Advanced Manufacturing is at the heart of enterprise in the Midlands region. With many FDI and indigenous businesses attracted to the manufacturing base across the 4 counties. 23,000 people in the region are employed in the sector, which represents 18% of the workforce (national figure 12.5%).
Our central location is advantageous to business, education and social travel – typically within an hour journey time to or from Ireland’s neighbouring regions and major cities, ports and airports.
Within our own region, we have an educated workforce, which is easily supplemented from labour pools in neighbour areas and cities within a short commute.
Athlone, as the designated growth centre, and the principal towns of Longford, Mullingar, Tullamore and Portlaoise, together with local communities are working together to build a region-wide collaborative business environment.
The combined presence in the region of the Technological University of the Shannon and of Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) in Mullingar, a state agency supported national research centre, put h a specific focus on advanced and sustainable manufacturing in the region.
The Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan has been developed by the Regional Enterprise Office, as a collaborative project which brings together Industry, Academia and Goverment Agencies. The plan establishes a blueprint for the region in becoming a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing.
With a strong base of existing business, and supports, see at a glance why the Midlands is the place for Advanced Manufacturing.
With our Regional Action Plan, the vision is for the Midlands to be known internationally as a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing.
Advanced Manufacturing in the region is supported by the Advanced Technology in Manufacturing (ATIM) Cluster, established to support the digital transformation of Manufacturing SME’s and companies along their value chain. The project is funded by Enterprise Ireland and based in Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone, and brings together academia, industry and government in a triple helix approach to unlock the potential of regional manufacturers as we enter Industry 4.0.
The Midlands region is centrally located in the heart of Ireland, and is Ireland’s most connected region, bordering 5 of the 7 other regions in the country. The central location is serviced by a network of Motorways and Rail lines, meaning access to airports, coastal cities and ports are typically within an hour of the key regional urban centres.
Learn more about our region and key towns in our profiles below.
The Local Enterprise Offices are your local first-stop shop for seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in the Midlands.
Enterprise Ireland work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets.
As Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, IDA Ireland are a non-commercial, semi-state body promoting foreign direct investment into Ireland.
