Professional Role and Company Leadership
Will Wilmot serves as the Managing Director of Milestone, a company specializing in manufacturing automation and digital systems, which was acquired by PM Group in 2023. He co-founded Milestone in 2008 and has led the company since its inception. In this capacity, he oversees strategic direction and operational leadership, with a focus on delivering advanced industry solutions and services to large multinational manufacturing clients.
Milestone, based in Cork, Ireland, operates within the manufacturing systems technology sector, providing expertise in lean analysis, process optimisation, system integration, equipment automation, MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) solutions, and manufacturing intelligence. Wilmot’s leadership has been pivotal in establishing Milestone as a committed provider of digital transformation technologies tailored to complex manufacturing environments.
Following the acquisition announced in May 2023, Wilmot, alongside Operations Director Kieran Nolan, has continued to lead the Milestone business, leveraging the integration with PM Group’s extensive project delivery capabilities to accelerate Milestone’s development as an industry leader in digital manufacturing solutions.
Experience and Expertise
Will Wilmot holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Limerick and is a chartered engineer, underscoring his technical foundation. Prior to founding Milestone, he was a Lead Automation Engineer at Jacobs Engineering from 2006 to 2007.
His professional skill set encompasses a broad spectrum of automation and manufacturing technologies, including extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with:
- SAP MII (Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence)
- MES implementation and optimisation
- GAMP (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice) compliance
- Process automation and system integration
- Lean manufacturing principles applied to consultancy for multinational clients
He has over 18 years of experience as Managing Director at Milestone, with additional consulting roles supporting manufacturers in improving competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Industry Position and Recent Developments
Milestone under Wilmot’s leadership has supported the planning, delivery, and commissioning of advanced manufacturing systems, focusing on digital technologies to manage complex manufacturing processes. The company’s client base predominantly comprises large multinational manufacturing enterprises, which indicates a trusted partnership in high-stakes industrial settings.
The acquisition by PM Group, a leading Irish project delivery firm, signals confidence in Milestone’s technical capabilities and leadership, with Wilmot emphasizing the complementary nature of combining PM Group's infrastructure scale with Milestone's digital systems expertise. This move is expected to enhance the service portfolio and market reach of both entities.
As of early 2024, Milestone continues to focus on expanding its influence within the industry, supported by Wilmot’s vision for integrated, technology-driven manufacturing solutions aligned with Industry 4.0 advances.
Leadership and Public Engagement
Will Wilmot actively represents Milestone in public and industry forums. Notably, he has participated in Engineers Ireland events, such as Cork’s first Industry 4.0 introduction session in 2018, demonstrating his commitment to knowledge sharing and industry development.
His communications on professional social media platforms underscore team dedication, loyalty, and expertise as core drivers behind Milestone's success. Wilmot also highlights the importance of combining technical excellence with project delivery scale to achieve superior client outcomes.
In summary, Will Wilmot is a technically skilled and experienced engineer and executive, who has successfully led Milestone through growth, acquisition, and integration phases, establishing the company as a reputable digital automation provider for multinational manufacturing clients. His engineering background, leadership longevity, and strategic positioning within PM Group equip him with deep insights into manufacturing automation and digital transformation projects at scale.
