Advanced Manufacturing Partnership

Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. It was a national effort launched in June 2011 by President Barack Obama to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. industry by bringing together industry, academia, and the federal government. The initiative aimed to invest in emerging technologies, strengthen the domestic industrial base, and create high-quality manufacturing jobs. Co-chaired by Andrew Liveris of Dow Chemical Company and Susan Hockfield of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it served as a catalyst for significant public-private collaboration in advanced manufacturing research and development.

Overview and Background

The partnership was established in response to growing concerns about the offshoring of manufacturing and the need to harness innovation for economic growth. Its creation was a key recommendation from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, which advised the White House on maintaining U.S. leadership in technology. The context included global competition from nations like Germany and China, which had robust national manufacturing strategies. The effort built upon earlier initiatives like the America COMPETES Act and sought to coordinate existing programs across agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation.

Key Initiatives and Programs

A central outcome was the establishment of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation, later renamed Manufacturing USA, which created a series of research institutes focused on specific technology areas. Key institutes launched under this umbrella included America Makes for additive manufacturing and the NextFlex institute for flexible hybrid electronics. The partnership also championed significant federal investments in areas like wide-bandgap semiconductors, advanced sensors, and digital manufacturing. It helped shape and promote major funding opportunities through the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia program and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Participating Organizations and Partners

The collaboration involved a wide array of leading U.S. corporations and prestigious academic institutions. Major corporate partners included The Boeing Company, Caterpillar Inc., Ford Motor Company, Honeywell, Intel, and Northrop Grumman. On the academic side, pivotal participants were the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Federal agency leadership came from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Impact and Outcomes

The partnership directly led to the creation of the Manufacturing USA network, which by the 2020s comprised over a dozen institutes involving thousands of members. It influenced significant policy, including the formal authorization of the network by the REVITALIZE Act. Reported outcomes included the development of new manufacturing processes, the commercialization of technologies in sectors like aerospace and health care, and the training of a skilled workforce. The model of collaboration it established was cited as influential in subsequent initiatives like the CHIPS and Science Act and efforts to strengthen supply chains for critical materials.

Future Directions and Evolution

The foundational work evolved into the sustained Manufacturing USA network, with continued congressional support and expansion into new technical areas like artificial intelligence and biomanufacturing. Subsequent administrations, including those of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, maintained and built upon the framework, integrating it into broader industrial policy goals. The focus shifted toward securing resilient supply chains, as seen in executive orders following the COVID-19 pandemic, and leveraging manufacturing for clean energy transitions. The partnership's legacy is evident in ongoing national strategies that emphasize the integration of innovation ecosystems with domestic production capabilities.

Category:Manufacturing in the United States Category:Science and technology in the United States Category:Industrial policy of the United States Category:2011 in the United States