Succession Planning: Preparing Future Manufacturing Leaders
2025-10-15 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online
In our recent webinar, Darren McVicker, Managing Director of Vickerstock, shared practical insights on how manufacturers across Northern Ireland can future-proof their business through effective succession planning.
With 30-35% of the manufacturing workforce aged between 50 and 65 and a potential loss of up to 6,000 skilled professionals within the next five years, the sector faces a significant challenge.
To remain competitive, manufacturers need to identify critical roles – the positions that keep operations running – and create a critical skills organisational chart to map expertise and highlight areas requiring development. A proactive approach to knowledge transfer is key. Encouraging employees to understand 20–30% of the responsibilities of the role above them promotes learning, strengthens continuity, and protects valuable expertise. Combined with clear progression pathways, transparent communication, and targeted development plans, this approach helps minimise recruitment costs, boost retention, and build a culture of adaptability and growth.
Practical Steps for Manufacturers –

Conduct a workforce age and skills analysis to anticipate future gaps.
Develop a critical skills organisational chart to prioritise key roles.
Identify potential leaders and provide stretch assignments or project opportunities to build capability.
Invest in internal talent to sustain long-term succession pipelines.
Extend succession planning beyond senior leadership to every level of the organisation.
By investing in people today, manufacturers can secure the talent, skills and leadership needed to thrive tomorrow.

For more information, contact Darren McVicker: Email: d.mcvicker@vickerstock.com Tel: 028 9031 3720
Vickerstock – Succession Planning Presentation[23]

Start, Grow or Scale your business with support from Go Succeed
2025-10-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
In our recent webinar, we explored how Go Succeed, delivered in partnership with all 11 local councils, offers free, tailored support designed specifically for businesses across Northern Ireland.
Panellists Grainne O’Neill (Mid & East Antrim Borough Council), Ruth Robinson (Full Circle Management Solutions), and JB Dobbin (Demanu) shared how manufacturers are using Go Succeed to overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities – whether they’re just starting out, ready to scale, or planning for the future.

Through the programme, manufacturers can access:

Up to 21 hours of one-to-one mentoring with experienced business advisors.

Grants of up to £3,000 to support digital transformation, productivity improvement, or market growth.

Expert guidance on sales, marketing, strategy, financial management, productivity and new product support.

Practical help with product development, process efficiency, and export potential.

One standout success story came from JB Dobbin, who launched his own design and manufacturing business in 2023. With Go Succeed’s mentorship and networking opportunities, he was able to scale quickly and build a strong foundation for growth.

The key message from this session? Take the first step.
Go Succeed’s support is flexible, practical, and focused on real results. Whether you’re refining operations, innovating products, or exploring new markets, this programme can help you build a stronger, more resilient business.

Find out more and register for free support at: go-succeed.com
Slides are available here: Go Succeed master slidedeck

E-DATA Project Co-Design Workshop- North West
2025-11-12 09:30 - 11:00 | Waterfoot Hotel, Caw Roundabout, Clooney Road, Derry, BT47 6TB, United Kingdom
We need your voice! Are rising costs, manual processes, and slow technology holding your business back?
The new E-DATA project is investing in digital support to help SMEs in NI and the border region overcome these challenges, but we’re starting by listening to you.
We are running a series of 90-minute, high-impact workshops across the region to help us:
1. Define Your #1 Digital Hurdle: What’s costing you the most time right now?
2. Prioritise Solutions: Should we focus on cost-saving through data, or market expansion through automation?
3. Build Our Roadmap: Tell us what tools and mentoring you need to compete globally.
This is your chance to directly shape a major new PEACEPLUS-funded support programme.

Inclusive Employment in Manufacturing: Building a Future That Works for Everyone
2025-11-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Our recent webinar, “Inclusive Employment in Manufacturing” delivered in partnership with NOW Group, explored how diverse employment can transform both lives and workplaces. The session focused on fair access to good jobs in our sector and the positive impact this has on workplace culture, retention, innovation and creativity.

Sean Hanna (NOW Group) outlined how their team supports people with learning difficulties, autism and other neurodivergent conditions into sustainable work, and how they partner with employers to develop roles, recruitment, training and mentoring support. In 2024, NOW Group has helped 400+ people into employment, including 138 into paid roles in manufacturing, with 93% still in work after six months. Their academy and in-work support model is also helping hundreds more build skills and confidence for future roles.

