StandardBots CEO urges Congress to build manufacturing centers, loans and training to reshore robotics

Evan Beard, CEO and co‑founder of StandardBots, told the Joint Economic Committee that rebuilding U.S. advanced manufacturing requires an actionable, funded national strategy.

Beard outlined a four‑part plan the company submitted to Congress: establish a nationwide network of manufacturing excellence centers modeled on the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, create a national manufacturing loan program for equipment and expansion, scale apprenticeships and community college partnerships to build a talent pipeline, and address price disparities—suggesting tariffs or restrictions on Chinese robots to level the playing field.

He told members that U.S. sourcing remains expensive: "When we first sourced parts for a robot and still today, US quotes are 10 times higher than Chinese suppliers," Beard said, and argued that lowering component costs and reshoring critical supply‑chain elements—such as strain wave gearing and motor components—are essential to make U.S. robotics affordable for small and mid‑size manufacturers.

Committee members pressed on implementation and equity. Witnesses and members discussed centers of excellence as statewide hubs for training and equipment access, and Congress asked for specifics on how to fund apprenticeship startup costs for small employers. Beard said his company directly builds training partnerships because the pool of qualified robotics technicians is limited.

Lawmakers closed the hearing without taking formal action; several asked for follow‑up materials and data from witnesses.