President Barack Obama announced that the Digital Lab for Manufacturing in Chicago will receive $70 million through a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cooperative agreement. As part of this public/private effort, Siemens has been named as the only supplier of product lifecycle management (PLM) software that will serve as a top tier partner for the Digital Lab.
“Siemens is proud to be both a technology partner and investor in the Digital Lab which is designed to drive innovation and America’s manufacturing resurgence,” said Chuck Grindstaff, CEO of Siemens PLM Software, who was present at today’s White House announcement. “Siemens software is delivering enhanced productivity, increased efficiency, a quicker time to market and more flexibility. As the sole PLM supplier serving as a Tier One partner, Siemens will provide ongoing strategic leadership and manpower to help bring both the potential and the vision of the Digital Lab to fruition.”
This investment announced today is part of President Obama’s effort to re-invigorate U.S. Manufacturing, create new jobs and economic development, and spur future innovation. The $70 million award will be leveraged by commitments of $250 million from industry, academia, government and community partners, forming a $320 million Institute. The Digital Lab will be the nation’s flagship research institute for Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation, applying cutting-edge technologies to reduce the time and cost of manufacturing, strengthen the capabilities of the U.S. supply chain, and reduce acquisition costs for DoD.
“Today’s manufacturing industry is one of the most sophisticated, highly skilled, and innovative areas of business in the world today because software has radically transformed the manufacturing process,” said Eric Spiegel, president and CEO, Siemens Corp. “Software and technology won’t just help the U.S. manufacture the most advanced products in the world; with the proper emphasis on training it will also help us manufacture a new middle class. The Digital Lab will serve as an economic catalyst in the region and across the country.”
Siemens recently made a $440 million PLM software grant to Youngstown State University which will help students at the America Makes manufacturing innovation hub in Youngstown, Ohio. This center is devoted to incorporating 3-D printing in mainstream American manufacturing – and will provide students with hands-on use of PLM software in fields such as robotics design, computer-aided engineering and additive manufacturing.
With more than 77,000 customers including many of the Digital Lab partners, Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software is used throughout the global manufacturing industry to design, develop and manufacture some of the world’s most sophisticated products in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, consumer products, medical devices, shipbuilding, apparel and machinery. Siemens’ software and other technologies are used in nearly every manufacturing environment in the world to improve productivity and efficiency.
The Digital Lab will be housed in Chicago with a network of world-class technology companies as well as defense and commercial manufacturers, and research sites across the United States.
