The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, also referred to as NAMII, has been rebranded as America Makes. The decision was announced earlier this week during three days of meetings and related events in Youngstown, Ohio—the headquarters of the institute. The new name was a surprise to most of the institute members and affiliates. It came with some mixed reactions, although many of those that associate consultant Tim Caffrey and I spoke with warmed up to the new name.

“America Makes is a vehicle for the institute to raise its profile, reach a wider audience to include the hobbyist and the entrepreneur, and provide a richer member experience,” stated Ralph Resnick, founding director of the institute. “This is how we will become competitive. This is how we grow our nation’s economy and get ahead. This is how we lead. When America Makes, America Works,” Resnick said. The final comment resonated with the crowd.

Institute director Ed Morris and his team did an outstanding job with the three days. Most government employees were unable to attend due to the partial government shutdown, but many of them participated virtually. The headquarters facility continues to improve impressively from its humble beginnings and has developed into a beautiful showcase for the nation. My congratulations to Morris for his extraordinary accomplishments in the institute’s first year and for creating the organizational infrastructure needed to take the institute to the next level.

America Makes is made up of 65 supporting members, 26 full members, and five lead members—the top membership level. Wohlers Associates became the fourth lead member last month, followed by Boeing this week.

America Makes is the nation’s leading collaboration in additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology research, discovery, creation, and innovation. The institute is structured as a public-private partnership with member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies, and workforce and economic development resources.