Real experiences shared by Lindsay Colton (Terex) and Genevieve Martin (The JAQ Group) who partner with NOW Group, showed that when we remove barriers and recruit diverse talent, we gain stronger cultures, better retention and more innovative teams – a future that genuinely works for everyone. Key outcomes were clear: diverse and inclusive employment isn’t just good for individuals, it’s good for employers, employees, workplaces and manufacturing as a whole.
Slides are available here: NOW Group – Manufacturing NI webinar
To find out more visit: https://www.nowgroup.org or email: sean.hanna@nowgroup.org

Energy, Emissions & Export: What Every Manufacturer Needs to Know
2025-12-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Our recent webinar with carbonfit walked NI manufacturers through the practical steps needed to prepare for both EU CBAM and the UK’s forthcoming CBAM, and what these changes mean specifically for businesses operating from Northern Ireland.

Because NI trades into both the EU Single Market (for goods) and Great Britain, manufacturers need to understand two parallel systems:

EU CBAM – already live in its transitional phase and moving to full financial obligations from 1 January 2026. This affects NI businesses only when exporting CBAM-listed goods directly into the EU, or when supplying goods that ultimately form part of an EU export.
UK CBAM – a new carbon tax applying from 1 January 2027, covering imports into Great Britain. This affects NI manufacturers importing CBAM-listed materials from outside the UK or those exposed to cost pass-through within their UK supply chains.

Key topics covered:

The difference between EU and UK CBAM, who is in scope, and which products are affected under each regime.
Why accurate, verified emissions data is essential to reduce costs under EU CBAM and influencing UK CBAM liability once rates go live.
Supply-chain readiness: how NI firms can proactively engage suppliers (especially outside the UK/EU) to ensure emissions data is available and avoid delays or default values.
Managing energy use at site level through sub-metering, bill analysis and procurement to improve competitiveness in both CBAM systems.
Practical actions for 2025/6: confirming CN codes, checking import/export volumes, mapping suppliers, and preparing data flows for both EU and UK reporting are audit and verification ready.

Carbonfit is offering a free energy bill health check to help manufacturers identify potential carbon savings, cost reductions and efficiency opportunities, supporting wider CBAM preparedness. They are also on hand if you want to discuss more end to end support for complete CBAM assurance.

For more information contact Ben Craig, Head of Partnerships at Carbonfit: ben@carbonfit.online
Slides are available here: 2-12-25 Carbonfit – Energy Emissions Export Webinar

Union Rights & Recognition in Your Workplace- The Good Jobs Bill
2025-12-03 12:00 - 14:00
Townhall Meeting
12pm – Wednesday 3rd December
Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown
Wide ranging changes which will fundamentally alter the world of work are being prepared by the Department for the Economy with new legislation planned to be presented to the Assembly by the Economy Minister in the New Year.
The Good Jobs and Employment Rights Bill and other legislative tools could establish new law and rules on:

Terms of Employment
Pay and Benefits
Voice and Representation (including beefed up Union rights)
Work Life Balance

The way forward/plan is summarised here:
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/The%20Good%20Jobs%20Employment%20Rights%20Bill%20-%20The%20Way%20Forward%20-%20Final%2022.5.25.pdf
Most, as good employers, already operate many of the proposal and will welcome these being put into law. However, as manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of this legislation, many are expressing concerns around the Voice and Representation plans, the summary of which is:

To make Unions more accessible for workers by reducing barriers to union recognition.
Unions will have the right to request access directly into a workplace (for instance, the production floor or the canteen), including digital access (internal email systems, screens), to recruit membership where it does not currently exist.
Union recognition will be reduced from 21 to 10 workers.
Supporting moves towards collective bargaining (across industries, job roles) with the unions on wages, conditions etc.
To permit e-balloting systems as an alternative to postal ballot.
Reduce the percentage of employees from 10% to 2% required to make a request for an ICE agreement (to be informed about the business’s economic situation and about decisions likely to lead to changes in work organisation or contractual relations) and reduce the minimum number of employees required from 15 to 10.

It is vitally important that manufacturers have sight of and understand what changes may be coming and potentially prepare for all these changes.
We are very pleased that the Economy Minister has agreed to attend and introduce in person this legislation to our manufacturing community and to stay and listen to contributions from employers.
Therefore, being represented at this event in important.
Lunch will be provided.

