South Bend, home to the University of Notre Dame, has a long history of manufacturing. In the past, the city in northern Indiana hummed with large factories belonging to companies such as Bendix Corp. (automotive and aircraft brakes), Oliver Chilled Plow Works (agricultural equipment) and Studebaker Corp. (cars, trucks and wagons).
Today, that heritage is alive and well among large manufacturers such as AM General (military vehicles), Forest River Inc. (recreational vehicles), Lippert (recreational vehicle components), Tenneco (automotive parts) and Thor Motor Coach Inc. (recreational vehicles). But, many smaller firms also thrive in the area.
To help manufacturers in the South Bend-Elkhart region adopt 21st century production tools and technologies, Notre Dame recently established iNDustry Labs. The collaborative initiative provides strategic insight, expertise and technical resources to regional businesses seeking to thrive in the digital age of manufacturing.
Read the full article in March 2021 Issue of Assembly Magazine.