Advanced Manufacturing –
From November 2023 to May 2024, the Eisenhower School’s Advanced Manufacturing (AM) Industry Study undertook an analysis of current capabilities, policy, and practices regarding domestic and global AM, focused on four key areas: (1) AM technology, (2) workforce, (3) supply chain, and (4) international cooperation and competition focused on Mexico, Canada, India, the European Union (EU), the Russian Federation, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Students leveraged frameworks learned during their Industry Analysis and Strategic Acquisition and Resourcing courses during the analysis. The seminar conducted extensive fieldwork in the National Capital Region, as well as targeted studies in the manufacturing hubs of Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Chicago, Indiana, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada. Contributions also came from academic institutions and interactions with international government partners, enhancing the breadth and depth of the research. Throughout the study, the seminar operated with the mindset that AM is a continuous improvement process, not a discrete set of tools, processes, or materials.
Consistent with the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing (NSAM), the seminar determined the US must revitalize its manufacturing capabilities to maintain an economic advantage and to enhance national security. While significant strides have been made over the last decade to expand the manufacturing workforce, implement technologies, and invest in R&D, the US still faces considerable challenges in improving manufacturing resiliency. In an era of Great Power Competition (GPC), the US must remain a global leader in technological advancement, including enabling clean and sustainable manufacturing, advancing the bioeconomy, developing innovative materials and processing technologies, and leading the future of smart manufacturing. The US will not succeed alone, and must leverage the existing AM advantages of allies and partners to close domestic gaps and mitigate risk from competitors in manufacturing areas critical to national security.
The team produced a series of recommendations, including steps to expand and diversify the manufacturing talent pool, invest in manufacturing-related education at all levels, and strengthen university and employer connections to address workforce concerns. Additionally, the team recommends technology-focused improvements such as a sustainability framework and a cyber manufacturing grid. To enhance supply chain resilience, the US needs to diversify, increase integration, and remain vigilant for vulnerabilities within its supply networks. The reliance on foreign manufacturing for critical components and technologies has exposed substantial vulnerabilities, especially given geopolitical tensions and uncertainties. To address supply chain challenges, the US will benefit from re-aligning funding streams for technological innovation and integration to mitigate supply chain risk. Such initiatives should better facilitate collaborations between post-secondary institutions and Small and Medium-sized Manufacturers (SMMs), effectively narrowing the gap between research and the deployment of market-ready technologies.
Read the report →