5 Production Line Mistakes Costing Manufacturing Businesses
2026-01-21 12:30 - 13:15
🌐 Register here: ergoandwellbeing.com/webinar
Is worker discomfort, rising absence rates or quality issues impacting your production line? The root cause might be hiding in plain sight.
We’re pleased to host Julie Rainey MSc C.ErgHF MCIEHF MIHFES, Chartered Ergonomist & Human Factors Specialist and Director of Ergo & Wellbeing, for a practical webinar on production line Ergonomics.
Julie brings extensive manufacturing experience from Aston Martin (Human Factors Ergonomist) and Airbus UK (Ergonomics Specialist).
She’ll cover:

→ Why “one size fits all” workstations fit nobody properly
→ The hidden danger of “it’s only 2kg” (spoiler: multiply that by 400 lifts per shift)
→ How poor layout wastes energy and creates strain
→ Why generic training doesn’t transfer to real tasks
→ The true cost of waiting for injury before taking action

More importantly, Julie will share practical fixes including quick wins you can implement immediately and how modern assessment technology is changing what’s possible for comprehensive risk identification.
The context:
543,000 UK workers suffer from work-related MSDs annually, costing employers £21.6 billion and resulting in 33.7 million working days lost every year.
This session is relevant for:

→ Production Managers
→ Operations Directors
→ Health & Safety Professionals
→ Engineering Managers
→ Continuous Improvement Leads

Whether you’re in food production, engineering, manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals or aerospace, if you’re experiencing worker discomfort complaints, efficiency issues, quality issues, absence rates or productivity challenges, this webinar will provide actionable insights.

📅 Wednesday 21st January, 12:30-1:15pm
🌐 Register here: ergoandwellbeing.com/webinar

Menopause Matters at Work Webinar - Take Action in Your Business
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00
In our recent webinar, we looked at what menopause inclusion means in practice for manufacturing employers in Northern Ireland, and why getting it right supports retention, performance and wellbeing. Manufacturing NI is pleased to share this session in partnership with Work Life People, helping organisations understand why menopause is now a strategic workforce issue and what the changing legislative landscape means in practice. The session also introduces the Menopause Accreditation Programme (MAP) – a structured pathway to help employers move from awareness to action and prepare confidently for Menopause Action Plans.

Manufacturing NI Member offer: Work Life People is offering a free Menopause Strategy Session and 10% discount on the Menopause Accreditation and eLearning Programmes.

For more information contact: karina@worklifepeople.com for visit: www.worklifepeople.com

E-DATA Winter Roadshow- Derry
2026-01-30 09:30 - 23:00 | Waterfoot Hotel, Caw Roundabout, Clooney Road, Derry, BT47 6TB, United Kingdom
Accelerate Your Digital Journey with E-DATA
In the 2026 competitive landscape, digital transformation has shifted from a luxury to a matter of survival for SMEs. To help you manage costs and meet rising market demands, the E-DATA SME Workshop offers a clear, actionable path to modernising your business.
Digitalisation isn’t just about technology; it’s about measurable growth.
Research indicates that digitalised SMEs experience:

A 30% average increase in annual revenue.
A 25% boost in overall productivity.
Operational cost reductions of up to 20-30% through automation and better resource management.

Join us to see how your peers are already winning:

Retail: One local retailer saw a 40% sales increase and a 25% cost reduction via e-commerce.
Manufacturing: IoT integration has helped firms reduce downtime by 30%.
Service & Efficiency: Companies are saving over 1,000 man-hours annually by adopting digital workflow tools.

Your Tailored Path to Growth
We recognise that every business is at a different stage. Our 75-minute session breaks down the flexible E-DATA support tracks designed for your specific digitalisation maturity level. During the session we will help you identify your most critical area for digitalisation within your business and how you can gain access to 1-to-1 expert guidance. Learn about our free support services and how we can help you with your digitalisation.
🗓️ Workshop Details:
Date: Friday 30th January 2026
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
Location: Waterfoot Hotel, Derry~Londonderry
Cost: FREE
REGISTER HERE

Director’s Duties and Corporate Governance Webinar – Protect Yourself and Your Business
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
In our recent webinar, we partnered with legal experts Emma McCloskey and Lyndsey McSherry from Mills Selig to give manufacturing directors a practical overview of their statutory duties. The session focused on the importance of strong governance, shifting director responsibilities during financial stress, upcoming Companies House changes such as director ID verification, and the value of early professional advice in reducing risk.
Key takeaways:

