Flex Announces Collaboration with MIT to Advance the Future of Manufacturing with AI and Automation

Rhea-AI Summary

Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) has announced a strategic collaboration with MIT's Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM) as a founding member of its Industry Consortium. The partnership aims to revolutionize manufacturing through AI and automation, focusing on four core pillars: reimagining manufacturing technologies, enhancing productivity, scaling resilient supply chains, and transforming global manufacturing with sustainability focus. MIT students will gain hands-on experience through a factory observatory program at Flex facilities, while faculty and researchers will work at Flex's Sorocaba, Brazil site with the Flex Institute of Technology. The collaboration will support projects applying AI, machine automation, and new system-level approaches to address manufacturing and supply chain challenges.

Positive

• Strategic partnership with a prestigious institution (MIT) enhances Flex's technological innovation capabilities
• Access to cutting-edge research and development in AI and automation through MIT collaboration
• Potential for improved manufacturing efficiency and supply chain resilience through new technologies
• Early access to emerging manufacturing technologies and talent through MIT's research programs

Negative

• None.

Insights

Manufacturing Technology Innovation Analyst

Flex's MIT partnership positions it at the forefront of manufacturing innovation, with long-term strategic benefits.

Flex's collaboration with MIT's Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM) represents a strategic positioning move that could yield significant long-term advantages. As a founding member of this consortium, Flex secures privileged access to cutting-edge research applying AI and automation to manufacturing challenges – potentially transformative technologies for the contract manufacturing sector.

The partnership's focus on four key pillars is particularly relevant in today's manufacturing landscape:

• Reimagining manufacturing technologies and systems
• Elevating productivity and human experience
• Scaling ventures with resilient supply chains
• Transforming manufacturing with sustainability focus

What distinguishes this from typical academic partnerships is its practical implementation structure. The "factory observatory" program enabling MIT students to visit Flex facilities creates a two-way knowledge exchange. Similarly, hosting MIT researchers at Flex's Brazil site connected to the Flex Institute of Technology demonstrates commitment to applied innovation rather than purely theoretical research.

For a contract manufacturer like Flex, process innovations translate directly to competitive advantages in efficiency, quality, and responsiveness – all critical differentiators in their industry. The sustainability component also strengthens Flex's position with ESG-conscious customers.

While the announcement lacks specific financial commitments or quantifiable metrics to evaluate short-term impact, this represents a forward-looking investment in capabilities that could enhance Flex's competitive positioning in advanced manufacturing over the medium to long term. The partnership potentially creates a valuable talent pipeline and knowledge transfer mechanism that could accelerate Flex's technological adoption curve.

News summary 

• Flex joins MIT's Initiative for New Manufacturing Consortium as a founding member
• MIT graduate and PhD students will use artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to address manufacturing and supply chain challenges
• Anticipated research projects to include supply chain resiliency solutions, improved manufacturing efficiency, and more advanced manufacturing jobs

AUSTIN, Texas, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) today announced a strategic collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on its new Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM) — a bold, Institute-wide effort to reimagine industrial production, drive innovation through advanced technologies, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

"Flex is proud to collaborate with MIT on this important initiative to shape the future of manufacturing."

As a founding member of the INM Industry Consortium, Flex will work closely with MIT researchers, educators, and fellow industry leaders to support cutting-edge projects that apply AI, machine automation, and new system-level approaches to manufacturing.

"Flex is proud to collaborate with MIT on this important initiative to shape the future of manufacturing," said Cameron Carr, chief strategy officer of Flex. "Together, we aim to innovate and advance manufacturing by focusing on areas that increase resilience, productivity, and sustainability — while helping to build a stronger industrial base in the U.S. and beyond."

The MIT Initiative for New Manufacturing focuses on four core pillars:

1. Reimagining manufacturing technologies and systems
2. Elevating productivity and the human experience of manufacturing
3. Scaling new ventures and resilient supply chains
4. Transforming the global manufacturing base with a focus on sustainability and economic opportunity

INM will also establish new labs to develop advanced manufacturing tools and techniques. Through an MIT "factory observatory" program, students will gain hands-on experience by visiting Flex production sites. Separately, Flex will be hosting MIT faculty, researchers and Masters of Engineering (MEng) students at its Sorocaba, Brazil, site, where they will have the opportunity to work with FIT (Flex Institute of Technology), a nonprofit research and development institute focused on developing technological solutions for electronics manufacturing and related end products.

"We're excited to collaborate with companies like Flex that are already shaping the next generation of industry," said Professor John Hart, Head of the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering and INM faculty co-director. "This collaboration aligns our shared vision of creating more resilient, human-centered, and technologically advanced manufacturing ecosystems."

Learn more about the Initiative for New Manufacturing and Flex's role in shaping the future of global manufacturing at flex.com and inm.mit.edu.

About Flex
Flex (Reg. No. 199002645H) is the manufacturing partner of choice that helps a diverse customer base design and build products that improve the world. Through the collective strength of a global workforce across 30 countries and responsible, sustainable operations, Flex delivers technology innovation, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions to diverse industries and end markets.

Media Contacts:

Media & Press
Yvette Lorenz
Director, Executive Communications and Corporate PR
(415) 225-7315
yvette.Lorenz@flex.com 

Investors & Analysts
Michelle Simmons
SVP Global IR & PR
(669) 242-6332
michelle.simmons@flex.com

 

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SOURCE Flex

FAQ

What is the purpose of Flex's collaboration with MIT's Initiative for New Manufacturing?

The collaboration aims to reimagine industrial production, drive innovation through AI and automation, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness through research projects focused on supply chain resilience and manufacturing efficiency.

What are the four core pillars of MIT's Initiative for New Manufacturing that FLEX will work on?

The four pillars are: reimagining manufacturing technologies and systems, elevating productivity and human experience, scaling new ventures and resilient supply chains, and transforming global manufacturing with focus on sustainability.

How will MIT students benefit from the FLEX partnership?

MIT students will gain hands-on experience through a factory observatory program at Flex production sites, and MEng students will work at Flex's Sorocaba, Brazil site with the Flex Institute of Technology.

What specific technologies will FLEX and MIT focus on in their manufacturing collaboration?

The collaboration will focus on AI, machine automation, and new system-level approaches to manufacturing to improve resilience, productivity, and sustainability.

Where will the FLEX and MIT manufacturing research take place?

Research will take place at MIT's new labs, Flex production sites through the factory observatory program, and at Flex's Sorocaba, Brazil site through the Flex Institute of Technology.