November 10, 2025 by Dale Lombardo, Special Processes Leader, Manufacturing Chiefs Office, GE Aerospace As we look ahead to NAMRC 54, I want to take a moment to recognize the outstanding success of NAMRC 53, hosted by Clemson University. Under the leadership of Dr. Laine Mears and his team, the 2025 conference brought together remarkable research, collaboration, and innovation across the manufacturing community. I am honored to serve as the NAMRI|SME Board President for 2025–2026 and to continue building on this momentum. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Dr. Ihab Ragai, our 2024–2025 President, for his leadership in strengthening the NAMRI|SME Board Mission and Strategic Priorities. I also want to express my appreciation to Drs. Livan Fratini and Patrick Kwon for their dedicated service as they completed their Board terms, and to welcome our newest members, Dr. Barbara Linke and Dr. Radu Pavel. As we move forward, it is important to reflect on why our work matters. Why Manufacturing Matters Manufacturing and manufacturing technologies are the foundation of a strong global economy and a vital United States. Addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges requires organizations like SME to combine their capabilities to create an impact greater than the sum of their parts. Imagine the possibilities when we connect SME’s strengths in research journals, conferences, tradeshows, media and publications, training, workforce development, and education. For example, we can foster meaningful crossover between researchers and tradeshows or amplify the voices of industry professionals to inform both government agencies and researchers. These are just a few of the ideas the NAMRI|SME Board is pursuing under our new Strategic Priorities: Relationships: Building strategic partnerships and collaborations to advance manufacturing research and application. Leadership: Leading the charge in manufacturing research and development, identifying current gaps, and addressing future needs. Workforce Development: Catalyzing professional growth and building a pipeline of research talent aligned with industry needs. At the same time, we remain committed to providing a premier venue for manufacturing research and publication through the NAMRI Scientific Committee, which oversees Manufacturing Letters, the Journal of Manufacturing Processes, and the Journal of Manufacturing Systems. What’s Next? To advance these priorities, the NAMRI|SME Board is partnering with SME to launch a series of webinars highlighting top NAMRI papers and presentations. These sessions will strengthen collaboration across the manufacturing community and connect research with real-world applications. Get Involved The NAMRI|SME Board invites all members of the manufacturing research community—whether you are a researcher, academic, or industry professional—to help advance our shared goals. There are many ways to contribute: Volunteer for Webinars: Help identify topics, plan content, and support upcoming sessions featuring top NAMRI papers and presentations. Bridge Research and Industry: Share ideas for connecting academic research with real-world industrial challenges and opportunities. Support Paper Reviews: Join the NAMRI|SME Scientific Committee to review and select papers for NAMRC publication. Your participation plays a vital role in shaping the future of manufacturing research and technology leadership. Are you interested in getting involved? Complete the Volunteer Survey Form to join us in strengthening connections across the manufacturing community.
