Combilift hosts robotics event for future engineers
As part of Engineers Week, which took place in Ireland from 2nd to 8th March 2025, Monaghan-based Combilift opened its doors to local schools, giving students a hands-on introduction to robotics and engineering. The event, held at the company’s headquarters, also marked the announcement that the Regional VEX Robotics Championships will take place at Combilift, with winners earning a chance to compete on the world stage.
The Regional VEX Robotics Championships is a competition where student teams design, build, and programme robots to complete a series of challenges. The event encourages innovation and problem-solving while helping students develop technical and teamwork skills. Winning teams from regional events progress to national and international levels, including the VEX World Championships.
More than 250 students attended the event, where St. Macartan’s College VEX Robotics Team, winners of the North West Regional Finals, showcased their award-winning robot. They demonstrated the design, building, and programming processes involved in the competition and took part in a friendly match to highlight the challenges of robotics engineering.
Brendan McAvera, a computer science teacher at St. Macartan’s, spoke about the impact of the programme. “In 15 years of teaching, this is probably the best thing I’ve ever been involved in. It really shows the inspiration you can get back from your students when you give them a project to do, and they put their heart and soul into it.”
Combilift’s co-founder, Martin McVicar, emphasised the importance of skills developed through robotics. “By engaging with these cutting-edge technologies, students can develop skills in robotics, hydraulics, and programming, as well as teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving. These are essential for their education and future careers in STEM, including apprenticeships at Combilift or engineering roles elsewhere.”
He added, “Listening to the skills these students have developed, it makes you proud. It feels like you have a Formula One team in front of you. The different roles each person plays and the skills they have learned will serve them well throughout their lives.”
Ireland’s Engineers Week
Engineers Week is an annual initiative in Ireland that aims to inspire young people to explore careers in engineering and technology. Running from 2nd to 8th March 2025, the week features events, workshops, and industry engagement activities designed to showcase the impact of engineering on everyday life and encourage students to consider STEM-related careers.
Combilift and the Concrete Industry
Combilift designs and manufactures material-handling solutions, including multi-directional forklifts and straddle carriers, which are widely used in the concrete sector. Its equipment is suitable for handling precast concrete elements, concrete pipes, and large construction materials.
The Combilift Straddle Carrier allows for efficient and safe movement of oversized loads, while the Combi-SC range is designed for cost-effective transport of heavy concrete products in storage yards and manufacturing plants.
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