Top Gear star due at manufacturing roadshow in Limerick

MORE than 1,000 people are expected in Coonagh this week at a special manufacturing roadshow organised by Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

Representatives of over 120 firms from across Ireland will be present at the college’s newest campus for Manufacturing Solutions Ireland 2025.

The event is taking place all day this Wednesday and Thursday, June 11 and 12.

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It’s being organised by TUS in partnership with the British Gauge and Toom Makers Association, alongside the Precision Tooling and Machining Association of Ireland.

Since its launch in 2016, it has grown into the largest of its kind in the country.

Among the firms set to attend are those in medical devices, aerospace, automation, pharmaceutical life-sciences, oil, gas and materials engineering.

A highlight this year will be a discussion on resilience in an evolving global trade landscape.

Part of the panel are the new chief executive of Enterprise Ireland Jenny Melia and Dr Stephen Kinsella, a professor of economics at University of Limerick.

They will be joined by Takumi founder Gerry Reynolds, founder of Raheen firm Takumi Precision Engineering and chair of the Precision Tooling and Machining Association of Ireland,

Quentin Willson, one of the original hosts of the hit TV series Top Gear also will be in attendance.

TUS president, Prof Vincent Cunnane said: “We are delighted to once again welcome industry representatives to our Coonagh campus and to facilitate the many new relationships which will be forged here as a result. A key mission of TUS is being able to play a leading role in meeting the ever-changing needs of industry and, via this event, we can see up close some of those new technologies that are changing the landscape for enterprises.”

Co-organiser and programme leader in precision engineering at TUS, Ciaran O’Loughlin, added: “Manufacturing Solutions provides a pathway for specialist suppliers to plug into the needs of industry and in tandem society too. It is exciting to see the potential of the machinery and equipment on show and to be at the coalface as collaborations are struck up which allow for advancements to come to fruition.”

Entry to the event is free and refreshments will be available through both days.