Stratasys and Automation Intelligence Launch North American Tooling Center to Advance Additive Manufacturing in Michigan!

Stratasys Ltd. has officially inaugurated its new North American Stratasys Tooling Center (NASTC) of Excellence in Flint, Michigan, marking a major milestone in the advancement of additive manufacturing for the automotive and tooling industries. The new center, established in collaboration with Automation Intelligence LLC, aims to accelerate the adoption of 3D printing technologies among Tier 1 suppliers, OEMs, and small to medium manufacturers while enhancing workforce training and development.

Located within Automation Intelligence’s facility, the NASTC currently houses two state-of-the-art Stratasys 3D printers. These machines will serve as a testing and training hub for companies looking to explore the potential of additive manufacturing in tooling applications. The center is designed to act as a proving ground where manufacturers can gain hands-on experience, experiment with new designs, and shorten the development cycle for production tools.

At the official opening on September 23, 2025, Fadi Abro, Stratasys’ Senior Global Director of Automotive and Mobility, highlighted the center’s strategic importance in supporting the evolving manufacturing landscape. “This center will leverage innovative additive manufacturing, allowing Tier 1 suppliers, OEMs, and small to medium manufacturers to learn and experiment with the technology to reduce time and development costs while improving quality,” Abro stated. He emphasized that the facility will help companies transition from traditional manufacturing methods to advanced, digitally driven processes that are faster, more flexible, and cost-efficient.

Jeff McGarry, Managing Partner at Automation Intelligence, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership and the potential it brings to the regional manufacturing ecosystem. “We’re very excited to work with Stratasys,” he said. “We’ll combine their expertise in the 3D-printing and additive manufacturing space with our experience in manufacturing and tooling. Having these great machines at our fingertips allows us to develop and innovate very quickly and give our customers quick responses on tool design.”

The collaboration between Stratasys and Automation Intelligence is expected to play a vital role in strengthening Michigan’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and automotive innovation. By providing local companies with access to leading-edge 3D printing technology, the NASTC will empower engineers, designers, and manufacturers to experiment with lightweight materials, optimize designs, and reduce tooling lead times — all critical factors in today’s competitive manufacturing environment.

In addition to supporting industrial development, the center will focus on workforce education. Training programs and workshops will be offered to help engineers and technicians acquire the necessary skills to operate additive manufacturing systems effectively. This initiative aligns with Michigan’s broader goal of building a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting next-generation manufacturing technologies.

With the establishment of the North American Stratasys Tooling Center, Stratasys and Automation Intelligence are paving the way for a new era of agile, sustainable, and innovation-driven manufacturing. The center represents a powerful step toward integrating additive manufacturing into mainstream production and underscores Flint’s resurgence as a hub of industrial progress and technological excellence.