€800k contract signed between two local companies

Virginia-based Nuálach Automation has this week signed a contract worth €800,000 with Monaghan's The Nestbox Egg Company.

The Nestbox Egg company, which handles approximately five million eggs each week, was looking to improve efficiencies in labelling and packing which is where Nuálach successfully pitched, and have now delivered, a new fully customised Eggsact Robot Packer. Integrating seamlessly into the Nestbox existing production infrastructure, the innovation reduce the level manual workload while also increasing scalability.

The link-up came about through the Skillnet Innovation Exchange, an Irish innovation platform that brings together large corporations undergoing digital transformation with scaling SMEs that offer solutions.

Corporate members of the Skillnet Innovation Exchange, which now number over 50, include some of Ireland’s leading companies, like InterSport Elverys, Horse Sport Ireland, Ryanair, Glanbia and many more.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, welcomed the development as a “powerful example£ of what can be achieved.

The Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD said that government supported initiatives like the Skillnet programme “play a vital role” in driving productivity, supporting regional development, and strengthening Ireland’s position as a “global leader” in enterprise and innovation.

“I would like to commend The Nestbox Egg Company and Nuálach Automation for using this proven initiative to innovate and build competitiveness for their businesses.”

Mark Jordan, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland, said this latest success for the programme highlights the “real-world impact” in empowering SMEs to win high-value contracts while helping larger businesses solve strategic challenges.

“Through collaborative partnerships, we are not only advancing digital transformation but also strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness across multiple sectors.”

Since launching in February 2022, over 120 SMEs have had the opportunity to pitch directly to a corporate buyer. The programme offers SMEs not only a qualified sales pipeline but a valuable opportunity to engage with prospective customers on industry requirements – providing a clear benefit to solutions providers developing new products for market.

Conor Carmody, Director of Skillnet Innovation Exchange, noted: “The success of the programme is in large part down to the active engagement of our members – both our large corporate members, which include Ireland’s most ambitious and progressive companies, and our SME members which include some of Ireland’s most talented and innovative minds.”

Evan Roarke, Co-founder of Nuálach which won Best in Innovation at the Anglo-Celt Business & Tourism Awards last year, as well as Best Micro Start Up at the prestigious All Ireland Community & Council Awards, said the “challenge” presented through Skillnet provided us with the Cavan firm with an “opportunity” to tie down this exclusive contract. “We are proud to partner with The Nestbox Egg Company to deliver the Eggsact Robot Packer- a high-speed, high-volume precision robotic solution for egg packaging. By significantly reducing reliance on manual labour, the Eggsact Robot Packer will not only enhance operational efficiency and packaging precision but also support greater scalability and sustainability across their supply chain.”

Eoin McEvoy, CFO of The Nestbox Egg Company, added that Through Skillnet they have “found a partner right here in our region. This automation investment will significantly boost our production capacity while supporting our long-term growth.”