Last week, our Ireland Life Sciences industry lead, Lillian Morrell attended the launch of IBEC’s Manufacturing in Ireland 2025 report in Galway. The message from Sharon Higgins was clear: the manufacturing industry is continuing to face uncertain times due to geo political pressures, tariffs, cost pressures and the opportunity of AI.
Every organisation needs the ability to transform how it operates and business design is key. Think of it as building an internal muscle, one that makes your business more resilient and agile, ready to respond to any change, whatever form it takes
Here are our key takeaways from the conference:
Confidence under pressure
Industry confidence has declined significantly. Only 51% of leaders now view current conditions as “Good” or “Very Good,” a notable decrease from 69% the previous year. This sharp decline underscores an industry contending with a combination of geopolitical risks, escalating input costs, planning delays, and mounting margin pressures. US trade uncertainty has emerged as the predominant concern, with 59% of companies identifying it as a major challenge. Seven in ten firms impacted by tariffs reported negative consequences, while even those not directly exporting to the US are experiencing indirect effects, such as delayed investment decisions and increased competition from lower-cost imports.
The cost investment crunch
Rising costs are impacting every aspect of the industry. Wage growth expectations have climbed to 81%, and concerns over energy costs have surged to 64%, up from 34% in 2024. These financial pressures have led to a shift in investment priorities: capital investment has decreased to 34% (from 48%), and R&D expenditure has dropped to 19% (from 31%).
AI: From buzzword to business imperative
A significant observation from the discussions was the evolving perspective on technology. Artificial intelligence is no longer viewed merely as a buzzword; it is increasingly seen as a necessity for survival. More than half of manufacturers now prioritise AI, and 64% anticipate increasing their investment in digitalisation.
Insights highlighted that AI adoption is being linked to tangible value drivers such as cost reduction, revenue growth, and quicker decision-making. However, challenges remain, notably poor data infrastructure and skills shortages.
Sustainability and Skills: A Strategic Pause
Notably, sustainability has become less of a priority, with only 18% now regarding it as a top focus compared to 37% the previous year. This shift is attributed not to diminished ambition, but to the rising costs of compliance and the administrative demands of CSRD. Meanwhile, talent shortages continue to pose a challenge, with 48% of leaders reporting skills gaps.
Why Business Transformation matters now
Ireland’s manufacturing industry is resilient, innovative, and globally competitive but the next 12 months will be pivotal. The question is: will we simply weather the storm, or seize this moment to transform?
This is where Business Transformation becomes essential. The signs are clear:
- Market conditions demand resilience and agility to respond to tariffs, supply chain disruption, and the opportunities of AI
- Data must become a strategic asset to enable better insights and decision-making
- Leadership teams recognise that current ways of working won’t deliver future ambitions
- Organisations need to break down silos and connect operations across functions, locations, and technology
Smaller projects won’t cut it. This level of change is transformational, and Business Design is the means to achieve it.
The challenges facing Irish manufacturing are real, but so are the opportunities. By acting decisively now embracing technology, investing in talent, and designing for resilience, businesses can not only navigate uncertainty but emerge stronger and more competitive.
If you’re asking yourself, “How do we operationalise our vision?” connect with our team to learn more.
Share:
