Established in 1955, the Institute was a professional and qualifying body for Engineering. The Institute started life as “The Irish Work Society”. It was replaced by the “Irish Work-Study Institute” in 1963. Due to business development and to cater to the full range of techniques required to meet the needs of the Institute’s members, the name Institute of Industrial Engineers was adopted in 1970. The Institute’s Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 2005.
The Institute maintains a Branch structure throughout the country. Each branch selects a Committee and is represented by its Chairperson on the National Council. The National Council is the policy-forming and managing body of the Institute. The Institute has affiliations and cooperation agreements with like-minded organisations in many other countries.

The Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) is a professional organisation for industrial engineers and other professionals working in engineering. It was founded in 1948 in the United States and has grown to have chapters and members in many countries worldwide, including Ireland. The IIE aims to advance the engineering profession and promote the value of professional engineers to businesses, organisations, and society. It does this through various activities, including professional development, research, and the promotion of best practices in the field.

To enhance members’ benefits, the Institute became the 79th Chapter of the American Institute in 1996 while maintaining its status as an independent national body. Members of the IIESMS are also eligible for membership in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IIES). Members who choose to avail of this facility have access to the membership benefits of that Institute.

In 2020 the Institute evolved into the Institute of Industrial Engineering and Safety Management Systems (IIESMS). The Institute is a founding member of the “World Confederation of Productivity Sciences”.

Government, Unions and Education organisations in Ireland recognise the Institute. As a result, the Government has granted the Institute the right to make a nomination to the Industry and Commerce panel of the Irish Senate.

In addition, the Institute is often consulted for input to government-industry white papers. In recent years, the Institute has taken an active role and partnered in many European Union-funded projects.