MxD Case Study

President Obama initiated a public Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Digital Manufacturing Innovation Lab, inviting leading cities, universities, and corporations to participate. Working closely with the City of Chicago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, our team crafted a winning proposal on behalf of a consortium led by the University of Illinois.

Step 1: Corporate Recruitment Strategy The first step focused on developing a robust corporate recruitment strategy to attract Fortune 100 manufacturers to join our consortium. This strategic partnership was crucial for enhancing the credibility and capabilities of our proposal.

Step 2: Business Case Development A tailored business case template was created to secure investment from interested Fortune 100 corporations. This template was designed for executive review, emphasizing the strategic benefits and potential returns on investment associated with the Digital Manufacturing Innovation Lab.

Step 3: Compelling RFP Proposal The final step involved crafting a compelling RFP proposal that integrated all key elements of our innovation strategy. This included showcasing corporate engagement and investment commitments, collaboration with leading universities, and leveraging local government research institutions.

JBH Communication recruited Fortune 100 Companies GE, Rolls-Royce, P&G, Dow, Caterpillar, Deere, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin to the consortium proposal team, raising $80m in corporate contributions.  This aided our Chicago-based team to successfully outpace formidable competitors MIT/Draper Lab, Georgia Tech/Huntsville Department of Defense, and USC/Jet Propulsion Lab, securing a winning bid for our proposal.

The Digital Manufacturing Innovation Lab, now known as MxD, has been at the forefront of driving innovation in the manufacturing and defense sectors for over a decade. This initiative has not only fostered technological advancements but also strengthened partnerships between industry, academia, and government, positioning Chicago as a hub for digital manufacturing innovation.

The success of our consortium’s bid for the Digital Manufacturing Innovation Lab underscores the power of strategic collaboration and innovative thinking in securing high-profile initiatives. MxD continues to play a pivotal role in advancing digital manufacturing technologies and remains a testament to effective public-private partnerships in driving economic growth and technological innovation.