CONFIRM signs Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fraunhofer IFF Germany
Today saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Confirm, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Smart Manufacturing hosted by University of Limerick and Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, Germany.
Both centres wish to develop a relationship for mutual benefit by coordinating and jointly explore possible cooperation with each other as well as regional companies and stakeholders in Ireland and Germany.
Confirm and Fraunhofer IFF wish to explore possibilities to cooperate in the field of supporting companies, especially SME, on topics of digitalization and Industry 4.0 through joint initiatives in the framework of the European Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) initiative.
Professor Conor McCarthy, Centre Director and Principal Investigator of Confirm Research Centre, “is delighted to form this partnership with the Fraunhofer IFF and looks forward to working together on exchange of researchers, knowledge transfer around digital strategy assessments for industry, joint Horizon Europe project proposals and joint digital twin research and test-beds. In general Ireland has global strengths in the manufacture of high quality products in highly regulated environments, while Germany are world leaders in manufacturing of equipment and transport solutions. Our unique strengths lay the foundation for high quality collaboration, to ultimately offer our countries new technology solutions in order to remain competitive and sustainable.”
“Fraunhofer IFF is looking forward to setting up a sustainable partnership with the Confirm Centre as we are seeking out cooperation partners in order to promote digitalization and Industrie 4.0 oriented applied research in the manufacturing and proces industry,” said Christian Blobner Head of International Research Networks. “Especially within the scope of European cooperation initiatives, such as the Digital Innovation Hubs, Fraunhofer IFF believes that partnerships between relevant competence centers, including the exchange as well as joint development of support services to SME, will significantly promote regional industrial digitalization efforts. Fraunhofer IFF’s and Confirm’s focus on digital engineering and topics around the digital twin will help to provide a holistic perspective on Industrie 4.0 to companies. Companies in both regions will benefit from access to first-class research infrastructure and talent to best serve their needs towards the transformational shift that is digitalization.”
About Confirm Smart Manufacturing Research Centre
CONFIRM is the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Smart Manufacturing. Transforming Irish industry to become world-leaders in smart manufacturing. Confirm’s mission is to transform the manufacturing landscape through excellent research into smart manufacturing technologies, education and outreach programmes, which engage the general public and the creation of a community of practice to allow Ireland to become world leaders in Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0. The Centre is a consortium led by University of Limerick including the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, National University of Ireland Galway, Athlone Institute of Technology, Maynooth University, Limerick Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology Tralee. The centre is supported by over 50 industry partners including technology providers and end users from the Multi-National Corporation (MNC) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sectors across Ireland. For more information, visit www.confirm.ie
For further information, please contact:
Marketing, Confirm Centre
