Los Angeles-Based Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute Launched

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC) announced the launch of the Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII) and selection of Ray Collett as Chief Executive Officer effective January 3, 2017. CESMII joined Manufacturing USA, a national network of manufacturing hubs. A public-private partnership, CESMII is headquartered in Los Angeles through support from the City of LA and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). CESMII launched in partnership with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and renewable Energy (EERE).  

"With CESMII officially launched, we're pleased to announce Ray Collett as CEO of the Institute to lead the team in successfully executing the Institute's vision," statedDenise Swink, SMLC's CEO, "SMLC leadership and DOE sought a candidate who builds on SMLC's leading position in Smart Manufacturing to transform US manufacturing, energy productivity, sustainability, innovation and competitiveness."

This Institute will accelerate Smart Manufacturing adoption through integration of advanced technologies and intelligence, radically improving precision, performance, quality, sustainability and energy efficiency. New and better manufacturing jobs for the existing and future workforce is a hallmark of Smart Manufacturing permeating US manufacturing. CESMII provides infrastructure and services to every type and scale of manufacturer, provider or user of Smart Manufacturing assets, no matter technical acumen, size, or financial status.

Michelle Pastel, Technology & Engineering Development Manager at Corning stated, "I'm proud to be part of the CESMII initiative, in which the entire manufacturing industry is empowered by the strength of a national industry-driven collaboration. The power is in the 'we' of CESMII and the collaborative environment that the Smart Manufacturing Platform and Marketplace infrastructure will provide for legacy and future manufacturing systems. CESMII enables the critical mass to widely adopt Smart Manufacturing and build the workforce skills needed to propel this capability forward."

By combining manufacturing, digital, and energy efficiency expertise, technologies developed by the institute will give American manufacturers unprecedented, real-time control of energy use across factories and companies, increasing productivity and saving on energy costs.

"CESMII needs a leader who will drive results and challenge traditional approaches," saidJim Wetzel, SMLC's Chairman and Global Reliability Director of General Mills, "The team is confident that Collett's multi-faceted background, extensive industry and start-up experience, and demonstrated leadership well-positions CESMII to become a thriving, sustainable entity that attracts and retains manufacturing stakeholder involvement through delivering value-add."

Collett has held positions at large US corporations such as Parker Hannifin, Nalco Chemical, and PTC, supporting customers' growth and success, along with a number of start-up organizations. He most recently served as the Vice President of Innovation & Technology for Parker Hannifin, a global diversified motion control manufacturer.

"It's a privilege to join this Institute at a time when, together, we can bring forth such a meaningful transformation and promise for the manufacturing industry," saidRay Collett, CESMII's CEO. "CESMII enables the manufacturing industry access to affordable Smart Manufacturing technologies. These technologies will unleash new opportunities and solutions through insight into the manufacturing and supply chain processes in ways not possible today."

CESMII includes a national network of Regional Smart Manufacturing Centers across the United States. Advancements in the Institute's technology focus areas of sensors, controls, platforms and modeling will be interlinked by an open Platform and Marketplace for Smart Manufacturing. The regions will leverage these technologies and their service capabilities to form the virtual network of linked resources targeted towards each region's clean energy, industrial and workforce objectives. Diverse projects will accelerate RD&D and rapid and less costly adoption of shared solutions. New contributors to revolutionary solutions are encouraged, and have an enabling pathway to co-develop among themselves and with existing technology and service providers. Academia, community colleges and other organizations will have new avenues to develop and certify the best skilled Smart Manufacturing workforce in the world. Partners have engaged with CESMII to tap into these resources and opportunities for wide impact.  

The Institute will hold a Kick-off meeting on February 22-23, 2017 at UCLA, convening industry, academia, labs, associations and government partners to share and collaborate on an industry-driven value and vision.

Collett encourages all manufacturing stakeholders to get involved, "The strength of this collaboration will drive the success of this Institute. The CESMII Kick-off event in February represents this united effort, convening the diversity of manufacturing concentrations, capabilities, resources and opportunities to tackle objectives on a local, regional and national scale. I am excited to work alongside a team dedicated to the vision and future of energy sustainability, innovation and US competitiveness through making Smart Manufacturing a common core strategy and operational element for all."

To learn about CESMII, visit https://www.cesmii.org. 

For media interviews, contact: Aaron Taber (aaron.taber@cesmii.org).

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SOURCE Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute