100-year-old leading robotics firm is setting up a new base in Belfast to be closer to the rapidly growing Northern Ireland manufacturing market

Reliance Automation has moved into Innovation Factory, where it is receiving support and advice, while the company develops plans to open a new, modern facility to house its range of automation technology from market leading universal cobots to industrial robots, grippers, mobile robots and electric actuators.

In the last year, the company has seen substantial growth in NI, which now accounts for approximately 70% of its new automation sales. The company puts this massive rise in demand down to Brexit and a need to automate as it is so difficult to fill jobs.

Employment in the NI manufacturing sector has grown more than four times faster than the rest of the UK while unemployment rates have declined, which has led manufacturing companies to seek alternative ways of meeting production demands.

Automation manager Gerry Graham of Reliance Automation, said: “There has been a significant increase in activity in NI over the past few years and this has snowballed recently. This is absolutely a result of the great successes of manufacturing companies as well as the barriers to trade caused by Brexit.”

The 100-year-old company has offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and now in Belfast which will employ at least three new people by 2024.

Mr Graham said: “Our Belfast base completes the circle, giving us access to all the markets in the region and allowing for increased and smoother trade within both NI and GB. We offer a whole service to businesses, not only selling robots and cobots, but offering training and partnering with installers so we can support the customer from start to finish. Having an experienced team and modern facility in NI became a necessity as the market here has grown so quickly.”

He explained that NI is famous for heavy industrial manufacturing in areas such as aerospace and defence, construction and material handling but there is a shortage of skilled workers that can be fulfilled by automation.

“About 90% of automation applications are still industrial and require caged heavy-duty robots. Dangerous, precise, dirty, and high-speed processes such as welding, assembly, high speed pick and place and heavy lifting can be carried out using industrial robotic equipment,” he continued.

While the company searches for its new dedicated location, it is currently operating out of the Innovation Factory.

“We really like being surrounded by other innovative companies who are bringing the latest tech to a wide range of industries here. We’ve also enjoyed the support Innovation Factory offers through its events, networking, help with grant applications and market advice,” Mr Graham added.

In conjunction with the Northern Ireland Technology Centre and Queen’s University Belfast, Reliance Automation will host its ninth automation roadshow next month, which is open to businesses and students. The events, which are free to attend but require prior booking, will be held at Ulster University at Magee campus in Londonderry on September 20 and Innovation Factory on September 21.