Meet the Makers

For our first episode of Meet the Makers, host Stephen Kelly, CEO of Manufacturing NI, sits down with Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Hutchinson, to talk about what it really takes to grow, lead and innovate in manufacturing.

Mark shares the story of Hutchinson’s journey, from family business foundations to becoming a major name in Northern Ireland manufacturing.

We also explore how Hutchinson is putting innovation into action, including the use of Bluetooth tracking across the factory floor to locate components with one-metre accuracy, helping save hundreds of hours every year. 💡

We talk leadership, digital transformation, workplace culture and why community matters in building a business that lasts.

Some manufacturers chase growth at all costs. For George Fleming, the focus has always been on steady growth, strong values and investing in people. In this episode of Meet the Makers, George shares how Fleming Agri has grown from its roots as a family timber business into a global manufacturer of agricultural machinery, exporting to markets including Australia and New Zealand while staying true to its core values. With over four decades of leadership experience, George reflects on the importance of long-term planning, financial discipline, employee development and community involvement in building a business that lasts. The conversation also explores how Fleming Agri has continued to adapt through innovation — from adopting CAD technology in the 1990s to using live digital drawings today to support more efficient operations.

 

n the realm of food manufacturing, understanding the landscape is critical for success. Brian Irwin, Director of Irwin’s Bakery, a cornerstone in Northern Ireland’s bakery industry, shares his experiences and insights on navigating the challenges of this dynamic field. In this engaging interview, Brian shares insights into the food manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland, emphasising innovation, resilience, and community impact.

 

In this episode of Meet the Makers, Stephen Kelly sits down with Joanne Liddle, Managing Director of IPC Mouldings. IPC Mouldings plays a vital role in the aerospace industry, producing components found in over 2 million aircraft seats worldwide – from in-flight entertainment bezels to armrests and latch assemblies that enhance passenger comfort. Joanne’s leadership has been instrumental in the company’s growth. With a background in banking and finance, she took a less traditional route into manufacturing, bringing a fresh perspective to the industry. Her story highlights the value of transferrable skills in shaping effective leadership.

Meet the Makers Podcast is produced in partnership with E-DATA Collaborative Network, a network of businesses exploring how digital technology, data and AI can unlock business growth and build resilience.

Whether you are starting your digital journey or looking to build on existing progress, the E-DATA Collaborative Network can help you understand what works, learn from real business examples and access support to take action.

Sign up to benefit from peer learning and knowledge exchange – https://e-data.ai/contact_v2/ E-DATA is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).