Innovate or get left in the dust
Our manufacturers are competing in a global marketplace that is rapidly adopting powerful new technologies to radically improve the quality, performance and capabilities of their products - while at the same time reducing costs. The companies that innovate will gain incredible advantages over those that are “too busy” to invest their future, or who are blissfully unaware of the technological advances that are dramatically changing their marketplace.
Our Mission
The Industry 4.0 Consortium is a coalition of manufacturers partnering with experts in industry, universities and national labs to leverage Federal R&D funding to drive innovation in manufacturing. The United States Government sponsors over $150 Billion annually in research and development efforts. Unfortunately, manufacturers in rural communities often lack the knowledge, skills and relationships necessary to share in these R&D funds. As a result, they struggle to keep pace with their better funded competitors around the globe. The Consortium’s mission is to arm manufacturers in rural communities with the training and relationships they need to capture a meaningful share of Federal R&D funding. Ultimately, by collaborating with industry, academia and the national labs, our manufacturers will draw hundreds of millions in new R&D and commercialization funding into their regions.
“[Industry 4.0] is reshaping the economic landscape by changing the drivers of growth and competitiveness. It is no longer possible to rely solely on efficiency and cost-cutting for economic success: innovation, flexibility and adaptation to change are becoming the key ingredients. ”
What We're doing to drive innovation in manufacturing
Hosting informational breakfast, lunches, happy hours and other events to help our manufacturers identify R&D funding opportunities.
Hosting education and training sessions on Federal R&D programs such as the SBIR|STTR, RIF, CRADA and related opportunities.
Organizing numerous panels, exhibits and activities for Innovation in Industry day during IDEA Week.
Organizing the Industry 4.0 Awards Happy Hour event during IDEA Week.
Arranging bus trips and meetings with Federal agencies and labs to foster critical relationships with key sources of Federal R&D funding, experts and facilities.
Shaping conversations within regions to facilitate sustained collaborative efforts to build Federal R&D and contracing vehicles around areas of technology of critical importance to those regions.
Serving as a collective voice representing Industry to inform and advance industry agendas that drive business support strategies around talent attraction, workforce development, business and technical assistance and other areas of importance to manufacturers.