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Presenter: Eric Versluys | The Barnes Global Advisors
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Speaker Biography
Eric Versluys is a seasoned program manager with a diverse background spanning aerospace, automation, and manufacturing and currently leads technology and manufacturing ecosystem programs at TBGA. Beginning his career in custom robotic systems for nuclear decommissioning, Eric progressed to Lockheed Martin, contributing to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's low-rate production. Later, he led R&D programs at Lockheed Martin's Skunkworks, including the construction of the X-72 Darkstar for Top Gun Maverick.
At Lockheed Martin, Eric served as the ADP Platform Integration Lead and was recognized as an Associate Technical Fellow in AM of RF structures. Notably, he pioneered additive manufacturing for antenna systems at the Skunkworks, achieving successful flight tests and integration on manned and unmanned programs.
Subsequently, Eric directed defense programs at 3DFortify, enhancing composite additive manufacturing for RF/antenna markets. Under his leadership, the defense sales pipeline exceeded $10m, and he spearheaded an SBIR project achieving significant efficiency and cost savings with a novel antenna architecture.
Eric holds a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University and resides in Southern California with his wife and seven children.
Co-authors/Co-presenters
Neighborhood 91: How the First Additive Manufacturing Production Campus Shortened Supply Chains
Description
The promise of additive manufacturing (AM) to revolutionize supply chain resilience through on-demand part production has captured significant attention across industries. However, the common perception of AM as a simple "press print" solution overlooks the complex supply chain requirements inherent to metal additive manufacturing processes. These processes depend on specialized powder materials, post-processing equipment, testing facilities, and skilled labor – all of which can face their own supply chain disruptions and inefficiencies.
Neighborhood 91, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, presents an innovative solution to these challenges through its regional ecosystem approach specifically designed for additive manufacturing. By co-locating key elements of the metal AM supply chain within a single campus strategically positioned at the intersection of major highway, air, and rail transportation networks, this initiative demonstrates how geographic clustering can significantly reduce transportation costs, lead times, and supply chain complexity. The ecosystem model enables agile response to market demands while maintaining the benefits of specialized expertise and shared infrastructure.
The success of Neighborhood 91 serves as a prototype for a broader Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystem (RME) model currently being expanded across the United States and internationally. This expansion represents a paradigm shift in how manufacturing networks can be organized to maximize efficiency while building in redundancy and flexibility. By examining the concept, implementation, and measurable successes of Neighborhood 91, we gain valuable insights into how similar regional manufacturing ecosystems can be developed to strengthen global supply chain resilience while maintaining the agility needed in modern manufacturing environments. The RME model suggests a future where manufacturing capability is both distributed for resilience and concentrated for efficiency.
Date and Time
Friday, November 8, 2024
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Location
Huntington Room
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