INM Industry Membership

Industry engagement is at the heart of INM’s programs and its potential for impact. INM’s industry members are leading global companies whose strategic priorities and operational needs in manufacturing resonate with INM’s mission. Industry members participate through a consortium structure and work closely with INM’s leadership to guide the consortium’s programming and benefits. Members participate in the following main activities:

A Comprehensive Program on AI and Automation for Manufacturing. INM is bringing together industry leaders, faculty, and students to invent, develop, and deploy next-generation automation and AI-driven manufacturing solutions, and to accelerate understanding and adoption of current and emerging capabilities. INM’s program includes seed research projects aligned with member interests, workshops and working groups, case studies, and dissemination of tools and techniques that companies can implement.

Education and Workforce Programs. INM is building a portfolio of education and workforce initiatives, including TechAMP, an MIT-developed community-college program bridging the gap between technicians and engineers, AI-driven coaching tools that capture and transfer shop-floor expertise, and certificate programs for engineers and executives. INM industry members provide input and have opportunities to offer these programs to employees.

MIT’s Research on New Manufacturing. Members engage in a major MIT-wide research program on New Manufacturing, exploring emerging manufacturing technologies, cross-cutting topics, and industry trajectories. Members share insights and challenges from their companies, receive quarterly project updates, and participate in biannual meetings with faculty and researchers. Members may also collaborate on studies of their production operations and supply chains.

Industry Council. Each industry member can nominate one representative who will help shape INM’s industry strategy and initiatives. The council meets quarterly.

A Tailored Engagement with MIT. The INM team works with each member to organize campus visits and facilitate meetings with faculty in areas of member interest; engage with students; attend INM events; and receive updates on research, programs, and opportunities.