Growing a Competitive Defense Manufacturing Force

The AIM Higher Consortium is a wide-ranging program funded by the Department of Defense with the goal of strengthening the defense supply chain in the Greater Pittsburgh region of Southwest Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

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The AIM Higher Consortium has Resources to Assist Manufacturers

AIM Higher is led by Catalyst Connection with over 30 academic, economic development, technology institute, and manufacturing partners from around the region. The Program is funded by the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (DoD-OLDCC). The AIM Higher Consortium will directly support DoD-OLDCC’s mission to enhance the readiness, resiliency, and innovation of the national defense manufacturing supply chain. This program supports that effort by providing comprehensive technical assistance to small- and medium-sized defense manufacturing entities in key technology areas. The objective is support to small and medium-sized manufacturers in the defense industry seeking to expand business and operational capabilities to strengthen the supply chain and create and retain jobs in defense manufacturing sectors.

CONNECTIONS

Access to consortium members and partners who can assist manufacturing companies with advanced technology.

RESOURCES

Defense industry supply chain, cybersecurity, technology adaptation and various improvement resources.

GRANTS & TRAINING

Assistance & grant opportunities to offset project costs that will make a company more successful in the defense supply chain.

NEWS & EVENTS

The latest developments and national events related to defense supply chains and advanced technology.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Greener Factories Forum

November 14, 2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

FANUC: Aligning Skills Between Industry & Education

May 2, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 3:00 am

Rapid Tooling with Additive Manufacturing Training

April 13, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

View All of the Latest Resources.

AIM Higher Consortium provides industry information and resources to implement business improvements. By compiling resources from all thirteen AIM Higher partners, including several leading universities and research institutes, we place a wealth of information at your fingertips.

ALL Resources

News & Updates

Case Study – ESTAT Actuation, Inc.

Stuart Diller launched ESTAT Actuation, Inc. and first engaged with Innovation Works (IW) in 2018. Since then, IW’s AlphaLab Gear helped him develop his prototype of a rotational electrostatic clutch, and the Scalable Innovation Grant helped him build relationships with manufacturers.

Case Study – Valence Surface Technologies, LLC

Valence Surface Technologies, LLC, located in Indiana County, is an industrial coating services company specializing in metal pretreatment, passivation, anodizing, powder coating, and painting. Additionally, they offer specialized services in painting, plating, finishing, assembly, and special packaging.

Showcase for Commerce | Denmark drone, robotics company opening Johnstown site; JWF, CTC announce contracts

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A company from Denmark will open a robotics assembly facility in the Johnstown area, it announced during a press conference on Friday that concluded the annual Showcase for Commerce defense industry expo in downtown Johnstown.

Liberty Hill to manufacture weapons system components for Northrop Grumman

Defense and aerospace industry leader Northrop Grumman is creating opportunities for small manufacturers, including veteran-owned and disadvantaged businesses in West Virginia and surrounding areas.

KEYSTONE SPACE COLLABORATIVE, AIR FORCE AND ASTROBOTIC ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP, PLANS FOR SPACE INNOVATION CENTER IN PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH (December 5, 2022)— National and regional space industry stakeholders gathered on Friday for the launch of the Keystone Space Innovation Center and AFWERX Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s Neighborhood 91 will be home to futuristic manufacturing

Pittsburghers are known for being neighborly, but one recent neighborhood event attended by University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher was a little different than most.

Building a local ecosystem for defense manufacturing

When a small inexpensive 3D printer aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean was used to make a replacement bumper for an F-35B fighter jet’s landing gear door in 2018, it saved the Marine Corps from having to order an entire new $60,000 door.

ARM Institute Names Two Fellows in Support AIM Higher Consortium

The ARM Institute is proud to announce the selection of two new ARM Institute Fellows: Jim Clark from ARIS Technology and Christopher Ravasio from ARIN Technologies.

‘Historical’ day at Showcase: JWF claims region’s first vehicle assembly line; Pa., Denmark announce energy pact

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – JWF Industries has begun building complete Army ground mobility vehicles at its facility on Iron Street in Johnstown, company leaders said Friday.

STAY CONNECTED

If you’re a small or medium-sized manufacturer in the defense industry seeking to expand business and operational capabilities to strengthen the supply chain and create and maintain jobs, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the form and we’ll be in touch soon.