The Industrial Technology Institute located in Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of the largest research and development organizations dedicated exclusively to computer integrated manufacturing. The Institutes technical program emphasizes methodologies and generic approaches to manufacturing systems. ITI's mission is to serve the people, broaden the economic base, and enhance the competitive status of Michigan and the United States.
The Industrial Technology Institute was formed in 1982 as an independent not-for-profit corporation in Ann Arbor, and as a “center of excellence” initially supported by grants from the state of Michigan and private foundations. Economic, management and social issues of automated manufacturing are being studied under the same roof with the technological aspects. ITI is uniquely positioned to help orchestrate cooperative efforts among the major stakeholder groups in manufacturing productivity; industry, universities, government, and labor. The Institute has done contractual work for numerous companies and government agencies.
The goal of the Institute is to increase revenues of sponsored contractual projects and become self supporting by the end of the decade. There are presently 180 employees in manufacturing, engineering, computer hardware and software, communications, and social science. Personnel includes engineers (mechanical, electrical, computer and industrial), physical scientists, social scientists, economists, information specialists and other technically trained professionals.
The Institute is structured into three Research and Development Laboratories dedicated to the important aspects of industrial automation:
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Laboratory
Communications and Distributed Systems Laboratory
Center for Social and Economic Issues
Two additional laboratories involved in the operations of ITI are The Administrative Services Center and the Marketing and Technology Management Center, which both work closely with The R&D Laboratories.