Research, Development and Innovation
Driving Innovation, Delivering Excellence
Research, Development & Innovation at Lawrence Engineering
At Lawrence Engineering, Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) is a core pillar of our business, driving continuous improvement, efficiency, and technological advancement. As a precision engineering and contract manufacturing company, we recognise that innovation is essential to maintaining our competitive edge and delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers.
To formalise our innovation efforts, we have established an RD&I Board in collaboration with our RD&I consulting partners, Readi-Watch. This board provides strategic oversight, ensuring that our RD&I initiatives align with our business goals, industry advancements, and customer needs.
The RD&I Board meets monthly with the purpose of advancing RD&I within the business, ensuring that innovation remains a key pillar of our business strategy, and driving the execution of ongoing projects. Our discussions focus on four key areas:
RD&I Governance & Leadership
Strong governance is key to making innovation a structured and sustainable part of our operations. Our RD&I Board plays a vital role in setting priorities, evaluating new opportunities, and ensuring that resources are effectively allocated across projects. The board establishes clear objectives, provides leadership on RD&I initiatives, and ensures that innovation is embedded in the company’s overall strategy
RD&I Strategy & Planning
Effective RD&I begins with a well-defined strategy. Our approach involves identifying key areas for development, staying ahead of industry trends, and ensuring that our innovation efforts support long-term business growth. By assessing emerging technologies and collaborating with industry experts, we create a roadmap that guides our research and development activities. The board plays a crucial role in shaping this roadmap, ensuring that RD&I investments align with both business goals and customer needs.
RD&I Operations – Project Execution
RD&I goes beyond strategy. As part of a successful strategy, it also be executed effectively across the business. From an operational point of view, the RD&I Board ensures that all projects are on track, meet key milestones, and deliver tangible outcomes.
This includes:
• Monitoring progress of all RD&I initiatives and troubleshooting challenges
• Allocating resources effectively to support projects
• Bridging the gap between planning and execution, ensuring RD&I is actioned, not just discussed
By maintaining a strong connection between strategy and execution, the board ensures that innovation translates into actual improvements that enhance product quality, efficiency, and business performance.
RD&I People & Training
People are at the heart of our innovation efforts. We invest in continuous training and skill development to keep our team at the forefront of industry advancements, ensuring they have the expertise to drive innovation. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, we aim to ensure that innovation is embedded in every aspect of our company
RD&I Board at Lawrence Engineering
Professor Gerry Byrne
Byrne Professor Gerry Byrne is one of Ireland’s most senior international chartered engineers with over 30 years of experience in applied industrial R&D and innovation. A recognised leader in the field, he has played a key role in advancing research and development strategies in Ireland. He is one of the leading voices on R&D in the industry. Gerry is a Senior Advisor to the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, the world’s leading applied research organisation, and serves as Chief Scientific Officer of ReaDI-Watch Ltd.
James Lawrence
James Lawrence is the Managing Director of Lawrence Engineering. A qualified toolmaker by trade, he took over the management of Lawrence Engineering from his father in 2019 and has since led its strategic expansion. Under his leadership, Lawrence Engineering has grown significantly; adding a new site, expanding into contract manufacturing for medical device components, and placing a strong focus on research, development, and innovation (RD&I).
David Byrne
Dave Byrne is the Founder & CEO of ReaDI-Watch Ltd. a digital platform designed to help companies manage RD&I in real-time and drive business growth. Prior to founding ReaDI-Watch, Dave led a team of 10 consultants working with 100+ companies to implement lean innovation and R&D management strategies.
Teemu Saloranta
Teemu Saloranta is an experienced Company Director with a strong focus on strategy development. He has been working as an independent Business Consultant and a Mentor for the past 18 years, supporting Irish SMEs in their growth and development. His expertise lies in the medical device and pharmaceutical drug delivery device manufacturing sectors, where he helps businesses refine their strategies and scale effectively. Previously Teemu was the MD of Perlos Ltd, a UK based contract manufacturer for 13 Years.
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