ARM Institute Members vary in their focus areas, sizes, and history, but one common thread unites each organization: a drive to build the future of US manufacturing. Each of member organization leverages their strengths and areas of expertise to secure a brighter future for the US workforce, a stronger Organic Industrial Base (OIB), and a more resilient manufacturing economy. We bridge the gaps between industry, academia, and government to solve complex issues inhibiting the ability for the US to be a global leader in manufacturing output. To do this, we convene every stakeholder across manufacturing – from manufacturers themselves, technology providers, and defense suppliers to universities and community colleges, start-ups, and other types of organizations.
This month, our five questions interview features Bart Pascoli, USMCA Project Coordinator for the Italian Trade Agency’s Machines Italia Program! In this role, Bart helps to bridge connections and solve challenges impacting global manufacturing by bringing collaborators to new markets. Bart has been an active ARM Institute Member, bringing new organizations into our 500+ organization consortium, supporting our Annual Member Meeting, advocating for collaboration across manufacturing, and more.
In just five questions, get to know this ARM Member collaborator better and understand ares for collaboration.
Can you start by telling us about your role at the Italian Trade Agency?
Absolutely. I serve as the USMCA project coordinator for the Italian Trade Agency’s Machines Italia program. In practice, that means I work across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to strengthen Italy’s presence in key manufacturing sectors, everything from aerospace and automotive to energy, robotics, and industrial automation.
A big part of my work involves bringing delegations of Italian machinery and technology suppliers to meet major U.S. manufacturers, helping them explore partnerships, supply‑chain opportunities, and joint innovation projects. I also oversee our economic analysis and promotional activities, both digital and institutional, to make sure Italian advanced manufacturing is well represented in North America.
Beyond that, I help build academic–industry collaborations and support SelectUSA initiatives that encourage Italian companies to invest and grow here in the United States. It’s a role that sits right at the intersection of technology, industry, and international cooperation, which makes it incredibly rewarding.
How and why did ITA get engaged with the ARM Institute?
Our engagement with the ARM Institute really grew out of a natural alignment. Both of our organizations are deeply involved in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and industrial innovation, and we share a commitment to strengthening the competitiveness of our respective ecosystems. Italy is a global leader in industrial automation and robotics, and the ARM Institute is the national hub for robotics and AI in U.S. manufacturing—so the fit was clear from the start.
For us, joining the ARM Institute opened the door to a nationwide network of manufacturers, integrators, research institutions, and technology developers. It gives us a direct channel to support Italian companies that are active or expanding in the U.S. market, whether through R&D collaboration, technology adoption, or workforce development. We also benefit from access to member‑only events, research outputs, and strategic roadmapping.
From the ARM Institute’s perspective, the partnership provides a structured way to engage with Italy’s world‑class industrial ecosystem. Italian companies excel in robotics, machine tools, sensors, automation components, and advanced materials—areas that complement ARM’s mission perfectly. Through our Chicago Office, the ARM Institute can connect with innovative Italian firms, explore cross‑border research opportunities, and incorporate international best practices into U.S. manufacturing.
In short, the partnership creates a transatlantic innovation corridor. It accelerates technology exchange, supports workforce readiness, and strengthens industrial competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic.
ITA is a presenting sponsor of our 10th Annual Member Meeting. What are you looking forward to this year?
We’re genuinely excited about this year’s ARM Member Meeting. It’s one of the best opportunities to engage directly with the U.S. advanced manufacturing and robotics community, and it aligns perfectly with our mission to connect Italy’s industrial strengths with U.S. innovation needs.
I’m particularly looking forward to the conversations around industrial AI, robotics integration, and workforce development—areas where both Italy and the U.S. are making major investments. The event brings together the people who are shaping the future of manufacturing, and we’re eager to contribute Italy’s perspective to those discussions.
