Good research should always deliver information, but sometimes it can also yield opportunities to earn money. Galway-based firm, BSM Ireland, is an example of how a research initiative can be turned into a productive company.
BSM is a specialist supplier of computer technology to the manufacturing sector. It employs 22 people, all of them either engineering or computer science graduates. It provides services such as software development, system specification and implementation and "manufacturing operations re-engineering", said Mr Brian O'Grady, managing director of BSM.
The firm started from a Government PAT (Programmes in Advanced Technologies), which were introduced to foster collaboration between Forbairt, the universities and industry. "I like to think it grew directly out of a PAT and research activity at the university," said Mr O'Grady.
He was the national head of the advanced manufacturing technology PAT known as AMT Ireland, which had a research section at University College, Galway. He and two senior managers left AMT Ireland to establish BSM Ireland in 1997, and the company in turn bought out the business of AMT Galway.
"The AMT Ireland initiative allowed us to develop the expertise and skills, gave us access to manufacturing research through the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Research Unit at UCG headed by Prof Jim Browne, and gave us access to high quality graduates," Mr O'Grady said.
Since then it has developed a range of services geared specifically for manufacturing clients in Ireland and overseas. Its client base includes Green Isle Food Group, Transitions Optical, Resound Ireland, Dairygold, Thermo King, Springhill Woodcrafts, Keytech and Betatherm.
Its focus was on the electronics, engineering, health care and consumer foods sectors. "We are experts on knowing about the information systems that support manufacturing, logistics and distribution," he said. "In a way you can view what we do as a form of subcontracting or outsourcing."
Turnover for its last financial year exceeded £750,000, Mr O'Grady said, adding, "We expect this to increase by 20 per cent in the coming year."
A key area of activity was in its information systems business, he said, which involved devising IT strategy and information system sourcing and implementation in the software area. The market for these services was benefiting from the current concerns about Y2000 and the introduction of EMU, Mr O'Grady said.
Earlier AMT research helps another business area, devising and introducing improvements on the manufacturing floor, known in the business as "manufacturing operations re-engineering". BSM has a group of manufacturing, industrial and product engineers on staff who examine existing systems, including use of personnel, and find ways to make things work better.
A natural extension of its software specification work was a move towards its own software development. While most applications could be covered using offthe-shelf software, BSM had done some bespoke, customised work for clients, Mr O'Grady said.
The future direction on this front, he said, was to increase its involvement in software development, looking in particular for niche openings. "Where we really want to focus is on developing niche products of our own."
The development group has a staff of six and he expects this to increase. He also anticipates further growth on the services side given Ireland's buoyant economy.
