Cassondra Blasioli, second from right, visits a manufacturing facility.
Credit: NIST

By: Cassondra Blasioli

Growing up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, I witnessed firsthand the heartbeat of American manufacturing. I remember the hum of machines, the rhythm of assembly lines and the pride of workers crafting products that powered industries across the nation. I can still smell the oil and hear the machines in the wire-cutting electrical discharge machining (EDM) shop that my grandfather owned and operated.

From being a major center for the woolen industry in the 19th century to General Electric being the primary employer in the 20th century, Pittsfield was a town where manufacturing wasn’t just an economic activity — it was a way of life.

While manufacturing is no longer at the center of Pittsfield life, it’s still a critical industry. Today, I’m proud to work at NIST supporting a program that expands American manufacturing, known as Manufacturing USA. Our goal is to help towns like Pittsfield excel in modern manufacturing.

Manufacturing USA is a network of 18 public-private partnerships, each focusing on a specific technology area. For more than 10 years, we’ve promoted the sharing of facilities, equipment and knowledge to drive overall U.S. manufacturing success.

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