Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering and Life Sciences
How innovation is reshaping manufacturing in Northern Ireland
From the modern tractor to the portable defibrillator, Northern Ireland has a long track record of manufacturing innovation. Today, that legacy continues, with companies across sectors embracing new technologies, smarter processes and sustainable solutions to compete in global markets.
As Manufacturing Month draws to a close, Brendan McGuigan takes a look at how businesses across aerospace, materials handling, construction, green technologies, agri-food, and life and health sciences are evolving.
Materials handling
Materials handling remains one of Northern Ireland’s global success stories. Over 40% of the world’s tracked mobile crushing and screening equipment is manufactured here, with a strong cluster centred in Mid Ulster.
Businesses such as Rapid International highlight the sector’s ability to adapt. It evolved from manufacturing agricultural equipment in a domestic garage to becoming a global mixing technology manufacturer, exporting to construction and environmental applications.
Innovation in materials handling is now focused on making equipment smarter, cleaner and more efficient. Manufacturers are integrating advanced telematics and digital technologies that allow customers to monitor performance, improve productivity and reduce environmental impact. It’s an industry that continues to respond to changing customer needs while strengthening its global competitiveness.
Construction
Northern Ireland construction companies are recognised internationally for delivering complex projects - from major infrastructure to high-spec commercial developments. Innovation is increasingly shaping the design and build of these projects.
Innovation is being accelerated through off-site manufacturing, digital construction and new production methods. A strong example is the 3D-printed building developed at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) through its Factory of the Future programme.
The project will offer advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses access to the latest technology, specialist equipment and expertise to adopt cutting-edge manufacturing solutions. The Factory of the Future programme shows how advanced manufacturing can transform construction by reducing material use, shortening build times and enabling new approaches to low-carbon, digitally designed buildings. It is also expected to create jobs, apprentices, and contribute to economic growth.
Alongside this, local construction firms are innovating by deploying modular systems, precision-manufactured components and energy-efficient façades for global markets.
Green
The transition to a low-carbon economy is creating significant opportunities for Northern Ireland manufacturers, particularly where advanced engineering meets clean technologies.
Artemis Technologies is a strong example. Based in Belfast, the company designs and manufactures zero-emission electric vessels, now being deployed across international markets from the UAE to the US. Its high-speed electric boats demonstrate how locally developed innovation can help address global decarbonisation challenges. The Artemis eFoiler ® electric propulsion system is more than twice as efficient as traditional diesel engines.
Companies in Northern Ireland are also advancing hydrogen mobility, low-carbon propulsion and energy-efficiency solutions that are reinforcing Northern Ireland’s role in the green industrial transition.
Agri-food
Agri-food remains Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing sector and a key driver of exports, with products sold in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Behind this success is continuous innovation. Manufacturers are investing in automation, advanced food processing technologies and digital traceability systems to improve efficiency, enhance food safety and reduce waste.
This focus on smarter production is helping businesses scale sustainably, meet growing international standards and protect Northern Ireland’s reputation for quality in global markets.
Invest NI’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative has supported many companies in this sector to innovate to enhance performance and competitiveness. Ready Egg, for example, announced a £2.9 million investment to drive productivity and growth, and McWhinney Sausages announced a £2.2 million investment in new equipment to increase production and exports.
Aerospace, defence and space
Northern Ireland’s aerospace sector has expertise in advanced composites, precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. That same capability is now opening up new opportunities beyond traditional aerostructures.
Our aerospace supply base is extending into the emerging space economy. Propulsion systems designed and assembled here by Thales Alenia Space are already flying on advanced satellite platforms, and locally manufactured thrusters are expected to support Earth Observation, secure communications and even future lunar missions.
Life and health sciences
Northern Ireland’s life and health sciences sector combines world-class science with advanced manufacturing capability. Companies here are developing and producing a wide range of diagnostics, medical devices and pharmaceutical products used around the world.
From high-volume diagnostic manufacturing to data-driven approaches to precision medicine, innovation is the future of the sector. Indigenous companies such as Randox and Almac show how long-term investment in research and development (R&D), skills and manufacturing excellence can deliver global impact.
Newer innovators are also emerging. Re-Vana, for example, is pioneering advanced manufacturing of biodegradable eye implants and injectable gels that release medicine over extended periods. This has the potential to transform patient care by reducing the need for frequent injections while improving treatment outcomes.
Looking ahead
Northern Ireland manufacturers are not standing still. They are innovating to meet new challenges and explore diverse solutions.
It’s this forward thinking that will continue to shape the future of manufacturing here, helping Northern Ireland compete, connect and grow on a global stage.
About the Author - Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering and Life Sciences
Brendan McGuigan is Director of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering and Life Sciences at Invest NI, Northern Ireland’s economic development agency. A Manufacturing Engineer by profession, with a background in the automotive industry and over 20 years’ experience in economic development, Brendan now leads sector strategy and partnerships across industry and academia to drive innovation and investment.
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