May 5th Manufacturing Summit
Thank you to everyone who made the Manufacturing Summit “Maine Ingenuity: Manufacturing the Future” on May 5th such a success! We had nearly 200 attendees including two groups of students from area schools.
Lisa Martin, Executive Director of MAMe welcomed guests to the summit, followed by an introduction to the museum by the Owl's Head Transportation Museum Director, Charlie Chiarchiaro.
The summit featured a number of special guest speakers including:
- Michael and Geoffrey Howe, Howe and Howe Technologies, AS SEEN ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL
-Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Chief Council for Advocacy, U.S. SBA
-James L. Kochan, Chief Fixed-Income Strategist, Wells Fargo
-John Butera, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor
Thank you to our partners and sponsors!
Partners:
Maine International Trade Center and Maine Technology Institute.
Event Sponsor:
HighTower
Manufacturing Champion Sponsors:
Airgas
Advanced Structures & Composites Center
W.H. Demmons, Inc.
Networking Sponsors:
L.L. Bean
Maine Metal Machine Products
Maine MEP
RBC Wealth Management
MAMe would like to thank everyone who volunteered, the staff at the Owl's Head Transportation Museum and all our sponsors for their support. We could not have pulled this event together without your help.
THANK YOU!
Students from MidCoast School of Technologies and R.S.U. 19 pose
with Michael and Geoffrey Howe of Howe and Howe Technologies
Charlie Chiarchairo, Owl's Head Transportation Museum Director and
Chandra Robert, Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Resource Manager
auctioning bi-plane rides to benefit the MAMe Scholarship program.
What’s Happening at MAMe?
The Manufacturers Association of Maine Awards Scholarships:
The Manufacturers Association of Maine awarded $8,000 to sixteen Maine students with scholarships for 2011-12 at Maine’s Universities and Community Colleges! We had so many outstanding applicants and are proud to present scholarships to the following individuals:
• Southern Maine Community College: Connor Twomey, Welding; Jordan Cyr, Engineering
• Eastern Maine Community College: Derek P. MacIntyre and Royce Landeen, Welding
• Kennebec Valley Community College: Ryleigh Alexander, Welding
• Central Maine Community College: Jacob Pinkham, Machine Tool Technology
• University of Maine School of Mechanical Engineering: Cameron Campbell, Christopher Farley, Drew Johnson, Logan Thibeau, Michael Gross and Travis Elliott
• University of Southern Maine Mechanical Engineering: John Condon
• Maine Maritime Academy: Christopher Gillman and Keenan Eaton, Marine Systems Engineering; Tyler Easier, Power Engineering
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Skills USA Winners:
The 2011 Skills USA competition was held in Bangor on March 10 & 11 in Bangor at the United Technology Center.
This year’s winners of the Machining and Welding Competition are:
Community College level
• Machining—Shane Bellanger, SMCC
• Welding— Eric Flewelling, EMCC
High School Technical School level
• Machining-- Michael Christie was the gold winner. Ryleigh Alexander, silver winner,
will go to Kansas City to compete. Capital Area Technical Center
• Welding-- Brock Worster of Northern Penobscot Technical Center
MAMe provides scholarship of $250 per student to attend the national Skills USA competition in Kansas City!
Congratulations and best of luck to the Maine winners!
Cluster/Sector Development:
The MAMe has received a $50K feasibility study award from Maine Technology Institute for the medical device manufacturing industry. MAMe has hired Henry Bliss, EV Partners, LLC, as the consultant on the project. Henry is a member of the BGS consultant network. The Steering Committee met on April 27th to review the implementation plan. Members of the Steering Committee include Kerem Durdag, Biovation, Denis Eagleson, The Baker Company Janet Eugley, EchoHeart, Ryan Marcotte, Enercon, Karin Gregory, Bioscience Association of Maine, Mike Wing, USM and Lisa G Martin, MAMe. If you are interested in learning more, please call Lisa at 854-2153.
Education and Training:
MAMe staff, board and Education Committee members met with members of the Governor’s advisory team to present the Manufacturers Association of South Central Pennsylvania Industry Partnership model for education and training. The MAMe Education Committee, chaired by Ron Dupuis, IDEXX and Garret Oswald, Me Jobs Council, is focusing our efforts on implementing the Industry Partnership strategy to address the skilled workforce challenges of the manufacturing sector.
Business Growth Services (BGS):
BGS continues to provide services to several member with projects such as Supply Chain training, financial/operations performance assistance, new building and engineering services, training, R&D grant writing, certification training (ISO, NADCAP, AS, CE Mark), B2B referral services, and much, much more…if you have a need for business services, please call MAMe at 854-2153 or email Info@mainemfg.com Remember, the private sector creates wealth….
