Dr. Dean Bartles, a visionary in manufacturing, propels businesses to a sustainable and connected future. Explore his transformative journey from engineer to entrepreneur, shaping the sector’s future.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of manufacturing and technology, one name stands out as a true innovator and leader – Dr. Dean Bartles. In a remarkable career spanning four decades, Dr. Bartles has left an indelible mark on modern manufacturing through his groundbreaking contributions and visionary leadership.
Now, his work at the helm of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc, has led to two accolades in the Business Worldwide Global Corporate Excellence Awards. Dr Bartles has been recognised for ‘Visionary Leadership in Manufacturing Technology‘ & ‘Outstanding CEO in Advanced Manufacturing‘ in the 2023 Awards, which celebrate excellence in business around the world.
An entrepreneur at heart, Dr. Bartles focuses on bringing innovative manufacturing technology to small and medium-sized companies, and more widely, the world.
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of economic development, playing a pivotal role in job creation, technological innovation, global trade, and overall economic prosperity. In 2022, the manufacturing sector contributed 2.55 trillion U.S. dollars to the GDP (gross domestic product) of the United States. But like all industries, manufacturing companies are under increasing pressure to innovate and work more sustainably. As we move towards a more connected future it’s clear that many businesses — particularly small and medium sized ones — lack the resources to drive their innovation and sustainability goals. Dr. Bartles has dedicated his career to helping them embrace new technologies as efficiently and affordably as possible.
His CV reads like a “who’s who” of academia and innovation, featuring some of the most respected and well-known institutions in the USA and beyond. Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with an MBA in 1981, he continued to pursue academic excellence with a Master’s degree in 1991 and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2000. He further honed his skills with an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from MIT Sloan School of Management, followed by a second Ph.D. in Technology Management from Indiana State University in 2013.
But his journey to industrial excellence started even earlier. Beginning his career as an industrial engineer in 1978 at Fairchild Republic Company — a leading force in military aircraft manufacturing — Dr. Bartles has always had a keen eye for detail, combined with strong technical skills and the ability to find smarter, more efficient ways of working. He spent thirty years working for General Dynamics setting up and running manufacturing operations around the world, making a contribution so significant that he increased sales from $135 million to over $600 million between 2001 and 2014. Next came a tenure at UI Labs, marking a pivotal point in his career and setting the stage for his role as a leader, founding and spearheading various organisations:
Advanced Manufacturing International
AMI is committed to accelerating the digital transformation of small and medium sized manufacturing businesses. The winner of NAM Manufacturing Council’s 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Award, the non-profit connects the manufacturing technology community with the workforce development community, for a more effective supply chain and a highly skilled workforce. This targeted focus on SMMs, combined with the skills and experience of Dr.Bartles and his team, has proven to be a powerful force in driving the US economy forward and ensuring a level playing field for all.
National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining
Focused on the defense manufacturing industry, NCDMM has delivered collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance the American workforce and economic competitiveness for over a decade. Led by Dr.Bartles, the NCDMM team is committed to revitalizing the nation’s manufacturing industry; empowering defense manufacturing organizations to cut costs, increase productivity, improve quality, decrease lead times, and reduce waste.
V4 Institute
Managed by the NCDMM, the V4 Institute is an industry-led consortium bringing together key players from industry, academia and government. Its aim is to deliver value-driven computation modeling and simulation solutions for research and development of products and processes. The Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing cross industry/industries innovation to support the Manufacturing USA Network (including digital thread) and increase the development and employment of a highly skilled STEM Workforce.
Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Research Innovation Institute
Dr.Bartles established the Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Research Innovation Institute (AMARII) to advance manufacturing technologies in northeast Ohio. Its mission is to drive innovation and facilitate the sharing of ideas to boost the State’s economy, make technological companies more competitive and encourage job retention and growth. The organization supports a range of technologies, including advanced manufacturing (including additive manufacturing), metrology, automation, artificial intelligence/augmented reality, Industry 4.0, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and digital thread.
Entrepreneur, thought leader and trusted mentor
Dr. Bartles’ skills in advanced manufacturing technology areas include Digital Manufacturing, Model-Based Enterprise, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, advanced robotics, and brilliant factory concepts. Speaker at Universities, Manufacturing Seminars and Leadership Summits. Published in many Tier 1 and 2 journals, regularly speaks on podcasts, such as “Uncaged”, hosted by Bant Breen.
Dr. Dean Bartles stands as a visionary leader whose extensive career, innovative contributions, and commitment to advancing manufacturing technologies have shaped the industry. His entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative initiatives, and thought leadership continue to drive the manufacturing industry towards a future defined by technological excellence and sustainable practices.To find out more about his work and insights, visit https://deanbartles.com/
