service library, partner network, and benchmarks; (2) fee-for-service professional services — consulting, training (with NTUC training grant support for eligible companies), SIRI assessments, robotics/automation advisory, and prototyping; and (3) EU and government grant funding from Enterprise Ireland, the European Commission, and the Digital Europe Programme. Distribution is direct to mid-market and enterprise via membership and bespoke project engagement, with a regional channel through the EDIH network. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Documented quantified outcomes include €20M saved annually by 58 members, €55M in additional value created for 70 members, 81,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided, and 72 companies with jobs created, safeguarded, or upskilled.

Name

Advanced Manufacturing

Legal name

Irish Manufacturing Research

Website

https://ami.ie

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) is a Dublin-based innovation intermediary serving 400+ Irish manufacturers through membership services, training, and pilots across four pillars: digitisation, robotics & automation, design for manufacturing, and sustainable manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Research and Innovation Services

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation & Control Systems (PLC/SCADA/DCS) (IMAIAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

Keywords

• Advanced manufacturing research
• Digital transformation consulting
• Robotics automation services
• Sustainable manufacturing solutions
• Industrial workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Services: IMR generates revenue through fee-for-service consulting, training courses, and project-based engagements. Services include digital transformation consulting, robotics and automation assessments, prototyping and testing, and workforce upskilling programs. Revenue is derived from service delivery to member and non-member companies across Ireland.
2. Membership Programme: IMR operates a tiered membership model (INSIDE IMR series) providing companies access to IMR's service library, network of technology partners, industry benchmarks, and collaborative innovation opportunities. Members receive preferential access to training, pilot programs, and funding connect services.
3. EU/Government Grant Funding: As a co-funded Digital Innovation Hub and research organization, IMR receives ongoing grant support from Enterprise Ireland, the European Commission (via Digital Europe Programme), and other government bodies to fund specific initiatives like FactoryXChange, DigiWind, and CIRCULÉIRE.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) operates as an industry-aligned innovation intermediary providing research, consulting, training, and pilot facility services to Irish manufacturers. Its offering is organized around four core pillars: Digitisation, Robotics & Automation, Design for Manufacturing, and Sustainable Manufacturing. IMR helps manufacturers demystify, derisk, and deliver advanced manufacturing solutions through tiered membership programs, fee-for-service professional engagements, and flagship programmes including FactoryXChange (Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hub), DigiWind, and CIRCULÉIRE.

Product overview

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) operates as a platform of service offerings organised around four core pillars: Digitise My Business, Automate Repetitive Tasks, Improve Products/Processes, and Improve Sustainable Practices. These are supplemented by Upskill My Team and Test Emerging Tech services. IMR also delivers three flagship programmes: FactoryXChange (Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hub), DigiWind (digital skills for renewable energy), and CIRCULÉIRE (circular economy initiatives). The organisation provides end-to-end support from demystification and derisking through to delivery of advanced manufacturing solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FactoryXChange (FXC): Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), co-funded by the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland, focused on making digital transformation practical and accessible for Irish industry.
• DigiWind
• CIRCULÉIRE

Products and services

• Digitise My Business

Quantifiable outcome

• €20 million saved annually by 58 member companies
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• European Space Agency (ESA) - Phi-Lab IrelandflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026IMR has opened the ESA Phi-Lab Ireland Open Call 2026, offering ambitious Irish companies dedicated access to space economy opportunities and support. This flagship partnership positions IMR as the gateway for Irish companies seeking to participate in the European space technology ecosystem.
• FactoryXChange (FXC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFactoryXChange is Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), co-funded by the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland, with a mission to make digital transformation practical, accessible, and impactful for Irish industry. IMR serves as the core operating entity.
• VodafonecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVodafone has benefited hugely from the partnership with IMR. Vodafone sells services into the Irish manufacturing industry and uses IMR as a showcase for their capabilities and a gateway to build industry connections. Chris Byrne, Network Innovation & Business Development Manager: 'If you sell services into manufacturing industry in Ireland, it's a great place to showcase what you can do but also to build up those connections around the industry.'
• KUKAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKUKA, a global leader in robotics and automation, partners with IMR as both a technology provider and industry advocate. Managing Director Brian Cooney testified: 'What IMR does – and does it very well – is keeping ahead of the trends... IMR does it extremely well.' The relationship positions IMR as a trusted advisor for manufacturers evaluating automation investments.
• Boston ScientificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston Scientific, a global medical technology company, partners with IMR for AI, digital transformation, SIRI, and IoT services. Senior Engineering Manager Sharon Barrett noted IMR's forward-thinking approach is 'very important to us going forward' for staying competitive. IMR supports Boston Scientific's innovation roadmap and workforce development.
• CIRCULÉIREflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRCULÉIRE is IMR's flagship circular economy initiative with over 50 industry members. The partnership provides a platform for cross-sector collaboration on circular solutions, innovation funding access, and tools supporting Ireland's net-zero agenda. Companies leverage CIRCULÉIRE to scale competitive circular business models.
• NTUC (National Trades Union Congress)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSource: NTUC training programs supported the cloud-based supply chain tracking system project at Singapore Epson Industrial's Pacific Distribution Centre, upskilling six local workers. This reference demonstrates IMR's involvement in international knowledge exchange on digital transformation in manufacturing operations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): The UK's leading manufacturing technology research centre, operating a similar model of applied R&D, pilot facilities, and SME-focused innovation support. Highly comparable to IMR's FactoryXChange/AM Lab approach and member-driven service model.
• EIT Manufacturing: EU-wide innovation community co-funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, focused on manufacturing digitalisation and skills. Comparable as a pan-EU intermediary and policy-aligned funding channel that overlaps with IMR's EDIH mandate.
• High Value Manufacturing Catapult: A UK network of seven manufacturing technology and innovation centres delivering applied R&D, digital transformation, and SME support programmes. Closely mirrors IMR's role as a national innovation hub, though operating across the UK rather than a single country.
• Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG): University of Warwick department providing applied research, professional education, and SME innovation support across automotive, aerospace, and digital manufacturing. Comparable academic-industrial hybrid with a strong SME training and pilot focus.
• Sirris: Belgium's collective research centre for the manufacturing industry, providing technology scouting, pilot projects, and digital transformation support to Belgian industrial SMEs. Closely aligned with IMR's 'demystify-derisk-deliver' intermediary role.
• Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC): University of Sheffield-based research centre delivering advanced manufacturing research, training, and high-value manufacturing capability for industry. Highly comparable to IMR's R&D-plus-services model with strong industrial membership.
• Danish Technological Institute (DTI): Denmark's applied R&D institute delivering testing, certification, and innovation services to manufacturing SMEs. Operates a similar mix of membership, paid services, and public-funded programmes as IMR.
• National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS): Scotland's national manufacturing innovation centre, founded to transform manufacturing through digital, automation, and skills programmes. Shares IMR's mandate to translate Industry 4.0 technologies into SME impact at a national scale.

Broad incumbents

• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Sweden's national research institute offering applied research and innovation services across multiple sectors including manufacturing and digitalisation. Comparable public-good innovation intermediary model, though with a much broader sector mandate than IMR.
• Fraunhofer IPA: Germany's largest applied research organisation for production technology and automation. Operates at far greater scale and scope than IMR but addresses the same factory automation, robotics, and digital transformation themes for industrial customers.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IMR_ie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEGHBIV-9-tVh5Ysl2Uhhzg
• Facebookfacebook.com/IrishManufacturingResearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-manufacturing-ireland
• Instagraminstagram.com/irish_manufacturing_research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Advanced Manufacturing