BGS Develops “New Mainer Lean Training”:
BGS and MAMe, partnering with CEI on a Manufacturing project; were introduced to Portland Adult Education. Their need to introduce “New Mainers” to the US manufacturing culture has resulted in the development of a new training tool. The training was developed by Ron Cote, Auxilar, LLC and has been provided to Portland and Lewiston Adult Education staff and students. The program is available to business members who are interested and hire immigrants. It is an exciting and sucessful training tool!
New Members:
Have you seen the number of new members joining MAMe? We are so proud of the growth of this organization. Membership is the key to our success and sustainability. As we grow in numbers, we are also expanding services: health plan, education and training, cluster development, networking, tours, business services, scholarships, policy, compliance, summits, and so much more. If you know of a company that is not a member, please refer them to us!
MAMe to Launch Health Plan
The Manufacturers Association Health Plan (MAHP) was announced at the Manufacturing Summit on May 5th! The MAMe Insurance Committee has an agreement in place and will meet this week to create implementation strategy plan. MAMe will set up a series of informational meetings for members in the coming few weeks.
Please watch your emails for the announcement of the meetings throughout the state!
MAY'S UPCOMING EVENTS!
MEAA News
Kestral Awarded Contract
Kestrel Aircraft Company, www.kestrel.aero located at the Brunswick Executive Airport, has taken another giant step. With much awaited anticipation.. Janseneering, Inc ,www.janseneering.com a member of the Manufacturer's Association of Maine and the Maine Aerospace Alliance, has been awarded a contract to manufacture direct molds for the fuselage mockup of the new version composite aircraft.
Kestrel supplied Janseneering with digital 3D computer designed shapes that are being used as the foundation to create machining files and tool paths for the 5-axis CNC routers. Rather than machine master patterns and then laminate a composite mold, the CNC machines allow the accurate fabrication of a direct, limited use mold that will be used several times. The fuselage mockups will be outfitted by Kestrel with cabin and cockpit interiors and then painted in the company's theme colors. These mockups, along with their flying prototype, will be used at air and other trade shows as sales tools to show prospective clients the plane that will be manufactured at the facility in Brunswick Landing.
The molds will be transported to Kestrel where their technicians will sand and polish the mold. From that point Kestrel will fabricate the fuselage mockup halves and assemble them. To assist in the accurate assembly and layout, the molds will have lines scribed in that indicate where the windows, door, and other interior components are located. The molds are scheduled for shipment to Kestrel in early May 2011.
Boeing Commercial AIrcraft Business
This information was given in a presentation by Boeings VP/General Manager – Supply Chain Commercial, attended by Rich Grich
Boeing now includes North American Aviation, McDonnell Douglas, Rockwell International (Space & Defense), Hughes (Space & Communications) and Jeppesen. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries and employees over 160,000 people, 150,000 being in the USA. In 2010 Boeing Co. did $64 billion in business, contracts 22,670 suppliers representing 21,200,000 supplier jobs. BAC Commercial is Head Quartered in Peugeot Sound, WA and represents about $31 billion of the business. The B737 contains < 1,000,000 parts while the B747 contains > 6,000,000 parts. As the B-7 fleet ages, 30,900 aircraft will be needed representing a value of $3.6 Trillion. This is expected to occur between 2010 and 2029.
And that’s just the commercial end of Boeings business. The military end is represents another $32 billion in business. Let’s focus our efforts on becoming a Boeing supplier and grow with the market, it may take a while to fill out the electronic forms but with that growth projected should make it well worth your while. If you need assistance contact Rich Grich at meaa@mainemfg.com.
Richard Grich
Director
Maine Aerospace Alliance
386 Bridgton Road
Westbrook, ME 04092
Tel: 207-854-2153
Cell: 207-699-7774
Fax: 207-854-3865
What's Happening in BGS?
Working with other people’s money (OPM)
So, you have a great idea for a new product or process, but the financial demands of running your business on a day-to-day basis leave you with empty pockets and no money for new stuff. Help may be available. A number of MAMe member companies have been able to take advantage of available funding.
BGS can help you examine your business to assure that your product development strategy is appropriate. Then we can help you look for internal resources you may not have considered. And then, we can help you look for some OPM. In Maine, this usually means a Seed Grant or Development Award from the Maine Technology Institute.
The following table shows the basics of these funding programs.
|
|
Seed Grant
|
Development Award
|
|
Maximum Award
|
$12,500
|
$500,000
|
|
Rounds per Year
|
6
|
3
|
|
Match Required
|
1/1
|
1/1
|
|
Repayment Required
|
No
|
Yes – after commercialization
|
One word of caution: Be careful not to be seduced by the potential availability of OPM. Follow a rational business strategy that makes sense for your company. OPM is not an end in itself – it’s only an aid in getting done what you really want to do but need outside support. It’s a tool, not an end in itself!
