The Irish engineering industry is a strong vibrant sector within manufacturing and services across both Irish and foreign owned firms.
Engineering Industries Ireland represents a broad range of engineering companies in Ireland in terms of size, scale and product with exports at €8.8 billion or 3.6% of national exports. There are over 10,800 enterprises, employing 50,751 people and 65% are indigenous companies. The companies span a broad range of markets, including, automotive, energy and environment, construction and agriculture as well as core elements of the sub supply including machinery and equipment markets, paper and printing as well as basic and fabricated metals.
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Dominant subsectors
Industrial Automation
The Industrial Automation subsector covers robotics, motion systems, PLCs and distributed control, machine vision, instrumentation, industrial IT, MES/SCADA software, and turnkey automation integration. It includes custom machine building, automated packaging and material‑handling lines, vacuum and process‑control systems, filtration and contamination‑control technologies, and precision electromechanical assemblies. Activities span automation engineering, controls programming, commissioning, predictive maintenance, and retrofit upgrades. Customers include manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, food and beverage, and heavy industry, with strong capabilities in digital manufacturing, robotics integration, and high‑reliability automation.
Precision engineering
Precision Engineering includes high‑tolerance machining, electromechanical and mechatronic assemblies, motion‑control components, sensors, fasteners, sealing systems, filtration elements, vacuum‑system components, and engineered parts for aerospace, medical, semiconductor, automotive, and industrial applications. Capabilities span multi‑axis CNC machining, EDM, grinding, metrology, tooling, fixtures, and cleanroom‑grade manufacturing. Business models include prototyping, new‑product introduction, volume production, and aftermarket support. Strategic priorities include automation, advanced materials, certification, contamination control, and near‑shoring to meet stringent quality, traceability, and delivery requirements.
Packaging, Paper and Print
The Packaging, Paper and Print subsector covers the design, production, and conversion of paper, board, metal, and plastic into packaging, labels, and printed materials. It includes corrugated and fibreboard manufacturing, flexible‑film and rigid‑container production, metal packaging, specialty printing, colour‑management systems, and automated packing‑line equipment. Activities span material sourcing, converting, printing, lamination, coating, die‑cutting, finishing, contract packing, and end‑of‑line automation. Priorities include recyclability, lightweighting, traceability, contamination control, and high‑speed digital production for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, and e‑commerce markets.
Materials handling
The Materials handling subsector includes the design, supply, integration, and servicing of equipment and systems used to move, lift, store, and control goods across warehouses, factories, ports, and logistics networks. It covers forklifts, lift trucks, cranes, container‑handling equipment, conveyors, sortation systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, AGVs/AMRs, hoists, access and lift‑platform systems, and the associated control and warehouse‑management software. It also reflects power‑transmission components, safety systems, industrial wheels and castors, and engineered steel structures. Core activities include system design, equipment manufacturing and supply, turnkey integration, commissioning, maintenance, safety certification, and performance optimisation.
Energy and environment
The Energy and Environment subsector spans renewable‑energy development, utilities, grid and system operation, industrial‑gases supply, vacuum and process‑technology systems, water and wastewater treatment, environmental monitoring, and circular‑economy services. It includes manufacturers of pumps, compressors, filtration systems, heat‑exchange and climate‑control equipment, energy‑storage and power‑quality systems, and automation for energy management. Firms deliver project development, equipment manufacturing, installation, commissioning, operations and maintenance, environmental compliance, and energy‑efficiency upgrades. The sector supports decarbonisation, resilience, and resource efficiency across industrial, commercial, and public‑sector applications.
Packaging, Paper and Print
The Packaging, Paper and Print subsector covers the design, production, and conversion of paper, board, metal, and plastic into packaging, labels, and printed materials. It includes corrugated and fibreboard manufacturing, flexible‑film and rigid‑container production, metal packaging, specialty printing, colour‑management systems, and automated packing‑line equipment. Activities span material sourcing, converting, printing, lamination, coating, die‑cutting, finishing, contract packing, and end‑of‑line automation. Priorities include recyclability, lightweighting, traceability, contamination control, and high‑speed digital production for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, and e‑commerce markets.
Automotive, Aerospace and Defence
The automotive, aerospace and defence subsector includes companies that design, engineer, and manufacture safety‑critical systems and components for vehicles, aircraft, and defence platforms. Activities range from powertrains, chassis systems, braking and motion‑control components, and thermal‑management solutions to avionics, sensors, electronics, fasteners, sealing systems, and specialist vehicle conversions. It also encompasses vacuum and gas‑handling technologies, precision machining, composite structures, and high‑performance materials. The sector is defined by rigorous certification, high‑precision manufacturing, and integration across mechanical, electrical, software, and control domains. Strong aftermarket, MRO, and testing capabilities support global OEM supply chains, with cross‑sector strengths in electrification, autonomy, advanced sensing, and lightweight engineering.
Metal fabrication/processing
The Materials handling subsector includes the design, supply, integration, and servicing of equipment and systems used to move, lift, store, and control goods across warehouses, factories, ports, and logistics networks. It covers forklifts, lift trucks, cranes, container‑handling equipment, conveyors, sortation systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, AGVs/AMRs, hoists, access and lift‑platform systems, and the associated control and warehouse‑management software. It also reflects power‑transmission components, safety systems, industrial wheels and castors, and engineered steel structures. Core activities include system design, equipment manufacturing and supply, turnkey integration, commissioning, maintenance, safety certification, and performance optimisation.
Engineering and Building services
The Engineering and Building Services subsector consists of firms delivering mechanical, electrical, HVAC, fire‑safety, lift and access systems, building‑automation, and specialist fit‑out solutions across commercial, industrial, and public‑sector projects. It covers system design, installation, commissioning, compliance certification, building‑controls integration, filtration and air‑quality systems, industrial gases and vacuum infrastructure, and long‑term maintenance and MRO. The scope also reflects structural steelwork, façade systems, modular building components, and energy‑efficient climate‑control technologies. Growing priorities include decarbonisation, digital building management, indoor‑environment optimisation, and lifecycle‑based service models for facilities managers, developers, and industrial clients.