Minister Burke announces €5.7 million funding from the European Commission and Enterprise Ireland for FactoryXChange 2.0 to establish services and supports that will benefit Galway manufacturing jobs over a three-year period.
Led by Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) and supported by 17 expert partners nationwide, FactoryXChange (FXC) is driving sustainable, human-centric manufacturing transformation in Europe.
Among the key partners driving this initiative is the Galway-based Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), a national centre of excellence that underscores the region’s vital role in advancing Ireland’s digital and industrial capabilities.
Ireland’s manufacturing sector faces growing pressure from rising costs, global competition, and the urgent need to embrace digital and green technologies.
With support from the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) programme and Enterprise Ireland, this new phase of FactoryXChange will connect manufacturers with advanced tools, expertise, and funding.
Manufacturing continues to play a central role in Ireland’s economy. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the sector directly employs more than 220,000 people and accounts for over 34% of Ireland’s GDP, more than double the European average of 15%.
In 2023, goods exports reached €197.25 billion, generating €13.7 billion in wages, €3.03 billion in income tax, and more than €10 billion in corporation tax.
FactoryXChange 1.0 supported over 495 Irish enterprises and public organisations SMEs to become more competitive in their business and production processes through digital transformation.
Speaking about the announcement, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said, “Extending the European Digital Innovation Hub programme in Ireland into Phase 2 ensures that our SMEs will continue to access world-class digitalisation support.”
“By maintaining this momentum, we are increasing Ireland’s competitiveness and enabling enterprises across Galway and the West to future-proof their operations.”
“This continued investment reflects our commitment to making advanced digital technologies accessible for every region and sector.”
The FactoryXChange programme is built around a national network of Digital Hubs, including partners and industry collaborators across Galway and nationally, offering AI, robotics, innovation, and industry support.
In Galway, the FactoryXChange programme leverages the specialized expertise of ICHEC, bridging the gap between high-performance computing and practical industrial application.
This collaboration ensures that cutting-edge data science and computing power are translated into scalable solutions for local manufacturers.
FactoryXChange’s funding application received the highest possible score from the European Commission and was awarded the prestigious STEP – Seal of Excellence.
This recognition places FXC among a select group of projects acknowledged for outstanding quality and impact, underlining the consortium’s proven ability to deliver.
FactoryXChange will apply this new funding to empower Galway businesses by connecting them with advanced digital technologies, expert advice, and funding to integrate ecological, digital, and societal solutions.
Through a collaborative, one-stop-shop approach, FXC and its 17 partners transform digital innovation into practical, impactful transformation, enabling Industry 5.0 factories and accelerating local digital transformation.
The consortium is inviting manufacturers and public sector organisations in the Galway region to get involved, access support, and help shape the future of Irish industry.
