A Message From MassMEP’s President
Massachusetts has always been a leader in innovation and manufacturing. Today, it is also one of the nation’s most important defense states.
The recently released Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) Report highlights the tremendous opportunity—and responsibility—for Massachusetts manufacturers to strengthen our nation’s defense industrial base. According to the report, Massachusetts’ defense and national security ecosystem contributes $48.6 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s economy, supports approximately 140,000 jobs, ranks 10th nationally in Department of Defense spending, and has secured more than $1.4 billion in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards over the past five years.
These numbers demonstrate that defense is far more than a single industry in Massachusetts; it is a critical driver of innovation, advanced manufacturing, economic growth, and national security.
The SHIELD Report also delivers an important message: Massachusetts doesn’t need to build a defense ecosystem from scratch. It already has one. The challenge is strengthening it by helping manufacturers commercialize innovation, increase production capacity, build resilient supply chains, develop skilled workers, and meet increasingly complex federal requirements.
“Innovation alone does not strengthen our nation’s security – it takes manufacturers with the capabilities to turn ideas into products at scale. These investments and support of the Healey-Driscoll administration position Massachusetts to lead the next generation of defense manufacturing, and MassMEP is committed to working with the Massachusetts manufacturing ecosystem and to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers to develop the technology, workforce and operational excellence needed to seize these opportunities.” Kathie Mahoney, President, Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and SHIELD Working Group Member:
APEX: Your First Step into Defense Contracting
Whether your company is new to the defense market or looking to expand existing business, the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator is an ideal starting point.
APEX advisors help manufacturers understand government contracting, identify opportunities, prepare for CMMC requirements, navigate procurement processes, and build a strategy for entering or growing within the defense marketplace.
For many companies, APEX opens the door to entirely new markets.
Winning the Contract Is Only the Beginning
Landing a defense contract is an important milestone, but delivering on it is where long-term success is built.
As manufacturers grow their defense business, they often face challenges identified throughout the SHIELD Report:
- Scaling production from prototype to full-rate manufacturing
- Increasing operational capacity to meet demand
- Building resilient and secure supply chains
- Addressing workforce shortages and developing skilled talent
- Implementing advanced manufacturing technologies while maintaining quality and on-time delivery
These are precisely the areas where the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network delivers value.
MassMEP works alongside manufacturers to improve productivity, increase capacity, implement lean and advanced manufacturing practices, strengthen workforce capabilities, enhance supply chain resilience, and accelerate technology adoption. Together, these improvements enable companies not only to win defense work, but to consistently deliver on their commitments.
A Powerful Partnership for Massachusetts Manufacturers
The future of the defense industrial base depends on manufacturers that are secure, competitive, and ready to scale.
The SHIELD Report calls for stronger collaboration across government, industry, research institutions, and manufacturing to accelerate innovation and strengthen domestic supply chains. By combining the expertise of the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator and MassMEP, manufacturers gain access to both sides of that equation.
APEX helps manufacturers enter the defense marketplace. MassMEP helps them grow, increase production, and deliver successfully once they’re there.
Together, these organizations provide a pathway from opportunity to execution, helping Massachusetts manufacturers strengthen the Commonwealth’s defense supply chain while supporting economic growth, innovation, and national security for years to come.
Winning a defense contract is only the beginning. The real challenge is delivering quality products on time, at scale, while meeting increasingly stringent cybersecurity and compliance requirements. That’s why Massachusetts manufacturers should view APEX and MassMEP as complementary partners—APEX helps companies enter and navigate the defense marketplace, while MassMEP helps them build the operational excellence, workforce capabilities, and production capacity needed to succeed long after the contract is awarded.
Connect with the Massachusetts APEX Accelerator and MassMEP to learn how each organization can support your defense business goals.