Rennscot MFG Selected for Prestigious Group 1 Cohort in America Makes JAQS Program
- 7 days ago
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[May 4, 2026] — Rennscot MFG, an advanced manufacturing company specializing in metal additive and precision machining, today announced its selection into Group 1 of the Joint Additive Qualification Standard (JAQS) Program. This effort is led by America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech), with training developed in partnership Wichita State University – National Institute for Aviation Research (WSU NIAR). Fewer than ten companies were selected nationwide for this initial phase, underscoring the significance of this achievement and Rennscot MFG’s leadership in metal additive manufacturing.
Pictured above is Rennscot MFG's campus in Woburn Massachusetts, just 30 minutes North of Boston.
The JAQS program is a landmark initiative aimed at solving one of the most persistent barriers to large-scale adoption of metal additive manufacturing: qualification standards. Today, qualification remains costly, time-consuming, and fragmented across industry and government requirements. The JAQS effort brings together industry, government, and academia to establish a unified, shareable framework for qualifying additive manufacturing processes to enable faster adoption, reduced costs, and improved supply chain resilience.
Through its participation, Rennscot MFG will work collaboratively with program stakeholders to develop standardized process controls, material specifications, and quality management practices. The outcome will be a repeatable, auditable framework that supports production of mission-critical components for defense and commercial applications alike.
“This is a pivotal moment not just for our company, but for the additive manufacturing industry as a whole,” said Armen Ekmekji, Chief Commercial Officer. “Being selected for Group 1 reflects the investments we’ve made in infrastructure, quality systems, and talent, and positions us at the forefront of defining how metal additive manufacturing is qualified and scaled for critical applications.”
Pictured above is Rennscot MFG's dedicated Metal AM production space. The current installed base includes four advanced L-PBF machines from EOS. Eventually, this area will hold 12 printers total.
Rennscot MFG brings significant capabilities to the program, including a purpose-built additive manufacturing facility, certified AS9100/ISO9001 quality management systems, and advanced laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) capacity designed for regulated production environments. The company has steadily expanded its capabilities to support aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and industrial markets, with a clear roadmap toward qualified serial production.
Participation in JAQS is expected to accelerate the company’s progression toward higher manufacturing readiness levels, while contributing to a broader industry transformation. By helping establish common qualification standards, the program will reduce duplication of effort, expand the qualified supplier base, and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.
Ultimately, the impact extends beyond a single organization. The JAQS program represents a collaborative step forward in enabling scalable, reliable, and transparent additive manufacturing - unlocking its full potential for critical applications ranging from aerospace systems to national defense.
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