Galway conference hears that optimism remains - but growth forecasts adjusted down
Galway was the venue for a full-day conference bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policy experts to explore the trends, technologies, and strategies that are driving competitiveness and growth in Ireland’s medtech and engineering sectors.
Ibec Medtech and Engineering hosted the Manufacturing the Future Conference in The Galmont, where delegates were told that manufacturing continues to be a core engine of the Irish economy, adding over 20,000 direct jobs in 2024 to employ over 240,000 people.
The sector's contribution grew significantly, generating €14.8 billion in wages, €3.35 billion in income taxes, and €224 billion in total goods exports, underpinning Ireland's public services and economic strength.
And they also benefitted from a series of forthright views from the speakers.
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Among the local speakers were Boston Scientific’s Sean Dowd, addressing the topic of energy efficiency and carbon neutrality; Dexcom’s Adrian Furey on global manufacturing; and West’s Ann Clarkin on talent strategies.
Advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, including AI, are no longer optional for Ireland, they are the foundation of our industrial competitiveness, according to Mike Farrell, Director of Transformation & Business Excellence, West Pharmaceutical Services.
By embedding intelligence, automation and data across our factories, through a ‘human centric’ approach, we protect high value jobs
“By embedding intelligence, automation and data across our factories, through a ‘human centric’ approach, we protect high value jobs, strengthen productivity, and ensure Ireland remains a global destination for advanced manufacturing,” he said.
Irish Medtech Director Eoghan Ó Faoláin described Ireland as ‘a manufacturing powerhouse standing out as the second greatest exporter of medical devices in Europe’.
But he warned: “To remain competitive in a changing world we need to embrace the latest technologies and empower our workforces.
“The most recent Ibec Manufacturing in Ireland revealed that while the sector here remains optimistic about growth, external pressures are driving more pragmatic attitudes with lower forecasts as business costs and trade uncertainties mounted,” he said.