Made Local Event Series Connects Vermont’s Makers and Innovators
Introduction: Combining Strengths
Vermont has long been a place of manufacturing. From ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s, now a global household name, to semiconductors at GlobalFoundries, one of the largest chip manufacturers in the world, the state’s manufacturing identity has always been rooted in quality.
Vermont now is also a place of technology. Startups are reimagining industries, universities are fueling the talent pipeline, and the tech sector now accounts for nearly a quarter of jobs in the state. With both the people and the ideas in place, Vermont has what it takes to compete in the race toward automation and advanced technology.
Vermont’s future is being built through manufacturing technology, combining the state’s tradition of making with its spirit of innovation. Coders and machinists are working side by side, applying smart tools on the shop floor to improve efficiency and keep businesses competitive. The same pride in quality and hard work that built Vermont’s products is now shaping its technology too.
This spirit of collaboration inspired Made Local, a quarterly event series launched in 2025 by Rigorous Technology, a Vermont startup building the robots of the future for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Hosted at Rigorous’ robotics lab, Made Local creates a space where manufacturers, innovators, and community members can share knowledge, gain access to tools, and stay connected to what is new.
Made Local: Hear the Story
The first Made Local event, From Manual to Automated, took place in April and brought together manufacturers from across Vermont for a candid conversation about automation. The panel included Garth Blocher from Revision Military, Chris Coulter from VMEC, and leaders from Rigorous Technology, each sharing real experiences from the shop floor.
We chose this panel to move the conversation beyond the typical vendor and customer setup. Each speaker brought experience from a different part of the manufacturing world, including operations, consulting, and robotics. The focus was on sharing what works, what does not, and what to consider before taking the first step toward automation. Attendees left with their questions answered and an awareness of automation’s potential and challenges.
The energy from April’s discussion set the stage for the next event, where the focus shifted from conversation to demonstration.
Made Local: See the Results
More than 70 participants attended the second event, Automation Block Party, held at the end of summer. It had the feel of a neighborhood gathering, with Vermont’s manufacturers, tech partners, and community all under one roof.
The shop floor turned into a mini trade show filled with hands-on demos showing how automation and technology are shaping modern production.
Massive Dimension brought its robotic 3D printer to life, demonstrating large-format additive manufacturing for industrial applications. Watching a robot build custom parts layer by layer showed how flexibility and scale are transforming fabrication.
OnLogic showcased AI-powered industrial computers built to handle demanding production environments. These rugged systems power the data and intelligence behind automation, proving that computing hardware is just as essential to production as machinery itself.
Rigorous Technology ran its robotic palletizing system, stacking boxes from conveyor to pallet with speed and accuracy. The demo showed how automation handles repetitive tasks and eases physical strain on workers.
Nothing captured the event better than a Rigorous robot powered by an OnLogic computer, a clear example of Vermont companies working together. Technology applies to “shop local” too.
And what is a block party without food? Local favorites Cabot Creamery and Lake Champlain Chocolates sponsored snacks, while Bobber’s brought a food truck and a menu full of Vermont-grown flavor.
Building Vermont’s Manufacturing Future
Attendees reflected the full spectrum of Vermont industry, from companies making cookie dough to those producing solar panels. No matter the product, manufacturers know they need to adopt new technologies to stay competitive. But with thin margins, high product mixes, a challenging labor market, and centralized competition, they also know they need confidence to get automation right.
Rigorous provides the software tools that help more manufacturers access right-sized automation, but it takes a community to support advanced technology across the industry. Made Local brought together tech companies, manufacturers, students, investors, and community members, showing that the future of manufacturing is not just about machines but about the people who use them.
Conclusion: Vermont Leads by Collaboration
Vermont’s manufacturing and technology communities have always shared a common strength: quality and collaboration. Through Made Local, that connection is becoming the foundation for something bigger, a network of makers and innovators building the state’s next generation of industry together.
Vermont is not just adapting to the future of manufacturing. It is shaping it, one event and one collaboration at a time.