By Business & Finance 
Pictured (L-R): Brian Dilleen, Zimmer Biomet Worldwide; Sean O’Sullivan, Seabrook Technology Group; and Dave McDermaid, Siemens PLM Software
Manufacturing software specialists Seabrook Technology Group hosting the inaugural Preparing for Industry 4.0 conference for life sciences industries in Dublin today.
Ireland is one of the biggest exporters of medical products in Europe, with annual exports worth €8.5bn and Seabrook has been operating in Cork for 27 years. The group also expanded into the US in 2012 with two offices in California and Indiana.
Speakers at the event included Seabrook’s CEO John Dzelme, an internationally recognised expert in manufacturing execution systems. Dzelme spoke about the advanced technologies necessary for life science companies to remain competitive in Industry 4.0.
Ian Walls and Dave McDermaid, business development consultants with Siemens PLM Software, will also speak at the conference.
Seabrook has been Siemens PLM Software channel partner in Ireland and the UK since October 2015. Seabrook has also recently expanded into the UK, opening a new office in Sheffield.
John Dzelme said: “Ireland is a world-class centre of excellence for medical devices and technology. 18 of the 25 biggest medical tech companies in the world are based in Ireland. If we want to continue as a world leader in this sector, organisations need to be ready for the unprecedented transformations that will come with Industry 4.0. We want to inform and educate the life sciences sector on the need to adopt technologies that are seen as ‘advanced’ now, but that will be standard in a few short years.”
Seabrook managing director Sean O’Sullivan commented: “There has been significant interest in our event today with leading life sciences organisations in attendance. At Seabrook, we are seeing a steady increase in the numbers of medical device companies seeking information and expertise on PLM and MES technologies.”
The term Industry 4.0 was coined in Germany and is used to describe the fourth industrial revolution or the era of ‘smart factories.’ This will see a merging of the digital and physical worlds to create a new type of enterprise. It will lead to unprecedented levels of manufacturing efficiency. For consumers, it will mean enhanced product quality, improved compliance with regulations and ultimately better products at a better price.
