DLA makes Texas-sized impact at Defense Manufacturing Conference

Nearly 2,000 government, industry and academic partners from across the defense industrial base converged under the theme, "Accelerating America's Manufacturing Advantage to Win the Great Power Competition," during the Defense Manufacturing Conference here Dec. 2-5.

This year's DMC was the first time Defense Logistics Agency Research and Development Director David Koch served in his dual role as the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel's chair. In this capacity, he gave remarks highlighting the fiscal 2024 achievements and way forward for both organizations while encouraging the defense manufacturing community to harness innovative solutions that benefit our nation's warfighters.

DLA R&D Small Business Innovation Program Manager Vaibhav Jain led a panel with Defense Department and industry experts that explored threats to the strategic materials supply chain. The panel addressed the importance of reducing foreign dependency and discussed solutions such as recycling and increasing domestic production. The industry panelists remarked on the value of DLA's contracting speed, which they said exceeds most other agencies and some private sector companies.

DLA R&D program managers led other technical sessions on topics ranging from additive manufacturing to technical data rights and spoke with engineers, scientists and industry partners who visited DLA's exhibit booth.

Additionally, the JDMTP awarded Gloria Edwards, program manager for DLA R&D's Subsistence Network, a Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award for the Joint Food Management System project. Her effort culminated years of research and represented a step forward in transparency with the military services across the subsistence supply chain.

A special highlight from the week was Koch's announcement of next year's DLA-hosted DMC that will be held at the Georgia World Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia, from Nov. 17-20.

"DMC 2024 was an impressive event with remarkable participation from key leaders who are making a difference in defense manufacturing research," DLA R&D Deputy Director Martina Johnson said. "Looking ahead, DLA is set to add a northern touch to southern hospitality in 2025."

For additional details, visit www.dmcmeeting.com.