LIFT, the Department of Defense-supported national advanced materials manufacturing innovation institute, has officially opened its state-of-the-art Advanced Metallic Production and Processing (AMPP) Center in Detroit’s historic Corktown district. This facility will play a critical role in strengthening the U.S. industrial base by accelerating the design, development, and deployment of novel metallic materials, filling a key gap in the nation’s defense manufacturing base.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on April 7, 2025, during LIFT's Accelerating Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Exchange (A2M2X) event in Detroit. The program featured technical presentations and industry panels on additive manufacturing, AI, software, workforce development, material properties and more from companies including Honeywell, NVIDIA, Siemens, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, EOS, Thermo-Calc and others.  Mary Ellen Doran, AGMA's vice president, emerging technologies, joined the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) on a panel discussing the role industry trade associations play in technology, security and economic growth.  Questions were raised on tariffs, retaining manufacturing talent and the need for collaboration between industry, academia and government.

By producing metals across all alloy classes and processing into high-quality metal powder, wire, and rod feedstocks, the new AMPP center will accelerate materials development including for rapid advancement of additive manufacturing, ensuring manufacturers can access the materials they need to develop next-generation defense and commercial technologies.

Nigel Francis, CEO and executive director of LIFT, emphasized the importance of AMPP in maintaining America’s competitive edge: “The pace of advanced manufacturing innovation is accelerating, and the development of novel materials is crucial to keeping the U.S. ahead of global competitors. With AMPP, we can now rapidly move new materials from concept to prototype, feasibility testing, and full-scale production—all within our borders. This capability is a game-changer for both our warfighters and manufacturers across industries.” The AMPP Center will serve as a hub for collaboration between LIFT’s nearly 400-member network and key industry stakeholders, including: – Original Equipment Manufacturers – Systems Manufacturers – Materials Producers & Developers – Application Developers & Part Manufacturers – Academia & Startups

Founded in 2014, LIFT serves as a technology accelerator, working at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing processes, system engineering and talent development. It is an important part of Detroit's recent manufacturing renaissance and the city's commitment to collaborating with key industrial companies involved in emerging technologies. “A decade ago, we welcomed LIFT to Detroit to research and develop the next generation of advanced materials for commercial and defense uses,” said Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit. “This expansion into the production and processing of these materials demonstrates the success of their work and is a great example of how Detroit is very much a national center for innovation.”