Beehive Industries executive testifies on importance of AM in the Defense Production Act
The Congressional Field Hearing saw Chief Product Officer Gordie Follin appear before the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security
Gordie Follin, Chief Product Officer of Beehive Industries, testified before the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Finance Institutions, on August 13, at a field hearing titled “Securing the Supply Chain: The Defense Production Act in Focus.” The National Security Subcommittee held the hearing at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio.
In his testimony delivered to House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02), National Security Subcommittee Chairman Warren Davidson (OH-08), and other distinguished committee members – including Representatives Bill Huizenga (MI-04) and Tim Moore (NC-14) – Follin underscored the vital importance of the Defense Production Act (DPA) in bolstering the U.S. defense industrial base amid growing global threats and depleted weapons stockpiles. He highlighted how Beehive Industries, a leader in additive manufacturing, is revolutionizing the production of turbine engines for loitering munitions, drones, and missile systems, enabling faster, more affordable, and secure domestic manufacturing.
“With ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East straining U.S. and allied stockpiles, traditional manufacturing timelines are insufficient,” Follin stated. “Additive manufacturing allows us to reduce lead times from years to months, eliminate supply chain bottlenecks, and minimize reliance on foreign components from adversarial nations like China. This technology enhances supply chain integrity, ensures greater control over quality and security, and supports a resilient, self-sufficient industrial base critical for national defense.”
Beehive Industries, with over 300 employees across four U.S. locations—including a new research and development center in Loveland, Ohio—specializes in producing additively manufactured gas turbine engines. This approach compresses production cycles by more than 50%, accelerates innovation, and strengthens the defense industrial base by adding incremental capacity without cannibalizing existing resources. Follin emphasized that Beehive’s innovations lower fuel consumption, reduce costs, and enhance operational readiness, directly benefiting the Department of Defense (DOD) budget efficiency.
Follin praised the DPA, particularly Title III, as a key enabler for companies like Beehive to scale operations swiftly. “The DPA provides essential tools such as loan guarantees, purchase commitments, and advance funding, reducing risks for small and nontraditional manufacturers,” he said. He cited recent Title III awards in 2025 for expanding domestic production of critical materials like scandium, tungsten, graphite, and neodymium, which are vital for aerospace and propulsion systems. These investments upstream ensure downstream manufacturers like Beehive can deliver at scale.
In addition, Follin emphasized the need to modernize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to better support agile and advanced manufacturers. His policy recommendations focused on several key areas: preserving and clarifying Title III authority to enable smoother transitions from prototype to production, including explicit provisions for funding mission-critical prototyping tied to scaling efforts. He also advocated for tailoring Title III programs with more flexible tools, such as accelerated contracting through Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), adaptable cost-sharing models for growth-stage firms, and targeted outreach to small and mid-sized manufacturers. Furthermore, Follin stressed the importance of strengthening domestic supply chains for high-temperature alloys and materials essential to turbine components, with strategic investments aimed at mitigating geopolitical risks. Lastly, he called for closer alignment with allied industrial base initiatives by supporting international standards, fostering co-investment models with NATO and AUKUS partners, and facilitating secure technology-sharing for joint production efforts.
“The DPA is a force multiplier for national security, catalyzing innovation and domestic production,” Follin concluded. “Reauthorizing and modernizing this essential law will ensure the U.S. maintains technological superiority and sustains prolonged industrial competition. Beehive Industries stands ready to partner with the DOD, allies, and Congress to close the supply-demand gap for critical defense systems.”
