JOHNSTOWN, PA — The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) has been recognized by the Manufacturing Leadership Council as a finalist for the 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards in the category of Enterprise Integration and Technology for its project titled “Advanced Manufacturing Cell to Transform Missile Fin.”
Integrating advanced manufacturing technologies into casting facilities is essential to enhancing the missile industrial base and meeting U.S. Army demands. Currently, low-demand and manual manufacturing methods hinder progress and lead to inefficiencies.
NCDMM, in partnership with the Wisconsin Investcast Division of MetalTek International, demonstrated modernized and automated manufacturing operations by implementing an advanced manufacturing cell. These efforts improved key processes such as shell mold throughput and final inspection, resulting in enhanced quality, increased throughput, and reduced lead times.
“It is a great honor for NCDMM and our partner, MetalTek, to be recognized as a finalist by the Manufacturing Leadership Council,” said Litsa Rubino, NCDMM Program Manager. “This project is a comprehensive, multi-year, multi-phase initiative and has demonstrated a significant step toward enhancing domestic production capabilities while fortifying the supply chain for the Army and the broader defense industrial base.”
NCDMM will be recognized, along with other finalists, at the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, set for June 18, 2025, at the JW Marriott in Marco Island, FL. Winners in all project and individual categories will be announced then, along with the Manufacturers of the Year and Manufacturing Leader of the Year. Details about the awards are available HERE.
Over the years, NCDMM has been honored as an award finalist for several of our projects,” said Gary Fleegle, NCDMM President and CEO. “It’s a privilege to be recognized alongside such respected nominees from top organizations and innovators. This initiative highlights our dedication to providing advanced manufacturing solutions. On behalf of the NCDMM team, we sincerely appreciate this recognition.”