Directors’ duties are personal, non-delegable and owed to the company
Articles of Association and shareholder agreements protect both the business and directors
Insolvency risk shifts director focus from shareholders to creditors
Disqualification risk often stems from cumulative governance and compliance failures
Companies House is actively enforcing accuracy and ID verification

Access the recording and slides to review the key guidance and practical actions directors should prioritise now.
Slides are available here: Mills Selig Directors Duties webinar

E-DATA Sustainability Insights
2026-02-18 09:30 - 12:30 | Waterfoot Hotel, Caw Roundabout, Clooney Road, Derry, BT47 6TB, United Kingdom
Turn Sustainability into a Business Advantage
In the 2026 business landscape, sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it is a core driver of cost control, resilience, competitiveness, and compliance for SMEs. Rising energy prices, customer expectations, and regulatory pressures mean businesses must act now.
This Sustainability Insights Workshop provides a clear, practical route to understanding sustainability in the SMEs context, data driven techniques to improve sustainability, and identifying realistic actions that deliver measurable business benefits — without adding unnecessary complexity or cost.
Why Attend?
Sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing — it’s about running a smarter business. Evidence shows that SMEs actively improving their sustainability performance benefit from:

10–30% reductions in energy and resource costs through efficiency measures
Improved access to contracts and supply chains where sustainability credentials are now a requirement
Stronger risk management against future regulation, price volatility, and supply disruption
Enhanced reputation and customer trust, supporting long-term growth

Real-World SME Insights
See how businesses like yours are already taking action:

Offices & Retail: Simple energy efficiency measures delivering 20%+ reductions in electricity costs
Manufacturing & Workshops: Process optimisation and data-led monitoring cutting waste and downtime
Service-Based SMEs: Carbon footprint insights identifying quick wins saving both time and money

No jargon. No greenwashing. Just practical steps that work.
Your Practical Sustainability Roadmap
We know every business is starting from a different place. This 3-hour interactive session will help you:

Understand what sustainability really means for your business
Identify your biggest environmental and cost-impact areas (energy, materials, transport, data)
Explore simple, data-driven actions you can take immediately
Learn how to access an efficiency toolkits, guidance, and expert support to develop your sustainability action plan

You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a realistic next step — not an overwhelming to-do list.

E-DATA Roadshow Winter Series – Dundalk
2026-02-27 09:30 - 11:00 | Hotel Imperial, 95 Park Street, Townparks, Dundalk, Louth, A91 ND6P, Ireland
Accelerate Your Digital Journey with E-DATA
In the 2026 competitive landscape, digital transformation has shifted from a luxury to a matter of survival for SMEs. To help you manage costs and meet rising market demands, the E-DATA SME Workshop offers a clear, actionable path to modernising your business.
Why Attend?
Digitalisation isn’t just about technology; it’s about measurable growth. Research indicates that digitalised SMEs experience:

A 30% average increase in annual revenue.
A 25% boost in overall productivity.
Operational cost reductions of up to 20-30% through automation and better resource management.

Real-World Success Stories
Join us to see how your peers are already winning:

Retail: One local retailer saw a 40% sales increase and a 25% cost reduction via e-commerce.
Manufacturing: IoT integration has helped firms reduce downtime by 30%.
Service & Efficiency: Companies are saving over 1,000 man-hours annually by adopting digital workflow tools.

Your Tailored Path to Growth
We recognise that every business is at a different stage. Our 75-minute session breaks down the flexible E-DATA support tracks designed for your specific digitalisation maturity level. During the session we will help you identify your most critical area for digitalisation within your business and how you can gain access to 1-to-1 expert guidance. Learn about our free support services and how we can help you with your digitalisation.

Restructuring and Insolvency Webinar - How to Protect Your Business
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00
Manufacturing NI’s webinar “Restructuring and Insolvency – How to Protect Your Business” with Mills Selig outlined the main restructuring and insolvency routes, and the practical steps businesses and creditors can take when financial pressure builds. Richard Craig and Kathryn McIvor highlighted how outcomes are shaped by creditor priority, HMRC’s position, and the route chosen, such as administration, liquidation, pre-packs, or a formal compromise with creditors.

