LIFT Manufacturing Institute Expands Footprint – New Macomb Co. Site to Focus on Defense Work

Additional location to operate near U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center

DETROIT – LIFT, the Detroit-based, Department of Defense-supported national manufacturing innovation institute, today announced it is expanding its operations into an additional Michigan location, in Macomb County – the heart of the state’s defense corridor, to expand its Department of Defense-related technology work. The institute’s main headquarters and advanced national showcase and sandbox facilities are located in Corktown in Detroit.

The additional location at The Defense Corridor Center for Collaboration and Synergy (DC3S) facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan, will house LIFT’s Department of Defense technology and program management team. The expansion also moves LIFT team members and partners closer to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), located at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan.

In July 2020, LIFT announced it had signed an agreement with the Army to lead new technology programs to support the U.S. warfighter. The Other Transactional Agreement (OTA) between LIFT and DEVCOM GVSC allows LIFT to deliver new technologies to the Army over the next five years.

“Our team is expanding, and so is our work with the Department of Defense, specifically DEVCOM GVSC in Macomb County, and it is important for us to be in as close a proximity as possible to our customer as this work expands and develops,” said Nigel Francis, CEO and Executive Director, LIFT.

“Our area has a great tradition of innovative manufacturing and using those innovations to protect and support our troops serving overseas,” said Congressman Andy Levin. “I am glad to see LIFT expanding to the Ninth Congressional District to build on that work and to bring good jobs to Macomb County.,”

“Macomb County is the heart of the defense industry in Michigan, and we are proud to welcome this top manufacturing innovation institute to add to our already strong defense community,” said Mark A. Hackel, Macomb County Executive.

Along with the LIFT staff, the facility will house a high-bay area to highlight and showcase LIFT’s work in technology and talent development, specifically the work being done in support of the U.S. military.

LIFT also announced in March 2021 it has partnered with Macomb Community College to provide advanced manufacturing training opportunities through the institute’s “Operation Next” program, which provides credentialing opportunities in Michigan for civilians and the National Guard and Reserves, helping those service members begin their advanced manufacturing careers.

ABOUT LIFT

LIFT, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is the Detroit-based, public-private partnership between the Department of Defense, industry, and academia, committed to driving American Manufacturing into the Future through Technology and Talent Development. LIFT funded in part by the Department of Defense with management through the Office of Naval Research. Visit www.lift.technology or follow on LinkedIn at LIFT or on Twitter @NewsFromLIFT to learn more.