Building Transatlantic Connections: AIM Welcomes Delegation from Mentor, Ohio to Sligo
This week, the AIM Centre was proud to host a distinguished delegation from Mentor, Ohio, as part of a collaborative visit focused on strengthening ties between Ireland and Northeast Ohio in the areas of advanced manufacturing, engineering, and economic development.
We were delighted to welcome Ray Kirchner, Ken Filipiak, Kevin Malecek, and Mark Owens, MBA, to Sligo for a day of meaningful engagement, knowledge sharing, and future-focused dialogue.
Showcasing Innovation at the AIM Centre
The day began at the AIM Centre, where our guests toured the facility and learned more about how AIM serves as a hub of technological innovation and industry-academic collaboration in the North West.
We were joined by Richard McLoughlin of NNIT / SL Controls Ltd for a roundtable discussion exploring opportunities for high-value partnerships and cross-border collaboration, particularly in automation, digitalisation, and smart manufacturing.
Visiting Sligo’s Advanced Manufacturing Leaders
The delegation then visited three of Sligo’s leading companies in the manufacturing and engineering space:
Verus Metrology Partners – Specialists in precision measurement and custom inspection solutions. A warm thank you to Andrew Hodson for the insightful tour and discussion.
Lawrence Engineering Ltd – Experts in medtech manufacturing and toolmaking. We’re grateful to James Lawrence for sharing his perspectives on innovation and growth within the sector.
SLEATER SOLUTIONS – A leading provider of automation and systems integration, where David Cannon offered valuable insights into the role of automation in scaling operations.
Aligning for the Future
The day concluded with strategic conversations alongside Sligo Chamber of Commerce and Sligo County Council, where discussions focused on shared goals including business expansion, workforce development, and global collaboration.
And in true Sligo spirit, the day ended on a celebratory note – with a local win in the Sligo U-20 GAA team’s victory over Galway!
Looking Ahead
We extend our sincere thanks to Liam Kiely for his generous hospitality and to all participants who contributed to such a productive and inspiring visit. It’s clear there is great potential for ongoing partnership between Sligo and Northeast Ohio – and we’re excited to be part of the journey.