ASTRO America Launches Manufacturing Modernization Workshops Across Virginia to Strengthen Defense Supply Chain

ASTRO America is leading a strategic initiative to modernize Virginia's manufacturing sector through a series of metal additive manufacturing workshops designed to support the defense industrial base. The Reconfigure Virginia's Manufacturers for Modernization Program (Re-VAMMP) will provide independent machine shops with critical skills and knowledge to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. This program represents a significant investment in the technological capabilities of local manufacturers, particularly those serving defense contracts, ensuring they remain competitive and responsive to evolving industry demands.

The workshops, scheduled across four Virginia locations, will focus on metal additive manufacturing fundamentals and its pivotal role in contemporary manufacturing processes. Participants will learn how adopting these technologies can lower production costs, improve reliability, and expand their operational capabilities. Neal Orringer, President of ASTRO America, emphasized the workshops' significance, noting that independent manufacturers are crucial to the defense manufacturing supply chain. The program aims to help these shops innovate and enhance their technological capabilities to meet evolving defense industry requirements.

Guest speakers Griffin Keller and Kevin Nims from AUSTAL USA and the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence will provide insights into assistance programs that can help manufacturers qualify for U.S. Navy supply chain opportunities. This connection to specific defense procurement pathways is crucial for Virginia manufacturers seeking to secure contracts and contribute to national security manufacturing. The workshop series will be held in multiple Virginia locations: Norfolk on January 28, Richmond on January 30, Weyers Cave on February 18, and Roanoke on February 20. Each session will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering comprehensive training for local manufacturers.

This collaborative effort between ASTRO America, GENEDGE, the Department of Defense, and Virginia Tech represents a strategic approach to strengthening Virginia's manufacturing ecosystem and maintaining the state's competitive edge in advanced manufacturing technologies. The initiative addresses a critical need for workforce development in emerging manufacturing technologies, ensuring that Virginia's industrial base can support both current and future defense manufacturing requirements. By focusing on metal additive manufacturing, the program targets a technology with growing importance in aerospace, defense, and other high-value manufacturing sectors where Virginia has significant presence.

The implications of this initiative extend beyond individual manufacturers to the broader regional economy. As detailed on the ASTRO America website, the organization focuses on advancing manufacturing innovation through public-private partnerships. Strengthening the capabilities of independent machine shops helps diversify and secure the defense supply chain while creating higher-skilled manufacturing jobs in Virginia communities. This modernization effort is particularly important as global manufacturing competition intensifies and defense requirements become more technologically sophisticated. The workshops provide practical, hands-on training that can translate directly to improved manufacturing processes and business opportunities for participating companies.