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SME SME Blog Posts You’ll Wish You Were There: NAMRC 53 - Where Global Manufacturing Innovation Came Alive in Greenville

You’ll Wish You Were There: NAMRC 53 - Where Global Manufacturing Innovation Came Alive in Greenville

by SME Communications

Manufacturing is evolving faster than ever. This transformation is fueled by cutting-edge research, bold ideas, and the next generation of innovators. The recent 53rd North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC 53), held alongside MSEC 2025, hosted by Clemson University in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, brought together leaders from industry, academia, and government to explore the future of manufacturing and accelerate innovation across the sector.

NAMRC53 was a vibrant hub for collaboration and breakthrough thinking. More than 300 peer-reviewed presentations explored everything from AI-driven machining and additive manufacturing to digital twins and sustainable production. These weren’t just academic discussions, they were real solutions that are transforming the manufacturing landscape. The conference reflected SME’s commitment to advancing manufacturing by promoting research, developing a skilled workforce, and connecting industry and academia.

The impact of the conference was felt across every session and interaction. Highlights included:

  • Fresh perspectives from future leaders:
    Ninety-two students and early-career engineers, supported by the National Science Foundation, energized the conference with fresh perspectives and bold questions. These emerging talents presented their own research, connected with mentors, and are already shaping what’s next in manufacturing innovation.

  • Keynote spotlight on national strategy:
    Mike Molnar, FSME, 2014 SME Board President and founding director of the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, kicked off the event with a keynote on how the Manufacturing USA network is boosting America’s industrial edge through partnerships, technology, and workforce revitalization.

  • Industry panel on real-world impact:
    Jeffrey Abell, CMfgE, FSME, SME Board Vice President and a leader at General Motors, hosted a panel that featured industry leaders Megan Stanforth from BMW and David Crews from Bosch. They tackled challenges in digital integration, sustainability, and talent development, reminding everyone why research matters when it comes to real-world impact.

  • Blue Sky Competition ignites bold ideas:
    Finalists pitched visionary ideas aimed at reshaping the industry’s future. The winner, “Manufacturing Empathy: Sensorial AI for Rewriting Human-AI Collaboration” authored by, Christain Garcia-Ponce, Niloofar Rezaei, Marcus DiBattista, John Bradley Frericks, and Jamie Andres Camelio Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, took home the David Dornfeld Manufacturing Vision Award, recognizing originality and potential societal impact.

NAMRC 53 didn’t just reflect the state of manufacturing. It pointed to where the industry is headed.

As the research arm of SME and the organizer of NAMRC, the North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) focuses on advancing transformative technologies, building strategic partnerships, and preparing a diverse, future-ready workforce. These priorities came to life through the people who filled the campus — students, researchers, and industry leaders working together to push the field forward.

This alignment of ideas and action is what drives real progress. By connecting academia, industry, and government, NAMRI is not only identifying what’s next in manufacturing. It is helping to make it happen.

NAMRC 54 will be held June 22–26, 2026, at Penn State University. Start making plans now to be part of the next wave of manufacturing innovation. Learn more and stay connected.