Key Takeaways

Seek advice early and engage stakeholders quickly to stay in control.

Select the right route early to protect value and continuity.

Manage creditor risk proactively by limiting exposure and engaging early with HMRC and key creditors.

Protect directors and the business by documenting decisions and prioritising creditor interests as pressure increases.

Access the recording and slides to revisit the guidance and practical actions directors should prioritise now.

26 Mills Selig – MNI Presentation – RI – FINAL – To Share

E-DATA Roadshow Winter Series- Coleraine
2026-03-13 09:30 - 11:00 | Bushtown Hotel, 283 Drumcroon Road, Coleraine, Co. Derry, BT51 3QT, United Kingdom

E-DATA Roadshow Spring Series- Monaghan
2026-03-27 09:30 - 11:00 | Hillgrove Hotel & Spa, Old Armagh Road, Monaghan, Monaghan, H18 RK15, Ireland

Cyber Risk, Contracts & Compliance Webinar: Strengthening Your Defences in 2026
2026-04-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Manufacturing NI’s webinar “Cyber Risk, Contracts and Compliance” with Mills Selig outlined the growing legal, contractual and operational cyber risks facing manufacturers, and the practical steps businesses can take to strengthen resilience. Aisling highlighted how cyber risk now extends well beyond IT, with supply-chain exposure, insider threats, AI-enabled attacks and evolving UK and EU compliance obligations all increasing pressure on manufacturers to review governance, contracts and incident response planning.

Key Takeaways
– Treat cyber risk as a board-level issue that affects contracts, resilience, reputation and operations.
– Review supplier and customer contracts to ensure cyber security obligations, audit rights and breach notification timelines are clearly defined.
– Carry out legal and technical gap analyses to identify compliance requirements, contractual weaknesses and priority risks.
– Take a proportionate approach by focusing first on personal data, key systems and higher-risk suppliers.
– Strengthen governance, documentation and incident response plans to demonstrate preparedness and reduce regulatory and commercial exposure.

26 Mills Selig – MNI Presentation – RI – FINAL – To Share

Made in NI Awards 2026
2026-05-20 18:30 - 23:00
Insider’s flagship celebration of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and engineering excellence returns in 2026 with an expanded and updated awards programme. Now in its 11th year, the event features new and enhanced categories that reflect the sector’s innovation, growth and evolving impact on the regional economy.
For the first time, the awards will be hosted as a gala black-tie evening on Wednesday 20th May 2026 at the Titanic Museum, Belfast. Category winners will also go on to compete on the national stage at the Insider Made in the UK Awards.
Online entries are now open, with an independent judging panel – chaired by Insider’s Northern Ireland business editor, Philip Cunliffe – selecting the finalists.
The list of award categories are:

Food & Drink Award
Bio-tech Manufacturer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Automotive Supply Chain Award
AI Tech Innovation of the Year
Engineering Manufacturer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Newcomer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Sustainable / Ethical Manufacturer Award
Export Award
Product Innovation of the Year
Investment Project of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Collaboration of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Engineer of the Year (NEW FOR 2026)
Apprentice of the Year
Manufacturer of the Year (under & over £25m)
Outstanding Contribution to Northern Ireland Manufacturing (NEW FOR 2026)

Why enter?

Free PR exposure
Complimentary ticket for all finalists
Build business connections
Automatic entry for winners to the Made in the UK Award

Manufacturing Solutions 2026
2026-09-03 09:00 - 15:00 | La Mon Hotel & Country Club, 41 Gransha Road, Comber, Belfast, BT23 5RF, United Kingdom
GTMA in association with The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), and supported by Manufacturing N.I and The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, will be holding a prestigious & free to attend Manufacturing Solutions N.Ireland event on 3rd September 2026

The Venue for the 2026 event is the highly acclaimed La Mon Hotel & Country Club, Gransha Road Castlereagh, Belfast BT23 5RF, Northern Ireland

Bringing all the leading technology suppliers together the event provides an ideal conduit for the transfer of technology from the specialist suppliers to the practical industrial landscape, where its take-up and practical application can be used to learn more about the very latest in manufacturing processes, new technology/equipment, materials as well as key measurement and inspection technologies and service providers.

There will be free parking and free refreshments on offer to all exhibitors and visitors.

INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING? – contact david@gtma.co.uk
