CAMT ACE Initiative Helping Manufacturing Grow Through Innovation
Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2012
Contact: Elaine Thorndike, CAMT, elaine.thorndike@colorado.edu, 303.592.4085
CAMT ACE Initiative Helping Manufacturing Grow Through Innovation
DENVER, CO -- The ACE (Aerospace and Clean Energy) Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative, a state-wide economic development initiative led by CAMT in collaboration with government, university and industry partners, is helping Colorado manufacturers grow through innovation.
A technology transfer and licensing expert from the NASA Kennedy Space Center, Ms. Joni Richards, will partner with CAMT to help Colorado companies identify NASA technologies, facilitate connections, and accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of a new generation of products based on space-related innovations. A component of the joint collaboration described in the Space Act Agreement between CAMT and NASA signed in December 2010, this activity is designed to strengthen Colorado’s clean energy and aerospace manufacturing industries, and contribute to state-wide regional economic development and growth. Ms. Richards, a NASA civil servant, has worked for years with the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and is an expert in SBIR-related technology transfer to private industry.
“The joint efforts of CAMT and NASA to increase collaboration and the sharing of ideas and technology will help Colorado companies launch new products, use new technology, and succeed in the global marketplace,” said Elaine Thorndike, CEO of CAMT.
"Collaborative efforts like the NASA-CAMT ACE Initiative will help ensure we get the most out of our federal investments in cutting-edge research. Innovation is the foundation of our 21st century economy, and it will result in the creation of good-paying jobs by providing Colorado companies and entrepreneurs access to technology transfer resources they need to create new products and compete in the global economy," said Senator Michael Bennet.
Highlighting the NASA-CAMT partnership and broad federal support for Colorado manufacturing capabilities, CAMT is hosting an Executive ACE Exchange event February 7th at the History Colorado Center with Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez, NIST Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Phil Singerman, and NASA Glenn Research Center Chief of Business Development and Partnerships Dr. Robert “Joe” Shaw.
Dr. Shaw of NASA Glenn Research Center said, “The NASA Glenn Research Center has collaborated with CAMT to find Colorado companies ready to access Glenn developed technologies and expertise to enhance existing products, identify new products, or work with NASA labs for research and development. These technology matching activities are using federal innovation to meet market needs and catapult U.S. products and industry into the future.”
A state example of ACE Initiative partnerships include CAMT and the Colorado State University (CSU) Office of Community and Economic Development, who have united to build connections in the Colorado manufacturing supply chain and to increase manufacturing industry access to available technologies from research labs and universities. “The CAMT-CSU partnership brings together the strengths of both CAMT and CSU to support Colorado companies in finding new technologies to grow and create jobs. We know that Colorado manufacturers have a better chance at continually adapting and growing if we can connect them to new technologies and research,” said Kathay Rennels, Director of Economic Development for CSU.
CAMT has launched several industry programs in support of the ACE Initiative. Currently being developed, the Colorado Supplier Asset Map is a Colorado-wide map and database of technology, resources, and manufacturing capabilities and capacities, with an initial focus on the supply chain for the Aerospace and Clean Energy (ACE) Regional Innovation Cluster. The Supplier Asset Map will allow buyers of all types to find Colorado suppliers for existing and new products.
Additionally, through CAMT Supplier Scouting programs with the U.S. Department of Defense and Energy and other industry partners, CAMT is identifying Colorado suppliers to provide hard-to-source parts to the government and other buyers.
CAMT also provides continuous innovation consulting to help Colorado manufacturers develop exciting new products to swiftly capture market share. CAMT experts are working with local companies to ensure new products are highly market-relevant, while decreasing development and operational costs, and speeding up time-to-market.
“Colorado is a world leader in the research, development and manufacture of a wide array of aerospace and clean energy technologies and products. The ACE Initiative, anchored on the successful CAMT-NASA partnership, brings the efforts and expertise of federal, state and local public and private entities to bear on these growing sectors of Colorado’s economy. By spurring ways to drive innovation and turn federal R&D into products and opportunities for Coloradans, the ACE Initiative will grow businesses and create jobs and, ultimately, help Colorado lead in the global economic race,” said Senator Mark Udall.
To learn more about the ACE Initiative and to register for the CAMT Executive ACE Exchange being held Tuesday, February 7th, please visit the CAMT website, www.camt.com.
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About the Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology The Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology (CAMT) is a statewide manufacturing assistance center dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of Colorado manufacturers. CAMT is a public/private partnership convening government, not-for-profit and industry resources to provide services and programs that make Colorado firms thrive. CAMT is the state affiliate of the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the U.S. Dept of Commerce, providing unique access to federal and state programs. For more information, visit CAMT’s website at www.camt.com.