The Future of Manufacturing in America - Area Development

The Future of Manufacturing in America

What many call the fourth industrial revolution or industry 4.0 is upon us. Disruptive technologies are changing the way modern manufacturers improve their processes, interact with their customers, and develop their workforce. Executives from major manufacturers offer their perspectives on how these trends will impact the future of manufacturing in Virginia and beyond.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (Q4 2019)

Editor's Note: The following collection was provided by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. It provides a perspective on changes that are disrupting the manufacturing industry. These articles originally appeared in the Virginia Economic Review’s second quarter 2019 publication.

Huntington Ingalls Industries: Investing in Human Capital

Mike Petters, President and CEO, Huntington Ingalls Industries

For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HII’s Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Mission Driven Innovative Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, HII employs more than 41,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. The company reported sales of $8.17 billion in 2018 and is ranked No. 371 on the 2019 Fortune 500 list.

Framatome: Taking an International View

Gary Mignogna, President and CEO, Framatome Inc.

Lynchburg is Framatome’s North American headquarters and home to Framatome’s Operational Center of Excellence for Nuclear Products & Services in North America. The fuel, installed base, I&C, and engineering and technology business units, as well as most corporate functions, operate out of three Lynchburg-based sites.

Dupont: The Decentralization of Manufacturing

Daryl Roberts, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations & Engineering Officer, DuPont

DuPont has operated its Spruance plant in Chesterfield County since 1929. For over six decades, Spruance has been a key site in the development of new fibers and resins, continuing to adapt to DuPont’s changing needs. Materials produced at the site include DuPont™ Tyvek®, Nomex®, Kevlar®, and Zytel®

Micron: Trends in “Smart Manufacturing”

Manish Bhatia, Executive Vice President of Global Operations, Micron Technology

Micron produces memory and storage solutions used in automotive, industrial, and networking markets. Recently, the company announced a $3-billion investment in Manassas that will add 1,100 new jobs by 2030.

Aurora Flight Sciences: Effects of Urban Mobility

John S. Langford, III, President and CEO, Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation

With headquarters in Manassas, Aurora Flight Sciences is a leader in the development and manufacturing of advanced unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles. During the last decade, Aurora has collaborated with Boeing on the rapid prototyping of innovative aircraft and structural assemblies for military and commercial applications.

WestRock: Late-Stage and Mass Customization

Peter Durette, Executive Vice President of Container and Chief Strategy Officer, WestRock Company

WestRock is one of the world’s largest paper and packaging companies, with multiple locations in Virginia, including corporate offices in Richmond and manufacturing facilities in West Point and Covington. In September, the company announced a nearly $250-million investment in its manufacturing operations in the City of Covington and Alleghany County. These investments will be used to purchase new equipment to improve productivity at the paper mill and extruding facility, as well as to increase employee training.

Nestlé: A Flexible Manufacturing Landscape

Bill Cooper, Chief Technical Officer, Nestlé USA

Nestlé USA is a subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., a leading global nutrition, health and wellness company. Nestlé USA operates 79 manufacturing facilities and employs 48,000 people in the U.S. Nestlé USA operates two Virginia manufacturing facilities in Danville and King William, and moved its headquarters to Arlington in 2017.

Northrop Grumman: Faster Market Cycle Times

Blake Larson, Corporate Vice President and President, Northrop Grumman’s Innovation Systems

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, formerly known as Orbital ATK, headquartered in Dulles, builds and delivers space, defense, and aviationrelated systems including the Antares launch system, which handles resupply services for the International Space Station launched from Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems employs approximately 15,000 people in facilities in 18 states and several overseas locations.

Liebherr: Arming the Workforce With New Skills

Cort Reiser, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing & Warehouse Logistics, Liebherr Mining Equipment Company

Liebherr manufactures large trucks for the mining industry, including the world’s largest diesel-electric mining truck. These gigantic machines are partly assembled, tested, and certified at the plant in Newport News with complete assembly carried out at the mine. One hundred percent of the vehicles produced in Newport News are exported. Liebherr USA, Co. headquarters and three of its eight divisions are also based in Newport News.

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