Shane Kelly – BORMAC

Aidan Campbell (the Centre’s Research Programme Development Manager) interviews Shane Kelly (BORMAC Cluster Manager).

BORMAC (Border Region Manufacturing Cluster) is the manufacturing cluster for the border region of Ireland. It is an industry-led cluster with members both North and South of the border.

BORMAC’s goals include promoting Ireland’s border region as a centre of manufacturing excellence around the globe.

It provides networking opportunities to members, connecting manufacturing businesses that operate in a similar geographical area.

BORMAC also supports the industry through collaborative projects and peer learning initiatives to help members navigate key challenges and opportunities, from transitioning to digital manufacturing to remaining competitive in evolving markets.

The interview covers

• The cluster’s goals and members.
• Support from Atlantic Technological Unit (Sligo) and Enterprise Ireland Regional Technology Cluster Fund.
• The key challenges for manufacturing businesses in the border region.
• The differences in issues being raised by businesses depending on which side of the border they operate.
• The changes Governments North and South could make that would make life easier for BORMAC member companies.
• The extent to which businesses currently engage with policy and policymakers.
• The primary drivers for engagement.
• Whether businesses want to engage to a greater or lesser extent with policymakers.
• How recruitment is affecting cluster members and what they are doing to address the challenges.

Contact details:

Website: bormac.ie

Email: shane.kelly@atu.ie