On October 1 at Clover Park Technical College, experts in the defense marketplace joined with manufacturers in the south sound region for the South Sound Defense Manufacturing and Innovation Summit. Highlights of the event that was sponsored in part by Pierce County Economic Development included a kickoff speech by Jessica Pruss Aerix Advisors who focused on “The Convergence – The Biggest Defense & Manufacturing Surge in 75 Years and What it Means for South Sound.” Her talk reminded the business community and economic developers in the room about the previous convergence in our region in 1941 when American manufacturers responded to The Arsenal of Democracy by building 300,000 aircraft in 4 years. That surge is happening again, but this time with a requested $1.5 trillion Defense budget.
Pruss explained how DoW’s six Critical Technology Areas can all be mapped to the South Sound region: Applied AI & Autonomous Systems, Scaled Hypersonics, Contested Logistics Technology, Scaled Directed Energy, Quantum & Battlefield Information, and Bio Manufacturing. “It you make metal, composites, electronics, or software. “There is a line item in the $1.5T budget with your name on it. The question is how you get in the door.” Pruss explained. It was also noted that Canada’s Defense budget his a new record of 2% of GDP and the strong ties between Pacific NW businesses and Canada position local firms to support both governments. She explained how “compliance is not a burden, it’s a filter” and the firms that invest in cybersecurity compliance and other measures will be more likely to still be participating in the marketplace in 10 years.
Pruss addressed a major barrier to increased capacity to manufacturing – Workforce. She proposed further automating the shop floor to increase productivity through AI enabled visual inspections, automated workflow routing, predictive maintenance and more.
After Pruss spoke, the rest of the speakers of the event shared more of the “how” to win the contracts. Highlights included:
- Denise Ryser with PNDC who implored the audience to pay attention to the major investments happening in ship building in both Canada and the US. This theme will be further explored at PNDC’s Maritime Defense Conference on October 22 in Seattle.
- Dr. Aaron Darton, Chief Technology Officer of Naval Warfare Center Keyport who explored Innovative Work & Critical Technology Initiatives at the Navy.
- Innovation & Defense Opportunities Panel with HP, SAFE Boats International, and Aquagga facilitated by Todd Woods, PNDC.
- SSG Jason Rider, Concepts Capability Directorate, Stryker Portfolio Manager, 7th ID MDC-PAC. His goal is to turn soldier-identified problems into fielded capacity at the speed of relevance.
The concluding speaker was Tiffany Scroggs, program director of the Thurston Economic Development Council’s Washington APEX Accelerator who highlighted new programs within the DoW designed to enhance manufacturer’s ability to navigate the marketplace. These included the non-cost advising offered by APEX Accelerators, DoW’s Mentor Protégé Program, LYNX next-generation market research tool which links to the Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network, a new network of manufacturers who volunteer to rapidly convert commercial manufacturing capabilities or facilities to DoW-directed manufacturing or production upon activation.
After all the morning sessions, attendees were able to meet in small groups with Navy Talent Pipeline Program, representatives from US Navy, CMMC Experts, and several others. The event was capped off with the Association of Washington Business Manufacturing Week press conference on the State of Manufacturing and tours of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Clover Park Technical College.
The event was made possible through a partnership with Pierce County Economic Development Board, Thurston EDC’s Washington APEX Accelerator, Clover Park Technical College Foundation, Pierce County Economic Development, Pacific NW Defense Coalition, Navy Talent Pipeline Program, and Kitsap Economic Development Alliance.
