Guillaume Hernoux
Digital Transformation Advisor, IMR
As Irish supply chains adopt advanced technology, a growing digital skills gap threatens to leave smaller firms less competitive than larger ones.
Ireland’s supply chain and logistics sector is essential to the economy, carrying around €196 billion in exports annually and handling over 47.5 million tonnes of goods through ports in 2023 (Gov.ie). However, there is a clear digital skills gap. Both government and industry have recognised this and are taking action.
Smart tech strengthens logistics
The Department of Transport’s Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week 2025 is one example, aiming to promote digital and green innovation in logistics. National strategies, such as Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework and the Ireland Industry 4.0 Strategy, encourage greater use of technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data analytics by 2030 (IrishTimes).
Recent global challenges have exposed the need for resilience and efficiency in Irish supply chains. As a result, more companies are adopting digital solutions to increase productivity and flexibility. Leading firms are using AI for forecasting, IoT for logistics, blockchain for traceability and digital twins for real-time data and decision-making.
An IBEC survey shows that 54% of
manufacturing firms have adopted AI.
Tech adoption gap persists
Despite progress, there is a growing gap between larger and smaller businesses. High-tech industries, such as medtech and biopharmaceuticals, have made significant investments in automation and analytics. An IBEC survey shows that 54% of manufacturing firms have adopted AI, compared to the national average of 39% (manufacturing-supplychain.com). In contrast, many small and traditional logistics companies have not kept pace, with lower rates of digital adoption.
Partnerships power supply chains
To address this, new initiatives have been launched. The Irish Medtech Association’s Digital Transformation simplified programme provides practical support to accelerate digitalisation. Irish Manufacturing Research delivers larger digital transformation programmes using global best-practice frameworks, such as the Smart Industry Readiness Index, for Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland clients. BioPharmaChem’s 2025 consulting strategy prioritises supply chain resilience, talent development, investment and ecosystem collaboration.
While these efforts are positive, more collaboration is needed. Partnerships between large companies and SMEs should be encouraged through subsidised programmes and knowledge sharing. This will help ensure that digital transformation benefits the entire supply chains and supports Ireland’s economic growth and resilience.
