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Home / About

About

Who We Are

Customised Automation Specialists for Advanced Manufacturing

DesignPro Automation is an Irish-owned industrial automation and machine building company specialising in the design, build and installation of highly customised automation solutions for advanced manufacturing environments.

Based in Limerick, Ireland we are the largest Irish-owned machine builder in the country, with expertise in robotics, vision systems and complex automation, particularly for the medical device sector.

With extensive in-house design, R&D, manufacturing, assembly and support capabilities, we deliver end-to-end automation solutions for global medical device manufacturers.

Why Choose us?

Our customers’ goals shape everything we do. We are an automation partner, collaborating closely to design and deliver solutions that fit your product, process and regulatory environment.

Unlike many automation providers, we keep design, manufacturing, assembly and installation in-house. This allows us to move faster, communicate more clearly, and ensure seamless integration into your production environment.

As technology evolves, we evolve with it. We continuously identify, test, and integrate advanced robotics, vision systems, and automation technologies so the solutions we deliver are scalable and sustainable.

Flexible

Every automation system we build is unique. We collaborate closely with our clients and adapt to suit your needs.

Transparent

Clear communication and detailed project documentation are central to how we build trust and deliver on time.

Innovative

We push boundaries to elevate the manufacturing industry. Specialising in complex automation challenges where standard solutions fall short.

Expertise

Our team has extensive experience in advanced manufacturing technologies, supported by continuous learning and strong technology partnerships.

A Highly Professional Automation Partner

Since 2004, DesignPro Automation has built a strong reputation as a trusted automation partner to some of the world’s leading medical device manufacturers.

We provide a complete turnkey solution, covering:

• Problem analysis and concept development
• Design and prototyping
• Machine build and testing
• Validation and regulatory compliance
• Installation and post-installation support


Every solution is custom-designed to meet the specific technical requirements, regulatory standards, and budget considerations of each customer.


Collaborating with our customers is crucial to providing an automation solution that delivers significant cost savings, improved efficiency and greater operational control.

Key Achievements

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2015
  • 2013

DesignPro Automation crowned Manufacturer of the Year
– Medium Business

DesignPro Manufacturer of the Year 2025DesignPro Automation receives industry recognition at the Manufacturing Excellence Awards, which celebrate innovation, dedication and outstanding achievements in shaping the future of business operations.

We’re incredibly proud to be announced as one of the remarkable engineering companies that are elevating Ireland’s manufacturing sector.

Here’s to continuing to push boundaries and set new standards in medical device manufacturing!

DesignPro Automation achieves a remarkable
double victory at the prestigious Limerick
Chamber Regional Business Awards

DesignPro Best Overall Business 2024In what was a landmark moment for our team, DesignPro Automation not only celebrated 20 years in business but was also recognised as the Best SME Business 2024 and the Best Overall Company Of The Year by the Limerick Chamber.

This prestigious award reflects what we’ve known all along – that our blend of innovation, people-first culture, and commitment to work-life balance creates something special.

Our Apprentice Receives National Recognition

At Ireland’s inaugural national Apprentice of the Year Awards our Manufacturing Engineer, Máiríde Bennis wins the Apprentice of the Year Award in the Engineering category.

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris congratulated Mairide on her finalist’s award, and paid tribute to the 11 other finalists who were selected out of 187 nominees from every county in Ireland.

Industry Recognition for Research Partnership with UL


In the first year of the IMR Manufacturing & Supply Chain Awards we took home the award for “Industry Research Partnership Of The Year”!

For this particular accolade we teamed up with the University of Limerick & KUKA Robotics UK & Ireland to further develop a robotic solution to endoscopy that aims to improve patient safety. A special mention must also be made to the late Dr. Paul O’Byrne, who was the brainchild of this concept – a true pioneer for medical advancements.

Award Success & The Launch of a New Robotics Division


What a rollercoaster! Our team hits record numbers, we win not 1, not 2, but 3 awards – European Business Awards, Deloitte Fast 50 and ”Best SME” at the Limerick Chamber Regional Awards.

September saw the announcement of our new Robotics branch and we celebrate 3 years as an Official Industry Partner for KUKA Robotics.

Building momentum

Having been nominated by Ernst and Young we are invited to put in an application for the Best SME award at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards. Following months of hard work and dedication from the team on the new expansion we are thrilled to be announced as overall winners on the night.

National Recognition

Up against 30,000 other applicants and impressive competition, DesignPro wins the Overall National Enterprise Award in 2013, catapulting the company to a wider audience and generating a massive influx of enquiries, opportunities and business.

 

Our Quality Guarantee

Ensuring quality and safety standards are complied with at all times is paramount here at DesignPro Automation. Our dedicated quality department ensures that correct documentation, reporting and procedures are followed so that your machine and process meet the necessary standards.

We are fully certified under ISO 9001:2015, comply with and perform CE Marking services and validation to GAMP 5 level.

ISO certification and CE marking

Download ISO Cert

 

Meet Our Management & Sales Team

paul collins

Paul Collins

Operations Manager (Founder)

redmond mcdonnell

Redmond McDonnell

CEO

madeleine collins

Madeleine Collins

Enterprise Resource Manager (Director)

paula power

Paula Power

HR Manager

patrick downes

Patrick Downes

Innovation & Business Development Manager

OUR TESTIMONIALS

DesignPro has taken a complicated cumbersome manual manufacturing process and developed it into a smoothly well-oiled automated manufacturing line. Price, timeline, machine quality, communication and technical expertise have been second to none throughout the project and I look forward to working with DesignPro again on future projects.

Andrew Neylon
Project Manager & Senior Manufacturing Engineer, 3M

Millipore has built a good partnership with DesignPro over the past couple of years, we always found them to be efficient and professional at all times and would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them. Their help and assistance to create a complete solution was invaluable in the various projects completed to date on site, and enabled us to complete our objectives in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Niall O Callaghan
Engineering Manager, Millipore Ireland BV

3M selected DesignPro to partner in development of new equipment.  Their innovative approach offered solutions that provided a viable approach to a complex product.

Fred Addie
Global Engineering Manager, 3M

Talk to us about your next automation project

Get in touch today to see how we can help you with your next automation project.

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DesignPro Automation
N21 Business Park, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, V94 E5C0, Ireland.

Phone: +353 (0)69 63842
E-mail: sales@designproautomation.com

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