Georgia Tech’s Manufacturing Research Center (MaRC) is one of the nation’s foremost multidisciplinary educational facilities focusing on developing next-generation manufacturing technologies.

“We are No. 1 in manufacturing because this is where companies get things done,” said Steven Danyluk, professor and Morris M. Bryan Jr. Chair in Mechanical Engineering for Advanced Manufacturing System and former director of MaRC. “I believe the Manufacturing Research Center is the bedrock of where that reputation comes from.”

The 120,000-square-foot building in the northwest section of campus contains state-of-the-art labs that support research, education and technological initiatives. It serves as an incubator for educational advancement and manufacturing research.

“The mission of the center is to translate our technology into real manufacturing expertise that could be used to create jobs and wealth in the state,” Danyluk said.

Since 1992, MaRC has been nationally recognized for its Manufacturing Education Program that has touched thousands of Georgia Tech graduates.

Throughout the years, MaRC has also hosted a number of major research initiatives, some of which resulted in start-up companies such as viaCycle, Radatec, QCept, CaMotion and others.

“Together, these two aspects of MaRC have been a significant contributing factor to Georgia Tech’s No. 1 ranking in ‘manufacturing and industrial engineering’ by U.S. News & World Report,” said Leon McGinnis, Eugene C. Gwaltney Chair in Manufacturing Systems and associate director of MaRC. “We are justifiably proud of our accomplishments and contributions in education and research.”

As the center celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is honing its focus on new and innovative discoveries and areas of critical need.

“My hope is … that Georgia Tech will lead the way as we move towards a renaissance of advanced manufacturing in the U.S. and around world,” said Ben Wang, incoming executive director of MaRC.

Wang will be introduced to the campus community at the ceremony and will assume the executive director role on Jan. 1. Wang will follow in the footsteps of Danyluk, who served as the center’s director from 1994 to 2010.

The MaRC anniversary celebration will be held at 1 p.m. on the lawn between the MaRC and the J. Eriskine Love Manufacturing buildings. Guest speakers include Reeves Callaway, founder of Callaway Cars, and Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.