How a €800K Contract Unleashed Hidden Potential Through Skillnet’s Innovation Exchange—And What It Means for Your Next Big Break

Ever wonder what happens when ingenuity meets necessity in a bustling egg production line? Well, Nuálach Automation just cracked the code—quite literally—by snagging an €800,000 contract with the Nestbox Egg Company, all thanks to a match made by the Skillnet Innovation Exchange. It’s like the ultimate business blind date that actually works! This clever initiative has been a game changer, dovetailing large companies’ innovation headaches with nimble SMEs ready to deliver smart solutions. Nestbox, juggling a staggering five million eggs weekly, needed a way to up their carton game without cracking under pressure. Enter the Eggsact Robot Packer from Cavan-based Nuálach Automation—a high-speed, precision powerhouse that’s not just easing the manual grind but poised to turbocharge scalability and sustainability. And the best part? This isn’t just a win for two businesses; it’s a shining example of how collaboration and innovation can reshape an entire industry’s future. Ready to dive deeper into this egg-citing partnership? LEARN MORE

Nuálach Automation has won a contract worth €800,000 with the Nestbox Egg Company after the companies were matched through the Skillnet Innovation Exchange.

Skillnet Innovation Exchange connects larges businesses facing innovation challenges with solution providers in order to fast-track innovation.

To date the initiative has facilitated the delivery of more than 70 innovation challenges experienced by larger corporates to its member base of SMEs.

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.

The Nestbox Egg Company of Co Monaghan handles 5 million eggs per week and was seeking to improve efficiencies to build, label and pack cartons on its production line.

Cavan-based Nuálach Automation pitched and ultimately delivered a customised solution, the Eggsact Robot Packer, that integrated into Nestbox infrastructure, reducing manual workload and increasing scalability.

“The challenge presented through Skillnet Innovation Exchange provided us with the opportunity to pitch for this exclusive contract in an efficient and seamless manner,” said Evan Roarke, co-founder of Nuálach Automation.

“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, chief financial officer of The Nestbox Egg Company, said: “This automation investment will significantly boost our production capacity while supporting our long-term growth.

“Skillnet Innovation Exchange gave us access to a pool of talented solution providers and, through its structured process, helped us quickly identify and shortlist five strong contenders.

“The process is extremely comprehensive and effective; it gave each provider the opportunity to pitch directly to us, allowing for real engagement and helping us build the foundations for a long-term partnership.”

Conor Carmody, director of Skillnet Innovation Exchange, said: “We are delighted that so many businesses are realising the benefits of Skillnet Innovation Exchange, and one of these benefits is the sizeable deal announced today.

“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.”

Skillnet Innovation Exchange is now welcoming new members. Whether you’re a scaling SME or a corporate seeking solutions, visit theinnovationexchange.ie to learn more.

Photo: (l-r) Rachel Hubble – Program Manager – Skillnet Innovation Exchangel Mark Jordan – Chief Executive – Skillnet Ireland; Minister Niamh Smyth TD – Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment DETE; Eoin McEvoy – CFO – The Nestbox Egg Company,  Evan Roarke – Co-founder of Nuálach Automation. (Pic: Supplied)