BGS has consultants who are experienced in writing proposals and navigating through the bureaucracy. We will be happy to meet with you and review your situation and make recommendations.
Norman MacIntyre
MacIntyre Consulting
macintyreconsulting@roadrunner.com
Members in the News
Constellation New Energy:
As you have likely heard, Constellation Energy and Exelon announced a merger, which will create the number one competitive power generator in the country. We are pleased to share this exciting news with you and explain how it will affect you, your members, and our customers.
First, Constellation Energy will remain based in Baltimore and we will continue to sell our retail products and services under the Constellation Energy brand. Second, we are now better positioned for growth and continued innovation than we have ever been before. Finally, and most immediately, nothing will change with regard to our day-to-day interaction. Your points of contact here at Constellation Energy will remain the same. The excellent service levels you have come to expect from Constellation Energy will remain the same. And our commitment to you and your members will remain the same.
More information available at www.exelonconstellationmerger.com.
Northern Maine Community College:
Northern Maine Community College recently opened its Northern Maine Center for Excellence in Alternative Energy Training and Education in Presque Isle.
Industrial Roofing Company:
Lewiston based Industrial Roofing Company recieved the 2011 Firestone Master Contracteror Award from Firestone Building Products Co.
Eastern Maine Community College:
EMCC recently hired Lawrence Bartlett as the school's new president. Barlett comes to EMCC from Perdue University North Central Campus in Westville, Indiana where he was the vice chancellor of enrollment management and student services.
MTI May Workshops
Calling all Entrepreneurs!
Entrepreneurs interested in applying for funding to support business planning, market research, intellectual property filing, prototype development or later-stage R&D are invited to apply for funding.
Maine entrepreneurs are invited to attend any of the upcoming Maine Technology Institute (MTI) workshops for information on funding business planning, market research, intellectual property filing, prototype development or later-stage R&D activities for their technology-based business ventures. At each workshop, MTI program specialists will lead participants through the application writing process to learn what is required to successfully assemble competitive Seed Grant, SBIR Grant and Development Award applications. Come learn tips that will allow you to make your application clear, focused, complete and compelling. There is no charge.
MTI Seed Grants of up to $12,500 are offered on a competitive basis six times per year to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning. A company can be awarded up to a total of $25,000 in Seed Grants for a specific technology.
MTI Phase O SBIR/STTR Grants of up to $5,000 are offered to foster and support competitive federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) proposal submissions. Funds can be used for direct costs associated with preparing an SBIR/STTR proposal like market research, consultant services, proposal preparation and review.
MTI Development Awards of up to $500,000 are offered three times a year on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization, technology transfer and business planning and development.
Each award requires a 1:1 dollar match consisting of actual cash, salaries, staff time or equipment and in-kind contributions directly attributable to the proposed project.
The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) is a state-funded nonprofit corporation that offers early-stage capital and commercialization assistance for the research and development of innovative technology-based projects that create new products, processes and services, generating high-quality jobs across Maine.
Spring 2011 MTI Workshop and Webinar Detail:
WORKSHOPS INCLUDE SEED GRANT, DEVELOPMENT AWARD AND SBIR GRANT APPLICATION
Date: Wednesday, May 25
Time: 9am-noon
Location: Maine International Trade Center, 511 Congress Street, Portland
Date: Wednesday, May 25
Time: 2-4pm
Location: The Mills at Pepperell, Two Main Street, Biddeford
Date: Wednesday, June 1
Time: 10am-noon
Location: Rockland Public Library, 80 Union Street, Rockland
To register, please contact Linda Adams, Program Assistant atladams@mainetechnology.org or 207-582-4790 x206. Reservations are strongly encouraged to help MTI assure adequate space and seating. Walk-ins are welcome, space permitting.
Do You Know What Thieves Can Do With Your Email Address?
By Aleshia Altizer
You are probably already aware of the dangers of losing personal information. Thieves can wreak havoc with things like credit card numbers or bank account info, but are you aware of what they can do with your email address? A recent article from USA Today looks at recent email thefts and what thieves can do with this information.
Since last December, hackers have stolen potentially tens of millions of email addresses from multiple companies including a major fast food chain, vehicle manufacturer and online marketing firm. According to the article, experts say there are many ways thieves can profit from stolen email addresses. For example, thieves can correlate a person's email address and name with information about where a person shops and even where they bank. This can help them bypass anti-virus and spam filters and tweak phishing attacks. If a person falls for a phishing attack, thieves could end up taking full control of a victim's PC.
In times like these, thieves are ALWAYS looking for ways to get their hands on your personal information.
For more information on how you can minimize your risk of a data breach and identity theft contact:
Regina Krause-Consultant
Maine Business and Employee Solutions
207-504-2990-direct
maineemployeesolutions@yahoo.com