NHQ to Speak at Northern Ireland Manufacturing Conference

Ruth will talk about Nightingale HQ current work developing optimisation and sustainability tools for the steel sector. She will also present Strada the leadership programme for women in manufacturing that they are a core partner on and she will contribute to a panel discussion on Addressing the Skills Gap in Northern Ireland alongside Deloitte Ireland.

Ruth Kearney at NI Manufacturing Conference

Sustainable Software Solutions: Our Commitment to the Steel Industry
Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ

Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ shares how they’ve incorporated Greener Software Principles into their designs, emphasising the implications for upcoming product releases and their impact on the steel sector. As technology partners within the manufacturing supply chain, we recognise the responsibility to enhance sustainability not only across the sector but also within their operations. Nightingale HQ is collaborating with Midland Steel, a leading rebar supplier, to optimise production processes and drive a reduction in scrap and carbon emissions. They are prioritising energy efficiency in their development processes, striving to ensure their tools have a net positive impact. This involves not only reducing waste and CO2 emissions but also optimising development practices to prevent inefficiencies and waste caused by poor software development.

Ruth Kearney at NI Manufacturing Conference

Strada: Europe’s First Leadership Programme for Women in Manufacturing
Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ

What do LEGO, Whirlpool, Dana, and KUKA have in common? They are all contributors to Europe’s first dedicated leadership programme for women in manufacturing. Now in its second year, Strada returns after the success of training 150 women across the manufacturing sector last year. This free online leadership programme empowers women to build the foundational pillars of manufacturing, develop strategic leadership skills, and hone their strengths. The programme is packed with masterclasses, webinars, and invaluable 1:1 mentoring and runs from September to December. It’s free for participants, and applications are now open at stradawomen.eu

Ruth Kearney at NI Manufacturing Conference

Panel Discussion: Addressing the Skills Gap in Northern Ireland
MC and Presenter Brian Barry, Philip McNallySenior Manager at Deloitte Ireland and Ruth Kearney, CEO of Nightingale HQ

Find out more
Northern Ireland Manufacturing

FAQs

What is Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector?

Northern Ireland has a manufacturing sector that punches well above its weight relative to its size — aerospace components from Spirit AeroSystems and Bombardier Shorts, food processing from major players across the agri-food sector, and a significant engineering and fabrication industry that includes metals, plastics, and precision components. The Manufacturing NI conference is the sector’s annual gathering, bringing together manufacturers, supply chain businesses, and technology providers to share best practice and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

GoSmarter’s appearance at the conference reflected its growing presence in the Northern Ireland market and its broader mission to bring practical AI tools to UK and Irish manufacturers. The conference provides a platform to reach manufacturers who are actively engaged in the challenge of improving their operations — the audience most receptive to what GoSmarter offers.

What did the conference cover?

Manufacturing NI conferences typically address the key strategic challenges facing the sector: workforce development and the skills shortage, productivity and competitiveness in global markets, sustainability and the environmental pressures on manufacturing, and the role of digital technology in addressing all of these challenges simultaneously. GoSmarter’s contribution to the programme addressed the digital technology dimension — specifically, how AI tools are being adopted by manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, what results they are seeing, and what the path to adoption looks like for a business that is starting from traditional, manual processes.

What is the Northern Ireland opportunity for GoSmarter?

Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector shares the characteristics of the markets GoSmarter knows best — predominantly SME and mid-market businesses, strong engineering heritage, limited dedicated IT resource, and growing pressure on margins and sustainability performance. The appetite for practical digital tools that deliver measurable results is strong, and the conference provided an opportunity to connect with manufacturers who were ready to act on that appetite.