The award recognises our innovative approach to solving problems and adding value for customers through engineering, manufacturing, and automation.
Hosted by Philip Cunliffe, Regional Business Editor of Insider Media, and sponsored by Deloitte and HSBC, the awards were held virtually due to the ongoing restrictions. Not to be deterred, Insider Media did what many organisations across Northern Ireland have had to do over the past 12 months – they were agile and adapted – turning a virtual awards event into an Online Forum with a panel of speakers including manufacturing leaders, technology experts, and innovation advisors.
The speaker panel included: Philip Woolsey, CEO of Greiner Packaging, Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Hutchinson Engineering, Colm Higgins, Head of the Northern Ireland Technology Centre, Peter Allen, Partner at Deloitte, and Charles Garfit, Head of Operating Leasing at HSBC Equipment Finance.
The panel discussed how their businesses have responded to the pandemic, the importance of innovation and collaboration, and the opportunities that are available to businesses in the current climate despite the challenges.
The Made In Northern Ireland award winners were announced at the end of the event, showcasing the excellence of the manufacturing and engineering sector in NI. Recognised as the leading awards event for the sector in the region, the calibre of the finalists was clear to see.
PAC Group are delighted to be taking home the award for Digital Engineering / Technology.
PAC Marketing & Business Development Manager, Rachel Doherty, said:
“This award is fantastic recognition for our team’s hard work and the innovative machines we have developed. The award will support our promotional activities and put our composites, automation, and innovation capabilities on the map, both in Northern Ireland and on a global stage.”
“Innovation really is the life-blood of PAC Group. We’ve worked with industry leaders across all of the key sectors to develop solutions to their problems and pain points – increasing efficiency, uptime, and their bottom line. We’ve helped a wide range of companies respond to the health crisis, and we continue to support customers in the medical, food and beverage, construction, manufacturing, and aerospace sectors with the design and build of bespoke machines, as well as process automation, robotics, cobots, autonomous mobile robots, remote monitoring, and a range of other smart technologies and Industry 4.0-based solutions.”
“For our award entry, we focused specifically on our Hot Drape Former technology, which is used mostly in the aerospace and automotive sectors, as well as our capabilities in relation to a recent automation project completed for a large NI manufacturer. Our most recent robotics project is used in the manufacturing process for components that are used by NASA, and we are currently working on a 20m x 6m composite preformer for Spirit AeroSystems for the Aerospace Innovation Centre in Prestwick, Scotland, which is believed to be the largest preformer in the world. That is an engineering achievement in itself, in addition to the innovative technologies used in both pieces of equipment.”
“PAC Group will continue to innovate. It’s in our nature. And we look forward to collaborating and partnering with even more companies, from a wide range of sectors, as more businesses seek to adapt, improve, and innovate.”
The independent panel of judges included: Noel Brown, Invest NI Sector Development Manager of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering, Mary Meehan, Deputy Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive of Food NI, Lorraine Acheson, Manger at Innovate UK Northern Ireland, and Gerry McNally, Director of NI Polymers Association.
Commenting on PAC Group’s win, the judges said:
“We’re looking for the most forward-looking companies. The awards reward and recognise manufacturing companies based in Northern Ireland that have demonstrated success in innovation, product development, and growth. What impressed the judges most was PAC Group’s approach to innovation, which has undoubtedly contributed to its success in just three years of trading.”
To find out more about our innovation capabilities and how we can help your business thrive, contact our expert team today.
