What is SME? Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Our Vision Manufacturing is a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem Our Mission Accelerate widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and build North America’s talent and capabilities Our Purpose Advance manufacturing to drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security
What can SME do for you? SME develops the partnerships and solutions that work to ensure North American manufacturing competitiveness, security and superiority on the global stage through our events, media, membership, workforce development, and the SME Education Foundation. We build the bridge from today to the future by developing the next generation of manufacturing talent and capabilities. And we accelerate the widespread adoption of technologies that can propel manufacturing operations into excellence.
History of SME SME has supported manufacturing for 90 years, from our founding as the American Society of Tool Engineers to our evolution to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1969 to becoming SME in 2013. Working closely with manufacturing professionals, companies, educators, schools and communities, we share knowledge and resources that generate solutions to manufacturing industry challenges. SME was created as a membership organization, but has grown beyond that to serve the manufacturing industry even more broadly with events, workforce development and media products. American Society of Tool Engineers is Born First Western Metal and Tool Exposition Conference is Held SME Creates Education Foundation View Full History of SME
Representing all manufacturing disciplines SME leadership is elected by the voting membership of the association and includes a diverse lineup of industry and academic leaders representing all manufacturing disciplines. The officers and international directors of the SME Board of Directors act as the governing body of SME with budget authority and oversight responsibility. The SME Member Council, with the SME board, is responsible for strengthening local chapters around the world and formulating recommendations surrounding SME member recruitment, retention and engagement. Board Of Directors | Executive Team | Member Council
Impacting Manufacturing with Talent and Technologies To conclude our 90th Anniversary Celebration, SME has prepared this Annual Impact Report detailing the work and accomplishments of SME and the SME Education Foundation to advance the manufacturing ecosystem. As you peruse the report, you will notice a central theme of impact. SME and the Foundation have partnered to advance the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent through enhanced programming, expanded partnerships and new funding models. SME values and understands the compelling impact a highly skilled and diverse workforce has on local and national competitiveness, economic prosperity and national security. View Full Report
