About Us

Driving American Manufacturing into the Future

LIFT, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII), is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense, industry and academia, part of the national network of manufacturing innovation institutes, driving the U.S. mobility sector toward the future manufacturing revolution to support our nation’s economy and enhance our national security.

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The Lift Advantage

Connecting Industry, Academia and Government

Technology Accelerator

LIFT is driving American manufacturing into the future. We help organizations move emerging materials and processing technologies from advanced concepts to commercialization so they can be adopted by industry and the warfighter faster.

Talent Developer

From developing new venues, new tools and new teaching techniques, LIFT’s competency-based, technology-infused talent development program is redefining manufacturing education.

Convener

With a national network of manufacturers and educators, together with leaders at the highest levels of the Department of Defense, government, and industry, LIFT convenes experts in smarter manufacturing.

Trusted Advisor

With manufacturing experts in-house and an ecosystem across industries, LIFT is the trusted advisor small and medium-sized manufacturers can count on to help them transition toward a smarter manufacturing future.

Technology Showcase

Bringing the “art of the possible” to reality, the LIFT Future Manufacturing Technology Showcase is where American manufacturers can see the benefits of connecting materials, processes, systems and talent - showcasing future manufacturing in action.

Connector

LIFT is a public-private-partnership between government, industry and academia, connecting needs, ideas and people. We connect organizations to move the needle and drive American manufacturing into the future.

World-Class Facilities

Connecting Materials, Processes, Systems and Talent

LIFT Headquarters

LIFT Headquarters is located in the Corktown area of Detroit in a 100,000 square foot facility on Rosa Parks Blvd.

LIFT Headquarters is located in the Corktown area of Detroit in a 100,000 square foot facility on Rosa Parks Blvd.

LIFT Sterling Heights

LIFT’s Sterling Heights facility is located in the heart of Michigan’s defense corridor and focused on supporting DoD needs.

LIFT’s Sterling Heights facility is located in the heart of Michigan’s defense corridor and focused on supporting DoD needs.

Learning Lab

The LIFT Learning Lab is a unique immersive learning facility for the next generation of advanced manufacturers.

The LIFT Learning Lab is a unique immersive learning facility for the next generation of advanced manufacturers.

High Bay

LIFT’s High Bay is a national showcase for smarter manufacturing.

LIFT’s High Bay is a national showcase for smarter manufacturing.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2014

President Obama announces the creation of LIFT in February 2014

2015

LIFT cuts the ribbon on LIFT’s Corktown facility in 2015

2016

Construction begins on the LIFT High Bay in Corktown in 2016

2017

LIFT cuts the ribbon on the High Bay in October 2017

2018

LIFT launches its IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing curriculum for high school students

2019

The LIFT Learning Lab opens in the Corktown facility in August 2019

2020

LIFT expands its support of the warfighter by signing a new contract with the U.S. Army

2021

LIFT expands, opening a new facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan, focusing on Defense work.

2022

LIFT announced its intentions to expand its technology and talent operations in Puerto Rico

The LIFT Team

The LIFT team is made up of experts in their fields, each with a passion for advancing American manufacturing.