It’s also a great platform for identifying new partnership opportunities for Italian companies entering or expanding in the U.S. market. Whether it’s joint R&D, technology transfer, or workforce initiatives, the Member Meeting helps us build the kinds of connections that drive real innovation.
And of course, as presenting sponsor, we’re proud to support an event that plays such an important role in advancing the competitiveness and modernization of U.S. manufacturing.
What do you want other ARM Members to know about how they can collaborate with ITA?
I’d like ARM Members to know that the Italian Trade Agency is a resource they can actively use. We have an extensive network of offices across the United States, each focused on sectors that align closely with ARM’s membership—advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, industrial AI, and more. That means we can support ARM members wherever they’re located and connect them with the most relevant Italian capabilities.
We offer several engagement pathways: curated B2B programs, major trade shows, technical conferences, and industry missions in both Italy and the U.S. These platforms give ARM Members direct access to Italian suppliers, research centers, and technology developers working in automation, robotics, mechatronics, sensors, materials, and applied industrial research.
If a company is looking for new partners, component sources, or advanced technologies, we can help them navigate Italy’s highly specialized industrial ecosystem. Our goal is to serve as a bridge between the U.S. and Italian manufacturing communities—supporting technology scouting, partnership development, and long‑term industrial collaboration.
What’s new with ITA that U.S. manufacturers should know about?
We’re expanding our engagement with the U.S. manufacturing community in several important ways. This year, we’ll have a strong presence at major U.S. trade shows—including IMTS, Pack Expo International, GlassBuild, IWF, Coverings, and other key manufacturing events. These are great opportunities for U.S. companies to meet Italian suppliers and explore new technologies.
Looking ahead, our partner association UCIMU‑SISTEMI PER PRODURRE will host EMO Milano 2027, the world’s largest manufacturing and machine tool exhibition. We hope to see many U.S. companies there—both as exhibitors and visitors—because it’s truly the global stage for advanced manufacturing.
Bonus: Anything else you’d like to add?
Here’s a fun fact that surprises a lot of people: Italy actually has more subsidiaries operating in the United States than the U.S. has in Italy, and nearly a third of those Italian subsidiaries are in the manufacturing ecosystem. It speaks to how deeply integrated Italian industry already is within the U.S. market.
And we’re building on that. In the coming year, we’re launching new foreign direct investment desks in our Chicago and Houston offices. These will focus on encouraging U.S. manufacturers to invest in and partner with Italian solution providers, helping them strengthen their European footprint and expand transatlantic industrial collaboration.
Join the Italian Trade Agency & Our 500 Member Organization Consortium in Building the Future of US Manufacturing
ARM Institute Members lead the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to develop and produce the world’s most desired products. By becoming a member of our 500+ member organization consortium, you’ll join thousands of subject matter experts in building the future of US manufacturing through robotics, physical AI, and workforce innovations. Your membership to our robotics institute unlocks not only access to member-exclusive events and webinars, including our Annual Member Meeting, but also project funding opportunities, project outputs, networking, a digital platform for collaboration, and more.
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2026 ARM Institute Member Meeting
Register today for our 10th Annual Member Meeting taking place Nov. 17-19 in Pittsburgh, PA. Our Annual Member Meeting convenes experts from across our consortium for three days of networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. This event is open only to ARM Members. Join our consortium to gain access to this unique event.
Thank you to our Platinum Members: GE Aerospace, GE Vernova, Northrop Grumman, and Siemens, our 10th Anniversary Presenting Sponsors Corsha and the Italian Trade Agency, as well as our event sponsors AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, ARIS Technology, fivestar*, GridRaster Inc., ReadyOne Industries, RPI’s Center for Smart Convergent Manufacturing Systems, Tronix3D, and Yaskawa Motoman for supporting our event!
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ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE
The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of War under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique and robust 500+ member organizations and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, the ARM Institute’s mission is to assert the US as the leading nation in manufacturing output through the adoption of robotics and AI. For more information, visit www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and X.