Irishman’s New York-based AI manufacturing platform Keychain appoints Alan Metcalfe to lead Irish operations.
Keychain, the artificial intelligence platform for consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing, has confirmed the opening of its European headquarters in Dublin.
The move marks a significant step in the company’s international expansion strategy following its recent $30m Series B funding round.
“This is about deepening our global footprint and delivering real operational improvements”
Alan Metcalfe has been appointed General Manager for Europe and will oversee operations from the new Irish office. Metcalfe, a seasoned entrepreneur with experience in scaling global businesses, will be responsible for integrating Keychain’s AI-powered platform into the Irish market and supporting broader European growth.
Scaling internationally
Oisin Hanrahan, CEO, Keychain
“Establishing a presence in Ireland is an important step for Keychain as we continue to scale internationally,” said Oisin Hanrahan, CEO and founder of Keychain. “Alan Metcalfe brings valuable expertise in business strategy and brand development. We’re thrilled to have him on board as we expand across Europe.”
Founded in February 2024, Keychain has raised $68m in venture capital and counts eight of the top ten global retailers among its clients, including 7-Eleven and Whole Foods. The platform is also used by seven of the top ten CPG brands, such as General Mills, which is also an investor.
The company’s AI-native product, KeychainOS, is designed to help manufacturers reduce production bottlenecks and improve operational efficiency. The Dublin office will serve as a hub for Irish operations, with plans to grow the local team in the coming months.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Keychain at such a pivotal time,” said Metcalfe. “I’m inspired by the company’s mission to transform the CPG supply chain with AI, and I look forward to building strong partnerships in Ireland and beyond.”
Keychain’s platform provides manufacturers with real-time insights and intelligent automation, enabling brands to optimise production and respond to shifting consumer demand. Its client roster includes Rich’s Foods, The Hershey Company, Schreiber Foods and General Mills, all of which are also investors.
The expansion is expected to strengthen Keychain’s engagement with European manufacturers.
Keychain is headquartered in New York and operates offices in Austin and Delhi. Its network includes more than 30,000 manufacturers and 20,000 brands and retailers.
Speaking with ThinkBusiness, Hanarhan said the opening of the Dublin office is integral to Keychain’s global strategy. “Dublin offers access to a strong talent pool and proximity to leading European manufacturers. It’s a strategic move that supports our mission to build smarter, faster, and more resilient supply chains.”
Hanrahan said the appointment of Metcalfe is also strategic. “Alan is a seasoned entrepreneur with deep expertise in business strategy and brand development. He has a track record of scaling companies globally, which makes him the ideal person to lead our European expansion. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”
As I spoke with Hanrahan he was guiding an entourage of 40 top US food manufacturers on a fact-finding mission to Ireland. He said that linking Irish food businesses with American manufacturers would be bolt start for Keychain’s focus on Europe.
“KeychainOS is our AI-native product designed to help manufacturers reduce bottlenecks and manage production cycles more efficiently. It’s already delivering results for major clients, and we’re confident it will bring significant value to Irish and European manufacturers.
“We’re already working with some of the biggest names in the industry, including General Mills, Rich’s Foods, and The Hershey Company. With the Dublin office, we’ll be able to serve European markets more directly and build strong partnerships,” Hanrahan said.
“This is about deepening our global footprint and delivering real operational improvements.”
Image at top: Oisin Hanrahan with Roisin Hennerty, former MD of Ornua, and Curtis Whetten, SVP Sales at Mount Franklin Foods, in Pearse Lyons Distillery Dublin
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