Fastech was proud to be invited to join President Biden in Hamilton, Ohio along with our key customer, Siemens Energy, for the launch of the AM Forward initiative. The programme is a partnership of several large US equipment manufacturers with America’s small and medium-sized organisations and designed to help speed up of the adoption of additive manufacturing. The AM Forward Initiative should also improve the competitiveness of small-and-medium-sized manufacturers, to create, and sustain high-paying manufacturing jobs, and to improve supply chain resilience through greater adoption of additive manufacturing across the United States.
During President Biden’s visit the importance additive manufacturing, often known as 3D metal printing, was highlighted: some vital, complex parts used in many sectors, simply could not be produced using conventional methods. Additive manufacturing facilities in the US also have the advantages of ensuring supply chain security, speed and reduced costs.
“We discussed with the President the importance of the availability highly trained additive manufacturing specialists in today’s current tight labor market – and which is one of our critical challenges at FasTech,” explained Alan Pearce, CEO of FasTech. “We work closely with Institute of Advanced Learning and Research in Danville as well as the local community college, the Danville Community College, which is outstanding in training machining and additive technology specialists. In particular, their third year Integrated Machining Technology Programme is used as our benchmark qualification: a standard all our engineers must achieve to ensure a good mix of skills – part manufacturing technician, part engineer.”
The AM Forward initiative is important to businesses such as FasTech in providing a more stable order book from large US equipment manufacturers, training the future workforce with the required skills and providing high quality, well paid jobs for the next generation.
