ManTech’s perspective

 

Ratcliff spent several minutes addressing how the IMI concept came about, why it’s important for the Department of Defense and what its purpose is. She spent the majority of her time at the dais answering questions.

 

“Some may wonder why the Department of Defense is taking the leadership role on advanced manufacturing,” she said. “It’s because our manufacturing industrial base in the United States serves two purposes from a DoD perspective with respect to national security. One, the industrial base drives the economic engine of our country. And, two, we turn to the industrial base when we need weapons systems to put into our warfighters’ hands and to protect our troops. I think there are few things more than our industrial base that we can look at that come at the intersection of our national security.”

 

Throughout her opening remarks, Ratcliff did not offer an opinion on which way ManTech is leaning in the selection process, but she did express her excitement about the work being done to establish these manufacturing institutes.

 

“In the 12 years I’ve been with the Department of Defense, I don’t think I’ve ever heard manufacturing be talked about at the volume and the level that it’s talked about today,” she said. “There’s a new paradigm in town and it’s refreshing to be a part of it.”

 

Asked what in particular ManTech is looking for from a Fiber and Textile IMI, Ratcliff said that moving advanced research and technologies forward is a key priority.

 

“When we first started down this path, it was pretty obvious of the innovations the textile industry had developed for other applications,” she said. “And that’s what we’re looking for now. What are those new manufacturing processes such as 3-D weaving, prototyping and fast turns that need to be developed that not only suit the textile community but also the Department of Defense? That’s part of why we’re here today, to understand where that opportunity is within the institute.”

 

Asked later if the institute has ambitions to address long-standing technological issues or problems related to traditional textiles, she said, “Remnants of a very large, robust textile industry still exist that can be leveraged to help not only regrow commodity items but to move into the advanced components of modern textiles and fiber. The way we’ve structured the institute model, it contains not only that advanced research but that community college focus, that STEM initiative, as well as other intermediaries, to help create that knowledge exchange. We can’t solve all problems, but the hope of the institute is to help solve those legacy issues while moving into that advanced arena.”

 

Panelists, breakout sessions

 

A panel of 10 industry leaders representing a cross-section of companies followed, with each addressing these questions:

• What are the research and development needs?

• What are the markets and supply chain opportunities?

• How can an IMI collaboratively solve advanced manufacturing technology problems?

• What are the facility needs for advanced manufacturing?

• What are the keys to long-term sustainability of the institute?

 

Panelists include:

• Nick Irwin of Takata/Highland Industries;

• Tim Essenmacher of the Arden Companies;

• Todd Moore of Milliken & Co.;

• Marty Ellis of Inman Mills;

• Mike Stanhope of TenCate;

• Brian Shiels of PBI Performance Products;

• Dr. Shobha Murari of JPS Composive Materials;

• Dr. Ryan Emerson of PPG Fiber; and

• Arnold WIlkie of Hills, Inc.

 

Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the conversation, and common questions or issues were raised by several, including: supply chain fragmentation, intellectual property concerns, education and training on new processes and products, facilities, resources and an unclear understanding of DoD’s wish list.

 

These matters also came up during breakout sessions, broken down into these four areas of emphasis: rapid prototyping, technical textiles, composite substrates and applications for advanced technologies.

 

Other speakers

 

During lunch, attendees heard a “State of the Fiber and Textile Industry” address by Auggie Tantillo, president of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO).

 

Among his remarks, he said: “We’ve seen some difficult times and we’ve seen some times when it was difficult to be optimistic. We’ve been through a Category 5 hurricane over the last 20 years. You can name that hurricane 'China.' But we’ve turned the corner here. The people who survived that hurricane are very, very good. They survived a tortuous competitive environment but have found a way to compete, to employ people. One of the reasons is we’ve placed a huge emphasis on innovation.”

 

After listing the reasons the industry should be interested in an IMI, he gave the reasons the DoD should be interested in establishing an IMI for the industry. Among his points:

 

• A vibrant, fully integrated U.S. industry – from fiber to finished product;

• Massive U.S. commercial markets that support defense research and production;

• A vibrant industry R&D community – private companies, universities, research consortiums. “There is a culture of research in this industry,” he said; and

• A long history of industry cooperation and support for the Department of Defense/Defense Logistics Agency during times of peace and war.

