#United States #Workforce Development #IACMI #Advanced Composites #Knoxville, Tennessee

Celebrating a Decade of Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), commonly referred to as IACMI–The Composites Institute, proudly commemorates ten years of remarkable achievements in the field of advanced composites and workforce development since its inception in 2015. Established by the U.S. Department of Energy, IACMI has emerged as a national leader in fostering innovation, improving economic growth, and strengthening the U.S. manufacturing sector.

A Bold Start in Manufacturing

IACMI was introduced as the fifth of now eighteen Manufacturing USA institutes on January 9, 2015. Its vision has always been focused on revitalizing American manufacturing while ensuring national security through advanced composites. Over the past decade, this commitment has led to significant strides in reshoring initiatives that strengthen the nation’s economy and create capable workforce solutions to fill the anticipated 4.6 million open manufacturing jobs over the next ten years.

Achievements That Inspire

1. Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships

IACMI has successfully convened over 170 members, collaborating with more than 4,500 professionals from various sectors, including industry, academia, and federal laboratories. Together, they have tackled the most challenging issues facing the composites industry today, spanning automotive, aerospace, wind energy, and circular economy sectors.

2. Driving Technical Innovation

In its endeavor to bolster innovation, IACMI has facilitated connections between over 90 member organizations, initiating more than 60 industry-led research and development projects. These groundbreaking projects have resulted in the commercialization of numerous products, advancing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of various technologies, and generating hundreds of design and engineering jobs.

3. Empowering Workforce Development

IACMI has been instrumental in creating diverse workforce development programs, expanding its footprint through initiatives such as the IACMI program, ACE, and METAL. The results speak volumes:

• - Over 100 industry internships with a 100% placement rate for participants in either jobs or higher education.
• - More than 18,300 STEM outreach engagements aimed at inspiring the next generation of manufacturing specialists.
• - Training over 12,400 individuals across 50 states in CNC machining, with an additional 5,100 trained in composites, CNC, metrology, and metallurgy.
• - Establishing 40 machine tool training centers across 14 states to further empower local communities.

4. Leveraging Resources Effectively

With open access to over $400 million in advanced composites scale-up facilities across eight states, IACMI has catalyzed an additional $220 million for various stakeholders, including universities, national laboratories, and workforce initiatives. This resource optimization further enhances the capacity for innovation and domestic production.

Future Commitments

In the words of Chad Duty, CEO of IACMI, "For 10 years, IACMI has harnessed the power of public-private partnerships to improve products, processes, and people's lives through composites innovation and workforce solutions that secure America as a global leader in advanced manufacturing." The institute is well-positioned to continue its mission, as seen by its renewed funding acknowledgment in 2023 and expanded investments from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Over the next few years, IACMI plans to leverage full-scale facilities and equipment to further enlarge its programs. These efforts aim to not only attract startups and small businesses but also foster relationships with larger enterprises, universities, and national laboratories.

Transformative Projects and Collaboration

IACMI is not just resting on its laurels; it continues to engage in transformative research across critical national industries. For instance, a collaboration with Volkswagen America led to the redesign of a composite liftgate for SUVs, reducing its weight by 35% while cutting recurring costs by 9% compared to traditional steel designs. Innovations like these are paving the path for more sustainable and cost-effective solutions in the automotive industry.

In summary, IACMI's impactful decade has clearly demonstrated the synergy between technical innovation and workforce development, propelling economic growth across the United States. As it moves forward, the institute remains committed to shaping an advanced manufacturing landscape that benefits all stakeholders and enhances national competitiveness.