Sligo’s new AIM Centre is a high-tech facility and a gift for manufacturers

If they choose to innovate, the AIM high-tech centre in Sligo recently opened by Enterprise Trade and Employment Minister Simon Coveney will assist manufacturers from across the north-west in embracing digitalisation and new technologies.

Whether manufacturing businesses want to improve the quality of their products, make processes more efficient, become more sustainable, or support their workforces in embracing new technologies, the AIM Centre (Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing) can help.

Housed in a now-transformed building that was once Sligo’s fire station, AIM provides space for up to 80 people to co-locate, collaborate, and create. This shared space not only fosters connections, but also serves as a hub where creativity meets technology to address real-world challenges.

Manufacturers can save time, effort – and money – by availing of the expertise and facilities at AIM

At AIM, a dedicated team of experts, including an engineering manager, robotics and automation engineers, a programme manager and an extended team with freelancer expertise is on hand to support companies in enhancing their manufacturing processes and supply chains.

The focus isn’t always on acquiring new systems but rather on leveraging existing equipment more effectively, by integrating it with cutting-edge technologies. This approach to innovation emphasises smarter use of current assets through connectivity and modern tech solutions.

An example of one course that companies can avail of at AIM is design thinking for manufacturing. It aligns with a Harvard digital technology course, bringing that expertise to industry and enabling local businesses to stay relevant and competitive.

Another is on connected systems and the Internet of Things (IoT).

​A key benefit for manufacturers is the time and effort they can save by availing of the expertise and facilities at AIM, rather than having to develop these skills in-house.

It also de-risks any investment required in new technology by enabling companies to test it first at AIM and get the best solutions for their business.

Prior to moving to this new premises in Sligo’s Market Yard, the AIM team was already operating from temporary space in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo, working with manufacturers on digital transformation projects including digital or technology maturity analysis.

This involves AIM conducting workshops, interviews, surveys and other research to help manufacturing clients understand their current and future tech needs.

AIM has also worked on operational excellence with clients, helping them to understand how to automate production lines or how to use machine learning for quality assurance to help remove the risk of human error.

AIM is a partnership between Sligo Co Council and ATU, and is funded by them, together with Enterprise Ireland, which invested €2.2m through the Border Enterprise Development Fund. It is also supported by Leitrim Co Council and further aided by the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), as the border area was the region most affected by Brexit.

You can learn more about the facilities and expertise on offer at AIM at AimCentre.ie.

​Joan Mullen is senior regional development executive at Enterprise Ireland