Between revitalized investments in America’s manufacturing infrastructure and an increased focus on AI and automation, the U.S. is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance. A key focus of this resurgence lies in improving the resiliency of supply chains in the U.S., particularly in crucial sectors like defense.

“If we were to suddenly have a seismic shift in defense manufacturing needs,” asks Aaron Stebner, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, “do we have the supply chain and manufacturers who could meet that sudden increase in demand? How do we do that in a way that’s sustainable for long periods of time as a nation if that need arises?”

The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) officially launched the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium in 2023 to address that need. Designed to form a network of engaged manufacturers from across the country, the Consortium serves as a key connection point between Georgia Tech and industry partners — and as fertile ground for collaborative innovation.

“By bringing us all together,” says Stebner, who serves on the board of the Consortium, “we can do bigger, more meaningful things and find unique ways and opportunities to get money flowing back to the companies and Georgia Tech.”

With over 25 founding company members, the Consortium celebrated its first official year of operation in August. 

Creating a Resilient Network 

The Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium originally grew out of an 18-month pilot project funded by the Department of Defense Office of Local Community Cooperation aiming to increase defense supply chain resilience, assist Georgia manufacturers in adopting new technologies, and foster collaboration by connecting manufacturers across Georgia. 

Those goals and more are tackled by the Consortium’s focus on “networking, engagement, and collaboration,” says Stebner. “It's not just a consortium for Georgia Tech to take money from industry and do stuff with their money — the goal is to create new resources that enable us to collaborate in bigger ways than we could otherwise.” 

To join the Consortium, industry members pay up to $10,000 annually to access its network, intellectual property, and facilities. With a 10% membership discount for Georgia businesses and a 75% discount for small businesses, the Consortium especially aims to promote growth for small Georgia manufacturers. 

“Memberships come with time at the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility, which we’re expanding to be this test bed for autonomous maturation of research and development,” says Stebner. “The fact that we have what’s going to be an almost $60 million facility behind us as a mechanism and a playground for all these companies is unique.” 

“Having a shared use facility that is fully equipped to solve manufacturing’s most interesting challenges is not only a perk of Consortium memberships,” said Executive Director Steven Ferguson, “but it also serves as a hub for innovation in manufacturing.” 

Industry Innovation 

Many consortiums founded by academic institutions are primarily focused on academic research. 

“The Manufacturing 4.0 consortium has an industry focus,” said Branden Kappes, founder and president of Consortium member company Contextualize LLC. “It's more about how we take this capability that, at the moment, is trapped in a lab and transition from a wonderful concept into a wonderful product.” 

The Consortium achieves that translation through shared intellectual property agreements, collaborative research initiatives, and an emphasis on creating an engaged and open network of members.  

“I see camaraderie inside the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium,” says Kappes. “I see companies that overlap and compete in some areas, are complementary in others, and are willing to build a bridge to advance the capabilities of both sides and the community as a whole. That type of mentality is very exciting.” 

“This is one of the most highly engaged groups I have interacted with in a professional setting,” said John Flynn, vice president of Sales at Consortium member company Endeavor 3D. “It is an incredibly dynamic melting pot of all the different facets of industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, bringing everyone together from that part of the supply chain to create what I know will be important and value-added projects, ultimately resulting in intellectual property.” 

“We are able to connect Consortium members with subject matter experts at Georgia Tech and within the Consortium who have ‘been there and done that,’” said Ferguson. “At the same time, we are working with manufacturers to create novel solutions to complex problems through research engagements. Blending all of those activities into one organization is part of the magic that is the Consortium.”