North West Regional College (NWRC) Business Support Centre (BSC) has teamed up with Waterford-based Engineering company Total Precision Ltd to deliver an innovation project focused on strengthening digital manufacturing capabilities, thanks to funding and support from InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost programme.
The 18-month collaboration focused on helping the company introduce more advanced digital practices to support manufacturing operations, improve production visibility, and strengthen quality and operational management across the business.
The project was supported by Innovation Boost Consultant Joe Kelleher, who played a key role in initiating and guiding the collaboration between Total Precision and NWRC’s Industry 4.0 Centre.
Working alongside NWRC, Total Precision explored innovative approaches to managing production information and manufacturing processes, helping the company build stronger digital foundations to support efficiency, traceability, and future growth.
Niall Brennan, Operations Manager at Total Precision, said: “Working with NWRC through InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost programme has been extremely valuable for our business. The project has helped us explore new digital approaches that will support how we manage production and maintain the high standards expected by our customers. We are now well positioned to continue building on the outcomes of the project as it expands its manufacturing capabilities and pursues new opportunities across Ireland and the UK.’’
The project also created valuable opportunities for NWRC staff and students. The experience gained through the collaboration will contribute to teaching, industry engagement activities, and future projects supporting manufacturing businesses through the Industry 4.0 Centre.
Cathal Ferry, Manager of NWRC’s Industry 4.0 Centre, said: “This collaboration highlights the impact that partnerships between industry and academia can have in helping manufacturing companies adopt new technologies and strengthen their competitiveness. InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost programme provides a valuable framework for supporting businesses as they explore digital innovation.”
Martin O’Kane, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme Manager at InterTradeIreland, highlighted the importance of the Innovation Boost Programme, saying: “The collaboration between Total Precision and NWRC, as a result of InterTradeIreland's Innovation Boost programme, has enabled Total Precision to strengthen their digital manufacturing capabilities, improve their efficiencies and strengthen their processes - all of which will contribute to the company's future growth. Innovation Boost enables SMEs to connect with an academic - an expert in their field - and help them solve critical business problems. We encourage any SME that is considering introducing more innovative processes into their business to visit the InterTradeIreland website to find out more or apply."
For more information about Total Precision visit http://totalprecision.ie/ and for further details on how the BSC can help your business email businesssupport@nwrc.ac.uk or to find out more about the Innovation Boost programme, see https://intertradeireland.com/innovation/innovation-boost.
