In the latest episode of the Manufacturing Austin Podcast, host Kevin Fincher sits down with Bret Boyd, CEO of Sustainment, to discuss the company’s mission to support small and medium-sized manufacturers, the importance of data accuracy in supply chain management, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Boyd, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran, brings a unique perspective to the world of manufacturing, having transitioned from the military to the startup and company-building world in 2007.
Sustainment, founded in early 2020 as a public benefit corporation, aims to address the friction in supplier discovery for both the Department of Defense (DOD) and commercial Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). By providing technology to manufacturing support organizations and offering free profiles for suppliers to showcase their capabilities, certifications, and equipment, Sustainment is working to unlock the untapped capacity in the US manufacturing ecosystem.
We founded this business in early 2020. So we’re about five years into the journey here. And, you know, I’ve had the privilege to start or lead a couple of businesses and specifically enterprise software businesses with a heavy focus on data. So I kind of took that background and, you know, being veterans and paying a lot of attention to national priorities here. It was pretty interesting to see, you know, in the 2017, 2018, 2019 time frame, this idea of like the shrinking industrial base really starting to be a narrative that you’d hear out of the DOD, right?
One of the key aspects of Sustainment’s platform is the accuracy of supplier data. The company’s AI algorithms can infer manufacturing processes, certifications, and equipment needed based on technical requirements, enabling effective matchmaking between buyers and suppliers. Boyd emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and accurate data from suppliers in driving on-shoring decisions and suggesting local alternatives to international suppliers.
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for Sustainment, shining a light on supply chain problems and the need for a programmatic understanding of manufacturing capabilities. Boyd cites the ventilator use case as an example of how identifying component manufacturers, rather than end-product manufacturers, can help unlock untapped capacity in the US manufacturing ecosystem.
Looking to the future, Sustainment aims to continue solving problems between buyers and suppliers in the manufacturing world. This includes streamlining the DOD supplier onboarding and qualification process, helping companies operate their supply chains more efficiently, and advocating for the inclusion of commercial manufacturers in the defense industrial base.
“We already have the largest network of engaged manufacturing suppliers in the country. We want to continue to invest in that, continue to lean into that, and then continue to tell the story at the national level that says, hey, a la Freedom’s Forge, the excellence in American manufacturing is actually not in the defense industrial base right now. The overwhelming capacity in US manufacturing are these amazing commercial manufacturers that are doing great work in medical devices and in aerospace and in these other industries, and you should reach more into them.”
In light of the recent tariff announcements and the shifting global landscape, Boyd stresses the importance of industrial policy and supporting American companies. He advises businesses to be flexible, agile, and have alternative trusted sources of supply to navigate uncertainty and build optionality in their supply chains.
As Sustainment continues to grow and forge partnerships with organizations like the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA), Boyd remains committed to the company’s mission-driven purpose and the vital role of local manufacturing support organizations. He encourages suppliers to join Sustainment and larger organizations to explore their software solutions, emphasizing the unique manufacturing landscape in Central Texas and the potential for growth and resilience in the industry.
To learn more about Sustainment and their offerings, visit sustainment.com.
