FAQs
Has Our Name Always Been The Manufacturing Collaborative?
No. We changed our name to The Manufacturing Collaborative in 2024.
In 2019, we started as the Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative with an intention to work mostly with Vermont companies. As our work has grown, our network of collaborators has expanded across the U.S. and to a broad range of industries. We changed our name to reflect that expanding network while maintaining our steadfast commitment to collaboration.
Is The Manufacturing Collaborative part of Vermont State University?
If the commercial work is done by "Learners", are the products of good quality?
Absolutely! The Manufacturing Collaborative is a functioning production center with experienced professionals overseeing each technology. Learners work very closely with our Engineers until they are fully capable. Our Project Agreement guarantees part quality to specification, and we expect to deliver on time or sooner.
My idea or part is confidential (commercial IP or CUI). Is my information digitally and physically secure?
Do your services compete with other local production companies?
Our mission is to accelarate US manufacturing and undercutting other capable companies would be absolutely counter to that mission. Whenever we are presented with a project or service that we know other companies can (and should) do, we ask the customer to investigate the other company’s interest in the project. To date, the projects have always come back as they are often too small or the capability doesn’t exist. We also intentionally strive to set our prices to match industry standard to ensure equity. Other production providers who understand The Collaborative’s mission want us to take those projects because we are training their future workforce!
