
(l-r) Jessica Marhefke, Vice President and General Manager of Miller Electric, ITW; Dr. Choi Doo-jin, Director of RX (Robotics Research Center) Center, Samsung Heavy Industries Co., LTD; Ted Valentini, Sales Director National Accounts and Automation, Miller Electric, ITW
Miller, a division of Illinois Tool Works, and a leading provider of innovative welding products, solutions, and workforce development technologies, is participating in an industry collaboration designed to help U.S. shipbuilders improve weld quality, increase productivity and build a skilled welding workforce.
Through this partnership, participating organizations are combining their expertise, resources, and capabilities to address some of the shipbuilding industry's most pressing challenges.
"This partnership is about more than supplying equipment, it is about working side by side to build a stronger, faster, and more resilient shipbuilding industry," said Jessica Marhefke, Vice President and General Manager, Miller. "By combining innovative welding technologies, integrated solutions, workforce training, and collaborative engineering, we can help U.S. shipbuilders achieve meaningful improvements today while building the capabilities needed for the future."
The collaboration was announced this summer during the opening ceremony for the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center in Washington, D.C. The center brings together participating organizations from the United States and South Korea to advance shipbuilding technology, workforce development and industrial cooperation.
Key elements of the partnership include:
- Strengthening supply chain resilience: Leveraging Miller's U.S.-based assembly, manufacturing, service, and technical-support capabilities to help shipbuilders maintain access to critical welding equipment, technologies and solutions
- Accelerating Technology Integration: Delivering advanced manufacturing insights and integrated solutions designed to streamline production and accelerate vessel construction timelines
- Building the next generation of welders: Expanding access to training, technology, and welding solutions through partnerships with U.S. technical colleges and educational institutions
- Advancing collaborative engineering: Connecting sales, applications, and engineering experts directly with shipyards and channel partners to develop solutions tailored to their unique manufacturing needs.
"Expanding U.S. shipbuilding capacity requires strong partnerships and a willingness to rethink how technology, training, and engineering expertise are brought together," said Ted Valentini, Sales Director National Accounts and Automation, Miller. "By participating in this collective partnership, we can create practical, scalable solutions that strengthen shipbuilding operations, support the workforce and help U.S. shipbuilders operate with greater speed and confidence."
As part of this effort, Miller highlights its collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries, a key member of the partnership whose expertise and experience are helping advance practical solutions for the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
For more information contact:
Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
1635 W Spencer St.
P.O. Box 1079
Appleton, WI 54912
920-734-9821
info@millerwelds.com
www.millerwelds.com