AUTOMATION & AI


Three lessons for manufacturers exploring collaborative automation


By Mark Gray, UK Sales Manager, Teradyne Robotics L


abour shortages, growth ambitions and the need to boost productivity are driving increased interest in automation across


Ireland. Manufacturers across Ireland are grappling with


persistent labour and skills shortages at a time when pressure to increase productivity, maintain quality and process consistency and support growth continues to rise. As a result, attitudes towards automation and robotics are changing. Rather than being viewed as a replacement


for workers, automation is increasingly seen as a way to support existing teams and make better use of valuable skills. Across sectors ranging from electronics manufacturing to food production, collaborative industrial robots (cobots) are helping businesses automate repetitive and physically demanding tasks while allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities. For many Irish manufacturers, collaborative automation is becoming a practical first step towards smarter, more flexible manufacturing operations. However, success depends on more than installing new technology. For those beginning their automation journey, these three lessons can help lay the foundations for long-term success.


LESSON 1: START WITH OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES


For manufacturers considering automation, the best place to start is with the operational challenges that are holding the business back. Common bottlenecks include labour-intensive palletising, repetitive assembly work, quality inspection and machine tending. Rather than trying to automate an entire production line, successful projects often focus on solving one, clearly defined problem and building from there. Ornua, Ireland’s largest exporter of dairy products, introduced a cobot to automate palletising, a physically demanding and repetitive task that can be difficult to staff. By targeting one specific challenge, it improved efficiency and consistency while freeing employees to focus on other operational tasks. Through problem-solving one bottleneck at a


time, manufacturers can demonstrate value and build a stronger case for future investments.


LESSON 2: PRIORITISE REPETITIVE TASKS


When beginning an automation project, manufacturers should focus on tasks that are repetitive, physically demanding or difficult to recruit for. These applications often offer the quickest gains because they are easier to automate and typically provide a faster return on investment. Quality-control and inspection processes are a good example. Schneider Electric has used collaborative automation to support testing and quality-control activities, improving testing efficiency while reducing physical strain on employees. Similarly, Paradigm Electronics increased production throughput by 50 per cent by using a cobot to automate the sanding and polishing of its speaker cabinets.


By taking on routine tasks, automation helps protect employees from physical risks while enabling them to focus on higher-value activities like problem-solving. This, in turn, supports increased productivity, improved quality and greater process consistency, without replacing the workforce.


LESSON 3: KEEP BUILDING SKILLS Successful automation projects do not focus solely on technology; they invest in people too. As manufacturers adopt collaborative automation, workforce development should be a core part of their strategy. This may involve upskilling operators to


programme and manage automated systems, training maintenance teams to support new


26 July/August 2026 Irish Manufacturing


equipment, and creating technical roles focused on process improvement and data analysis. As Industry 4.0 initiatives gather pace, successfully integrating automation with digital technologies, process data and existing teams is becoming increasingly important.


COLLABORATIVE AUTOMATION For manufacturers beginning their automation journey, it’s important not to think big from day one. Success rarely comes from trying to automate an entire factory overnight. Instead, it starts with a clear strategy that embeds collaboration between people and technology.


Automation is an ongoing process that evolves alongside the needs of the business. Starting with a single pilot application - particularly one that addresses a repetitive, manual task or fills a gap that is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit for - can help manufacturers demonstrate value, measure results and build confidence in future investments.


By taking this step-by-step, strategic approach,


businesses can expand automation where it delivers the greatest impact. Over time, one successful project can become the foundation of a smarter, more flexible manufacturing operation, helping businesses build the resilience and agility needed for any challenges ahead – and future growth.


www.teradyne.com www.irish-manufacturing.com


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