Nation’s First Smart Factory Institute Opens 10/1 in Chattanooga | National Manufacturing Day 2021

Peak Performance Inc., along with the Tennessee Chamber/Tennessee
Manufacturers Association and the Deutsche Messe Technology Academy announce
the opening of the first U.S.-based Smart Factory Institute. The official
opening date will be October 1, 2021, National Manufacturing Day. The Smart
Factory Institute will be operated by Peak Performance Inc. in collaboration
with the Volkswagen Academy Chattanooga, the Deutsche Messe Technology
Academy, the Tennessee Manufacturers Association and the University of
Tennessee Chattanooga.

“We are particularly excited about the opening of our first Technology
Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As we continue to expand our global
network, it was only natural to open a location in the United States, one of
the most technologically advanced countries in the world.”

The Smart Factory Institute is a U.S. institute that will provide
manufacturers with connections, collaborative relationships and
certifications for improving manufacturing processes by providing them with
access to the latest technology in advanced manufacturing. The Institute is
a part of a network of international academies, operated by the Deutsche
Messe Technology Academy in Hanover, Germany, a joint project between
Deutsche Messe and the Volkswagen Group Academy. Thomas Rilke, Division
Manager of Deutsche Messe Technology Academy, said, “We are particularly
excited about the opening of our first Technology Academy in Chattanooga,
Tennessee. As we continue to expand our global network, it was only natural
to open a location in the United States, one of the most technologically
advanced countries in the world.”

Since its inception in 2009, the Deutsche Messe Technology Academy has built
an international network of production technologies across the world. These
academies, located in Hanover (Germany), Foshan, Nanjing, Jinan (China) and
Port Elizabeth (South Africa, opening 2022) focus on specific areas of
manufacturing technology.

Denise Rice, President & CEO of Peak Performance Inc., said, “COVID-19 has
accelerated the adoption of Industry 4.0 and the Smart Factory Institute
will ease the transition for manufacturers by facilitating intensive
networking between suppliers and users of key technologies to optimize
production processes, leading the economic recovery of business and industry
in the region. The Smart Factory Institute will provide remote and online,
relevant, leading-edge training for manufacturing workers that will upskill
and reskill workers for the jobs that the technology advancements bring.”

The Smart Factory Institute will work closely with the University of
Tennessee Chattanooga’s Industrial and Organizational Psychology program to
provide subject matter experts and best practices to approaching the
workforce advancements that are a result of the upskilling of workers
required by Industry 4.0.

Bradley Jackson, President & CEO of the Tennessee Manufacturers Association,
said, “The Smart Factory Institute is a business-driven effort driving
innovation and technology and positioning Tennessee and the U.S. southeast
region as a true leader for advanced manufacturing technology. We are
thankful for the strong support of this project by the Tennessee General
Assembly, including the unwavering support of the Hamilton County
legislative delegation. Their support sends the clear message that Tennessee
is serious about advanced manufacturing.”

About Peak Performance: Peak Performance is a workforce training and
advising firm specializing in incumbent worker training for the
manufacturing industry, serving businesses across the country from their
headquarters in Chattanooga, TN. www.peakperformanceinc.com

About Tennessee Manufacturers Association: The Tennessee Manufacturers
Association maintains expertise and policy groups for a variety of
industries and a proud history of unmatched advocacy in the state Capitol,
having a hand in Tennessee’s most prominent business policy accomplishments.
For more information, visit www.tnchamber.org

About the Volkswagen Academy

Volkswagen Chattanooga’s onsite training facility, the Volkswagen Academy,
is home to secondary to post-secondary education programs.