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Why Ireland for engineering investment

  • Ireland is the European location of choice for growing numbers of industrial engineering and technology companies in manufacturing, research and innovation

  • Principal industry sectors include automotive, aerospace, chemicals and advanced materials, automation and industrial technology

Source the skills you need to make your investment in Ireland a success

Connect with us

Source the skills you need to make your investment in Ireland a success

Connect with us
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Leading Industry Names

Ireland’s strong and vibrant engineering industry supports a broad range of companies across many industries. It includes names like Liebherr, Henkel, Element Six, Sulzer and Thermoking. The sector contributes more than €5.6 billion annually to Irish exports.

  • The top eight industrial automation companies
  • Four of the top 10 global engineering design firms
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A Proven Track Record

Ireland has been attracting engineering companies for more than 50 years. Recently, many have expanded their operations to serve EMEA markets. Ireland is also developing into a hub for cutting-edge fields such as IoT, Industry 5.0, Connected Autonomous Vehicles and more.

  • 250+ industrial technology and engineering companies in Ireland
  • 23,000+ people employed in the engineering sector
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Cutting-Edge Research

Ireland is an attractive location for researching new technologies, with 42% of engineering companies in Ireland already engaging in R&D activity. Ireland’s industry-led research centres specialise in areas like advanced materials, smart manufacturing and industrial automation.

  • Active R&D in emerging technologies
  • World-class research centres with strong industry focus
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Strong Talent Pipeline

Engineering companies locating or expanding in Ireland can avail of skilled talent including recent graduates and staff already working in the sector. Ireland’s EU membership provides unrestricted access to a labour pool of more than 240 million people.

  • 45,000 third-level students enrolled in STEM fields at any one time
  • Ireland ranks first in the world for productivity in industry (OECD)
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Ready for Disruption

As Industry 5.0 trends reshape engineering and manufacturing, IDA Ireland client companies are already working on R&D projects in augmented reality, industrial IoT, robotics and automation to enhance and optimise their manufacturing operations.

  • Government support for feasibility investigations to digitisation projects
  • 25% tax credit for all qualifying R&D activity

We selected Dublin because of its global business environment, talent, ability to support European languages, excellent long-term cost structure, and quality of life for employees. Dublin is a vibrant, multicultural and creative city. These qualities align well with our brand and culture and we think Dublin will be a great fit for us.

See similar companies in Ireland

Siemens
Enernoc
Liebherr
Henkel
ElementSix
Abbott
GM
Aptiv
United Technologies
Ingersoll
Airbus Helicopters
Schneider
Valeo
DuPont
Honeywell
GE
Jaguar
Pilz

Success Stories: Hear from leaders calling Ireland home

A proven path

See all Success Stories
Johnson Controls
dōTERRA
Qualtrics
ServiceNow
Autodesk
Dell Technologies
In 2022, the HQ opened a new R&D facility focused on sustainable technologies

In 2022, the HQ opened a new R&D facility focused on sustainable technologies

I am proud of how Johnson Controls is leading the way in sustainable innovation and I am particularly proud of how OpenBlue solutions and services are transforming buildings to help businesses, communities and governments to reach their net zero goals.

Company chooses Cork as its first international manufacturing site

Company chooses Cork as its first international manufacturing site

Our presence in Ireland has created employment opportunities for skilled workers, improved our ability to respond to our customers’ needs, and dramatically reduced our environmental impact.

Qualtrics Chooses Ireland for its Skills Base

Qualtrics Chooses Ireland for its Skills Base

Ultimately, what you want is a geography where you can build an office that has broad market coverage. For a company going into Europe, Ireland has the lowest cost to set up a business, with a broad pool of talent from across the EU

Company makes Ireland one of its largest international sites

Company makes Ireland one of its largest international sites

We think that Ireland has really become the gateway to the European Union. There’s so many things that US companies gain from their relationship with Ireland.

Software leader relocates its EMEA HQ to Dublin

Software leader relocates its EMEA HQ to Dublin

We selected Dublin because of its global business environment, talent, ability to support European languages, excellent long-term cost structure, and quality of life for employees. Dublin is a vibrant, multicultural and creative city. These qualities align well with our brand and culture and we think Dublin will be a great fit for us.

Irish operations are at the core of Dell Technologies global business supporting key functions

Irish operations are at the core of Dell Technologies global business supporting key functions

Ireland has evolved and has established itself as a global digital leader. You’ve got a young and highly educated population and Ireland is a natural bridge between North America and Europe, and it helps us take care of our customers on both sides of the Atlantic. And of course serve the 500 million people in the EU from our Irish operations.

Find your European home

Find your European home