 

“If we are selected, I have every confidence that we will bring to the table a sophisticated industry that is willing and able to work together to bring the Department of Defense what they want,” Tantillo said. “They will be satisfied with the product that comes out of that and we’ll be a better industry for it.”

 

In wrapping up the event, Don Valvala, director of government affairs for WL Gore & Associates, said the workshop was informative and insightful for both sides of the table.

 

“Hopefully, we’ve demonstrated our industry is committed to developing the next generation of gear for our troops,” he said. “Having a strong, vibrant domestic fiber and textile manufacturing base applies equally to our commercial and consumer business, as well. Many advancements and new technologies that apply to the defense sector also apply to the commercial sector. Our Fiber and Textile IMI will address both. The bottom line is the opportunity is here for our industry to significantly increase its share of the global market and to assist our nation’s defense.

 

“The concepts for a Fiber and Textiles IMI are sound and well supported by our industry,” he added. “I think by your attendance and all the hard work that you did today, we demonstrated our industry’s commitment to strengthening and growing the domestic fiber and textile industry.”

 

ManTech is currently collecting RFIs (Requests for Information) from the industry. If you would like to submit a letter of support, please contact Dr. Christine Cole, director of Clemson Apparel Research Center and Professor Emerita at Clemson University, at cwjrv@clemson.edu. The deadline is Friday, October. 10.

 

For an overview of the Fiber and Textiles Innovative Manufacturing Institute, click here.

Posted October 8, 2014

 

By Devin Steele

 

BELMONT, N.C. – The U.S. textile industry turned out in strong numbers here on October 1 to learn more about the proposed Fiber and Textiles Innovative Manufacturing Institute and to convince the Department of Defense that such an entity is needed.

 

The workshop, requested by the Department of Defense’s ManTech (Manufacturing Technology) office, attracted more than 150 people representing textiles and its supply chain, as well as members of academia, associations and military procurement groups and the government.

 

The U.S. government has an objective of creating 15 Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation (IMIs), each dedicated to advancing a manufacturing area that is considered critical to industry and the DoD. Each IMI will have a minimum of $70 million in federal funding and $70 million in funding from states and industry over a five-to-seven-year initial period. The DoD will be starting up two more major institutes in the coming months, and the fiber and textiles sector is one of six finalists under review. These IMIs represent a $70 million to $120 million investment by the government over a five-to-seven year period.

 

Adele Ratcliff, director of the ManTech office, addressed the group. And Ratcliff and her staff heard from industry leaders who offered information about their companies and the ways such an IMI would benefit their interests, and how they, in turn, would benefit the military and/or the marketplace. Breakout sessions addressed four areas of emphasis.

 

In kicking off the meeting, Andy Warlick, CEO of yarn-spinner Parkdale, Gastonia, N.C., extoled the virtues of textiles before introducing the program and the workshop’s purpose.

 

“The U.S. textile industry is one of the most innovative and scientifically advanced industries in the world, providing products to the automotive, aerospace, military, medical, technical, home furnishings and apparel industries,” he said. “Textiles is one of the oldest industries in the world, and it continues to supply the basic needs of boots, shelter, clothing. Textiles in its various forms touches everyone every day.

 

“But the textile industry has advanced much further, as many here today can attest. Our industry engages in traditional-use categories for apparel and home furnishings but is also engaged in broader technical textiles, where there are no boundaries. Textiles now plays an important role in the practice of medicine and provides lightweight structures for the aircraft industry and other industries that require strong materials without excessive weight. And more and more textiles are used in electronics. Our products provide state-of-the-art protection for our soldiers, and they are also used by the thousands of police officers and security people throughout the nation. We believe our industry’s innovative track record make it a prime candidate to establish a Fibers and Textiles Institute.”

 

Warlick added that some of the brightest textile chemists, engineers and scientists available anywhere in the world were in the room, and “we’re ready to take the next step” to have an IMI established, he said.

DoD workshop on Fiber and Textile Innovative Manufacturing Institute

Industry turns out to learn more about IMI, press case