Global Manufacturing: How the geopolitical and economic landscape is evolving

The impact of the global pandemic, climate change and geopolitics are driving companies to concentrate more than ever on a double transformation: smarter digitised manufacturing and a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, leading to sustainable manufacturing practices. Indeed, a growing number of companies are treating “sustainability” as an important objective in their strategy and operations to increase growth and global competitiveness.
Companies across the world face increased costs in materials, energy, and compliance coupled with higher expectations of customers, investors, and local communities. On top of these, challenges, now the recent Russia-Ukraine war has put supply chains, energy, and certain resources under new pressures and constraints. Our industry is being confronted with skills shortages and growing demands for the acquisition of technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G networks, the entire manufacturing ecosystem must be managed and lead with a clear vision of where Europe and Ireland’s manufacturing wish to go, and how to take organisations there.

Session Outcomes:
• How the current geopolitical landscape is impacting manufacturing globally;
• Understanding of the Irish RDI Landscape and how Manufacturing grows through Innovation (R&D)
• National Manufacturing Strategy and Irish Innovation Ecosystem – where do we fit in?
• How the shaping of EU Industrial policies are key to future-proofing manufacturing;
• Leveraging supports for manufacturing (Next Generation Digital & Sustainability EU funding)
• Building and sustaining Irish and European manufacturing v’s global manufacturing;
• Addressing labour shortage challenges, up-skilling talent, and designing a new ecosystem for talent to thrive and survive in a data-driven manufacturing environment;
• Driving manufacturing competitiveness in the face of adversity.

Speakers:

Chair: Sharon Higgins, Director Member Services and Sectors, Ibec

• Toby Sainsbury Interim Director Future Manufacturing Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
• Malte Lohan, Director General, Orgalim
• Cormac Mac Donncha, VP, Operations, Thermo King EMEA